Design And Construction Of A Dot Matrix Information Display System

ABSTRACT

This work is on design, construction and working of a Dot Matrix Information Display. The project covered a fairly comprehensive study of a Dot Matrix Information Display. Digital instruments, signals, and related numbers and codes were discussed. The two possible voltage levels characterized by HIGH or LOW, ON or OFF, TRUE or FALSE, PRESENT or ABSENT were represented abstractly by the digits 0 and 1. Electronic information board, logical operations, integrated circuit, microcontroller, etc were discussed. Basic sequential and combinational digital systems were dealt with. Choices of components were made. Such components as the 8051 processor, the AT89C52 microcontroller, the LM 7805 regulator, the light emitted diode (LED), the latch 74374 IC, etc., were employed. The project has been carefully designed such that the Dot Matrix Information Display operates with electrical power from any sourcealternate or direct current. Program written in Assembly language was burned into the EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) of the system. The operation and working were enunciated. There are recommendations as the project is of outstanding quality. The feature of multiple colour makes it unique from other single colour display. It was thereafter installed at the vice chancellor’s office free from mechanical shock and vibration.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWELDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1      BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

• PROJECT MOTIVATION
• AIM OF THE PROJECT
• STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
• OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
• SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
• RESEARCH QUESTIONS
• PROJECT ORGANISATION

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

• OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY
• ORIGIN/HISTORY OF THE PROJECT
• REVIEW OF DIGITAL SIGNALS
• PIXEL RESOLUTIONS
• CHARACTER RESOLUTIONS
• CHARACTER RESOLUTIONS

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

• SYSTEM DISCRIPTION
• SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM
• THE PROCESS OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
• LOADING THE ROM
• FABRICATION
• THE DISPLAY SYSTEM
• THE SOFTWARE
• MODE OF OPERATION
• POWER SUPPLY

CHAPTER FOUR

TEST AND RESULT ANALYSIS

• COMPONENTS ASSEMBLY
• CIRCUIT CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
• SELECTION OF COMPONENTS
• STEP-BY-STEP-METHOD
• CONSTRUCTION ON VEROBOARD
• SOLDERING TECHNIQUES
• TESTING/COUPLING
• TIPS ON MAINTENANCE OF THE PROJECT

CHAPTER FIVE

• CONCLUSION
• RECOMMENDATION
• REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

1.1                                                      INTRODUCTION

Communication has become inevitable and vital thing in this present age, it is even believed to be a commodity meant for consumption by any targeted audience. One of the important qualities possessed by all animals is the ability to communicate with each other or one another at a given time.

An information display is a way of providing information and is used as an object for notification. It can be used for both indoor and outdoor which makes it universal fit for any form of alerts.

The extent of development in information dissemination has made it possible that the well known method of displaying information using sign posts, placards, notice boards, etc has to be modified by using intelligent display board.

In the previous years, the means by which adverts, information are display has been through the use of static mode of sign display such as banners, flyers etc, they are becoming boring and unattractive.

Dot matrix display system display advertisements are designated to catch a people’s attention and create a memorable impression very quickly, leaving the reader thinking about the advertisement after they have driven past it. They have to be readable in a very short time because, they are usually read while being passed at high speeds.

This piece of digital technology can be found in a number of places and are being used for different purposes.

In banks, it is used to display interest rates as well as exchange rates. In hotels and pubs, it is used to display the menu and prices, in schools it is used to display information related to the school programme and update news,

1.1                                                      BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Dot matrix display system as used in this reports refers to a sign that uses electronic hardware and software to display its copy, messages or images. Also, a sign utilizing a fixed light source to provide a message in text, images pictures, and / or symbols that may appear to move or may appear as on/off messages. This is contrast to traditional non-electronic signs where the copy displayed is physically applied to the sign surface by printing, painting or otherwise attaching it onto the sign. The materials or substrate to which the copy is applied is typically paper, wood, plastic or the wall of a building.

In this modern time, solid materials have helped man to show that he really exists by doing wonders in the world of electronics. One major development, made possible by the enormous advances in solid state technology, is the “digital revolution”. Circuits are designed to implement the basic digital logic functions fundamental to all digital systems. Digital electronics therefore comprises the design, manufacture and use of circuits for processing information in digital form (Simpson, 1978).

An information display is a way of providing information and it is also used as an object for promotion. It can be seen in a form of cardboard or tarpaulin at stores / shops, sign posts, placards, notice boards and intelligent display board. But the advent of new technologies has made the information in the form of a Dot matrix display system in the world of advertisements and promotions (Gupta, Shukla and Nagwekar, 2013). The ability to display a short message can be useful application to be available for any business. Dot matrix display system is perfect for this application. It can be used for both indoor and outdoor which makes it universal fit for any business or event. Dot matrix display system is very efficient and cost effective way to spread messages to thousands of people, without any personal contact or door to door sales. Light-Emitting Diode (LED) is a solid state light source with several attractive properties for display application. LED is a diode that gives off visible light when forward biased (Mehta and Mehta, 2014). It is chosen as the main component for displaying messages because, today LED is the most energy efficiency example and other useful systems.

The birth of signs and display can be said to be as old as the existence of man on the planet earth. From the beginning of the world, different types of displays have been in use, each mode to serve the purpose of invention efficiently. Signs are any kind of visual graphics created to display information to a particular audience (David, 2013). In 1389, King Richard II of England compelled landlords to erect signs outside their premises (Manton, 2008). In ancient Rome, signboards were usually made from stone or terracotta (Chris, 1995).

With the advancement in technology, man started carving woods and trees. The use of special dyes on wood as a means of identifying special locations. With the discovery of Bronze and iron, man started using the materials to display sign, thus the advent of metal sign boards were born, which are mostly used in developing countries. On semiconductors and vacuum tubes technology, light displays and sign boards were built to add more beauty in the old system and as a way to increase visibility. LED technology is frequently used in signs now instead of Neon signs, introduced in 1910 at the Paris Motor show (Bellu, 2006). The use of electronic is now becoming very important. It is extensively applied in almost our day to day activities.

Dot matrix display system is also used for outdoor advertisement. Before, outdoor advertising was mainly characterized by the use of paper. Every bus stop and display board had a paper advertisement inside. The reason for this was simple paper was easy to use and extremely cheap. It had some draw backs as well. Before an image is actually on the street, it first has to be printed, pasted and placed. The journey from design to placement is quite long. Another disadvantages is the considerable amount waste generated by the use of paper. Finally, many people ignore a paper advertisement and there attention is drawn to the vibrant environment around them and not to a still image.

The extent of development in information dissemination has made it possible that the well known method of displaying information using sign posts, notice boards, etc has to be modified by using electronic digital display system. In today’s rapidly advancing technology market, most conventional digital display system are not being implemented using individual logic gates and integrated circuits (ICs) such have been used in the past instead, programmable devices such as microprocessor and microcontroller chips which contain the circuitry necessary to create logic functions are being used to implement digital systems.
1.2                                                      PROJECT MOTIVATION

The motivation of this project comes from the change involved with information in respect to time this days now prompt the huge step of constructing a reprogrammable intelligent display board to give information about anything at a particular moment to the targeted audience and need to know how Dot matrix display system can at least provide some improved measures to the limitations of conventional display listed in the problem statements. The astonishing and spectacular display of an electronic display is as well a source of inspiration.

1.3                                                      AIM OF THE PROJECT

To design and construct a dot matrix display system. Depending on someone’s intention, microcontroller based dot matrix advert display system have many aim. For instance, this one in particular aims at displaying a moveable coded letters that says ‘OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR, ANAMBRA STATE UNIVERSITY, ULI, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA”
Also microcontroller based dot matrix advert display system can be used to control the traffic misunderstanding among motorists especially in junctions. This is achieved by displaying stop, get ready, or move. Some traffic control electronic system displays symbols or color that represents the stated commands above. Moreover, microcontroller based dot matrix advert display system is used in electronic scoreboard during football matches to display when a goal is scored, also to display the name of that player who scored the goal. Above all, this system has contributed a lot in boosting advertisement.

1.4                                          STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Due to limitation of the sign board or local sign board which could not display clearly at night expect light shines on it, it is then necessary that electronic display system is employed to counter the limits of the local sign board. The information displayed on the local sign board is less attractive compared to the information displayed using dot matrix display system.

Thus, researchers are prompted to tirelessly hold up to these challenges by initiating some means of improving the above among which is the design and construction of a dot matrix display system.

1.5                                          OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this study is to design and construct a dot matrix display system. Specifically this study will achieve the following:

i        To display “office of the Vice Chancellor, Anambra State University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.”

ii       To use the Dot matrix display system constructed as a sign post for federal polytechnic, Oko.

iii      To have more knowledge on what Dot matrix display system is all about.

v       To know the benefits of a Dot matrix display system.

v       To design and realize the moving message display panel.

1.6                                          SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

In all field of human endeavour, Dot matrix display system plays very vital role, such as means of advertisement, means of communication, presentations, exhibitions, identification and direction. It is also used in giving warning or safety instructions, such as warning signs, traffic signs, exit signs or signs conveying rules and regulations. This project write-up will be a guide to future designing in a related work.

1.7                                         JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROJECT

Due to the various problems encountered in the manual/analog design and construction of signposts for advertisement, there is every need for an automated electronic display system that will solve this problem. This will ensure that viewers get the adequate information that is displayed in good and attractive colors. The though the manual/analog way of displaying information to the view of the people is still targeted viewer are attracted. The height in which advertisement in Nigeria have attained will be maintained if some of its design/construction operation is computerized (Micro controller based information display) especially the one’s that has to do with bigger companies. This will also maintain the good relationship between the company and its numerous customers.

1.8                                               RESEARCH QUESTIONS

This research will try to provide answers to the following research questions:

1)      What is dot matrix display system?

2)      How can dot matrix display system be constructed?

3)      What are the users of a dot matrix display system?

4)      What are the benefits of a dot matrix display system?

5)      What kind of content that can be shown on dot matrix display system