bitbox
RGB Led matrix for clock/weather/info/animations.
Bitbox is a RGB LED matrix controlled using an arduino board. It combines the functions of the GameFrame by LEDSEQ and the RibbaPi.
Bitbox can work as a standalone device displaying data/time or controlled over USB to display images send by the host.
This repository contains arduino code and build notes for the bitbox display.
For the s/w on the PC side check the Pybitbox repository.
3rd party arduino libraries
Testing:
Useful links
Making-of bitbox
The 16x16 matrix is made of four 8x8 panels of WS2812 RGB LEDs I got from hobbyking.
Since I will most probably make changes in the future, I used connectors wherever possible.
Testing the leds to make sure all are working ok.
In order to get a nice “pixel” effect a diffuser is needed. Here the diffuser is a piece of A4 paper.
For the final assembly, a 5mm piece of tinted plexiglas and a thinner piece of paper is used.
A 3D printed grid goes between the diffuser and the LED panel.
This helps create a nice “square” pixel effect.
Putting everything together. The wooden frame before painting.
Testing the clock function. Here the just a paper diffuser is used.
More testing with the tinted plexiglas diffuser. The clock set to the “pong” clock-face.
A 3mm piece of white plexiglas is used for the back cover.
The USB port is used for powering the frame and electronics and for serial connection with the arduino.
The final result: Bitbox in clock mode with the “break-out” clock-face.
