Week 7 # - Journal

Ideation

Tell us about your assignment's idea for this week. Why do you care about this idea? What inspired you? (Please include images or links to sources of inspiration)

📌 Ideation

For this week's assignment, I designed a Security Alarm Box. The idea is to create a smart system that detects when a box is opened and triggers an alarm. This concept could be useful for securing personal belongings or sensitive materials.

🔹 Why this idea?

The inspiration came from the need for simple, yet effective security solutions that can be implemented using Arduino. By using ultrasonic distance measurement instead of traditional magnetic sensors, the box can accurately detect when the lid is opened.

🔹 How it works?

A switch (button) is used to turn the security system ON or OFF.

When ON, the system monitors the ultrasonic sensor (HC-SR04) inside the box.

If the box is closed (distance < 5 cm), the LED and buzzer remain OFF.

If the box is opened (distance > 5 cm), the LED starts blinking and the buzzer sounds an alarm.

If the switch is OFF, the system is disabled, and no alarms are triggered.

Image for Reference

Tool Chain

Which software/machines/materials did you use in the assignment? Why?

Software:

1. Tinker CAD

Online software for 3D design, electronics, and coding.

I used it to design and simulate my circuit.

2. Arduino IDE

Online software for programming Arduino.

I used it to program my circuit.

Components

Breadboard

LEDs

Resistors

Buzzer

Switch Button

Crocodile Wires

5V Adapter

Connecting Wires

Ultrasonic Sensor - HC-SR04

Arduino UNO

Tools:

Cutter

Metal Ruler

Cardboard

Design/Preparation Process

Explain the design and/or preparation process of your assignment. How did you use the tool or software to design and/or prepare your assignment before fabrication/implementation?

Design

Code Source

1) I simulated my code logic on paper.

2) I simulated my wiring on TinkerCAD.

3) found reference for the idea and the code

Ref#1: Link

4) Feeded TinkerCad with the code.

5) Kept refining and editing inputs until I got the correct Result.

Design On Tinker Cad

🔹 Circuit Wiring (Tinkercad Simulation)

HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor
- Trig → Pin 6
- Echo → Pin 5
Switch (Button) → Pin 7
Buzzer → Pin 4
LED → Pin 3
Power Source → 5V from Arduino

🔹 Working Logic (Pseudocode)

Read the button switch state:
- If OFF → System disabled (Buzzer and LED remain OFF).
- If ON → Proceed to distance measurement.
Read ultrasonic sensor distance:
- If distance < 5 cm → Box is closed → LED and Buzzer OFF.
- If distance > 5 cm → Box is open → LED blinks, Buzzer sounds.

Reference

Code Reference

Code Logic:

Pin Setup:
- Named pins:
  - TRIG_PIN: Sends sound wave
  - ECHO_PIN: Receives sound wave
  - SWITCH_PIN: Turns system ON/OFF
  - BUZZER_PIN: Makes sound
  - LED_PIN: Lights up
Setup:
- Defined input/output for each pin.
- Enabled serial monitor for testing distance.
Loop:
- If switch is OFF: LED & buzzer stay off.
- If switch is ON:
  - Measures distance using ultrasonic sensor.
  - Distance ≤ 6 cm: Box closed → No alarm.
  - Distance > 6 cm: Box open → LED blinks & buzzer sounds.
Delays:
- Added to control blinking speed & avoid rapid readings.

In short: Switch ON → Measures distance → Box open? Alarm triggers. Box closed? Nothing happens.

PXL_20250211_145202914.LS.mp4

The Circuit was simulated on TinkerCad

Development/Implementation Process

Explain the development/implementation process of your assignment. How did you use the machine/tool to manufacture or implement the design of your assignment?

Prototyping & Build

Building The Curcuit

Compiling and Uploading Code

Testing

Cardboard Mounting

Ready to Operate

PXL_20250211_143912897.mp4

Curcuit is Successfully Working!!

Community of Learning

Did you ask for feedback? What are the ideas that others have contributed or suggested? What was someone else’s idea that you built upon? How did you help your peers? How did your peers help you?

Overcoming Challenges

When you got stuck, what/who did you turn to? At what point did you have to pause to research or learn more before moving on? What are some mistakes, pitfalls, or challenges that others can avoid if they were doing this assignment?

Challenges

The circuit didn't work

Upon reviewing the code I found that I used the wrong PINs in action.

Final Project

How can you use the skills and knowledge that you've acquired this week in your final project?

Title of Media

I learned how to program the Arduino to give me the multiple inputs and output functions I need.

WOW!

What is the coolest thing that you've learned this week? What is something that you will never forget from this week?

Weekly Digest [OPTIONAL]

Tell us about any other cool things that you've made this week: in the Hands-on activity, tutorial examples, exercises, or any other cool mini-project that you tried out aside from the assignment.

Assignment Design Files

Arduino Code

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