LarryD:
The MAX7219/MAX7221 are compact, serial input/output
common-cathode display drivers...http://datasheets.maximintegrated.com/en/ds/MAX7219-MAX7221.pdf
Thanks, wow my searching skills are sure lacking today. Ill keep looking thanks for everyone's help. Just one last question does anyone have a good beginner (or advanced) circuit book that they could recommend?