Project description: This is a proof of concept device I built to test out different features of my future projects that will involve this type of seven segment. It was to not only prove that I can in fact drive this seven segment display with no need for other IC's, but also a practice in power conservation techniques. I wanted to be able to drive this display with the least amount of components needed and still get full functionality. For this project I made my goal to build a prop for one of my upcoming video projects. It would be a device that the actor places on a door near a lock and it would look as if it's decoding the lock and, when done, a beep would be heard. Because this is just going to be a proof of concept, I wont bother laying out a PCB and sending the designs to a fab house.
Project goals:
- Least amount of components
- Use as little power as possible
- Be easily programmable for the future
- Be quick and dirty to build
- Take up as little room possible
Technical notes:
- The device is programmed using the Arduino IDE with changes I made to the fuse bits to make it more power efficient.
- Its running at 3.3 volts and uses the I/O's for the common anode display which eliminates the need for resistors placed in series with the LED's.
- The processor used is an Atmega328 flashed with the ATK500 Arduino boot loader.
- The original power source was a 3.3v coin cell, but was later changed out to use the lithium backpack module from Liquidware.com.
