A temperature-sensing Pac-Man/Ghost LED matrix for retro gamers

A temperature-sensing Pac-Man/Ghost LED matrix for retro gamers
Arduino Team — July 14, 2022

Instructables users Monserrath Velasco and Santiago Guerra have created an LED matrix that not only features classic Pac-Man characters, but also displays the current room temperature by color coding it like the ghost that ranges from blue (cold) to red (warm).

The array itself was fabricated from multiple WS2812B LED strips, which contain a total of 71 individually addressable LEDs. After soldering them together using wire and gluing them to a cardboard backing, the team connected the strip to an Arduino Uno with a BME280 environmental sensing module. The final component was a unique momentary push-button switch that gives users the ability to switch between Ghost and Pac-Man figures.

Once the hardware was assembled, Velasco and Guerra then moved on to the next step of building a small enclosure. This process involved interlocking strips of cardboard in a matrix configuration and covering the whole thing with translucent white paper in order to diffuse the light. Building the case involved cutting small notches in another square of cardboard, attaching four side panels to each edge, then placing the die on the front side.

After loading the code into the Arduino, it was finally time to see the sprites lit up in all their glory. Pressing the side button starts the Pac-Man animation, while subsequent presses switch the matrix to the temperature-sensitive Ghost display. You can read more about this project here on Instructables.

Technology Jul 15, 2022 0 106 Add to Reading List

Arduino Team — July 14, 2022

Instructables users Monserrath Velasco and Santiago Guerra have created an LED matrix that not only features classic Pac-Man characters, but also displays the current room temperature by color coding it like the ghost that ranges from blue (cold) to red (warm).

The array itself was fabricated from multiple WS2812B LED strips, which contain a total of 71 individually addressable LEDs. After soldering them together using wire and gluing them to a cardboard backing, the team connected the strip to an Arduino Uno with a BME280 environmental sensing module. The final component was a unique momentary push-button switch that gives users the ability to switch between Ghost and Pac-Man figures.

Once the hardware was assembled, Velasco and Guerra then moved on to the next step of building a small enclosure. This process involved interlocking strips of cardboard in a matrix configuration and covering the whole thing with translucent white paper in order to diffuse the light. Building the case involved cutting small notches in another square of cardboard, attaching four side panels to each edge, then placing the die on the front side.

After loading the code into the Arduino, it was finally time to see the sprites lit up in all their glory. Pressing the side button starts the Pac-Man animation, while subsequent presses switch the matrix to the temperature-sensitive Ghost display. You can read more about this project here on Instructables.