Alarm Clock For The Blind

Hi All,
I'm interested in modifying my alarm clock to do one of a number of things.

To give you some background I can only sleep in a pitch black room which also causes me trouble trying to wakeup as I have thick curtains and it can look like 10pm at 10am. So I've decided to modify my alarm clock (or get another one solely for the job) to open my blinds when the alarm goes off.

Essentially what I was thinking is to locate which pin of the integrated circuit activates the alarm and running a wire from that to a motor which in turn pulls on the drawstring to open the curtain. The only problem I have with this is if I leave the alarm on for more that say 20 seconds the drawstring would be fully pulled and the motor may burn out meaning I'd need to make it so the alarm activates a timer which runs the motor for a set period of time before shutting it down.

The other option was to install a hinged ledge with a weight on it attached to the drawstring. Once the alarm goes off the ledge with the weight drops and the weight drops too, pulling the drawstring with it. Again I assume I'd need a cut-off switch for this.

Does anyone have any ideas how this could be built or of any device which does the same? I don't necessarily need to use my alarm clock it could be a stand alone system (EG. I could use a watch with a timer countdown function and once it reaches the correct time instead of activating a beeping noise it could activate the motor).

Thank you all for your time :)

You need a dial potentiometer - a device which controls electrical current so that your motor won't burn out.

2009-07-24 21:23:05 by General_Payne

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I'm deaf-blind and so m looking for a Braille alarm clock with a bedshaker. I've never heard of this brand so wanted a rating on it before I buy. The one I have was recommended by my specialist, but it is horrible. It cost $200, had no AM/PM option, no snooze button, no battery (so whit'd just quit when the power blacked out) and worst of all it was virtually impossible for me to set even though it was Braille. This one sounds much better because it has a removable cover over the face, a snooze button, supposedly easy to set buttons, batteries, and costs much less, but still its about $70 down the drain if it turns out to be a cheapie so wanted to hear from other users.
There used to be a small one you could pack in your suitcase out there but it was discontinued by the manufacturer. I was wondering if anyone knows of any available now, or if this is it, since I travel quite a bit. Also it'd be really nice if I could have two different bedshakers that vibrate differently since I sleep like a log and eventually get used to the vibration and sleep right through it. I used to use two separate alarm clocks in turn, one had a strobe bedshaker, the other a constant vibrating bedshaker. It's sad clocks don't have that option built in, especially since there are so few accessible ones for the deaf-blind.
Anyway, the one I have now is (thankfully) dead now, and I'm going to be moving out on my own soon, so I really gotta find an alarm clock I can set myself or I'll never be able to hold down a job because I'll never get out of bed LOL

Have you ever check that out?
Try type on Google and said ( Braille alarm clock with bedshaker)
It should be cost about 50 dollars.
I hope this help. :)
Oh, ask them for the Braille.

2009-01-30 23:13:54 by Kame

I intend to see an eye Dr. soon, just want to know what others experienced. My eyes are often red and irritated by days end, they are dry, tired, sore, and is hard to keep them open. Also have excessive watering and discharge most nights, and am so blind in the a.m. I cant see numbers on alarm clock...only shadows of objects for several minutes. That is scary. I occasionally have episodes of 5-10 secs where my vision just blurs, then comes back. I have contacts but have been unable to wear them for more than a couple hours (yes I tossed them regularly cuz I suspected infection). Even have probs when I wear my glasses(which I hate!)
I have tried allergy eye drops, drops for "dry eye syndrome", tossed my makeup, got new hypoallergenic pillows, new sheets, and getting more sleep. It is not pink eye, or allergies. It is year-round problem. I'm miserable right now, cuz staring at computer (which I do at work all day) aggravates it a bit. I look like I am stoned all the time. Whats the deal

It is possible that there could be a change in the prescription for both your contacts and glasses.

2007-04-24 16:25:45 by UnitedSocialistStatesofAmerica:(

I have had REALLy bad vision, always, but for the past 3 years it's gotten worse. Sometimes I'll be driving or just watching tv or whatever and I will lose my eyesight in one eye at a time, but it switches from eye to eye, my right eye is much worse, I usually don't get my sight back for 2-10 minutes. I haven't been able to read RED digital IE the alarm clock, then 4 months ago I lost my ability to read ORANGE digital, the letters wiggle too much. When I wake up I usually don't gain vision for several minutes, sometimes in both eyes at the same time. I haven't see the doctor, cause I didnt weant them to take away my lisence, when ever I lose sight, I immetiallty pull over and I rarley drive, but I need a car with four kids in case of an emergency.

Shame on you. I repeat SHAME ON YOU. It is not just your life but the life of your FOUR CHILDREN you are putting at risk.

Whatever your problem is, it's very likely serious. You need to see an ophthalmologist and not be concerned about if you can and cannot drive- because right now, you should not be driving at all.

2008-07-18 16:39:13 by booboo

There was peace in The Town of Flower Down. A sleepy, dreamy kind of peace that rested in the air like morning mist. If you gave a young man a sword he would look perplexed, and ask if it was for slicing giant loaves of bread.
Little wonder then, that the Frog on the Log was the subject of ridicule. Jokes at his expense ran about the school playground. The Rhymetimes published a daily ‘Log Madness’ column. More deviant members of the local youth amused themselves by throwing vegetables at the frog, hoping to topple him from his stage.
The Frog’s log was at the centre of the town square, between the Daffy Café and the Hubbub Pub, by the Mountain Fountain, just opposite the ramp where the town tramp used to beg. Every morning he climbed upon his log as the sun gazed through the mist. Everyone in the town would be woken by his urgent, preaching voice.
‘It’s that frog on his stupid log,’ they’d groan, shuffling beneath their bed sheets.
They would sing in the shower whilst tales of impending doom vibrated through the blinds. They would offer each other toast whilst a call to arms pressed against the window. They would spread marmalade whilst the certainty of war was declared and pronounced immediate. In a way, they loved the frog. He was like an old, familiar ache. And besides, he saved getting an alarm clock.
The Town of Flower Down was governed by an Ogre. This, the towns inhabitants agreed, was not as bad as it might sound. Legends told of a time when their fierce ogre king had waged war against the barbarians of the Vulgar Valley. Yet these legends were hard to believe when they saw their ruler in the news. He was now often photographed sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. They called him the Ogre who does Yoga.

Very good, you're on the right track. Good luck with the book, I think you really must write it, it will be something like Marquez' "A Century of Solitude" - revolutionary!

2006-04-12 20:43:34 by name21