Development of a Microcontroller Based Countdown Time Reminder with Visual and Aural Indicators

Time management is a very important factor which partly determines the success or failure of students during any written examination. We present the development of a microcontroller based electronic device that takes the role of remaining time reminders during any written examination. It provides a user friendly keypad with which to input the time duration of the examination. It has a large timing visual display which serves as the visual indicator, and an alarm which serves as the aural indicator. Once the start key is pressed, the device starts counting down and alarms are given off at pre-determined intervals throughout the duration of the examination. An alarm is given off when the time duration remains 30 minutes. Another alarm is also given off when the time duration remains 5 minutes, and when the time is up, the alarm beeps continuously for some time signalling the end of the examination.