Last edit February 2nd, 2010 By Ajwatt
I’d like to build a scoreboard for a local second division soccer team. The idea is to mount high output LEDs on a grid and use a controller such as an Arduino to control the pattern. I’d like to use my N900 to send messages to the Arduino to be displayed on the board.
The board would have to show at least two lines of text (the scores) and a clock.
I’ve found some basic information on using Arduinos to control LED arrays. The beauty of a project like this is that it could be prototyped in mini form before investing in expensive high output LEDs. I’d like to start building a prototype soon.
On the N900, I will consider using something like Bluemaemo to control it. It might be better to write a custom interface though, something that mimics what will be shown on the scoreboard before actually sending the commands to the Arduino. This is the part of the project where I could use some suggestions or discussion.
I love this idea AjWatt!
Reminded me of the biggest LCD display screen that they installed in a football stadium in Texas.
by mattbrawn on February 4, 2010 at 11:58 am
Are you thinking 7-segment or a display using 5×7 dot matrix characters? The more dots the harder it would be, but I don’t think it would get too hard.
Either way it is simple to control, you would probably just need something to handle high currents for bright LEDs (I’m working on just such a project using darlington arrays).
by tz on February 8, 2010 at 4:47 pm
I’m thinking of using LEDs arranged in dot arrays. I’ve got a 1″ square LED array and I was thinking I could use that for prototyping. When it comes time to actually build the thing, I would build out some full size grids, say 50cm. I just looked up darlington arrays and that looks promising.
Tz, are you publishing your project or are you willing to join my team or provide some technical guidance? I’m in Minnesota.
by ajwatt on February 9, 2010 at 10:18 pm
We used python to send and recieve serial data to/from and arduino for the Haptic Guide, and left a fully functional code example on our blog.
by Mike77 on February 12, 2010 at 7:58 pm
I’m in San Diego at the moment (on a contract – I was in MN this time last year; I prefer San Diego’s weather in Feburary – there are no ground hogs here). But I’m available. contact me at thomas-at-mich.com if you wish to add me to your team. I will be submitting some projects on my own but they may not be accepted, and in any case I can provide support. I’ve done quite a bit with embedded and arudino (harleyhacking.blogspot.com).
by tz on February 14, 2010 at 1:22 am