H.O.R.S.E.

This idea came to my son because he's been learning to make baskets, and wants to keep track of the highest number in a row he accomplishes. At first he had wanted to mark the letters of the game of H.O.R.S.E. (where you get a letter each time you miss) but the larger possibilities of counting attracted him.

1, 2, 3, 4, ...

For the basketball to make a point it needs to go though the hoop. The net seemed to hard to build on, so the hoop was used to hold the switch. The cricket that sensed the switch was hidden down below. This protected the cricket from the basketball, and shaded the IR enough to send to the counter

• a cardboard flap was used as the switch lever.
• a small LEGO piece was glued to the cardboard to hit the microswitch
• when the switch was pressed a beep sounded to confirm the closed switch (a basket!)
• Then the cricket sent an IR to the counter cricket.

1. The basketball hits the sensor on the hoop
2. The sensor sends the message to the cricket
3. The cricket under the hoop beeps and sends an IR signal to the counter cricket
4. the counter cricket tells the motor A to turn 1
5. The dial turns a little to make the basket!

The gauge on the dial itself was made only after the counter worked. As it turned for each basket, a mark was made to number later.

The switch was actually hung on the edge of the hoop with the sensor-cricket duct-taped nearby. Look closely under the metal bracket and you can see the counter cricket.

The counter worked well, and rarely missed a point, and when it did it was loudly noted.