Published April 27, 2018 © CC0

Quiz Buzzer Film Prop

I was commissioned to create a quiz buzzer that would be used in a video shoot.

BeginnerShowcase (no instructions)4,840

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Arduino UNO

ControlEverything.com Relay Shield for Particle Photon I²C 8-Channel SPDT 10-Amp

2.3" 7-segment dislplay

SparkFun Big Red Dome Button

12V AGM battery

Buzzer

Plastic Enclosure

Software apps and online services

Autodesk Tinkercad

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Battery operated hand drill

Dremel Rotary Tool

Story

I was randomly contacted by this person who wanted to simulate a quiz buzzer with a countdown timer for a video production. She gave a brief of what she was after. A big red button with light was important, but 7-segment display was optional.

Visual Concept of Quiz Buzzer Prop

The unit is portable and operates on a 12V AGM battery that is mounted inside the enclosure.

Once the Arduino is powered by the flip switch, the 7-segment will display a dash and beep 2 times to indicate that it's ready to start countdown, starting from 9 to 0. At every count, the buzzer will also beep once and at the press of the big pushbutton, the countdown stops and the buzzer will give off a long beep.

A reset button (normally closed and spring-loaded) at the back of the box temporarily cuts off power to the Arduino to restart the sequence.

Completed Project (Front Panel View of 7-segment display & pushbutton)

Back Panel View of ON/OFF flip switch & reset button

Testing 8-channel Relay in controlling 2.3" 7-segment display

Code

Final Arduino Code

//using 8-channel relay board to control 7-segment display. Pin 1&5 are common ground.
//Decimal Point on SSD unused.
int Relay1 = 12; //pin 7 of SSD (A - topmost segment)
int Relay2 = 11; //pin 6 of SSD (B - topright segment)
int Relay3 = 10; //pin 4 of SSD (C - bottomright segment)
int Relay4 = 9; //pin 3 of SSD (D - bottommost segment)
int Relay5 = 8; //pin 2 of SSD (E - bottomleft segment)
int Relay6 = 7; //pin 9 of SSD (F - topleft segment)
int Relay7 = 6; //pin 10 of SSD (G - middle segment)
int Relay8 = 5; //for Pushbutton LED
int Buzz = 3; //onBoard Buzzer (PWM capable)
int LED = 13; //simulate Pushbutton LED
int Pushbutton = 2; //Big red pushbutton

void one()
{
  digitalWrite(Relay1, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay3, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay4, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay5, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay6, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay7, HIGH);
}
void two()
{
  digitalWrite(Relay1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay3, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay4, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay5, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay6, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay7, LOW);
}
void three()
{
  digitalWrite(Relay1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay3, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay4, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay5, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay6, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay7, LOW);
}

void four()
{
  digitalWrite(Relay1, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay3, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay4, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay5, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay6, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay7, LOW);
}
void five()
{
  digitalWrite(Relay1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay2, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay3, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay4, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay5, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay6, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay7, LOW);
}
void six()
{
  digitalWrite(Relay1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay2, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay3, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay4, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay5, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay6, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay7, LOW);
}
void seven()
{
  digitalWrite(Relay1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay3, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay4, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay5, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay6, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay7, HIGH);
}
void eight()
{
  digitalWrite(Relay1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay3, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay4, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay5, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay6, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay7, LOW);
}
void nine()
{
  digitalWrite(Relay1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay3, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay4, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay5, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay6, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay7, LOW);
}
void zero()
{
  digitalWrite(Relay1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay3, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay4, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay5, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay6, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay7, HIGH);
}
void dash()
{
  digitalWrite(Relay1, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay2, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay3, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay4, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay5, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay6, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay7, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
  delay(50);
  digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
  delay(100);
  digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
  delay(50);
  digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
}

void setup()
{
  pinMode(Relay1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(Relay2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(Relay3, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(Relay4, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(Relay5, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(Relay6, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(Relay7, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(Relay8, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(Buzz, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LED, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(Pushbutton, INPUT);
  digitalWrite(Pushbutton, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(Relay1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay3, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay4, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay5, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay6, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay7, LOW);
  digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
 }

void loop(){
 dash();
 delay(5000);
 if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    nine();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
  } else{
    nine();
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(50);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(500);
  }
 if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    nine();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
  } else{
    nine();
    delay(500);
  }
  if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    eight();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
  } else{
    eight();
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(50);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(500);
  }
  if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    eight();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
  } else{
    eight();
    delay(500);
  }
  if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    seven();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
  } else{
    seven();
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(50);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(500);
  }
  if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    seven();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
  } else{
    seven();
    delay(500);
  }
  if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    six();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
  } else{
    six();
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(50);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(500);
  }
  if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    six();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
  } else{
    six();
    delay(500);
  }
  if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    five();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
  } else{
    five();
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(50);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(500);
  }
  if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    five();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
  } else{
    five();
    delay(500);
    }
    if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    four();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
    } else{
    four();
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(50);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(500);
    }
    if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    four();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
    } else{
    four();
    delay(500);
    }
    if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    three();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
    } else{
    three();
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(50);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(500);
    }
    if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    three();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
    } else{
    three();
    delay(500);
    }
    if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    two();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
    } else{
    two();
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(50);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(500);
    }
    if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    two();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
    } else{
    two();
    delay(500);
    }
    if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    one();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
    } else{
    one();
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(50);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(500);
    }
    if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    one();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
    } else{
    one();
    delay(500);
    }
    if (digitalRead(Pushbutton) == LOW){
    one();
    digitalWrite(Relay8, LOW);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    delay(3600000);
    digitalWrite(Relay8, HIGH);
    } else{
    zero();
    digitalWrite(Buzz, HIGH);
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(Buzz, LOW);
    }
    delay(900000);
}

Credits

LIMPINGLIM

2 projects • 28 followers

Quiz Buzzer Film Prop

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Story

Schematics

Proof of Concept wiring diagram (Tinkercad)

Code

Final Arduino Code

Credits

LIMPINGLIM

Comments

Embed the widget on your own site

Quiz Buzzer Film Prop

Quiz Buzzer Film Prop

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Story

Schematics

Proof of Concept wiring diagram (Tinkercad)

Code

Final Arduino Code

Credits

LIMPINGLIM

Comments

Related channels and tags