Raspberry Pi Decibel Meter (Mini Project)

[nelsonic]

Situation

see: https://github.com/dwyl/hq/issues/113

Design Brief

Build a basic sound-level (decibel) meter using off-the-shelf components. The unit should have the following functionality:

• [ ] monitor/record the decibel level in real-time on the device (using reliable components).
• [ ] display the level on a screen or set of LEDs (which ever is quicker to implement)
• [ ] flash a clear warning when the sound level is too high so people are instantly aware.

Optional "bonus level" features:

• [ ] store the data locally in a time-series database for later analysis. (This may require larger microSD cards...) appending to a csv log should be more than enough. One log file per day.
• [ ] Display a graph so we know what times of the day are the most noisy/quiet

  Investigation

• [ ] investigate hardware and component requirements for the project
• [ ] investigate if there are any existing schematics or code we can re-use
• [ ] order required hardware/components
• [ ] play/experiment!
• [ ] write-up findings in the form of an easy-to-follow-along guide e.g: https://github.com/dwyl/learn-tdd
• [ ] install unit(s) in Quiet Space and see if the noise level decreases!

  tl;dr

  Why Raspberry Pi?

Raspberry Pi is a "general purpose" micro-computer. There are many other specific-purpose boards we could but for the prototype we just need to get started quickly.

Raspberry Pi passes 10m sales: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-37305200

There are over 10 Million Raspberry Pi's in the wild which means this project will be useful to quite a few people. Think about how many school libraries and quiet spaces for reflection, reading and creativity could use one of these!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1119046025/

Yes, we could just buy an Arduino-based kit: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-microphone-amplifier-breakout/measuring-sound-levels but where is the fun in that?

[naazy]

Watch this space: https://github.com/dwyl/iot-decibel-meter

[naazy]

@nelsonic @iteles @markwilliamfirth do you have any ideas for what you'd like to happen in FocusHub when the noise is too loud? I was initially just thinking of flashing on some LED lights but today @markwilliamfirth suggested using something like https://www.lifx.com or http://www2.meethue.com/en-us to change the colour of all of the lights at focusHub. I worry that this will be TOO annoying (but maybe that's the point?). Another option could be to set off some kind of alarm or something... Thoughts/ideas? 🙏🏽 Thanks

[iteles]

@naazy Let's start simple and MVP it. I would go with some flashing LEDs or a horn blast (or both and then we can A/B test which one works). Then we can move to the more complex solution 👍

[ghost]

@iteles I'm not sure if a horn blast will be well received, if for example, a tenant is on a phone call with a client making noise and a horn goes off or keeps going off

If we're going with small flashing LEDs as a viable product (as opposed to the office lights) then do you think we'll need one for each table? I'm not sure if tenants will see the LEDs unless they are close to them

[iteles]

You make a good point! Maybe more of a natural sound like a bell ringing or a phone sound? Something distinctive that people will hear but won't object to.

I'm keen for the MVP to be self-contained and then move to involving full office lights.

[ghost]

also just realised office lights might not work if they're turned off, like they usually are in summer

[iteles]

Or birds chirping! That would be a great sound to try out!

[ghost]

I'm wary that whatever sound we pick (if we go with sound) will probably be triggered quite often and be ingrained in people's minds forever

[josephecombs]

I'm 100% on board with this project. I look forward to the first commit.