ElBanquos Alarm Clock

The Trigger

My actual alarm clock in my bedroom is very old and cheap, and I got annoyed of its bad interface.

• You can't switch time backwards when changing alarm time

• Radio starts with a click noise (and right on in selected volume from start)

• No tracking of time services

After scanning the available models in the stores, I was very disappointed. Every good idea generated a new problem:

• Good idea: rotary knobs to change time. But: rotary knob was placed in the front, so when you to push it for ackknowledgment you will shove it from the table until you hold it with your hand.

• Good idea: LCD matrix display. But: the lowest setting of the backlight could not be read without my glasses. When setting it brighter, it disturbed me through my closed eyes.

Other things are not necessary for the job of waking me up:

• Multiple alarms and preset radion stations

• Complex handling

My Approach

I decided to design my own alarm clock. The following features were the target:

• Focus on the "wake up job." Even tough it uses a radio to wake me up, it is not a fully functional radio.

• Start radio with low volume and fade it up to selected level.

• Display time with a graphical time representation. Readable from moderate distance without my glasses and dim enough so it does not disturb me.

• Very easy to handle 3-button interface.

• Buttons mounted vertically, so nothing will move, when using it.

• Alarm off procedure that can't be executed by accident.

• Get time from RDS time service.

• Nap function starting alarm after a defined time interval. Working independently from normal alarm setting.

• Usual features of an alarm clock: snooze and sleep function with fade out.

Later features

• First dim up the light slowliy befor starting the radio.

Resources

Check out my GitHub documentation and repository.

Demo Video

Gallery