Nixie Tube Racquetball Scorecard

update 11.19.13, cosmetics finished:

video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayevcodl7ju
and pics:





the build posted:

so first project real meat it, , have learned ton doing it. have tinkered arduino long while now, first attempt @ creating something.

firsts include:
nixie tubes (170vdc)
shift registers
wireless comms (using ciseco srf modules, had make ftdi cable , learn use that)
serial comms instructions
off-board arduino, both atmega328 , attiny85 (burning bootloader, arduino isp)
soldering project permanent location. regret not etching own pcb part, used perfboard.
edit decided take driver circuit on perfboard debacle , use opportunity learn how etch pcb's. enormous success, , think interested in electronics tinkering should spend time learning. have sucessfully created relativley small footprint double sided board, works beautifully.
enclosure construction - i not particularly happy how turned out, not woodworking guy, , got impatient parts. there still do, explanation below.

the project:
a scorecard, enough displays indicate 3 separate teams, 2 digits per team. (racquetball 1-on-1, or 2-on-2, group of friends, play variation called 'cuthroat', 1-on-1-on-1). scores range 0-15, lead 2 not required win. racquetball played in large cube room, glass wall, , didn't want device inside room interfere gameplay. display device comprised of 6 nixie tubes, grouped in two's, controlled atmega328, through shift registers , hv transistors. decided not multiplex (another regret, should have, learning how, if nothing else) achieve enough outputs, 2 shift registers used per pair of nixie tubes. gives me ability display 00-59 on pair of tubes, , happy coincidence, enough have unit serve dual purpose, @ point in future, make clock. enclosure made of balsa wood, , have strong suction cups hold rear glass.

how adjust score took me little longer decide on, went attiny85, ciseco srf module , 4 buttons, powered coin cell battery. had small, , unobtrusive gameplay, extends ease of use - didn't want have pause every time while went rear glass , waved hands @ sensors or something. sweatband above components answer.

i know code inelegant, wanted attempt whole thing without running forums every answer, , works, there said that.

display code can downloaded here (too large post):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/o6nbryif02nduav/racquetball_scorecard_he_v0_5__2400_.ino

remote code:

code: [select]


/*
zac tennyson
5.14.13
raquetball scorecard remote end
*/

#include <softwareserial.h>
softwareserial myserial(9, 0);      //define rx pin non-existent(9), need tx wristband
int t1pin=1;
int t2pin=2;
int t3pin=3;
int negpin=4;

int time=0;
int timenow=0;
int interval=150;

int n=0;

void setup()
{                

 for(n=1;n<5;n++)
 {
   pinmode(n,input);
   digitalwrite(n,high);
 }

 myserial.begin(2400);  
}


void loop()
{
 timenow=millis();
 if(timenow-time>interval)
 {
   time=timenow;
   if(digitalread(t1pin)==0 && digitalread(negpin)==1)
   {
     myserial.println("teamau");
   }

   if(digitalread(t2pin)==0 && digitalread(negpin)==1)
   {
     myserial.println("teambu");
   }

   if(digitalread(t3pin)==0 && digitalread(negpin)==1)
   {
     myserial.println("teamcu");
   }

   if(digitalread(t1pin)==0 && digitalread(negpin)==0)
   {
     myserial.println("teamad");
   }

   if(digitalread(t2pin)==0 && digitalread(negpin)==0)
   {
     myserial.println("teambd");
   }

   if(digitalread(t3pin)==0 && digitalread(negpin)==0)
   {
     myserial.println("teamcd");
   }
 }
}


the in-12a nixie socket:

i soldiered magnet wire socket, , down male header strip. got idea someone's nixie clock online, if can find it, credit him.

the shift register breakout board:
the new shift register breakout board:

and underside:

obviously not populated yet in pic, shift registers go in center, transistors on either side, feeding down nixie's plug in on bottom. there 3 total, 1 each team, or pair of nixies.

edit: 6.21.13:
the power supply needs provide 170v nixie tubes, 5v atmega328 , shift registers, , 3v radio. had complete few days ago, , while testing it, accidentally made connection meter should never made. believe fried 555 timer. upon replacing 555 another, still wrong, , not see other visible defects, , metering did showed other components fine. think of no other troubleshooting tactics, re-built 3 sections. that's when found out second 555 tried bad. third 555, , , running. not depressed building power section twice, came out bit smaller second time.

the 170v circuit built instructables submission:
http://www.instructables.com/id/nixie-tube-hv-driver/ , supplies sufficient current power 6 nixies @ same time.
the 5v circuit lm7805 circuit , 3v lm317, fed lm7805.



the remote end:

it in sweatband, picture of sweatband wasn't cool. soldier points have epoxy on them make sure nothing comes apart. can't on how small radio is. literally size of stamp.

the unlit semi-finished face:


the opened up:


the front powered on, along remote end, in sweatband, after adding couple points first 2 teams:


also, can download friting schematics 'mainboard' atmega sets, , shift register breakout here:
mainboard:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3hrvqwak2xdkh4u/scorecard%20mainboard.fzz
shift register breakout:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ky8gkakknvcm0zw/scorecard%20single%20team%20breakout%20double%20sided%20v4.fzz

i still plan on finishing enclosure, haven't quite decided on how it. have nice brass corners add it, , either stain , varnish or paint black.

side note- suction cups work great, whole unit rested fine on night @ house, , vibration @ court minimal, due bracing , thickness of glass. first test run of tonight.

while unlikely change of scorecard code, welcome suggestions of use learning more, code or otherwise, , haven't started on clock function @ all.
i take more pictures , add them post move forward.
thanks taking time look, , comments!

post clear, crisp pictures of prototype, , schematic.

click reply below, additional options , attach things way.
.ino files, .jpgs, etc
resize pic's before posting they're 800-1000 pixies wide, , not humongous 3500x2000 12 megapixel monster or something.

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