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Store Customer Traffic Light

Traffic light for managing customer numbers during the pandemic

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During the covid-19 pandemic, stores are supposed to control the number of customers inside. Mostly, this seems to be accomplished with STOP signs and hand-waving.

This project consists of simple blinking red and green lights (with text) that show if customers can enter a store or if they should wait. The store clerk manages the lights with an IR remote control. There are also indicator LEDs on the back so you can see which lights are active.

A button on the back can be used to turn the lights on and off, as well as to program the remote control buttons.

There is a YouTube video that shows it blinking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LkjOZDP17o

The most important requirement is that it be CHEAP TO BUILD.  At least as far as the cost of components.

The IR library is home-made since I didn't like how other ones worked.  The downside is that it only works with Sony remote controls.  It should be easy to add support for other makes.

The box was made from several pieces of 1/4" and 1/2" plywood.  A router was used to make paths for wires to go through.  Not sure if a 3D printer would have made it any easier.

Originally, the plan was to have the piece of paper with "Welcome" and "Please Wait" written as a mirror image and the paper held backwards.  The idea was that you wouldn't see the writing when the blinking LEDs were not lit.  It didn't look so good, so that plan was scrapped.

The PCB was a simple generic board with holes on a grid.  Magnet wire was used to connect the components.

  • Construction

    Harri Pehkonen02/18/2021 at 18:18 0 comments

    Battery compartment

    Back

    Inside the back. Path for wires was routed.

    Sign, and LEDs with aluminum foil reflector. Note the plywood spacers.

    Wiring for LEDs

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