To aide in testing of different setups/toys and claws themselves, the following features would be nice to have in the program:

1.   Use pwm to start off closing of claw slowly and go to full current after a predetermined amount of time.  (Fade the current in on claw closing.)  I did not use the right pin for the claw to allow for the PIC's pwm module.  So, the pwm will have to be created in the program.  This is not a terribly big deal due to an interrupt timer already in place to keep track of step pulses.

2.  Allow for communications with the claw machine.  Probably RS232 at this point.  Be able to adjust the following via commands:

A. Switch the machine between "test" mode and "claw machine" mode.

I. Test mode - When the red button on the joystick is pushed and held, the forward, back, left, and right motions of the joystick now become raise claw, lower claw, open claw, and close claw, respectively.  Otherwise, the joystick will function normally moving the claw in the x and y axis.

II. Claw Machine mode - allow for the machine to be played normally using the settings that have been saved

B. Be able to adjust the time to full claw closing in the pwm section.

C. Adjust the speed of the x, y and z axis step pulses.

D. Adjust the distance the z axis will drop when in claw machine mode.

E. Save settings to EEPROM.

The above is a start of what needs to be done first.  Below are some wants for the future:

1. Be able to communicate with the Matrix Display to display different messages.

2. Create hardware to allow for a mobile phone to connect to the machine.  Use app to control claw machine and adjust settings.

This is a start to the next revision of the claw machine code.  I will work on this as time allows.