Embedded Files
Project Ideation
Project Ideation
1- Tell us about the purpose of your project. Which problem does it solve? Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects
1- Tell us about the purpose of your project. Which problem does it solve? Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects
Custom Chess Clock
The inspiration behind this project comes from my deep passion for chess and my desire to support and develop the Egyptian chess community. One major challenge facing local players is the limited access to affordable and modern chess clocks. Most available options are either outdated or very expensive, which discourages wider adoption—especially among students, clubs, and beginners.
This project aims to design and build a cost-effective, customizable, and durable chess clock tailored to the needs of local players. Unlike commercial models, this custom device addresses the following key issues:
Limited Availability: Offers a practical alternative in a market where choices are scarce.
Educational Value: Building the clock also provides a great opportunity to explore electronics, programming, and product design.
Ultimately, this project is not just about building a device—it’s about empowering the local chess scene with tools that are affordable, modern, and made by a player, for players.
2- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
2- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
This custom chess clock will be a digital device with two independent timers, one for each player. Players will press a button after their move to stop their clock and start the opponent's, ensuring fair time management. It will feature a clear digital display for remaining time and offer programmable time controls, including various increment and delay settings. The design will prioritize user-friendliness and allow for future customization in aesthetics and advanced functionalities like sound alerts or data logging. Connectivity: Integration with other devices (e.g., a chess computer, a streaming setup) for data logging or remote control.
DIY chess clock 🕒
3- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
3- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
Project Planning
Project Planning
4- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
4- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
Construction Parts
The outer box will be designed using 2D in SolidWorks / Fusion 360, then laser-cut from durable materials like wood. The player press switches will be custom-designed and 3D printed for a precise fit and ergonomic feel.
Input
(Sensing, Tactile Input, and/or Graphical Input)
Two large buttons: One for each player to stop their clock and start the opponent's.
Three control buttons: For navigating menus, confirming selections, and pausing/resetting the clock.
Potentiometer: For setting time values and other numerical parameters.
64 Reed Switches: Used to detect changes on the chessboard, such as piece movement or position updates.
Action
(Physical and/or Graphic)
LCD
Buzzer
Brain
Arduino uno
Power Management
battery 12V 🔋 or 2A 9V adapter 🔌
5- Create a cardboard prototype of your project, demonstrating the project face as well as internal movements and mechanisms. Include a demo video and photos of the prototype.
5- Create a cardboard prototype of your project, demonstrating the project face as well as internal movements and mechanisms. Include a demo video and photos of the prototype.
chess clock
chess board
6- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.
6- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.
Minimum Features: are the least amount of features that would demonstrate the coverage of all the technical modules and their complete integration
Complete Features: are the set of features that will complete your original project objective and vision
Nice-to-have Features: are the extra set of features that will make the project cooler, yet they need extra time, effort, and/or resources to finish
Minimum User Features
Feature 1: Fixed Timer for Both Players
Feature 1: Fixed Timer for Both Players
Action: Display and control a countdown timer, with options to pause and resume, and trigger a buzzer when a player’s time runs out.
Sensing: Internal clock module for precise timing.
User Input: Physical buttons or switches.
Feature 2: Timer with Increment (per Movement)
Feature 2: Timer with Increment (per Movement)
Action: Display and control a countdown timer, pause and resume, and trigger a buzzer when a player’s time runs out.
Sensing: Internal clock module for precise timing.
User Input: Physical buttons or switches.
Complete User Features
Feature 1: Timer with Increment and Delay (per Player)
Feature 1: Timer with Increment and Delay (per Player)
Action: Display and control a countdown timer, pause and resume, and trigger a buzzer when a player’s time runs out.
Sensing: Internal clock module for precise timing.
User Input: Physical buttons or switches.
Feature 2: Remote Control via Bluetooth
Feature 2: Remote Control via Bluetooth
Action: Send and receive timer settings (fixed time, increment, and delay)
Sensing: Bluetooth module for wireless communication.
User Input: Mobile app or paired device interface.
Nice-to-have User Features
Feature: Share Movement Time via Bluetooth
Feature: Share Movement Time via Bluetooth
Action: Transmit each player’s move time and overall game data to a paired device.
Sensing: Bluetooth module for wireless communication.
User Input: Mobile app or paired device interface.
Feature: Automatic Chessboard Move Detection
Feature: Automatic Chessboard Move Detection
Action: Detect changes on the chessboard and automatically log and display moves.
Sensing: 64 reed switches and 32 neodymium magnets for accurate movement detection.
User Input: None (automatic detection).
7- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
7- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
Component/Material
Amount
Link
Arduino uno
1
from kit
Jampers
Set
from kit
Plywood
1:3
from kit
Breadboard
1
from kit
HC-05 Bluetooth Module
1
from kit
LCD
1
from kit
8- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
8- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
Task
Sub-Tasks
From:
To:
Design
Concept Sketches & Early 3D Models
Enclosure Design – creating space for all electronics
Fabrication-Ready File Preparation
Mechanism Design, Simulation, and Testing
Sep 8
Sep 13
Digital Fabrication
Mechanism Prototyping & Testing – using materials like cardboard, wood, etc.
Fabrication – via 3D printing or laser cutting
Aesthetic Finishing & Surface Coating
Final Assembly – integrating connections and components
Sep 13
Sep 15
Electronics & Programming
Individual Component Testing
Code Block Verification – testing each component’s logic
Virtual Simulation – using Tinkercad
Real-Life Hardware Simulation
Control Interface Development – mobile app or web-based
Full Code Integration & System Testing
Sep 16
Sep 19
Integration & Testing
Basic Prototype Assembly & Functionality Check – ensuring core integration
Performance Testing – validating speed, accuracy, and reliability
Feature Testing
Mini Features – test individual functions
Complete Features – test the full integrated system
Sep 20
Sep 21
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