V.Cantu TAMUC: Challenge Build Wk 4: LED Dice Roller, ETEC: Maker Spaces -568

This week's challenge was intimidating at first. We were told what project we would work on, but it would not be available in our Starter Kit Guide. We would have to use our research skills to find a code to help us build an LED dice roller. I found several different codes and diagrams for dice rollers, but ultimately the diagram for the one I initially chose looked a little off to me. There was not a clear picture posted of the setup. It was a dark photo, and I had difficulty seeing what went where. I had verified the code and knew that code was good to go, but my LEDs would not illuminate.

1. What the Project Does:

In the LED Dice Roller project, six LED lights represent the numbers on a rolled die. Different amounts of lights will remain lit each time the push-button is pushed. Those lights represent the numbers on a die. For example, each time you press the button, it represents a "toss" of the dice. If three LEDs light up, you have rolled a 3; if five LEDs light up after pushing the button, you have rolled a five, and so forth.

2. The Code:

The sketch above is the code I used for my LED Dice Roller Project.

3. Picture of the Set Up:

Above, the microcontroller board and breadboard are organized in a manner that works best for the project.

4. Electronic Diagram:

This was the first time I would create the schematic on my own with minimal guidance from the Starter Kit Guide ( how to draw the push button) or any online resource. Based on what I have learned so far, I think I drew them correctly, but if not, please let me know, and I will fix them.

Above is a drawing of the microcontroller board and breadboard with all the components necessary for this project. This time I color-coded the jumper wires for easy reference between the video and drawing.

5. How The Project Works:

6. Thinking Through The Challenge:

This Week's challenge was challenging. The code was verified, complied and uploaded perfectly when I typed the information into the sketch. I was careful because I usually forget either a curly brace or a semi-colon, and I was worried. The sketch I found online had a diagram/schematics that went with the sketch, but the LEDs would not light up when I uploaded the code. I observed my connections carefully and saw that my layout was not working. My Cathodes were supposed to be inserted in the negative ports to work. I gave it a try, and nothing. I decided to pull everything off the breadboard and put the jumper wires, resistors, and LEDs using the same information from the original code but placing my materials into similar positions as I had in the Multiple LEDs Project. I then verified the code, and it was compiled. Then I uploaded the sketch, and the light flashed on the microcontroller board. Finally, I pushed the button, and it worked! I tried it several times before conducting my observation and gathering data for my graph.

7. Final Reflection:

I had a few hiccups as I worked on the project, but I completed the task successfully. I have learned from these projects to have patience and ask for help from peers if needed. Even though challenging, This project was the most fun by far.

8. In the Real World:

I would say that in the real world, you would see the randomizer when gambling. Perhaps in slot machines. Street lights? Electronic random wheels, or even the PowerBall?

9. Distribution of Rolls:

I conducted three trials for scientific purposes. I wanted to see how random the number distribution would be for the rolls. Each trial conducted has fifty rolls. The only number I observed that consistently exceeded the others was the number three. When the data from all three tests were compiled, Three was the number rolled most frequently, and the number one was the least frequently rolled.