new timer

pryan67 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 07:48 AM

Ok...in another thread a member suggested a countdown timer that's the exact size as "5 REAL casino dice"

I've been thinking about it, and it should be EASY to make.

the question is...what sort of market would there be for it, and what features would you want? programable countdown time of course...but what else? a buzzer? perhaps 2 buzzers, one for a warning, the other for the end of the round?

let's hear some suggestions and I'll start work on the design

pryan67 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 07:49 AM

here's the original suggestion by Rosencrantz1

http://www.chiptalk.net/forum/group-...teaser-11.html

Rosencrantz1 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 08:27 AM

My take on this kind of thing is that simple is better.

1) Easy-to-read numbers

2) IMO, one buzzer is probably plenty

I see two buttons on the thing: set (adds minutes to the timer) start (starts the timer). When the buzzer rings, pushing start again would turn it off and pushing it a second time would start the timer over.

Obviously the 'same size as 5 casino dice' is to finally make use of that space in my chip case.

pryan67 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosencrantz1

My take on this kind of thing is that simple is better.

1) Easy-to-read numbers

2) IMO, one buzzer is probably plenty

I see two buttons on the thing: set (adds minutes to the timer) start (starts the timer). When the buzzer rings, pushing start again would turn it off and pushing it a second time would start the timer over.

Obviously the 'same size as 5 casino dice' is to finally make use of that space in my chip case.

That's what I liked about your idea...

also, if I DO make these and make any money off of it, you're in for a cut of course

smoore · #5 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 09:13 AM

I'd say three buttons for the interface.

1) Start/Stop
2) Reset

then a third "shift" key that changes the functions:

1) Remove time
2) Add time

I'm not sure about expense and such but one thing the "egg timer" method is missing that the Poker Genie really won my heart over was the fact that it kept track of which level it is. Now, you don't have to actually display the blinds if you have something that just counts up 1,2,3,4,5,6, etc Then it's easy enough to look at the chart, "OK, level 4". I had a real-world problem where tables were disagreeing as to what blind level it was. Bad news.

If you did that you'd have to figure out some way to reset the whole shebang, possibly "mash all three buttons, hold for 5 seconds"?

Oh yeah, battery power is a must. AA preferably.

pryan67 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 09:18 AM

AA batteries is about all that you COULD do in that size (unless we used specialty batteries...which I wouldn't want to do)

reset is no problem...a pinhole button perhaps...

keeping track of the blinds would be easy too I think...just an additional 7 seg LED...

that's another question...LCD or LED? LED would be cheaper and easier to see as well as design...but it would also eat battery power...

Rosencrantz1 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 09:25 AM

The LED would look cool, but I guess it would depend on how much more battery power it ate than an LCD. I mean, we usually play our games with the lights on, so reading the LCD shouldn't be a big deal.

In terms of the level counter, I think that's fine but, at least in my game, it's just one table, so keeping track of the level is never really an issue.

I would also argue against making any of the buttons too small (or needing a paperclip to fully reset the device).

Thought -- what about doing the whole thing in a red resin that looks like "5 real casino dice"

(and could also, pending Ten's thoughts, show nicely the CT logo...)

smoore · #8 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pryan67

that's another question...LCD or LED? LED would be cheaper and easier to see as well as design...but it would also eat battery power...

No, that's the question for YOU!

Thing has to run for what... 6 hours?

Seriously though, LED all the way so that it can be seen across the room.

Obv two N (I think, the short little AA's) cell rechargeables with a plug-in charger/adapter would increase the cost quite a bit... but how much?

smoore · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosencrantz1

Thought -- what about doing the whole thing in a red resin that looks like "5 real casino dice"

(and could also, pending Ten's thoughts, show nicely the CT logo...)

Heh, that'd be great! If they were cheap enough I could see people buying them for promotional "give-aways" like at trade shows and such. Those people would definitely want a spot to have a logo (or twelve).

plagueboy · #10 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 09:48 AM

Maybe a time button and a + and - button. Hold down time to set the length of the blind in minutes using the + and - buttons. Also use the time button to stop/start the timer.

For more fancy, the level would be cool, but like someone said, you'd need a reset feature.

Even more fancy would be entering the chip count and number of players and pressing the - button during play when a player gets knocked out so you can display the number of remaining players and average chip count.

LCD, unless you want to start a battery fund for your poker game.

As far as marketability, I wouldn't buy one for my own use, but might buy one as a gift with a chip set. I prefer a computer program on the widescreen, or on a laptop or pda if traveling.