NFL Score Alerter

Like the NHL version, this project is inspired by the devices you can get that alert you when your favourite team does something good, taking advantage of an exposed ESPN API end point from which near-real-time game status can be freely drawn.

Unlike its icy cousin, this version explores two interesting new pieces of technology:

WLED

This is a piece of software that can be burned into a Wifi-enabled microcontroller, such as an ESP32, that manages a stunning array of special light effects to a connected string of LEDs.

The management of the lighting effects can be managed on a PC, tablet, or smart phone. Fortunately for me, it also allows a Python program running anywhere on the network to manage the effects.

Text-to-Speech

Instead of low-tech 8-bit buzzing of a little Piezo speaker, I decided I wanted to have the alerter talk to me over a proper Bluetooth speaker.

Through much searching and trial-and-error, I landed on the text-to-speech service provided by Microsoft Azure. They have a free version that allows up to 500,000 voice synthesized characters per month. Mine would use only about 2,000 per game.

This version monitors game status for the selected team, and announces scoring plays and other game updates, all while accompanying these events with an LED light show.