Design and Construction of an Electronic Digital Display System (Moving Message Display)

Design and Construction of an Electronic Digital Display System (Moving Message Display)

Abstract

This project work aims to design and construct an electronic digital display system, based on light-emitting diodes connected in an array that forms the information to be displayed i.e. “GREAT NIGERIAN STUDENTS”. This project is useful for creating attention-getting messages, presentations, advertisements and location identifiers. The system consists of a power supply unit, oscillator unit, counter unit, driver unit and output unit. The power supply unit uses alternating current (AC) from the mains which will be stepped down to 12V using a step-down transformer, rectified with a bridge rectifier, filtered with the actual capacitor and regulated to 9 volts using an IC regulator. The oscillator unit contains a 555 timer IC set as an astable multivibrator used to produce clock pulses for the counter unit which contains 4017 decade counter IC. The 4017 counter enables the information to be displayed sequentially as desired. The driver unit uses a transistor to amplify the signal strength of the counter’s output. The output unit enables the information to be displayed using light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Table of Contents

Title page

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Table of contents

List of plate

List of table

List of figures

Abstract

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

• Background of the problem
• Statement of the problem
• Objectives of the study
• Significance of the study
• Scope of the study
• Research questions

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

• Component description

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS

• Power supply unit
• Oscillator unit
• Counter unit
• Driver unit
• Output unit
• Description of Electronic Digital Display System

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0     Results

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

• Discussion
• Conclusion
• Recommendations

Cost of Construction

REFERENCES

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The electronic digital display system as used in this report 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 in 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 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, signposts, placards, notice boards and electronic display boards. But the advent of new technologies has made the information in the form of an electronic display in the world of advertisements and promotions (Gupta, Shukla and Nagwekar, 2013). The ability to display a short message can be a useful application to be available for any business. The electronic digital display system is perfect for this application. It can be used for both indoor and outdoor which makes it a universal fit for any business or event. The electronic digital display system is a 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 displays 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 the 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, the 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 signs, thus the advent of metal signboards was born, which are mostly used in developing countries. On semiconductors and vacuum tubes technology, light displays and signboards were built to add more beauty to 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 electronics is now becoming very important. It is extensively applied in almost our day to day activities.

The electronic digital display system is also used for outdoor advertisement. Before, outdoor advertising was mainly characterized by the use of paper. Every bus stop and billboard had a paper advertisement inside. The reason for this was simple paper was easy to use and extremely cheap. It had some drawbacks 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 disadvantage is the considerable amount of waste generated by the use of paper. Finally, many people ignore a paper advertisement and their 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 signposts, notice boards, etc has to be modified by using an electronic digital display system. In today’s rapidly advancing technology market, most conventional digital display systems 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. The use of a 555 timer as a stable multivibrator and decade counter (CD4017) can be used to build a less expensive electronic display system. The use of these two major ICs will bring about less board space, fewer power consumptions and overall, low cost in manufacturing.

This project, however; emphasizes mainly the display of information using two major integrated circuits (ICs) namely NE555 timer (ICI) and CD4017 (IC2) to control the lighting of LEDs. This message display circuit is built around readily available, low-cost components. It is easy to fabricate. A total of 250 LEDs will be used to display the message “GREAT NIGERIAN STUDENTS”

1.2 Statement of the Problem

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

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to design and construct an electronic digital display system. Specifically, this study will achieve the following:

i. To display “Great Nigerian students”

ii. To use the electronic digital display system constructed as a signpost for federal polytechnic, Oko.

iii. To have more knowledge on what electronic digital display system is all about.

v. To know the benefits of the electronic digital display system.

v. To design and realize the moving message display panel.

1.4 Significance of the Study

In all field of human endeavour, electronic digital display system plays a 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 related work.

1.5 Scope of the Study

This project covers the use of peripheral solid-state electronic components alongside two major integrated circuits (ICs) namely NESSS timer and CD4017 decade counter to solve above stated problems. It is limited to display GREAT NIGERIAN STUDENTS.

1.6 Research Questions

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

1) What is an electronic digital display system?

2) How can an electronic digital display system be constructed?

3) What are the users of electronic digital display systems?

4) What are the benefits of an electronic digital display system?

5) What kind of content can be shown on an electronic digital display system?