G-Cube : Time Tracking Fidget Cube
The Time Tracking Fidget Cube is a personal tool I built to help me stay focused and keep track of how I spend my time throughout the day. It’s a small cube that uses an IMU to detect which face is facing up—each face is tied to a different activity like deep work, taking a break, or checking emails. A microcontroller manages real-time activity tracking, while a programmable LED strip and buzzers provide visual and auditory cues for time intervals, transitions, and progress feedback
Project Aim
The idea was to make time management more hands-on and less about screens. By physically flipping the cube to switch tasks, I stay more intentional about what I’m doing. It’s also fun to use, and the lights and sounds help keep me on track without being annoying.
Project Breakdown
System Architecture
1. Hardware Architecture
Microcontroller:
ESP32 C3 used for controlling logic, timing, and feedback systems.
Sensors and Components:
IMU (MPU6050): Detects cube orientation to determine the current task.
LED Strip (Neopixel strip): Visually indicates progress through Pomodoro intervals (e.g., red for focus, green for break).
Buzzer: Sounds at the end of intervals or transitions to alert the user.
Power: 3.75v Rechargeable battery with USB charging circuit for portability.
Cube Housing:
ABS 3D-printed enclosure designed to accommodate all components with clearly labeled faces for user-defined task categories.
2. Software Functionality
Face Detection:
The IMU continuously reads orientation data. Each cube face corresponds to a specific activity.
Face changes are smoothed with a debounce filter to avoid false detections.
Pomodoro Timer Logic:
25-minute focus timer + 5-minute break cycles, adjustable in code.
Starts automatically when a “focus” face is active.
Break face pauses the timer and lights a separate LED color.
Feedback System:
LED Patterns: Show timer progress with segment changes or fading colors.
Buzzer Sounds:
Single beep at the start of a session.
Double beep at the end of each Pomodoro cycle.
Distinct tone for long breaks after 4 cycles.
Data Logging (Future feature):
Future versions may include syncing to a phone/computer or calendar app for habit tracking.
Key Features
Physical Interaction: Flip to switch tasks—no screens or apps needed.
Intuitive Time Feedback: LED color and intensity reflect time left or break mode.
Focus Reinforcement: Light and sound feedback keeps you aware of session progress and encourages task transitions.
Portable and Customizable: Small enough to fit on a desk; users can reprogram activity-face mappings
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