Scoreboard Project Please help

Projects General Guidance
1

Im new to Arduino, and have been trying to build a scoreboard for a hockey table game for some time, and thought I would give an Arduino a shot. I have very little experience and to this point have only used kits. and one very confused attempt (and fail) using a 555 to build a simple counter.

In short;

Im using this as a base for the project: https://www.brainy-bits.com/using-7-segment-display-with-arduino/

using a max7219 to control the 2, 2 digit seven segment displays.

What I would like to add:

  1. Id like the switches to be an IR barrier to detect the puck and count the goal rather then actual buttons. (ideally 2 led's emitter and detector rather then a pre-molded module)

  2. A clock counting down from 5min to 0 turning on an led at 0. (Obviously would need a start button)

  3. A reset button that will reset the clock AND the score.

all off the same Arduino

I have this kit I had been using for a while and it is not Ideal, but If any of it could be used that would work, but Im not at a ll apposed to starting from scratch.
http://www.electronics123.com/shop/product/cps148-4-digit-timing-module-kit-3305

If anyone can help me and let me know what i would need, if it can be done, what i may be missing and maybe how if possible.

Again Im super new to this so feel free to talk to me like I'm 5 :frowning:

Thank you!

2

This all sounds do-able.

Your max chip can run 8 digits, so that should cover your scores and timer.

I'm no expert on ir barrier sensors, but I agree that the sensors should be opposite the emitters, rather than single units where there must be a reflector opposite the sensor.

Not sure what you meant by "ideally 2 led's emitter". Why 2? One should be enough if you can columnate the beam...

3

In the game table right now, I have an ir setup built off of a kit a long time ago which runs the goal horn & music when the puck enters the goal.

I has 2 emitters and one detector, I assume to make the beams as wide as possible to help with alignment, but in all honestly Im not sure why and never knew, but it does seam to help detect the puck in the track as it rolls past the Ir beam.

If i use a second max 7219 to run the clock would I be able to set the time and run it thru the Arduino program or would i need a timing module?

PaulRB:
This all sounds do-able.

Your max chip can run 8 digits, so that should cover your scores and timer.

I'm no expert on ir barrier sensors, but I agree that the sensors should be opposite the emitters, rather than single units where there must be a reflector opposite the sensor.

Not sure what you meant by "ideally 2 led's emitter". Why 2? One should be enough if you can columnate the beam...

4

BubbleHockey:
If i use a second max 7219 to run the clock would I be able to set the time and run it thru the Arduino program or would i need a timing module?

You can easily control multiple MAX7219 with Arduino, it receives data serially and then output it in parallel.

5

jackthom41:
You can easily control multiple MAX7219 with Arduino, it receives data serially and then output it in parallel.

Thank you. that will make things easier. Im trying to do all of this off the same arduino for space and to keep it as one contained unit.
do you know, would I also be able to run the IR emitter and detector(s) led's straight off of the arduino and use them as switches or buttons or would there need to be a separate board or other hardware needed for them to function properly?

6

Hard to say without more detail (e.g. clickable links to the emitters & receivers) but sounds like this can all be run off one Arduino and power supply. If, later, you decide you need an external power supply, get a 5V supply, 1~2A and power the Arduino through its 5V pin, to bypass the Arduino's on-board regulator, which can easilly overheat.

would I be able to set the time and run it thru the Arduino program or would i need a timing module?

Did you mean time of day, or remaining time in the game? For time of day, you would need an rtc module. But I suspect you mean game time remaining, in which case the Arduino will be able, and more than accurate enough, without extra components.

7

PaulRB:
Hard to say without more detail (e.g. clickable links to the emitters & receivers) but sounds like this can all be run off one Arduino and power supply. If, later, you decide you need an external power supply, get a 5V supply, 1~2A and power the Arduino through its 5V pin, to bypass the Arduino's on-board regulator, which can easilly overheat.
Did you mean time of day, or remaining time in the game? For time of day, you would need an rtc module. But I suspect you mean game time remaining, in which case the Arduino will be able, and more than accurate enough, without extra components.

Right now the kit that I have running the goal horn is using a 5mm IR Led emitter & detector facing each other on either side of the return track (where the puck goes after it is placed in the net)
What I would like to do, and the way I have designed it, is to have the same thing (emitter & Detector) installed a bit further down the track where it will act as the "button" on the up/down counter running off the max7219 as mentioned before.

As for the links this is what I have made allowances for in the track construction described above:
https://www.amazon.com/Gikfun-Infrared-Emitter-Receiver-Arduino/dp/B01HGIQ8NG/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_147_lp_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=79EKRNFG7Y9RVZ5V7PPZ

Im not sure how to go about even connecting these as switches in an Arduino, as everything i see online talked about using them as object avoidance sensors or in pre formed modules that would not work in the track design and would need more space bet them and the puck to work.
ALSO, with that how many pins would something like that use? If it looks like Id be using 6 for the clock and score respectively.

As for the time, Yes Meant game time, the idea is to have a simple counter counting down from either 5 or 10 min, and then at 0, have a 5mm led turn on to signal the end of game. (maybe a horn later on but I'm not sure how fancy I want to get while I'm learning)

AND can the "reset" button on board OR Via the pin, be used to reset the clock and score to the programs start point each time? or would repeated use NOT be recommended? and therefore I should look into putting something in the program/sketch to do that?

As for power supply, I have that all ready to go. And have a 5v source ready to go in the tables internal power supply. (I also have a extra 5v and 12v lead should I need that, prob won't but thought I would mention incase it is helpful anywhere)

thank you for any help you can give. this is helping.

8

BubbleHockey:
...it will act as the "button" on the up/down counter running off the max7219 as mentioned before.

Sorry, don't understand!

BubbleHockey:
https://www.amazon.com/Gikfun-Infrared-Emitter-Receiver-Arduino/dp/B01HGIQ8NG/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_147_lp_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=79EKRNFG7Y9RVZ5V7PPZ

This is how you post a link on this forum. Please use the "insert link" icon next time.

BubbleHockey:
Im not sure how to go about even connecting these as switches in an Arduino...
ALSO, with that how many pins would something like that use?

Probably only one pin per receiver. Problem is how to connect them. That page describes the receivers as diodes, meaning "photodiodes" but that could be an error and they could be "phototransistors".

BubbleHockey:
If it looks like Id be using 6 for the clock and score respectively.

If you are talking about the max7219 chips, then they can be chained, so would only use 3 pins for two (or more) chips.

BubbleHockey:
AND can the "reset" button on board OR Via the pin, be used to reset the clock and score to the programs start point each time? or would repeated use NOT be recommended? and therefore I should look into putting something in the program/sketch to do that?

You could use the built-in reset button or add an external reset button. It depends on if there is any information that is needed from before the reset button is pressed. If there is no such information, then you can use the reset button. But if there is information that needs to be kept, then you can't use the reset button because all the Arduino's memory (RAM) is wiped when reset is pressed. So in that case a button attached to a different pin can be used.

9

PaulRB:
Sorry, don't understand!

This is how you post a link on this forum. Please use the "insert link" icon next time.
Probably only one pin per receiver. Problem is how to connect them. That page describes the receivers as diodes, meaning "photodiodes" but that could be an error and they could be "phototransistors".
If you are talking about the max7219 chips, then they can be chained, so would only use 3 pins for two (or more) chips.
You could use the built-in reset button or add an external reset button. It depends on if there is any information that is needed from before the reset button is pressed. If there is no such information, then you can use the reset button. But if there is information that needs to be kept, then you can't use the reset button because all the Arduino's memory (RAM) is wiped when reset is pressed. So in that case a button attached to a different pin can be used.

Sorry, I was using the quick reply.

I have used those same combo in replacing a damaged kit i mentioned before and they worked I assume the description of the receivers is infact a typo and you are correct.

given that, any idea as how I would go about connecting them to the Arduino? again the plans for the scoreboard portion i was fallowing called for switches and I don't have a clue how to go about augmenting these plans to accept the IR emitter and receiver as a replacement.
the plans I was following for the score portion/counter: https://www.brainy-bits.com/using-7-segment-display-with-arduino/

I was planing in chaining the 7219 as shown, and using another one for the 4 digit countdown clock.

For the reset button, using the built in one, or pin should work as I'm not keeping any information after each game thank you.