Scaffolding: Progress Review - Donkey Kong Controller

The Donkey Kong controller is a custom sun hat equipped with ultrasonic and sound sensors, blending gameplay mechanics with the game’s visual theme. The hat, a collectible item in the game, emphasizes its significance and ties the physical controller to the virtual world. This dual-purpose design enhances the sense of immersion, as players use a real-world item that has value within the game.

Four ultrasonic sensors are embedded in the hat, each linked to a directional movement. Players can hover a hand or the themed monkey toy over the sensors to navigate, mimicking Donkey Kong's natural movement in a jungle setting. The hat also features a sound sensor that detects noise or a yell, triggering a jump, aligning with the game’s action-driven dynamics. This design connects visual elements with gameplay, making the controller a seamless part of Donkey Kong's world.  Please note that the hat isn't missing color—it is intentionally white. In the game, the hat is designed to be a white sun hat. 

Sketches

Schematic

Pseudocode

// Initialize and configure sensors

// Declare variables for ultrasonic sensors: leftSensor, rightSensor, forwardSensor, backwardSensor

// Declare variable for sound sensor: jumpSensor

// Define threshold distance for ultrasonic sensors to detect hand or toy movement 

// Define sound threshold for jump detection 

void setup() {

  // Initialize all sensors

  // Set pin numbers for each sensor:

  // - leftSensor attached to Pin X

  // - rightSensor attached to Pin Y

  // - forwardSensor attached to Pin Z

  // - backwardSensor attached to Pin W

  // - jumpSensor attached to Pin V

  // Initialize communication with the computer to send key presses

}

void loop() {

 // Read data from each ultrasonic sensor

  // leftDistance = read distance from leftSensor

  // rightDistance = read distance from rightSensor

  // forwardDistance = read distance from forwardSensor

  // backwardDistance = read distance from backwardSensor

  // jumpLevel = read sound level from jumpSensor

  // Check each sensor's state and trigger corresponding actions

  // LEFT MOVEMENT

  // If leftDistance is less than threshold 

    // Simulate pressing the "D" key (move character left)

    // Send "D" key press to computer

  // Else, if leftDistance is greater than threshold

    // Release the "D" key (stop moving left)

  // RIGHT MOVEMENT

  // If rightDistance is less than threshold

    // Simulate pressing the "A" key (move character right)

    // Send "A" key press to computer

  // Else, if rightDistance is greater than threshold

    // Release the "A" key (stop moving right)

  // FORWARD MOVEMENT

  // If forwardDistance is less than threshold

    // Simulate pressing the "W" key (move character up)

    // Send "W" key press to computer

  // Else, if forwardDistance is greater than threshold

    // Release the "W" key (stop moving up)

  // BACKWARD MOVEMENT

  // If backwardDistance is less than threshold

    // Simulate pressing the "S" key (move character down)

    // Send "S" key press to computer

  // Else, if backwardDistance is greater than threshold

    // Release the "S" key (stop moving down)

  // JUMP ACTION

  // If jumpLevel exceeds the sound threshold

    // Simulate pressing the "Space" key (jump)

    // Send "Space" key press to computer

  // Else, if sound level is below the threshold

    // Release the "Space" key (stop jump)

}