Ordinary digital cameras work by using a large array of light sensors to capture light as it is reflected from an object. In this experiment, I wanted to see whether I could build a backwards camera: instead of having an array of light sensors, I have just a single sensor; but I control each of 1,024 individual light sources in a 32 x 32 LED matrix.

The way it works is that the Arduino illuminates one LED at a time, while using the analog input to monitor changes in the light sensor. This allows the Arduino to test whether the sensor can "see" a particular LED. This process is repeated for each of the 1,024 individual LEDs rapidly to generate a map of visible pixels.

If an object is placed between the LED matrix and the sensor, the Arduino is able to capture the silhouette of that object, which is lit up as a "shadow" once the capture is complete.

BONUS: With minor tweaks, the same code can be used to implement a "digital stylus" for painting on the LED matrix.

Step 1: Parts Used in This Build

For this project, I used the following components:

An Arduino Uno with Breadboard
32x32 RGB LED matrix (either from AdaFruit or Tindie)
5V 4A Power Adapter (from AdaFruit)
Female DC Power Adapter 2.1mm jack to Screw Terminal block (from AdaFruit)
A clear, 3mm TIL78 phototransistor
Jumper wires

AdaFruit also sells an Arduino shield which can be used instead of jumper wires.

As I had some Tindie credits, I got my matrix from Tindie, but the matrix from AdaFruit seems to be identical, so either one should work.

The phototransistor came from my decades old collections of parts. It was a clear 3mm part labeled as a TIL78. As far as I can tell, that part is meant for IR and comes either a clear case or a dark casing that blocks visible light. Since the RGB LED matrix puts out visible light, the clear version must be used.

This TIL78 appears to have been discontinued, but I imagine this project could be made using contemporary phototransistors. If you find something that works, let me know and I will update this Instructable!

Step 2: Wiring Up and Testing the Phototransistor

Normally, you would need a resistor in series with the phototransistor across power, but I knew that the Arduino had the ability to enable an internal pull-up resistor on any of the pins. I suspected that I could take advantage of that to hook up the phototransistor to the Arduino without any additional components. It turned out my hunch was correct!

I used wires to connect the phototransistor to the GND and A5 pins on the Arduino. I then created a sketch that set the A5 pin as an INPUT_PULLUP. This is normally done for switches, but in this case it provides power to the phototransistor!

#define SENSOR A5
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(SENSOR, INPUT_PULLUP);
}
void loop() {
  // Read analog value continuously and print it
  Serial.println(analogRead(SENSOR));
}

This sketch prints values to the serial port corresponding to the ambient brightness. By using the handy "Serial Plotter" from the "Tools" menu of the Arduino IDE, I can get a moving plot of ambient light! As I cover and uncover the phototransistor with my hands, the plot moves up and down. Nice!

This sketch is a nice way to check whether the phototransistor is wired up with the right polarity: the phototransistor will be more sensitive when hooked up one direction versus the other.

Step 3: Wiring Up the Matrix Ribbon Cable to the Arduino

To wire up the matrix to the Arduino, I went through this handy guide from Adafruit. For convenience, I pasted the diagram and pinouts into a document and printed a quick reference page to use while wiring everything up.

Take care to ensure the tab on the connector matches the one in the diagram.

Alternatively, for a cleaner circuit, you could use the RGB matrix shield that AdaFruit sells for these panels. If you use the shield, you will need to solder in a header or wires for the phototransistor.

WiringGuide.pdf
Download

Step 4: Connecting the Matrix

I screwed down the fork terminals on the matrix power leads to the jack adapter, making sure the polarity was correct. Since part of the terminals were left exposed, I wrapped the whole thing up with electrical tape for safety.

Then, I plugged in the power connector and ribbon cable, being careful not to disturb the jumper wires in the process.

Step 5: Install the AdaFruit Matrix Library and Test the Matrix

You will need to install the "RGB matrix Panel" and the AdaFruit "Adafruit GFX Library" in your Arduino IDE. If you need help doing this, the tutorial is the best way to go.

I suggest you run some of the examples to make sure your RGB panel works before proceeding. I recommend the "plasma_32x32" example as it is quite awesome!

Important note: I found that if I powered up the Arduino before I plugged in the 5V supply to the matrix, the matrix would light up dimly. It appears that the matrix tries to draw power from the Arduino and that's definitely not good for it! So to avoid overloading the Arduino, always power up the matrix before you power up the Arduino!

Step 6: Load the Matrix Scanning Code

Now, load the Arduino sketch for scanning the matrix. I have provided the Arduino source code. Once you have loaded it, you should see a flash of light sweeping the matrix every few seconds.

If you bring the phototransistor close to the matrix, you should see that LEDs near the phototransisor are illuminated.

Try moving the phototransistor further and closer to the matrix to see how it behaves like a flashlight. If you place an object on the matrix and hold the phototransistor above it, you should be able to capture a "shadow" of the object!

There are a few parameters you can tweek in the code:

static constexpr uint8_t  READINGS_PER_PIXELS = 1;
static constexpr uint8_t  THRESHOLD           = 15;
static constexpr bool     INVERT              = false;
static constexpr bool     CLEAR               = true;

If the detection isn't working well, you can try increasing READING_PER_PIXEL and THRESHOLD. Set CLEAR to false to get a paintbrush like effect where each new scan adds more "paint" to the canvas. Set INVERT to true for a negative effect, where the matrix is normally lit, but the phototransistor darkens what it can "see".

BasicMatrixScanner.ino
Download

Step 7: How the Code Works: Detecting a Visible Versus an Obscured LED

After some experimentation, I found that the best way to detect whether a pixel is visible from the sensor was to take pairs of analog readings from the sensor: one reading when the LED is off and another reading when the LED is on. If the sensor cannot see the LED, then the readings will be practically the same; if the sensor can see the LED, the readings will be different.

To increase the sensitivity, I take multiple readings while using the OE (output enable) line to turn the LED on and off. I use two accumulators to sum the readings taken when the LED is off vs when the LED is on. I then compare difference between these two sums against a threshold to determine whether the value exceeds some threshold, giving me a decision on whether the LED is within line of sight from the sensor.

Step 8: How the Code Works: Scanning the Matrix

For scanning the matrix, I manipulate the data lines directly, as this is more efficient than using the AdaFruit library to paint pixels. To disable the AdaFruit library, I shut off interrupts prior to beginning a scan. Since the AdaFruit library works by using interrupts, this allows me to take control of the matrix temporarily.

The matrix has six shift registers, corresponding to the R, G and B colors of an entire rows of pixels in the upper and lower halves of the matrix. There is also a latch control line (LAT), which copies the values from the shift register to the LED drivers. Four address lines (A, B, C and D) select which rows of the upper and lower half are active and an OE (output enable) turns the LED drivers on and off.

In normal operation, the latch keeps a row illuminated with previous values while a new replacement row is shifted into the shift registers. Once the entire row has been loaded, the new values are latched and the process repeats for the next row. This manner of updating requires an entire row to be written, even if only one pixel needs to be written.

For scanning, I chose to take advantage of the shift register, but not the latching functionality. I set the latch control line (LAT) to HIGH, making it so the contents of the shift register are loaded into the LED drivers immediately on each CLK pulse. Once I illuminated the first pixel, each pulse on the clock line (CLK) causes the lit pixel to get pushed down the row to the next pixel. In so doing, I can push the illuminated pixel down the row to scan the entire row.

For each position in the row, I use the OE (output enable) line to strobe the pixel on and off while taking the readings from the light sensor. Once I have enough readings to make a determination of whether that pixel is visible or not, I write a color to the AdaFruit library's framebuffer (while scanning, I can still write pixel values to the library's framebuffer, even though the library is temporarily suspended).

After all the rows have been scanned. I re-enable interrupts, which causes the AdaFruit library to refresh the matrix with the data in the buffer until I am ready for the next scan.

Introduction: Using a LED Matrix As a Scanner