Capacitor Plate Reaction Game

The Challenge

To design, build, and program a microntroller-based capacitive sensor reaction game. The game should produce audible signals using a speaker that are used to initiate the input from contact of players to the capacitive sensors. It should be able to decipher both correct and incorrect touches, and add or subtract points accordingly. It will keep a record of the points on an LCD, and conclude the game when a player reaches the winning threshold for winning. The project is to be done in a group of three.

General Design

We designed the of the game to be easily accessible to players, creating larger surface areas for the capacitive plates, and mounting it on a box so that it would conform to the average player's height. We placed the breadboards on the box as well to make the LCD screen visible and sounds more near to players. 

The capacitive plates were covered with a plastic sheet as a dielectric, and taped to the box to protect its integrity.

Wiring

The circuitry was built with numerous components including an A589LP51RC2 microcontroller, a CEM-1023 mini speaker, a 555 Timer, and an LCD. 

The pin locations and association of the components can be seen in the diagram shown to the right. 

Programming

The programming was done in CrossIDE in Assembly language. We first focused on establishing the random tone generator, creating different frequencies for the sounds, receiving input from the sensors, and displaying the score status on the LCD.

We went through multiple periods of trial and error to see correct changes in the input of the capacitor plates and determine the necessary time pauses between instances. 

Demonstration of the Capacitor Plate Reaction Game

What I learned 

This project helped me learn a lot about circuitry with microcontrollers and programming in assembly language. Generating system block diagrams for both the hardware and software sides were useful in helping visualize the intended process of the game. In addition, in designing the game I enjoyed creating the introduction song with different frequencies and building its complexity for player satisfaction.


To view the project more in-depth, see the project report below: 

Project 1 Report - Elec 291.pdf