How difficult would it be to program something like this...?

[bovinda]

This guy made an amazing gift for his friends: a box that wouldn't open unless it was in the right spot, as detected by a GPS. The L.A. Times had a little post about it today.

I would love to make something like this, but I have no idea how to code. How hard would it be to make something like this, using the pieces he suggests? He provides the custom libraries he uses, and the schematic for his logic, but not the code. I think it's an amazing idea! Unfortunately I know nothing about coding.

 

[EagleKeeper]

There is a flow diagram near the bottom of the article.

 

[bovinda]

Yeah, that's the schematic I mentioned in my initial post, which is great...but I still don't know how to start or approach this (given I have no knowledge, yet, of programming or coding).

Anyone, any suggestions? This may have been the wrong place to post this, but just thought I'd give it a shot.

 

[Cogman]

The code doesn't look like it would be too difficult. The hard part is getting the SDK to write the code. I've never programmed for the platform so I couldn't tell you exactly how hard/easy this would be.

 

[iCyborg]

I find that Arduino board pretty cool, given that it's only $30 and the programming environment is free :thumbsup:
I could easily think of some nice stuff I could do with that, especially if I can connect a webcam to it, might give it a try

 

[esun]

The level of difficulty really depends on your level of experience. Any EE with some embedded system design experience should find it relatively straightforward (I imagine the mechanics of the locking mechanism would prove trickier than coding up the control logic). For a layperson, it would be near impossible. For someone in the middle (e.g., a scientist or engineer with tinkering ability) it would be reasonable but require some background reading first I'm sure.

 

[Colt45]

I don't think it would be a big deal. Those GPS modules just talk rs-232. I got one a while back, but haven't played with it much yet.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

<= software engineer w/ 10 years experience (including some embedded work)

My suggestion, find a new hobby that is worth while. THe problem given is a complex one but when you break it down to individual pieces, it is not that hard. Just time consuming.

 

[clamum]

Wow, that is just frickin slick as hell. Starting with that post I've been reading about the Arduino and projects based off it and I think I have found myself a new hobby.

 

[TruePaige]

That's amazing!

Imagine getting your wife a new ring for your 10th anniversary to celebrate how far you've come in life. She could go to the tree you had your first picnic under and then..bam..she opens it and smiles that loving smile at you..you embrace and life, for the tiny moments that it matters...is perfect.


Ahhh..it could make the sweetest gift ever!

 

[bovinda]

Hmm...I'm getting the feeling it would be very difficult (i.e., near impossible) for me to figure out how to do this, especially with the time I have...

Anyone know of some programming forums/websites somewhere where I might be able to enlist help?

 

[Leros]

It would be pretty easy for somebody with experience. Doing it the first time with no guidance will be very difficult. Interfacing hardware is like programming, but much harder to debug.

 

[Colt45]

Depends what you're used to, I guess... I can generally fix hardware drunk and blindfolded, SW is more of a pain, especially on embedded stuff, where you need JTAG or something similar, to see what's going on in the black box

But just the programming will be more difficult for someone that has never worked with embedded stuffs.. you need to know a lot more about the hardware, and all the stuff you take for granted like stdin and stdout doen't exist, at least by default.