Code for Scoreboards

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GaryTD
 
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Code for Scoreboards

Post by GaryTD »

I am looking for help. My brother purchased Ardoino parts and led lights for an old American Shuffleboard Scoreboard.
He can not figure out coding since that is not his education or job. Is there someone out there that could help me? Recommend someone
to do it for me? We have old table shuffleboards but the old stuff from the 50's and 60's is too old.
Thanks!
Gary

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GaryTD
 
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Re: Code for Scoreboards

Post by GaryTD »

I appreciate any help. If I need to buy newer boards from here and the rest of the parts I will, I just
need someone with or able to write the necessary code.

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johnpark
 
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Re: Code for Scoreboards

Post by johnpark »

Hi Gary, sounds like a fun project. You may want to try posting on the Adafruit Jobs board if you're looking to hire someone for some coding: https://jobs.adafruit.com/ Or, head to the Discord Adafruit server's #projecthelp board to see if you can get help there. http://adafru.it/discord

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kcl1s
 
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Re: Code for Scoreboards

Post by kcl1s »

The best way to get help here is to describe your project as completely as possible. The project is not too difficult but you will not get much help by asking do this for me.

Fellow hobbyist
Keith

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GaryTD
 
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Re: Code for Scoreboards

Post by GaryTD »

It is a very old game with modern equipment. These scoreboards were made in the 60's. The old mechanical parts are obsolete. Two types of games are played now, 15 point and 21 point games. It is set up where a 15 point game it goes up to 10, when you score 11 points the 10 stays on adding the 1 as well. Same if going to a 21 point game with the 20 on and the 1. It is what I would think is an easier Coding compared to so many things out there capable of doing more. I started here for I am not familiar where to start. I do not intend for it to be free. I am willing to pay for it to be done, just on how much one might charge. It normally operates on 2 quarters for a 15 point game and 4 quarters for a 21 point game. I would need to talk to someone and show pictures to make the idea of how the scoreboard lights up easier. I am just asking where I could go to possibly get help with this. I have about four to do for friends. if I am able to have someone write it for me, I could then buy enough parts to do four scoreboards, just need the coding written and what parts necessary for it to operate. I appreciate any advice given! I can try on that other site you posted.
Thanks!
Gary

In the photo there are two types of scoreboard glass displays. I will get the photo of the other for it has a "game over" area, it uses two lights. Not sure if that matters.
Attachments
American shuffleboard scoreboard.jpg
American shuffleboard scoreboard.jpg (320.52 KiB) Viewed 503 times
Last edited by GaryTD on Thu Feb 28, 2019 1:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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kcl1s
 
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Re: Code for Scoreboards

Post by kcl1s »

That is a good start. How is the score kept? It has been a long time since I played. Is the score board single or double sided? Are you rebuilding the guts behind the score glass where the light bulbs were or trying to reuse the wiring? What kind of coin acceptor does it have? Photos of mechanism would help.

You say you have some arduino parts purchased. Can you list them? Are they installed?

You will find a lot of help for this project here but another option is seeing if there is a Maker Space in your area where you may be able to get hands on help.

Keith

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GaryTD
 
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Re: Code for Scoreboards

Post by GaryTD »

I will take photos for you. I am wanting to gut it all. The wiring is form the 60's. frail and thin. I would like it to have new wires, boards and led's. It is double sided scoreboard. They do vary on the layout on the glass but that is not a big deal for I will just have to run wire a little differently. I will go and take photos of the coin boxes. Since most are home owned they are switching them to a button reset that also will change the game from 15 to 21. The scoreboards show 30, 40 and 50 spots on the glass but no one plays those long games any more. The way they were set up on the boards, dropped your coins in, it reset to 15 for the new game. 2 coins light came on. As you scored 1, 2 3 or more there are a blue and red button at each end to add your points on to the scoreboard. The scoreboard, when you reached the winning score would lock on the final points, game over light came on. I am not sure if a sound could be added for when a point is added during the game, or possibly when the game is over. They normally made a click noise for each point added and when the game was over. I will go take photos today so you can see the layout. Thanks all!
Gary

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GaryTD
 
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Re: Code for Scoreboards

Post by GaryTD »

I will check into Maker Space. Thanks! In the end it would be nice to be able to get my friends scoreboards updated, end the problems. Such old internal workings the bulbs blow easily. Just too old. Not bad for their age i suppose.
Gary

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GaryTD
 
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Re: Code for Scoreboards

Post by GaryTD »

My brother has the Uno but he says he thinks the Mega would be a better board. I have photos of the mechanical coin box, and will post soon. I am wondering, easier to just purchase a new one and replace the old coin box. I could tell them that is what to do!
added the photos but I am thinking of just purchasing a new gaming coin box. A guy on Discord said he will help me with my project. I do thank all that responded to me.

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GaryTD
 
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Re: Code for Scoreboards

Post by GaryTD »

shuffleboard coin box1 small.jpg
shuffleboard coin box1 small.jpg (623.7 KiB) Viewed 472 times
coin box

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GaryTD
 
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Re: Code for Scoreboards

Post by GaryTD »

shuffleboard coin box small.jpg
shuffleboard coin box small.jpg (363.77 KiB) Viewed 472 times
another angle

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GaryTD
 
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Re: Code for Scoreboards

Post by GaryTD »

RPJ on Discord said he will help me with the code. I appreciate all of you!
Thanks!

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kcl1s
 
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Re: Code for Scoreboards

Post by kcl1s »

Gary,
I think gutting the score board is a good idea. You will want to use addressable LEDs called neopixels to wire the scoreboard. It will make wiring a lot easier and can use a smaller micro controller. The pixels are daisy chained so you only have one wire going to the controller like is described on this page https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neo ... -neopixels of the complete Neopixel guide https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neo ... -neopixels Neopixels have Red Green and Blue segments but if you light all 3 you get white. This single pixel version https://www.adafruit.com/product/1260 should work and be bright enough. For the photos on the product page the intensity is turned way down so they don't overwhelm the camera.

For sound you can use this https://www.adafruit.com/product/1739 with an arduino to make a series of buzzer like tones or you can spend more and use this https://www.adafruit.com/product/2217 to play real music files.

If you want a list of parts to do some testing this is what I would suggest
Qty 1 - Itsy Bitsy 32u4 micro controller https://www.adafruit.com/product/3677
Qty 1 set - Flora Neopixels https://www.adafruit.com/product/1260
Qty 1 - Lg Piezo buzzer https://www.adafruit.com/product/1739
Qty 1 - 5v power supply https://www.adafruit.com/product/276

With these parts you can see if the Flora pixels will shine thru the score board ok and test the buzzer to see if that will give you good enough sound. We can help with some test code but you will need to learn how to load code onto the micro controller. This guide will help get you going when you get the parts. https://learn.adafruit.com/introducting ... itsy-32u4/

Keith
Last edited by kcl1s on Sun Feb 24, 2019 8:14 am, edited 1 time in total.

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kcl1s
 
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Re: Code for Scoreboards

Post by kcl1s »

Sorry I did not refresh to see your other posts before I posted. Glad you are getting the help. I still think neopixels would be the way to go so you do not need a Mega controller, but the Mega will work too.

Keith

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GaryTD
 
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Re: Code for Scoreboards

Post by GaryTD »

You are great! I can work on things, over my life quite a few projects. This is one, with coding I am lost. I have a brother that is able to know the parts you are talking of without explanation, but I am a noobie for sure. I do appreciate all you have posted. I am getting excited to be closer to getting these old boards up and running properly again, of course with modern components. I know my friends will be so happy. I will check into all of this tomorrow. I so appreciate all that everyone has posted. I can not thank you enough!
gary

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