A unique clock project that combines math and electronics using the Fibonacci sequence to display time with colored segments. Powered by a Wemos D1 Mini, it fetches the current time using NTP. This repository serves as a learning journal, tracking the development process, inspirations, troubleshooting, and future improvements.
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images/: Photos of the clock and its working principle.fibonacci_clock_code/: Contains the code to run the Fibonacci clock logic.
fibonacci_clock_pcb/: Files and documentation for the PCB design.debugging/: Logs of issues encountered and solutions applied during development.
The Fibonacci Clock displays time by lighting up segments of a matrix corresponding to Fibonacci numbers.
- Microcontroller: Wemos D1 Mini (ESP8266).
- Time Sync: Fetches the current time via NTP (Network Time Protocol).
- Hour Representation:
Example: If the time is 6:42, segments 1 and 5 are lit RED, which sum to 6 for the hour. - Minute Representation:
For 42 minutes, segments 3 and 5 are lit BLUE, resulting in (3 + 5) × 5 = 40 minutes. - Overlap:
When a segment represents both hours and minutes (e.g., segment 5), it is lit GREEN to indicate overlap.
Working Principle Diagram:
Segments only represent numbers between 1 - 12, and minute values are scaled by multiplying by 5.
Time increments are in 5-minute intervals, so valid minute values range between 40 - 45 minutes.
Building this clock has been an exciting adventure. It started as a simple idea to make a desktop artpiece that is bit unique and looks cool and ended up being a timekeeping device. Using the Wemos D1 Mini to sync time with NTP added complexity but opened new possibilities.
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Creating the PCB design was also a journey in its own. I started with the prefboard and the main project is still on the prefboard but for the further development and to make the device look clean and more presentable the PCB design was created.
The pcb that I created is not complete. It is still a work in progress and nowhere near to the original design. I am planning to make the project like the main original design itself.
Future iterations may include offline timekeeping by integrating an RTC module to eliminate reliance on NTP. Wireless control and animations are also on the horizon!
- Issue 1: Incorrect color when hours and minutes overlapped.
- Solution: Modified the RGB blending logic to correctly show GREEN for overlaps.
- Issue 2: Incorrect minute calculation when sum exceeded valid range.
- Solution: Added checks to restrict values between 0-12 for valid Fibonacci sums.
- Issue 3: The light is not bright enough and flickers a lot.
- Solution: Removed the delay in the main loop to reduce flickering.
Just a current solution though. Planning to remove the second solution in the future busing MAX7219 chip rather than the LM74HC595 chip.
- Solution: Removed the delay in the main loop to reduce flickering.
- RTC Integration: Add an RTC module (like DS3231) for offline timekeeping.
- PCB Enhancements: Optimize the layout for smaller size and better wiring.
- Dynamic Patterns: Add animations or interactive light sequences. There could be much more animations and the rgb led can be used to show some patterns.
- Battery Power: Implement battery-powered functionality for portability.
- Original inspiration from the Kickstarter Campaign.
- Building process from Instructables project.
- Video from Steve Ramsey on Youtube building the clock .
This repository will continue to evolve as I experiment with new features and improvements.