Make a 24X6 LED matrix

Step 5 Programming The Display

We are almost there, the only thing thats left is the program.
So far I wrote two programs for it that do pretty much the same thing.
I have added the program that gets a word or a sentence from the arduino IDE serial monitor and displays it on the matrix, my code is very basic and may be not the best in the world but it does the work, and you are free to write your own code and modify mine as you wish.

I have added an excel file so you can create your own symbols and characters.
The way it works is like so:
You create the symbol you want  pixel by pixel(don't worry it's very easy) and copy the output line like so - #define {OUTPUT LINE}

I will add in the future a code for animations and a nice game of snake as soon as I have more time on my hands.


 

Comments

[alcenhelmiyo]

When i finish that project, my led light only 1 row on second row. why other row not light. can you solve my problem? please
sorry for my english statement

[rducay]

pls double check your wirings at first i have that problem too, this projects works 100% , i already manage to modify this to 61X10 with the help of course by syst3mX

[jjose14]

hey pal can you help me in our project. we need to create 40x6 led matrix. can you help me with the code?

[rducay]

just send a request to this email [e-mail]

[mzee233]

can u send it to me too..? love to build a 40X10 matrix. thanks.

[memexie]

Hey :)
Can you sent me the code from Syst3mx? I would love to make it bigger too. :)
at [e-mail]
thanks! :)

[qwertyuiop5433]

Hi, i am using an ATmega1280 for the project and i was wondering what pins to use. You have digital and pwm combined, but they are two separate sections. Currently i put them all in the PWM section, but the led's are randomly lighting up. http://arduino.cc/en/uploads/Main/ArduinoMega.jpg

[peirstom]

Hi Syst3mX,
Is it difficult to change the program?
I'm making a Matrix with height 10,
so can I use your program for programming it?
Can you give me some tips? The height will be 10 ( like your 8 x 10 matrix) and lenght verry long like 100
Please give me some tips,
Thank you
( you can also mail me on: [e-mail])

[efdat]

is it possible for it to continue scrolling when the arduino is disconnected?

[Syst3mX]

If you use the looping text code you don't need to connect the board via USB but you still need to power the board.

[strikerarduino]

just ask sir for some help, how i'm going to pause the display word text,what is the needed code...:)
your help is highly appreciated...

[efdat]

then I will need that code please...

[strikerarduino]

just ask sir for some help, how i'm going to pause the display text, what is the needed code...:)
your help is highly appreciated...

[dan95]

nice project, im trying to make one like this but i cant make the code works, ive been watching at yours but i cant figureo ut how can i make the message starts scrolling from the right side of the dmd, as its shown in your video, i wonder if you colud giveme a hand, thnks.
e-mail: [e-mail]

[kasuki]

.could somebody email me with regards with the [e-mail]

[kasuki]

This is a great project!.i want to make it bigger..6x56..i already have the circuit..could you help me with the code syst3mX..email [e-mail]

[praveenkm]

I have to display fixed clock in this board (not scrolling). Any ideas?

[axeman911]

how exactly will the arduino no t also display my output line and do i just replace it with anyone #define that is already in the program

[opsada]

Hi, I'm George and I am a teacher from Bulgaria. With my students put together the scheme, but the result is - only the first 6 LED on the first row blink once after uploading the program. Can you help please?

[alcenhelmiyo]

My led have that problem to. Only some led in second row blink after uploading the program, please syst3mx answer my problem

[gcampton]

Sounds like A: you wired it backwards, and B: Your microcontroller isn't uploading the correct code... or doesn't have enough memory or some such. Try the example code that comes with the Arduino IDE, the basic -> Blink. I'm guessing the first col or row should blink if everything is wired up right.

[emihackr97]

Hi, im in the process of building an RGB LED cube, you gave me the great idea of making an excel program for it to work, thanks!

[axeman911]

what commands do u use for the decade counter in the arduino environment, i know that ones for a shift register, but not for a decade counter?

[Syst3mX]

In the void display_word the following lines advance the 4017 counter,
digitalWrite(clock,HIGH);
digitalWrite(clock,LOW);

[axeman911]

SORRY, i have no idea what u mean by advance? are there any other commands or is that it for the decade counter?

[Syst3mX]

The 4017 is a counter so when I write this 2 lines I create a pulse that increases the counter i.e advances it.

there are 2 more lines for the reset they look just like the one for the clock pin on the 4017

[bkeaton]

This is my next project. How do you upload the code to the Arduino. Thanks.

[shaadmahmud]

this project is working now.....but i have a lil problem my text r mirrored.....and only looping text.txt file is working but now it works.txt is not working at all...please help me...i have an arduino with atmega168....

[Syst3mX]

some people had the same problem with the mirrored text and thats because you wired up the shift registers and LED backwards.
So you fix it you need to change the order of the LED rows i.e. the first row need to be the last one.
No for the works.txt code all you need to do to make it work is to change the 100 in this array : byte patterns[100][6];
to something smaller like 50 or 25

[shaadmahmud]

thanx for ur reply...the text r now working...but in works.txt i've change the patterns[25][6]...but its stil not working....:(

[Syst3mX]

Does the basic serial functions work? try the example one in the IDE.
I think the ATmega168 should have the space for this program but if not I will write something in 3-4 days from now.

[shaadmahmud]

thanks a lot...its working now....u r a genius........:)

[Syst3mX]

hh good to hear it works, have fun with it!

[shaadmahmud]

please check ur pm.......:)

[zulcao]

hi, i´m bilding one and i want know if need many modifications to make it with 10 rows ?

and excelent project.

[Syst3mX]

it's not that hard but you need to change all of the symbol set and change some numbers in the program.

[Anigram]

Could you maybe post the code for a static text (as in one that doesn't scroll)?
-Obviously it would be limited to about 5 characters.

Thanks again!

[Syst3mX]

I don't think I would have much time this week but I can give you a tip on how to do so and if not I will try to write something next week.

In the scrolling function, I scroll all the display every frame so what you need to do is to scroll it 23 times and show the text when the word is ready.

[Anigram]

I haven't yet gotten this to work yet.
I'm gonna continue because I really want to make it display static phrase, but if there is anyway you get some time this week, do you think you could take a shot at it?

[Syst3mX]

OK I will try to get it done by the end of the week.
Send me a privet message with your email and I will send you the code as soon as I get t done.