Computer Says: Break Time!

 *** SPOILER ALERT ***

* Dear avid readers: if you intend to play the game please wait to read this! *

For the Communication assignment, I first considered getting inspiration from the idea of assigning items on my desk into categories. Then I looked at my desk.

Yeah... no.

I was also thinking about the serial monitor communication and how I might be able to write the computer as a character, and the materials for this assignment (specifically the RFID reader) reminded me of making games.... and kaPOW! This idea:

Ta-da!

So easy, right? Somehow a part of me believes that just a little bit, despite logic and consistent evidence to the contrary. Fortunately, Fotoon was kind enough to lend me her RFID reader, and I had an extra Uno board from last semester, so I knew this would be possible. 

Many hours later, I scrapped the idea of the LED matrix and reused my "Simon Says" code with some modifications. I also went from the four digit seven segment display to the single digit version, and made a simpler countdown as a result. I struggled pretty hard on understanding much of the code and some of the wiring (not where it went but what it did exactly) for these components, and what I have below is largely an experimental mish-mosh of sample-code, found-on-internet-code, and code-that-could-probably-be-simplified.

My feelings while trying to make things work

I like the idea of "think outside the box" puzzles, and I wanted to get back into the swing of test playing concepts. I always worry problems like this will be too obvious, but hopefully people don't figure out the trick right away. :) 

Inside!

Outisde! (tweaked the message after this photo)

The following is a playthrough video, a schematic, and code for both programs that are running (one requires connection to the computer for the serial monitor, the other just need battery power).

Enjoy!

As always,
CapriciousClockwinder2345620 + Toupe4
(no ledge)

PS thanks to Random Nerd Tutorials for providing some code that helped me understand and use the RFID