Construction of LED Micro-Readerboard

Overview

The LED Micro-Readerboard utilizes a common-cathode alphanumeric LED display that spells out simple programmed messages and one letter at a time.

Details

This open-source project is the second version of its kind which features longer battery life and a new set of phrases including optional holiday phrases. A new message is picked by the device from its memory to repeat each time the power switch is turned OFF and back ON. In case a holiday ornament is used, a bank of optional holiday messages can be enabled with 15 phrases included from the default firmware. The source code under the GPL can reprogram the LED Micro-Readerboard.

Alongside with the kit are the printed instructions, a battery box with switch, a superbright alphanumeric LED display, and a pre-programmed Atmel ATtiny2313 microcontroller. The circuit requires only two AA batteries. Also used in the kit is the ultra-high brightness LED display with deep red 16-segment alphanumeric display. Each LED segment will be ON only for very small amount of time since the display is run in a low-duty cycle mode. The display is still readably bright while drawing small enough average current because the display is so efficient.