Kid-Distraction Defender - Smart Flashing Lights when working from home

prusaprinters

Who hasn't experienced the surprise visits of children abruptly entering the office space during a call, presenting urgent questions or issues that inevitably seem more pressing than your current tasks? Here is the beginning of this project I named "The Kid-Distraction Defender".The Kid-Distraction Defender is a 3D printed flashing light, leveraging WLED project and a programmable LED strip. This device is the perfect solution for parents working from home who need to maintain focus and minimize interruptions from curious kids.The system features a flexible & addressable LED strip that can be easily attached to a door, ceiling or workspace area, ensuring visibility to your children. When activated using WLED, the LED strip can emits a vibrant, attention-grabbing light sequence, signaling to kids that it's not the best time to enter the room or disturb you. The light patterns are customizable using WLED interface, allowing you to choose from a range of colors and flashing patterns that will capture their attention.The Kid-Distraction Defender is controllable through the WLED smartphone app, browser or computer, offering you the flexibility to activate and deactivate it as needed. It can also be integrated within Home Assistant, so it only operates during specific time of the day, activated by scene buttons or any specific triggers like your status in MS Teams (check this project as an example, but many other ways are possible). This practical and fun solution keeps your kids entertained and informed, making it easier for you to maintain a productive work-from-home environment.Fusion 360 and STEP files are included to allow remix culture :-).RequirementsD1mini or equivalent, with WLED firmwareWS2812 led strip (12 leds)5V power supply (1A should be enough but more can be better)Plug connector to match the power supply's plug (5.5mmx2.1mm female in my case)Print instructionsStandard .2mm quality layersPLA filamentWhite translucide for the screen (or PETG)Other parts blackVase mode for the screenNo brimNo SupportInstallationAssemble the separator with the led strip on the body. Add the screen.Do the relevant wire connections between the D1mini and the led strip, as well as the plug connector. Check the online WLED doc for more details.Screw the cap on top, make sure to not tight it too much as this can turn the separator and screen as well.