WARNING: DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING SECTION IF YOU ARE NOT A ROBOT. YOUR MIND WILL BE BLOWN.
- Starting the game: The inserted penny is sensed by an optointerrupter ("coin sensor") placed immediately below the penny slot.
- Level Selection: Players select the level by turning a knob that is directly connected to a 10K potentiometer. When the SPST momentary start button is pressed, we read an analog voltage across the POT to determine the selected level.
- Paper stacks: Pressing the start button also activates two paper stack motors to run in the up direction until they hit their limit switches. Once both limit switches have been hit, the game begins. The paper stacks are each mounted on a rack and pinion, operated by PWM-controlled DC motors. The paper stacks respond by moving for a duration, which is calculated based on an initial calibration routine.
- Staplers: Each click of the stapler is sensed by a strategically mounted limit switch underneath the body of the stapler. When a player needs to reload, LEDs will flash to alert them of this. A reload requires the player to open and close his or her stapler, which is sensed by a reflective optointerrupter ("tape sensor") mounted behind the stapler. After reloading, a player can continue to staple.
- Ergonomist: The ergonomist character is mounted on a 90-degree servo motor that was geared up to rotate a full 180-degrees. During normal game play, the servo is set in the neutral position. After the servo has been activated, the players are given a grace period during which they may still staple, but their stacks will not diminish. If they continue stapling after the grace period is over, their paper stacks will rise as punishment.
- Post-game sequence: When one player reaches the winning number of stapler clicks for the chosen level, our post-game sequence rewards the winner with a sequence of events. First, their stapler flashes. Then the boss, who is mounted opposite the ergonomist on the servo, pops up from behind the cubicle wall. Lastly, a custom-printed business card is dispensed.
- Prize Dispenser: The business card launcher was one of the most complicated parts of the project. The business card stack sits on top of a wheel wrapped in a rubber band and attached to a PWM-controlled motor. The motor, when pulsed on briefly, advances the bottom business card into two spinning flywheels. The card is launched into the air and onto the desk next to the staplers.
- Reset: At the end of this sequence, the game resets itself. The servo back returns to its neutral position, all LEDs are turned off except for the blinking paycheck lights, which is illuminated in anticipation of another round of the Stapler Game!
