2014 17th International Conference on Computer and Information Technology (ICCIT)

LED Matrix Based Digital Learning Display

for Children With Wireless Control
1
M.A. Kader, 2Md. Mahbubur Rahman, 3S.M Imdad Bin Haider, 4Mojaharul Islam
1
Lecturer, 2-3Student, Dept. of EEE, 4Assistant Professor, Dept. of ETE
International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC)
Chittagong, Bangladesh
kader05cuet@gmail.com, mahtit258@gmail.com, imdadbhaider@gmail.com, mojahar.bd@ete.iiuc.ac.bd

Abstract— In this paper a digital learning display has

designed especially for the children in rural areas from which
they can learn Bengali and English alphabet and numbers. The
display is formed cascading twelve 8X8 dot matrix displays so
that the designed character patterns are attractive to the
children. It can be controlled by an IR remote. Only a 12V DC
battery is enough to drive the display. The power consumption of
the display is very low. So, schools at remote area where
electricity is not available can easily use this display to make the
learning more enjoyable to the children. An 8-bit PIC
microcontroller is used to control the display and generating
different character patterns. This is our first attempt to make the
learning interesting for the children. In future, we can add some
additional features with this display such as games, music,
animation etc.
II. SYSTEM OVERVIEW
The system mainly divided into two parts: remote controller
and display unit. Remote controller consists of three push
buttons named manu, up and down. An IR remote (the
transmitter) sends out pulses of infrared light that represent
specific binary codes correspond to commands. The IR
receiver decodes the pulses of light into the binary data that the
device's microprocessor can understand [2]. The
microprocessor then carries out the corresponding command to
the microcontroller of display unit and control the display
accordingly. The system can also be controlled by manual
switches. The block diagram of the system is shown in “Fig.
1”.

Keywords—matrix display; microcontroller; digital learning; III. SYSTEM DESIGN

wireless control; IR
The methodology to develop the system is described in this
section. The development process includes design of character
I. INTRODUCTION
pattern, code generation of respective pattern, IR
The 21th century is the era of technology. Every aspect of communication and display interfacing.
life is deeply dependent on technology and it makes our life
easy and enjoyable. Technology is by far becoming the newest
way to educate our students in the classroom today. The use of
technology is continuing to break through the barriers of
traditional learning styles creating a whole new perspective of
learning [1]. In modern countries, universities, colleges even
schools use technology to teach the students. In Bangladesh
some schools and colleges introduced technology based
learning, but still we are far behind to introduce technology
based learning for children and kids at primary school. In this
paper, we have represented one of our developed technologies
which can help kids and children to learn Bengali and English
alphabets and numbers. It is a simple 32X24 LED based matrix
display which is formed by cascading twelve 8X8 dot matrix
LED displays. This display can show all the Bengali and
English alphabets as well as numbers. The display can be
hanged on the wall and children can control the display by a
RF remote control. A button in the remote can switch the
display one of the modes among Bengali vowels, Bengali
consonants, Bengali numbers, English alphabets and English Figure 1. Block diagram of system.
numbers. After selecting a mode, user can go to next or
previous alphabet or number by pressing another two buttons
A. Design of character pattern
of remote. We think this system will be helpful for the children
and kids of rural areas as well as in the city to learn alphabet At the very beginning we have designed the pattern of
and numbers. different character and generate the respective hexadecimal

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2014 17th International Conference on Computer and Information Technology (ICCIT)

codes to show them in cascaded matrix display. We have used RA2

RA0
“LED Matrix Studio” which is an application designed for RA1
electronics to speed up the development of LED and matrix MR Vcc SH_CP ST_CP GND MR Vcc SH_CP ST_CP GND
projects [3]. The process of generating hexadecimal codes for DS Shift Register 1 Q7' DS Shift Register 4 Q7'
respective character pattern by “LED Matrix Studio” is very Q0 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q0 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7
8XR 8XR
simple. At first, we have wrote the character in MS paint and R=1KOhm R=1KOhm
saved it in “Monochrome Bitmap” format. Then we have C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8
imported the picture in “LED Matrix Studio” and the rows and RB0 R1 R1

Transistor array (Buffer)

columns of the display were also defined. Finally, we have got RB1 R2 R2
the character pattern in our desired LED matrix display and RB2
R3 R3
RB3
also we have got the hexadecimal code for that character RB4
R4 R4
R5 R5
pattern from the import option of “File Manu”. Two character RB5 R6 R6
pattern and their respective hexadecimal codes are shown in RB6
R7 R7
“Table. 1”. From the hexadecimal codes it is clear that for RB7 R8 R8
showing a character in our display we have to send 96 Bytes of Display 1 Display 4

data to the display.

RA2
B. Display Interfacing with microcontroller RA0
Q7' of Shift
Shift register is used in display interfacing to reduce the register 8
MR Vcc SH_CP ST_CP GND MR Vcc SH_CP ST_CP GND
required I/O pins of microcontroller [4]. Data’s are serially DS Shift Register 9 Q7' DS Shift Register 12 Q7'
Q0 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q0 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7
transferred to shift register bit by bit with a clock pulse for each 8XR 8XR
R=1k Ohm R=1KOhm

C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8
TABLE I. CHARACTER PATTERN AND RESPECTIVE CODES
RD0 R1 R1

Transistor array (Buffer)

Character pattern Character pattern RD1 R2 R2
RD2
R3 R3
RD3 R4 R4
RD4 R5 R5
RD5 R6 R6
RD6
R7 R7
RD7 R8 R8
Display 9 Display 12

Figure 2. Interfacing Displays with microcontroller.

Respective Codes for pattern
($00, $00, $00, $00);
($FE, $FF, $FF, $3F);
($FC, $FF, $FF, $7F);
($00, $1C, $00, $07);
($00, $78, $00, $07);
($0C, $FC, $03, $07);
($0C, $FE, $07, $07);
($18, $7E, $0E, $07);
($18, $7E, $0C, $07);
($38, $7E, $1C, $07);
($30, $3C, $18, $07);
($70, $00, $1C, $07);
($E0, $00, $3C, $07);
($E0, $01, $7E, $07);
($C0, $8F, $FF, $07);
($80, $FF, $CF, $07);
($00, $FF, $87, $07);
($00, $FE, $83, $07);
($00, $78, $00, $07);
($00, $00, $00, $07);
($00, $00, $00, $07);
($00, $00, $00, $06);
($00, $00, $00, $04);
($00, $00, $00, $00);
Bit [5]. When all 96 bits data are loaded to shift register then a
clock in storage clock pin send the data to output latch of shift
register. The current provided by microcontroller output pin is
Respective Codes for pattern not enough to drive 32 LED’s, so darlington pair transistor
array is used to increase the current [6]. Interfacing of displays
($00, $00, $00, $00); through shift register and transistor buffer is shown in “Fig. 2”.
($00, $F8, $7F, $00);
($00, $FF, $FF, $03); C. Remote Controller
($C0, $FF, $FF, $07);
($E0, $FF, $FF, $0F); Most home entertainment components such as stereos,
($F0, $3F, $F0, $0F); televisions and home entertainment centers use IR remote
($F0, $0F, $E0, $1F); controls. The remote contains an internal circuit board,
($F0, $07, $E0, $1F); processor, and one or two Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The
($E0, $03, $F0, $1F);
($00, $00, $FC, $1F); signal between a remote control and the device it controls
($00, $E0, $FF, $1F); consists of pulses of infrared light, which is invisible to the
($00, $FF, $FF, $1F); human eye. The infrared light pulses form a pattern is unique to
($C0, $FF, $FF, $1F); that button.
($E0, $FF, $E1, $1F);
($F0, $1F, $E0, $1F);
($F8, $0F, $E0, $1F);
($F8, $07, $F0, $1F);
($F8, $0F, $FC, $1F);
($F8, $FF, $FF, $1F);
($F0, $FF, $FF, $1F);
($E0, $FF, $E7, $1F);
($80, $FF, $E1, $3F);
($00, $00, $00, $00);
($00, $00, $00, $00);

Figure 3. IR receiver.

978-1-4799-6288-4/14/$31.00 ©2014 IEEE 398

2014 17th International Conference on Computer and Information Technology (ICCIT)

When a button is pushed on a remote control, it transmits a D. Circuit Diagram

corresponding binary code (a series of 1s and 0s) to the
receiving device. The “1” might be represented by a long flash,
while “0,” a short flash. A receiver, built into the component,
receives the pulses of light and decodes the flashes into the
digital bits required to activate the function [7]. To avoid
interference caused by other sources of infrared light, the
infrared receiver only responds to a particular wavelength of
infrared light, usually 980 nanometers. The light from an IR
remote control is typically modulated to a frequency not
present in sunlight, and the receiver only responds to 980-nm
light modulated to that frequency.
“Fig.4,” shows the circuit diagram of the display unit. We
have used PIC16F877A microcontroller. PORTB, PORTC and
PORTD are connected to transistor buffer. PORTA is
connected to shift register.
We have used PIC12F675 microcontroller for receiving IR
signals. PORT GP0, GP1, GP2 of PIC12F675 is connected to
the RA5, RA4, RA3 pin of the PIC16F877A consequently,
which works as the Down, Manu and Up button.

R1 8x8 LED Dot 8x8 LED Dot 8x8 LED Dot 8x8 LED Dot
Matrix Matrix Matrix Matrix
Display Display Display Display
(1) (2) (3) (4)

8x8 LED Dot 8x8 LED Dot 8x8 LED Dot 8x8 LED Dot
Matrix Matrix Matrix Matrix
Display Display Display Display
(5) (6) (7) (8)

8x8 LED Dot 8x8 LED Dot 8x8 LED Dot 8x8 LED Dot
Matrix Matrix Matrix Matrix
Display Display Display Display

R24 (9) (10) (11) (12)

C1 C32
BC547 BC547

1k GND 1k

4 5 6 7 14 13 12 11 4 5 6 7 1413 12 11 4 5 6 7 14 13 12 11 4 5 6 7 14 13 12 11
5V
Data 2 9 2 9 2 CD4094 9 2 CD4094 9
CD4094 CD4094
16 15 1 3 8 16 15 1 3 8 16 15 1 3 8 16 15 1 3 8

CLK
Latch

GND Voltage Regulator

R1 8V 5V 7805
5V .1pF 8V

1K 1K 1 MCLR/ 1K
BD136 BC547 33 RB0 Vpp
GND

40 RB7 TSOP32338
2 RA0 CLK
15 RC0 3 RA1 Data
3 Output
1 Power

Up
2 GND

4 RA2 Latch 5V
Menu
18 RC3 5 RA3 UP Down
23 RC4 6 RA4 Manu 10
Ohm
7 RA5 Down 5V 1 Vdd 8 Vss
GND 22
26 RC7 11 Vdd
uF
19 RD0 32 Vdd 2 GP5 7 GP0
Down
12 Vss
22 RD3 31 Vss 3 GP4 6 GP1
GND Menu
27 RD4 13 OSC1
20MHz
R24 14 OSC2 4 GP3 5 GP2
1K
30 RD7 Up
BC547
PIC 12F675 GND
1K PIC16F877
BD136

Figure 4. Circuit diagram of the display unit.

978-1-4799-6288-4/14/$31.00 ©2014 IEEE 399

2014 17th International Conference on Computer and Information Technology (ICCIT)

IV. PROGRAMMING, SIMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

This section represents the programming algorithm
simulation results and practical implementation of our system.

A. Programming Algorithm
The flow chart of the program both for remote controller
unit and display unit are shown in “Fig.5”. Remote controller
unit send a character “A” or, “B” or, “C” corresponding to the
press on button “Manu” or, “Up” or, “Down”. Display unit
receive the character and changes the display accordingly.

Start Start

Receive data
Initialize EUSART from RF
receiver

Yes Received data Yes Switch Display

Press manu Send ‘0x00’ to IR
switch? transmitter ‘0x00’? mode

A No B Figure 7. Hardware implementation of the system.

No

Yes Received data Yes

Press UP Send ‘0x01’ to IR Go next character
switch? transmitter ‘0x01’?

A B No B
No A

Yes Received data Yes Go previous

Press DOWN Send ‘0x02’ to IR
switch? transmitter ‘0x02’? character

A No B
No

END END

(a) Flow chart for Remote Controller Unit (b) Flow chart for Display Unit

Figure 5. Programming Flow chart.

B. Simulation
The circuit is simulated in “PROTEUS”. “Fig. 6,” shows
some Bengali and English alphabet and number in the
simulated display.
Figure 8. Practical output of the display.
C. Implementation
Finally, the system is implemented in veroboard. The V. CONCLUSION
system is working properly. Some snap shots of the We think this display can make the learning more
implemented system is shown in “Fig. 7” and “Fig.8”. interesting and enjoyable to the kids and children. Adding
some extra feature like sound, animation, mathematical quiz,
English and Bengali word learning and games we can make
the display more effective for learning.
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wordpress.com/author/tagnes86/
[2] (2005) HowSuffWorks Website. [Online]. Available:
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/remote-control2.html
[3] (2014) Maximum Octopus Website. [Online]. Available:
http://www.freshney.org/electronics/builder.html
[4] (2012) EngineersGarage Website. [Online]. Available:
http://www.engineersgarage.com/electronic-components/rf-module-
transmitter-receiver.
[5] “CD4094 data sheet,” Texas Instruments, Dallas, Texas 75243 USA.
[6] Thomas L. Floyd, Electronic Devices, 7th ed., pp.192.
Figure 6. Simulation view of system showing some Bengali and English [7] (2014) wiseGREEK website. [online]. Available:
character http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-remote-controls-work.html

978-1-4799-6288-4/14/$31.00 ©2014 IEEE 400