[codemonl<ey]

I am a software engineer student, and my employer has given me a project that is, unfortunately, an electrical engineering problem. I need a device that can store three separate audio files from the company computer, and play them over our amp system when a corresponding button is pressed.
I do not want to use a computer itself as the device, and i need to take into account dust and humidity when getting the components, as I will be putting this device in a welded steel box that will be placed outdoors. My only experience is in JAVA and C++, and a little in logic design on a spartan board....does anyone have any ideas what kind of hardware I would need to accomplish this?

[DilutedImage]

No offense, but you should really just outsource the project, or admit to your employer that it's not within your skill-set.

2¢

[born2c0de]

I agree with DilutedImage.

When your employer asked you to do this job, you could've told him that this project requires knowledge beyond your skill-set, but you're still willing to try...

You have to let him/her know 'cuz otherwise it'll be unfair for you that your boss will judge your performance based on a project that you weren't even supposed to do.

[Thorian]

Even I cannot do that have not done anything like that

It is possible it would basically be like those singing greeting cards but with more memory. hmmmmm i'm not making any promises but ill see what I can come up with.

*** Edit ***

I got some ideas now. How long do you need to play the recording?

You may want to start researching the term Chipcorder

Quote

Fortunately, an inexpensive sound chip does most of the work. A leading chip, the tiny Chipcorder (from Information Storage Devices), not only provides enough room to record a short message or jingle, but also integrates sound filters and amplifiers -- all on a silicon chip so small that six of them could fit comfortably on a postage stamp.

Chipcorders record analog sound, not the digital sound usually associated with microelectronics, and for good reasons. For one, it cuts out the expense of the two converters needed by computer sound cards and modems to convert analog signals into digital signals, then reverse the process. Since analog sound does not need to be encoded and compressed like digital sound, it takes up much less storage space, which also keeps costs down.

These sound-recording chips were first marketed in the early 1990's for use in telephone answering machines, portable dictation devices and interactive books. But since chips with relatively short recording times of 10 or 20 seconds can be manufactured quite cheaply, they migrated naturally to novelty items like greeting cards. At the beginning of 1998, they also found their way into more than 12,000 New York City taxicabs: They are the technology behind the celebrity voices that remind you to buckle up, pick up a receipt and take all your belongings when you leave.

Regardless of what they are used for, Chipcorders need a signal to tell them to start playing. That is the only mechanical part of the whole operation, and it is very low tech. In greeting cards, the circuit board containing the Chipcorder is glued to a paper mounting. A plastic tab keeps two electrical contacts from touching each other and closing a circuit.

The paper mounting attached to the end of the plastic tab is then glued over the fold in the greeting card. Opening the card draws the tab back; it slips out from between the two contacts, allowing the circuit to be completed. The resulting electrical signal tells the Chipcorder to play. (In taxicabs, the Chipcorders' play signal comes from turning the meter on or off.)

The chips can easily be recorded over, for at least tens of thousands of repeat recordings. But not all singing greeting cards allow you to record your own messages, because it costs more to include that capability. All Chipcorders have the capacity for re-recording, but for customers to record their own sounds requires that each card have an additional switch and a microphone, and those cost money to buy and install. Even though they are relatively small items, they push up the selling price of a card to around $10, which is steep even for the high-margin greeting cards market.

[Thorian]

Hey this may be easier then you thought

If you only need a few seconds at a time run 3 isd es002 parrot boards with ISD1400 chip coders and that would give you 3 seperate circuts that would play your short messages by pressing the appropriate button for the appropriate chip corder.

The parrot board and info are below. That may be the simplest solution I dont have a price list or any info you would have to check with a local retailer under their how to buy section.

They have multiple demo boards and chipcoders that will support recording times from 6 seconds to 18 minutes of analog audio so you dont need encoders or decoders for a K.I.S.S. Application ( KEEP IT STUPID SIMPLE)

http://www.winbond-u...ew/45/#ISDES002

[LadyeFaire]

Hi,
I need to know if you need to play the three audio files in tandem or one after the other. Then I can probably tell you how to do it in a very simple, cost-effective way. Also, I need to know what form the audio files are in.

LadyeFaire

[codemonl<ey]

born2c0de, on 11 Apr, 2007 - 06:01 AM, said:

I agree with DilutedImage.

When your employer asked you to do this job, you could've told him that this project requires knowledge beyond your skill-set, but you're still willing to try...

You have to let him/her know 'cuz otherwise it'll be unfair for you that your boss will judge your performance based on a project that you weren't even supposed to do.

During the initial phase, I did, of course, mention that this was out of my area of knowledge, but I did agree to research how it would be done, how much it would cost, how much time it would take, etc., including if I needed to outsource or pay for consultation on the project.

Quote

They have multiple demo boards and chipcoders that will support recording times from 6 seconds to 18 minutes of analog audio so you dont need encoders or decoders for a K.I.S.S. Application ( KEEP IT STUPID SIMPLE)

Hey, thanks, this is exactly what I was looking for! I have found a supplier in my neighborhood and am beginning the project. Thank you very much for the help!

[Thorian]

not a problem glad I was able to help