Final Project: Rock, Paper, Scissors
Who: While designing this game our target audience was young adults enrolling in college, particularly those interested in a career in engineering.
What: Our project is a digital version of the classic, solve-every-argument game Rock, Paper, Scissors using AOI logic, Synchronous Counters, Seven Segment Displays, and LED's.
Why: We chose this project because it demonstrates a creative and fun real world application of concepts learned in engineering classes. The simplicity and universality of the concept will allow the technical components of the project to be explained easily. A good first impression of engineering is exactly what we want to leave our audience with; enough complexity to intrigue but not intimidate.
How: In order to design this game we basically went through the Engineering Process, however some specific steps include:
What: Our project is a digital version of the classic, solve-every-argument game Rock, Paper, Scissors using AOI logic, Synchronous Counters, Seven Segment Displays, and LED's.
Why: We chose this project because it demonstrates a creative and fun real world application of concepts learned in engineering classes. The simplicity and universality of the concept will allow the technical components of the project to be explained easily. A good first impression of engineering is exactly what we want to leave our audience with; enough complexity to intrigue but not intimidate.
How: In order to design this game we basically went through the Engineering Process, however some specific steps include:
- Brainstorming/Sketching a Design
- Creating a Truth Table
- Creating K-Maps
- Identifying Min terms
- Brainstorm and Research Circuitry
- Use a Circuit Design Software to create a simulation of the circuit
- Refine
- Build a physical circuit on a Digital Logic Board
- Refine
Physical Prototype
Building the physical prototype for this project has been incredibly difficult. My group has already but 32 man hours into wiring it, do in part to strange set backs like having to go buy new resistors, or new small DLB attachments, but also because the circuit is just incredibly large. It takes two and a half DLBs in order to wire, and that is not being generous with space. In order to make the circuit fit with our limited resources we had to be scrupulous with our wires, so that we wouldn't run out of wire or space. Unfortunately after all of our hard work the circuit simply isn't working. Every wire has been checked and rechecked next to the simulation and EVERYTHING is in order. However, I suspect that the problem is related to the problems we encountered with the Now Serving circuit. It has to be those buttons! We have already bought new batteries for our circuit, so I know that it isn't that. We also have tried hooking up two batteries to the circuit just in case one battery just wasn't cutting it but still no dice. If I had more time I would like to try wiring the buttons through D-flip flops as we did in the Now Serving Project, that might help. However, the problem doesn't seem to be based solely around the buttons because for some reason every OR gate is freaking out and outputting a signal of 1 no matter what is plugged into it. Maybe the board is faulty? Anyway I do think that the D-flip-flops would be worth a try. However, tomorrow is my last day of high school, I still have a few difficult finals, and it is 4AM, so I am going to bed and I wish my group the best of luck finishing the project. Oh, and we also built a nice container for our circuit once it has been completed.