Vaskos — Custom Desktop Alarm Clock & Macropad

Vaskos is an open-source, angled desktop alarm clock and productiveness timer built for the BLARE initiative by Hack Club. It features an integrated 3x3 mechanical keypad (macropad), a retro 8-bit alarm system, and an optimized hardware footprint powered by the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3.

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Key Features

• Puzzle Alarm: Deactivate the morning alarm by completing button sequences or solving quick visual prompts.
• Focus Timer: Functions as a desktop Pomodoro timer during work hours.
• Retro Audio Feedback: Custom 8-bit sound effects via a 3.3V piezo buzzer.
• Ergonomic Design: 45-degree angled 3D-printed enclosure secured with M3 heat-set inserts.

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Hardware Requirements & Bill of Materials

Component	Qty	Description / Pin Connection
Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3	1	Microcontroller (11 Available GPIOs)
2.25″ TFT Display	1	SPI Interface for clock UI & timers
Cherry MX Switches	9	Configured in a 3x3 Key Matrix
1N4148 Diodes	9	Matrix ghosting prevention
3.3V Active/Passive Buzzer	1	Audio feedback & alarm tones
3D Printed Enclosure	1	Angled desktop housing with M3 inserts

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GPIO Pin Budgeting (11 Pins Total)

To fit all features onto the 11 GPIO pins of the XIAO ESP32C3, hardware pin-saving optimizations are implemented for the display:

Display Optimization (4 GPIOs)

• GND $\rightarrow$ GND
• VCC $\rightarrow$ 3.3V
• BL (Backlight) $\rightarrow$ GND (Hardwired always-on)
• RST (Reset) $\rightarrow$ 3.3V (Hardwired to save 1 pin)
• SCL / SDA / DC / CS $\rightarrow$ 4 Dedicated GPIO Pins

Audio & ⌨️ 3x3 Key Matrix (7 GPIOs)

• Buzzer: 1 PWM GPIO Pin
• Matrix Rows (3): 3 Output GPIO Pins
• Matrix Columns (3): 3 Input GPIO Pins (with internal pull-up/down)

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Project Structure

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├── CAD/              # 3D models and STL files for the enclosure
├── Hardware/         # KiCad schematics and PCB layout files
├── Firmware/         # Arduino / C++ source code
└── README.md         # Project documentation