Project Summary：The Dao Clock

1.Initial idea of the project：“Lazy clock” is not lazy; it is technology connecting people with nature

I recently came up with an innovative project idea, inspired by my daily experiences.
I noticed that when my alarm clock rings, I don't really want to get out of bed.
Instead, I often decide when to actually leave bed based on the environmental conditions.
This led me to conceive a device called the "Lazy Clock," designed to wake me up naturally from my surroundings, a concept I refer to as "Naturally Wake-Up."

In the initial phase of this project, I plan to create a simple demo to validate the feasibility of my idea.
I realized that to make the "Lazy Clock" truly effective, it needs to be able to understand and respond to subtle changes in the environment.

Building on this, I intend to apply my knowledge of TinyML (Tiny Machine Learning) to this project.
My goal is to use TinyML algorithms for training, creating a personalized feature that wakes up users based on environmental changes.
To achieve this, my first focus will be on data collection and processing.

I plan to use various sensors to capture natural changes in the environment, such as sound, light, and temperature, and convert these data into a format suitable for machine learning models. Next, I will design and train a lightweight machine learning model capable of recognizing specific environmental changes as signals to wake up the user.

Regarding hardware, I will carefully select appropriate devices to deploy my model. Considering the power consumption and computational limits of TinyML, this might be challenging. I plan to use a small microcontroller, equipped with necessary environmental sensors.

Once my model is successfully deployed, I will ensure the system can monitor environmental changes in real time and trigger an alarm or other wake-up mechanisms when it detects the predetermined wake-up signal. I will also thoroughly test and optimize the entire system to ensure it can accurately and reliably wake up the user at the right moment.

I am extremely excited about this project. It's not only challenging but also has the potential to provide a more natural and personalized wake-up experience for people. I am looking forward to seeing my "Lazy Clock" idea become a reality and make a practical impact.

2.Further considerations and final naming：Dao Clock

After further reflection, I learned to respect nature from traditional Chinese culture.
In ancient China, people recorded time using sundials, which displayed time through the changes in natural light.

Definition of Sundial
TEN HEAVENLY STEMS AND TWELVE EARTHLY BRANCHES
The Twelve Chinese Zodiac Hours：Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai


This provided inspiration for my dial design. I chose the Dao as the symbol of the Dao Clock, which is a symbol of time and nature.

From Idea to Sketch：Project Description

In the design of Dao Clock, I will use a light sensor, microphone, humidity sensor, and temperature sensor as output devices.
Using the Seeed Xiao as the processor, I will load the desired program.
When the suitable environment is achieved, it will read from the SD card to play my favorite music and wake me up through the speaker as the output device.
For the casing, I will use transparent plastic material to ensure that these sensors are not affected during operation.
Additionally, its suction cup will be used to attach Dao Clock to my window.

3D design of the Dao Clock

Overview of the 3D design

Combining the internal structural design of the circuit board, I finally completed the adjustments for each structural section.
5.27 Update:
Due to miscalculations of the various component sizes on the circuit board, which led to design defects, I had to readjust the design.
It includes three parts:

a transparent top cover

a middle support structure

a base structure

**Name**	**Qty**	**Description or SPEC**	**Price**	**Link**	**Files**
Transparent top cover	1	The transparent material is used to protect the device and prevent the components from being exposed. This material is chosen to showcase the Neopixel lighting effects while allowing the light sensor to function effectively.	$22.00	link need update	Files
Middle support structure	1	The cylindrical protective layer is specially designed to support the components of PCB_Part1 and prevent the Neopixels from interfering with the light sensor during operation.	22.00 $	https://amazon.com/testoe	Files
Base structure	1	The base is used to protect the components and provides space for placing the battery.	22.00 $	https://amazon.com/testoe	Files

1.The ID&MD of Dao Clock

1. Base Design
Because I want to make this interesting product look good and find standard parts that can be used directly to complete this project, I found the suction cup I wanted on Taobao.
Based on the dimensions provided by this suction cup, I designed the base and made it fit into my base.

2. Casing Design
Since I need to use various sensors to detect environmental changes, especially light sensors and temperature sensors, I chose to design the casing in a transparent style to allow light to pass through.
At the same time, I considered making holes in certain positions to ensure that the microphone and speaker work without interference.


3. Connection Structure Between Casing and Base
I designed a connection structure between the base and the casing to ensure that the sensors can be easily connected.
I designed embedded grooves to make the installation of the casing and base more precise.
I chose to use screws and nuts for the connection, so I designed screw holes.
It is necessary to explain that since the casing may need to be disassembled for debugging and testing, I designed a hot melt nut process on the casing.
This makes it easy to connect the casing and the base, and it is more solid.

2.Manufacture & Assemble the parts

1. Manufacture them
After completing the design,
I needed to use materials that met certain aesthetic requirements.
However,
I found that the 3D printer at Chaihuo Node was not sufficient to achieve the high-quality manufacturing needed.
I wanted the transparent top cover and the base to have a more attractive appearance,
so I chose to find a 3D printing service provider for manufacturing.
I printed the middle support parts myself and attempted the assembly.





2. Attempt to assemble the parts together
I will attempt to assemble the transparent shell,
the support parts,
and the base together,
to confirm if they can be assembled properly.
However,
I found that the middle support parts I printed at Chaihuo had significant errors.
Therefore,
I had to trim the interfaces of the parts with other tools,
and finally managed to install them.

********Final adjust Update*********

The PCB design of the Dao Clock

Overview of the PCB design

My circuit design is divided into two main sections.
One part is the upper module used to fix 12 Neopixels, a light sensor, and a Xiao camera component.（Hereinafter referred to as “PCB_Part1”.）
The other part is the main control circuit board, which includes the Xiao ESP32S3, interface connections, speaker, and battery connection components.（Hereinafter referred to as “PCB_Part2”.）
Before starting, I gathered the specifications and information for the sensors needed for this project.
Here is the list:

Name	Qty	Description or SPEC	Price	Link	Files
Material one	1		22.00 $	https://amazon.com/testoe	Files
Material one	1		22.00 $	https://amazon.com/testoe	Files
Material one	1		22.00 $	https://amazon.com/testoe	Files
Material one	1		22.00 $	https://amazon.com/testoe	Files

PS:The overall PCB design took me a lot of time, and due to the design difficulty, I had to adjust the corresponding 3D appearance design scheme.
The modification process is as follows:

1. **Neopixel PCB Scheme Adjustment**:

Since my design required 12 Neopixels to be connected in series, I created the design diagram,
but I found that due to the small size of the PCB, it couldn't be achieved through CNC engraving.
Therefore, I changed the design plan.

2. **Structural Scheme Adjustment Due to Design Defects**:

During the design process, I found that my scheme might have defects:
the flashing of the Neopixels would interfere with the normal operation of the light sensor, so I changed the scheme.

3. **PCB Design Defects**:

After completing all the soldering work and testing the programming,
I found that the sensor layout direction was wrong, causing the DHT11 to be damaged.
I redesigned a version of the PCB.

4. **More Jumpers Led to Insufficient Bottom Space Design**:

This made me adjust my 3D design scheme once again.

1.Design and Manufacturing of PCB_Part1

First design plan:Discarded

My circuit design is divided into two main sections.
One part is the upper module used to fix 12 Neopixels, a light sensor, and a Xiao camera component.
The other part is the main control circuit board, which includes the Xiao ESP32S3, interface connections, speaker, and battery connection components.
Here is the PCB_Part1 design:


Suddenly,I discovered a critical issue with this design,
I could not achieve processing with a small CNC,
because the traces had to be very thin.
Our CNC's engraving bit can only achieve a size of 0.4mm.
I consulted with Mentor Salman,
and his final suggestion was to use pre-made Neopixels components with 12 LEDs.
Therefore,I readjusted the overall design plan.

Successful New design:Jumpers and structural support for sensors.

Ultimately,I used jumpers to connect the necessary sensor components by soldering them together.
I used the support structure to reasonably arrange the sensors on it as much as possible,forming a new assembly.


By using a multimeter to test the connectivity of each component,
I ensured that there were no short circuit issues.
Final PCB_Part1 design is as follows:

2.Design and Manufacturing of PCB_Part2_Main Control Circuit Board

First design plan:Discarded

My circuit design is divided into two main sections.
One part is the upper module used to fix 12 Neopixels, a light sensor, and a Xiao camera component.
The other part is the main control circuit board, which includes the Xiao ESP32S3, interface connections, speaker, and battery connection components.
Here is the PCB_Part1 design:


Suddenly,I discovered a critical issue with this design,
I could not achieve processing with a small CNC,
because the traces had to be very thin.
Our CNC's engraving bit can only achieve a size of 0.4mm.
I consulted with Mentor Salman,
and his final suggestion was to use pre-made Neopixels components with 12 LEDs.
Therefore,I readjusted the overall design plan.