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Toilet Buddy

Toilet Buddy
Say goodbye to embarrassing bathroom sounds, leaving the seat up, or forgetting to turn off the light with Toilet Buddy! Here's a little demo of Toilet Buddy in action.


Toilet Buddy is based on a Propeller Platform USB - it was inspired by Japanese toilets that play a 'Courtesy Flush' sound instead of actually flushing in order to save water. It also improves on the idea by reminding you to put the seat down and when you left the lights on.

First, I'll go over the design and show you how to make it. Then, I'll show you how Toilet Buddy can be adapted to projects that could use event-driven audio playback.
 
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Step 1FAQ

FAQ
How does it work?
Toilet Buddy has two sensors - one for the light level in the room, the other for the position of the toilet seat. Based on the status of the sensors, audio samples are triggered and played through the onboard speakers;
  • When the light is on and the seat is up, it plays back flushing samples
  • When the light is off and the seat is up, it plays back a reminder to put the toilet seat down
  • When the light is on and the seat is down, it reminds you to turn the bathroom light off
Because there usually isn't a power outlet around the toilet, Toilet Buddy is battery powered.

Can I use it for something else?
Yes! The ability to trigger audio samples based on external events is useful for home automation, music, R/C, and tons of different projects. After we put together the base circuit, I'll give you a few examples for re-purposing Toilet Buddy.

Will it work on my toilet?
Probably. As long as the toilet lid is taller than the reservoir tank when open, it should work;


If the lid doesn't go over the tank, Toilet Buddy won't be able to sense when it's up.

How long do the batteries last?
Over a month. Toilet Buddy spends most of its time in low power mode, consuming <1mA @ 4V.

What's the audio quality?
48KHz, 16-bit stereo, which is a little better than CD quality sound.
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16 comments
Nov 14, 2011. 2:24 AMsheldor says:
sickest and most useless Instructable EVER! LMAO! :D
Nov 27, 2011. 11:18 PMDIY-Guy says:
Sheldor said: sickest and most useless Instructable EVER! LMAO! :D

    May I direct your attention to a possible contender for the title you have just bestowed?
http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Twittering-Office-Chair/
Nov 14, 2011. 4:40 AMCabbages and Kings says:
I think people are a little confused here. The bit that seems to be going up and down in the video is the lid, not the seat. The lid is only there for you to sit on or stand on in the rare occasions the need arises. Since anyone will know they want to do this it is not necessary to remind anyone.

The actual seat, of course is left up or down on different occasions (which is reasonably balanced) by a certain sort of person (generally, the male of the species) and always down (unfairly biased) by another sort of person (usually the female of the species).

What I would like would be a gadget that reminds people that once in a while they should be reasonable and leave the seat up for the next user!
Nov 21, 2011. 4:16 PMmwyndham says:
Actually when you flush the toilet it flings particles of waste into the air. It's more sanitary to close the lid before flushing.
Nov 21, 2011. 10:40 AMbsheff says:
QUITE A CLOCK you have there!
Any more information about that clock with 2 pendulums and 3 dials,
Is that clock striking you have in the WAV files?
regards, Bob
Nov 14, 2011. 10:19 AMyoyology says:
I'm actually thinking of using a modified version of this as a Skinnerian training device. One of my children seems to have difficulty remembering to use paper when he's finished. Any suggestions for a TP roll sensor?
Nov 13, 2011. 7:29 PMmwolfe5 says:
Or, you could just tell your 'toilet buddy' to deal with it.
Nov 13, 2011. 6:54 PMCrimsonCrow says:
You flush when you lift the cover? I thought one was supposed to flush AFTER one used the toilet.
Nov 13, 2011. 6:26 PMPwag says:
Does this courtesy reminder go off while you're in the shower with the light on?
Nov 13, 2011. 6:02 PMcodeman735 says:
nice device, but wouldnt you already be out of the room before it played the sound to remind you to shut off the lights?
Nov 13, 2011. 4:45 PMdeusprogrammer says:
What I want is a white noise generator, so if I go into a public restroom I can turn it on and mask the sounds of using the toilet. I hate having restroom standoffs because I need to take a dump, but I'm worried that the person next to me will think I'm disgusting.
Nov 13, 2011. 1:31 PMJohnekong says:
Its really perfect!
Nov 13, 2011. 8:05 AMGreen Silver says:
It really needs a female voice, as that's the sound you've always been used to for minor toilet violations. XD
Sorry ladies, I'm speaking from experience though.
Nov 13, 2011. 9:52 AMjryan5 says:
Evacution Com--Evacuation Com---Evac----Evacuatio--

Evacuation Complete
Nov 13, 2011. 8:53 AMthomasreno says:
Need it to flush the toilet when I forget! Wifey doesn't like that!
Nov 11, 2011. 5:58 AMagis68 says:
pretty cool device gives extra ideas....

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