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Talking Skull - DC Motor Control Boards Audio / Jaw DC Motor Controller

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Copyright © 2017 Blue Point Engineering Inc., All Rights Reserved

Blank PCB Board

Assembled Control Board
2-3/4" L x 2-1/8" W x 1/2" H
(9 VDC)

Inexpensive talking skulls can be made to talk what you want to say. When custom-made board is connected up to an MP3 audio source and modified sound file, it will respond to the embedded silent audio "beep" from within the audio playback track created and when the circuit hears this "beep" will turn on the skull jaw DC motor to operate the mouth movements.
This is an Instructables Project, developed by Jeff Haas.

Skull Motor Board
Assembly Instructions


Motor Board
Test - Setup

Here is a very simple audio controller that when triggered by pressing the single on-board button or by dry contact closure at the trigger terminal, will cause the player to play back 1 to 10 MP3 files that are stored on a USB flash device (USB pen drive not included). These MP3 files can be of any size up to the capacity of the USB flash device. You can have any number of files up to 10 on the flash device. Unique setup allows USB-MP3 Module to be mounted in box, cabinet for easy access to USB and Audio Jack ports. Power Requirements - 9 Vdc @ 0.5 Amp
1/8" miniplug audio output jack

There are 2 modes of operation provided ­ Sequential and Random.

In Sequential Mode, the player will play the files back sequentially from file000.mp3 to file009.mp3 (or whatever your last file is), one file at a time each time the board is triggered. After it has played the last file, it will go back to file000.mp3 and start over.

In Random Mode, it will pick one of the files to play back at random. It will pick a new file each time the board is triggered. The board will wait until the file has finished playing before it can be activated again.

Remote Sensor boards can be added to trigger the audio playback board automatically, or manual switch can be used to start playback

This MP3 controller can be used in a prop, with an animatronic character, puppets, information display exhibit , at museums, zoos, as public information boards and other areas to play very high quality stereo audio sound every time it is activated.

( Power supply, speaker, remote amp, switch, audio cables, USB flash drive - not included )

click on image for example setup view
Main Sound Control Board
3-1/4" L x 2-5/8" W x 1/2" H

Relay Rated: 12 Vdc at 1 Amp
1/8" miniplug audio output jack

3" L x 2-1/4" W x 1/2" H
Ribbon Connection Cable
12" Long



(A) Power Output Switch Relays
Remote (SS) Solid State Relay - 1 Amp Board
3-7/8" L x 2" W x 1/2" H
Relay Rated: 12 Vdc at 1 Amp



(B) Switching Relays
Remote (SS) Solid State Relay - 1 Amp Board
3-7/8" L x 2" W x 1/2" H
Relay Rated: 12 Vdc at 1 Amp

(C) 
Remote Solid State Relay - 3-10 Amp Board
Note: SS Relays not Included - User adds
5-1/4" L x 2-7/8" W x XX" H


Solid State Relay Example 1
Solid State Relay Example 2

Operating / Setup Instructions

Advanced full function MP3 audio control board, when triggered by activating the remote channel 1-10 input switches or by dry contact closure (Relay), will cause the player to play back 1 to 10 MP3 files that are stored on a USB flash device and turn on a remote (B. C) Solid State Relay board corresponding to the sound channel activated 1-10. Board operates from 9 VDC @ 0.5 Amp Power Supply

The audio (Stereo) MP3 files can be of any size up to the capacity of the USB flash device. You can have any number of files up to 10 on the flash device.
1/8" miniplug audio output jack

There are 3 modes of operation provided ­ Manual, Sequential and Random channel selection.

(1) Manual Mode: any channel 1 - 10 can be played back by selecting the remote switch corresponding to the sound channel, along with the corresponding solid state relay being activated.

(2) Sequential Mode: the player will play the files back sequentially from file000.mp3 to file009.mp3 (or whatever your last file is), one file at a time each time the board is triggered, along with activating a Solid State Relay for that channel. The Relays will stay activated for as long as the sound file is playing. After the board has played the last file, it will go back to file000.mp3 and start over.

(3) Random Mode: the control board will pick one of the files to play back at random, along with activating the corresponding solid state relay. It will pick a new file each time the board is triggered. The board will wait until the file has finished playing before it can be activated again.

This MP3 controller can be used in a prop, animatronic character, puppets, information display exhibit to play very high quality stereo audio sound every time it is activated and activate remote lighting, effects, animatronic controllers or other devices connected to the remote relay boards.

There are two different remote relay boards available to use with the playback board. (B) 5-Ch Solid State 2 Amp Relay board or a (C) user setup relay board that can use 1-5 solid state relays from 3 to 10 Amp in size provided by the user.

The user setup Remote Relay Boards (B,C) can be combined with the same size Solid State Relays or different Solid State Relays can be mixed with the Solid State 3-10 Amp board.
Each relay board has 5 solid state relays, so 1-5 or 1-10 relays can be used, as needed.

Main Sound Control Board can be operated without attached solid state relays if needed. A total of 10 Relays can be added to main sound control board.

Relay Output ports can be used to trigger other devices
Port provides 4.5 Vdc at 20 mAmps out

Remote Sensor boards can be added to trigger the audio playback board automatically, or manual switches can be used to playback channels.

Several board configuration setup options available

( 9 - Vdc power supply, speaker, remote amp, switches, switch board and cable, audio connection cables, USB pen drive, Solid State Relays and audio cables - not included )

Operating / Setup Instructions

The AutoTalk -E2 board is similar in function with all the exact features of the original AutoTalk board developed several years ago for professional animatronic clients, in that it moves an R/C type servo in response to either an audio input signal from any standard CD player, tape recorder, sound source, but now has jumper setting for greater sensitivity in using the board from a sound source with low signal input, such as found on a digital sound chips or direct connected mic amplifier and dynamic microphone setup. The board has an on-board voltage regulator for using a variety of voltage sources including the use of a battery for remote applications, a quick connector for connecting power, LED power status indicator and enhanced output to operate a standard R/C servo with greater response. The controller includes the function to set both the servo end travel points, an important feature when working with various mouth jaw sizes, the servo arm direction of travel can also be quickly changed by an on-board jumper and the sensitivity of the audio input signal through the improved on-board gain control have also been enhanced for greater response.

( 9 Vdc @ 1 Amp Power supply, servos, sound source not include )
1/8" miniplug audio input jack.

Note: When using a Dynamic Microphone that is not amplified, an optional Dynamic Microphone Amplifier is needed between the mic output and AutoTalk audio input.

NOTE: AutoTalk requires Line Level Input of 1Vpp Input source. Many MP3, iPod playback modules will require an audio amp to work with the AutoTalk board, since the line level from these devices are too low.
NOTE: AutoTalk Control Board will not work directly with Large Digital Servos

Board accepts audio input from any non-amplified sound source (computer, CD player, or Digital Sound Board) and activates a Solid State Relay ON and OFF in sync with the incoming audio signal. The on-board 1 Amp Solid State Relay can be connected to any device using (3-60 Vdc @ 1 Amp power). Common application include driving a pneumatic solenoid valve, water valve to sound or operating large bank of LED's -DC lighting to the incoming sound.

There is an on-board potentiometer that is used to adjust the sensitivity to the incoming sound. The board has a 1/8" phono jacks for input that can be switched as a left or right audio input signal for more precision audio sync to incoming sound signal track.

An on board LED indicates when the 1 Amp Solid State Relay is activated. Relay has wire terminal block contacts for connecting directly to device / load and quick connect power jack or wire terminal block for device power input.

Board can operate devices requiring 3-60 VDC at 1 Amp load.
Board uses two power inputs, one for the on-board electronics and another for the solenoid valve. (9-12 Board Power, 3-60 Vdc Load Power)

Max Relay Output Current = 1 Amp
Relay Voltage Input 3-60 VDC
1/8" miniplug audio input jack

Heavy Duty Version Sound Activated SS Driver Board 9 -12 VDC operation.
(Large Power Regulator on-board, Power Status LED's, On / Off Switch)
Load - 3-60 VDC @ 1 Amp

( Power Supply, Sound Source Audio Cable, Solenoid not included )

Board Size Approx:
3-1/8" L x 2" W x 7/8" H

,,, Instruction Overview

Board accepts audio input from any non-amplified sound source (computer, CD player, or Digital Sound Board) and when the volume reaches a certain level, it activates an on board 10 Amp relay. The relay can be used to switch another device on and off in sync with the volume of the input. There is an on-board potentiometer that is used to adjust the sensitivity to the incoming sound. The board has a 1/8" phono jacks for input that can be switched as a left or right audio input signal. An on board LED indicates when the 10 Amp relay is activated. Relay has NO, Com, NC wire terminal block contacts (form C relay). Board operates from 12 VDC power supply.
1/8" miniplug audio input jack

( Power Supply, Sound Source Audio Cable not included )

Small Amplifier Size Approx:
2-11/16" x 1-5/16"

15 Watt Digital Audio Amplifier, designed around the Tripath TA-2024 IC, 15 Watt continuous average two-channel Class-T digital audio power amplifier. Class-T amplifiers offer both the audio fidelity of Class-AB amplifier and the power efficiency and cool operating of a Class-D amplifier.
External Volume control. On-board audio and power connection jacks.
Small PCB measures 2-11/16" x 1-5/16".
Power supply: 12VDC at 2 Amp, regulated.

Features Tripath TA-2024 IC
15 Watt continuous power applications.

( Power supply, audio cables, speakers, MP3 player not included )