The carnival game megaproject is a series of miniature cardboard “houses”, arranged in a neighborhood, that are meant to be interacted with tactically and visually. After a visitor interacts with a house, they will receive one digit of a “secret passcode” via a 7-segment LED. After interacting with all of the houses' features, the visitor can input the passcode to a keypad and candy will be dispensed.
These houses are done in a minimalist cardboard architecture, so you can clearly see the simple structure. Feel free to decorate them any way you want or design these games into other structures to suit your purpose.
This project would be great for a classroom to work on collaboratively, with small groups working on different parts. Each house was developed on its own Propeller Activity Board WX. FLiP modules (with breadboards) or other Propeller development boards could also be used, and some houses could be combined to share a Propeller board if necessary.
Note: This project is a guide, and will not necessarily take you through each part step-by-step. Some basic knowledge of electronics is recommended, and in some cases you may need to substitute parts if items we use are unavailable to you.
**Depending on the configuration of your boxes, you may need extension cables. If you're uncertain what length you may need, Parallax offers a variety pack of different-length 3-wire extension cables.
This house has an opening where the visitor can reach inside to grab a piece of candy on a small table. The candy is even lit up with an LED ring to make it tempting! But, a PING))) sensor detects the visitor’s hand, and a servo flips down a bunch of hidden pipe cleaners to tickle and scare the visitor. Plus, the candy is fully glued down so no there's treasure to claim here — except for the first secret passcode digit displayed on the 7-segment LED.
Note: It is best to run projects from a battery pack or wall supply, Do not try to run them off of the USB cable.
This is a tall box with a vertically mounted LED strip that represents a high striker game, like you'd see at many carnivals. There is a pressure sensor on the top of the box that measures how hard it is struck, and so the LED strip can then visually display how hard the sensor was hit. The box is "won" when the user illuminates the lights above the differently colored LED near the top of the strip. Upon victory, another digit for the secret passcode is displayed on the 7-segment LED.
Note: It is best to run projects from a battery pack or wall supply, Do not try to run them off of the USB cable.
No construction is needed, just wiring. The bullseye game requires quick reflexes and hand-eye coordination. Press the button to stop the moving light in the middle of the LED strip.
Note: It is best to run projects from a battery pack or wall supply, Do not try to run them off of the USB cable.
The candy dispenser incorporates a simple funnel and trapdoor that can be controlled by a servo. This allows candy to be easily loaded from the top, and it is released when the correct PIN is input into the KeyBox.
The Key Box is the key to getting your well deserved candy. There is a keypad mounted on the box for users to put in the code that they received, it should be 329 if you followed the code as set up in this project (you can make your own code if you make a few adjustments along the way). If they get the key correct, they get a candy! If they do not, a silly string sprayer, hidden in this box, sprays them.
The Silly String Sprayer is an optional part of this project. It needs mechanical parts made from a rigid material. We used a laser cutter and ¼”acrylic, but you could also use thin wood or other firm material. A servo activates the sprayer.
Note: It is best to run projects from a battery pack or wall supply, Do not try to run them off of the USB cable.
To create the silly string spray device you will need to either:
Download the Silly String Parts File (DXF) [16]
You will need a program capable of opening a .dxf document to open the parts file.
4.5x4.5 Inches
CAUTION: Always wear safety glasses when working with drills, hot glue, laser cutters or other tools!
You’re finished! Have fun spraying your friends!
Links
[1] https://learn.parallax.com/tutorials/language/blocklyprop/getting-started-blocklyprop-solo
[2] https://learn.parallax.com/sites/default/files/content/AB-Blockly/Projects/Brain-Megaproject/CarnivalGameSVGs.zip
[3] https://www.parallax.com/product/32912
[4] https://www.parallax.com/product/30056
[5] https://www.parallax.com/product/27899
[6] https://www.parallax.com/product/400-00002
[7] https://www.parallax.com/product/900-00005
[8] https://www.parallax.com/product/350-00027
[9] https://www.parallax.com/product/910-28188
[10] http://www.parallax.com/product/28015
[11] https://www.parallax.com/product/751-00010
[12] https://learn.parallax.com/tutorials/language/propeller-c/propeller-c-simple-circuits/seven-segment-display
[13] https://learn.parallax.com/tutorials/language/blocklyprop/circuit-practice-blocklyprop/sense-light
[14] https://learn.parallax.com/tutorials/language/blocklyprop/silly-string-sprayer
[15] https://learn.parallax.com/tutorials/language/blocklyprop/4x4-keypad-7-segment-led
[16] https://learn.parallax.com/sites/default/files/content/AB-Blockly/Projects/Brain-Megaproject/SillyStringDXFFiles.zip