Priorities for software overhaul

As the haunted house host I want scary exhibits to run without interaction so that I can focus on my guests instead of my phone

Solution:

• Exhibits run either on a timer (fixed or random), repetitive or be triggered by e.g. a PIR sensor --> DONE: Random_mode works for all
• This "auto mode" can be enabled and disabled via the Haunted House web UI --> DONE
• This "auto mode" can be enabled and disabled via the local web UI even if there is no other hosts/server available --> DONE
• The scary host's scary actions may optionally be triggered manually via the Haunted House web UI --> DONE
• The scary host's scary actions may optionally be triggered manually via the local web UI even if there is no other hosts/server available --> DONE

Stable operation of the exhibits is of highest priority to avoid having to reset them

• A scary host functions just as well if there is no other host or server available

Solution:

• Scary hosts don't query or address other scary hosts because they may be down --> DONE. Discovery of remote hosts needs to be explicitely called.
• Scary hosts aren't used to start actions on other scary hosts, i.e. their local web UI doesn't offer any scary actions of other scary hosts --> DONE. Until you run Discovery
• The scary host might still have the list of all scary hosts in its configuration but it knows who he is, that he is not the server and that he mustn't query any other scary host. --> DONE
• There is only one scary host that offers the Haunted House web UI for controlling all scary hosts: the scary server --> DONE. Up to the user. The central host should be given the scary action Discover

The scary server operation is also robust, even though this is of second priority.

Solution:

• This scary server is easy to reset and resetting the server doesn't pose a problem for the operation of the scary hosts
• The scary server "detects" if scary hosts are unavailable and avoids a time-out when trying to access them in the Haunted House web UI --> Not done
• **The scary server addresses the scary hosts via their IP addresses to avoid problems with name mapping
• TBD: How does the scary server know/learn the IP addresses of the scary hosts? * If the scary host knows the IP address of the server, they could register and state their name. * The registration could be repeated every minute or so
• TBD: How does the scary server determine/learn if a scary host is available or not?
• TBD: How does the scary server know/learn which scary actions are supported by a scary host?
• TBD: Is the scary server able to discover new scary hosts that are introduces into the Haunted House? Or does he only use the configured set?
• TBD: Does the scary server persist information about the scary hosts in case they are discovered? **

Exhibit overhauls

Demon

• The demon needs to be fixed to its controller. Best the controller is in a box that the demon sits on and that the demon is glued to.
• The cables were just stuck together using the short bread board cables and their simple connectors but it would be good to have them secured or replaced by a single cable.
• Improve audio volume?

Eyes in the dark

• The eyes in the dark are mounted in a head but a body and claws whould be nice.
• The claws could even move

Dungeon

• Play Ambience and allow monster growls

New scary exhibits

Sound and light monster

A window in the top floor is open and every now and then you hear a scream then an organ, you see light flashing and pulsing and then you hear a loud and evil laugh...

• Exhibit only consists of sounds being played and an LED light controlled by a scary host
• Sound via e.g. Logitech z333
• Light via a DMX LED panel

Scary lights

The walls of the haunted house are lighted by synchonised pulsating floor lights.

• Exhibit consists of sounds being played and an LED light controlled by a scary host
• Light via several DMX LED panels

The butler

He's a life-size demonic figure holding a tray with a lid. His eyes light up, he gives off some scary sounds and then the lid of the tray opens up - revealing a brain or even a moving creature or something else.

• Dummy holding out hands
• Lid of the tray opens by air pressure.
• Eyes lighting up is always a plus

Cage rattler

Life-size figure in a cage, hands holding on to the cage wall. Without warning the creature starts rocking and rattling the cage giving off scary screams.

• Air pressure cylinder connection between creature and cage.
• Creature needs to be light so that the creature rocks and not primarily the cage.
• Eyes lighting up is always a plus
• Could be combined with the butler: The creature starting to rock when the tray is exposed, screaming "Brains! Brains!"