Mysterious Clock Hidden within a Lamp Ceiling: CIS-4
In the realm of DIY electronics, [danjovic] has created an intriguing digital clock named the CIS4. This innovative timepiece takes inspiration from the Cistercian numeral system, a space-efficient numbering system used by monks during the 13th to 15th centuries in Europe.
The CIS4 clock is built around a 4x4 neopixel matrix and is powered by an Attiny85 Digispark microcontroller, with a DS3231 real-time clock (RTC) module ensuring accurate timekeeping. The clock's enclosure is a clever repurposing of a cheap LED ceiling light, providing not only a diffuser and housing but also mounting hardware.
The CIS4 clock's unique selling point is its use of the Cistercian numeral system for time display. This system, known for its efficiency, was more compact than both Roman and Arabic numerals. A single Cistercian glyph could record numbers from 1 to 9,999, a testament to its space-saving design. In the CIS4 clock, the thousands and hundreds portions of the Cistercian glyph are used for hours, while the tens and ones are used for minutes.
While the CIS4 clock's use of Cistercian numerals may initially seem challenging, it offers a fascinating historical insight. To cater to those less familiar with the system, an "easy read" mode is included that scrolls the time in Arabic numerals. However, even this mode can be difficult to read due to the limited 4x4 LED display.
The CIS4 clock also features an LDR for ambient light detection, automatically adjusting the neopixel brightness, and a buzzer, though it's unclear if it's programmed to sound for matins, nones, and vespers. A 3D-printed mask in the CIS4 clock's enclosure doubles as a PCB holder, adding to its ingenious design.
The CIS4 clock's enclosure design is considered the hackiest and most clever part of the project. It's a testament to [danjovic]'s creativity and resourcefulness, transforming a common ceiling light into a functional and aesthetically pleasing digital clock. The CIS4 clock is not only a practical timepiece but also a celebration of the efficiency of medieval numerals in the digital age.
The CIS4 clock's enclosure, repurposed from a cheap LED ceiling light, not only serves as a diffuser and housing but also provides mounting hardware, showcasing innovative use of hardware in DIY electronics. The CIS4 clock, built around a 4x4 neopixel matrix and powered by an Attiny85 Digispark microcontroller, is a gadget that embodies the advancement in technology with its unique use of the Cistercian numeral system for time display.
