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Authors:	Oluwasholape Daniel Oyemade
Supervisor:	Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Schneider
Working title:	Mission Eclipse – The Last Five Minutes
Status:	Initial concept for discussion with the supervisor

Introduction

Mission Eclipse – The Last Five Minutes is a proposed educational puzzle for the HSHL Educational Escape Mobil. The aim is to introduce school pupils and prospective students to Electronic Engineering (ELE) through a short, interactive engineering mission.

What is the puzzle? The game takes place in a fictional research facility. The main power supply has failed, and the emergency battery can only support a limited number of systems. Players act as an emergency engineering team. They have approximately five minutes to restore a control circuit and supply the most important systems with the available power.

The game combines a realistic engineering problem with an adventure story. Players work with physical connectors and switches, follow clues, and receive feedback through lights, a display and sounds.

Relevance to the studies: The puzzle introduces basic electrical circuits, fault finding, power management and the use of a microcontroller. These are examples of topics and activities connected to Electronic Engineering. The game is also intended to encourage teamwork and interest in the ELE degree programme.

Learning objective: Participants should be able to identify a missing connection using a simple diagram, understand that electrical power is limited, and select the correct systems to supply in an emergency.

Difficulty level: Beginner (for players; no previous electronics knowledge required).

Requirements

The following requirements are proposed for the first prototype. They will be reviewed with the supervisor before implementation. Priority 1 = essential; priority 2 = desirable.

Table 1: Preliminary requirements

ID	Contents	Priority	Creator	Date	Reviewed by	Date
R01	The game shall contain two connected challenges: circuit repair and emergency power distribution.	1	O. D. Oyemade	TBD	TBD	TBD
R02	The target playing time shall be approximately five minutes.	1	O. D. Oyemade	TBD	TBD	TBD
R03	Players shall be able to complete the first puzzle using a simple circuit diagram and physical connectors.	1	O. D. Oyemade	TBD	TBD	TBD
R04	The system shall detect a correct solution and give visible feedback.	1	O. D. Oyemade	TBD	TBD	TBD
R05	Players shall use switches to select which facility systems receive simulated emergency power.	1	O. D. Oyemade	TBD	TBD	TBD
R06	The system shall show whether the selected power distribution is correct or causes an overload.	1	O. D. Oyemade	TBD	TBD	TBD
R07	All player-accessible electrical connections shall be low-voltage and protected against incorrect connections.	1	O. D. Oyemade	TBD	TBD	TBD
R08	The game shall have a clear start, countdown, success indication and reset function.	1	O. D. Oyemade	TBD	TBD	TBD
R09	Printed hint cards shall be available if players need help.	2	O. D. Oyemade	TBD	TBD	TBD
R10	The module should be compact and reusable in the existing Escape Mobil.	2	O. D. Oyemade	TBD	TBD	TBD

Functional system design

The planned game follows this sequence:

1. Start: A warning message announces a power failure in the research facility. A five-minute countdown begins.
2. Challenge 1 – Restore the emergency circuit: Players compare a simple maintenance diagram with a connector panel. They find the missing connection and insert the correct connector. If it is correct, a green light appears and the next challenge is enabled.
3. Challenge 2 – Distribute emergency power: Players must choose which systems to supply using three switches. Only four simulated power units are available:
   • Medical unit: 2 units (critical)
   • Communication unit: 2 units (critical)
   • Research laboratory: 3 units (non-critical)
4. Feedback: If the selected systems need more than four units, an overload warning appears. If critical systems are missing, the mission remains incomplete.
5. Success: When the medical and communication units are selected, the alarm stops, green lights switch on, and a success message and/or escape code appears.
6. Reset: The game can be restarted for the next group. If time runs out, the display indicates that the mission was not completed.

Players first try to solve the problems independently. Printed hint cards can be used if they get stuck. The final sequence and exact wording of clues will be refined during development.

Technical system design

The current plan is to use an Arduino Uno or Nano as the main controller. The Arduino will read the connector inputs and switches, check the solutions and control the output devices.

Planned system functions and components

Function	Proposed implementation
Game control	Arduino Uno or Nano
Input for circuit puzzle	Protected low-voltage connector panel
Input for power-distribution puzzle	Three physical switches
Messages and countdown	Small LCD or OLED display
Status feedback	Red and green LEDs; buzzer
Power supply	Suitable regulated low-voltage supply (provisionally 5 V)
Housing	Portable control panel or miniature research facility

The emergency power distribution will be simulated in software. Players will not handle mains voltage or real high-power loads. Incorrect connections must not be able to damage the electronics.

Physical design options:

• Option A: A miniature research facility with illuminated sections.
• Option B: A portable control panel with switches, connectors, warning lights and a display.

The final design will be chosen after checking the space, interfaces and available materials of the existing Escape Mobil with the supervisor.

Component specification

The following list is preliminary. Quantities, actual component models, datasheets and prices will be confirmed after the design is approved.

Table 2: Preliminary bill of materials

ID	Number	Cost per unit (€)	Sum (€)	Name / Component	Technical designation	Description	Datasheet	Illustration
1	1	TBD	TBD	Microcontroller board	Arduino Uno or Nano (TBD)	Controls game logic and outputs	To be added	To be added
2	1	TBD	TBD	Display	LCD or OLED (TBD)	Shows instructions, countdown and result	To be added	To be added
3	3	TBD	TBD	Switches	Type TBD	Selects systems for power distribution	To be added	To be added
4	1 set	TBD	TBD	Connector puzzle	Protected low-voltage connectors	Used for circuit repair challenge	To be added	To be added
5	Several	TBD	TBD	LEDs and resistors	Types TBD	Indicates failures and success	To be added	To be added
6	1	TBD	TBD	Buzzer	Type TBD	Plays warning and success sounds	To be added	To be added
7	1	TBD	TBD	Power supply	Regulated low-voltage supply (TBD)	Powers the prototype	To be added	To be added
8	1 set	TBD	TBD	Wiring and circuit board	Type TBD	Connects components	To be added	To be added
9	1	TBD	TBD	Housing	Wood, cardboard or 3D-printed parts (TBD)	Holds the game components	To be added	To be added

The main selection criteria will be compatibility, electrical safety, durability, availability at HSHL and cost.

Implementation (HW/SW)

Not yet implemented. This section will be completed during construction and programming.

Planned hardware work:

1. Build and test the connector puzzle separately.
2. Connect switches, LEDs, display and buzzer to the controller.
3. Build the selected housing and secure the components.
4. Combine the parts and verify safe operation.

Planned software work:

1. Detect the correct connector configuration.
2. Read the power-distribution switch positions.
3. Show the countdown and warning messages.
4. Control success and error feedback.
5. Add a reset function for repeated use.

The final Wiki article will include photographs, a circuit diagram, a wiring and pin-assignment plan, and links to the project files in SVN so that the prototype can be reproduced.

Component test

Testing has not yet been performed. The following checks are planned.

Planned component and game tests

Test	Expected result	Status
Correct circuit connection	First puzzle is accepted; next challenge becomes active	Not tested
Incorrect circuit connection	No damage; puzzle does not advance	Not tested
Power demand greater than four units	Overload warning is shown	Not tested
Correct system selection	Mission success is shown	Not tested
Countdown reaches zero	Mission ends clearly	Not tested
Reset	Game returns to starting state	Not tested

If possible, a small group of pupils or students will test the completed game. The evaluation will record completion time, use of hints, observed difficulties and short feedback on enjoyment, clarity and interest in Electronic Engineering.

Result

No results are available yet because this is the concept stage.

Summary

The proposed project is a short educational escape-game module that combines circuit troubleshooting and simulated emergency power distribution. Its purpose is to offer a practical and enjoyable introduction to Electronic Engineering. Results will be described here after implementation and testing.

Lessons Learned

To be completed after development and testing.

Project documents

Project plan

The following schedule is an initial estimate and will be adjusted after discussion with the supervisor.

Preliminary project plan

Phase	Planned activity
1	Review the existing Escape Mobil and agree on the concept
2	Prepare circuit sketch, requirements and bill of materials
3	Develop and test the two puzzles separately
4	Build the housing and integrate electronics and software
5	Perform functional and, if possible, user testing
6	Make improvements and complete Wiki documentation

Project implementation

To be completed throughout the project. Weekly progress updates, meeting notes, time records and SVN references will be maintained as required by the project instructions.

YouTube Video

A demonstration video may be linked here if one is produced.

External links

• Educational Escape Mobil (HSHL Wiki)

Literature

Technical references and datasheets used during development will be listed here.