Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The design and construction of an automatic quiz buzzer system is the focus of this computer engineering project. The system is designed to facilitate quiz competitions by providing a user-friendly and automated way for participants to buzz in and answer questions. The project involves the integration of hardware components such as microcontrollers, buzzers, and switches with software programming to create a functional quiz buzzer system. The automatic quiz buzzer system is intended to enhance the quiz competition experience by eliminating the need for manual intervention in the buzzing process. The system features a central control unit that manages the buzzing activity, keeps track of participant responses, and displays scores in real-time. Participants are provided with individual buzzer units that they can use to signal their readiness to answer questions. The hardware components of the system include microcontrollers that serve as the brain of each buzzer unit. These microcontrollers are programmed to detect buzzer presses and communicate with the central control unit to register responses. The buzzer units are equipped with tactile switches that participants can press to buzz in during the quiz competition. LED indicators are incorporated into the buzzer units to provide visual feedback on the buzzing status. The central control unit of the automatic quiz buzzer system plays a crucial role in coordinating the buzzing activity. It receives input signals from the buzzer units, processes the responses, and determines the order in which participants buzzed in. The system is designed to prevent multiple participants from buzzing in simultaneously by implementing a lockout mechanism that temporarily disables buzzing after a response is registered. Software programming is essential for the functionality of the automatic quiz buzzer system. The software is responsible for managing the communication between the central control unit and the buzzer units, updating scores based on participant responses, and controlling the timing of the quiz competition. The system is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, allowing quiz moderators to easily set up and operate the quiz buzzer system. In conclusion, the design and construction of the automatic quiz buzzer system presented in this project offer a practical solution for enhancing quiz competitions. By integrating hardware components with software programming, the system provides an automated and efficient way for participants to buzz in and engage in quiz competitions.

Thesis Overview

1.0   INTRODUCTION

1.1         BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

  Quiz buzzers are used often at places like educational institutions where it is required for game shows and also in live quiz competitions broadcasted via television. A quiz buzzer allows any user to press the switch quickly in response to a question posed during competitions that are conducted in schools and colleges. The pressed switch gives a buzzing sound or alarm for some duration of time and the reaction time is very small. Buzzer can also be used in different applications such as annunciator panels; electronic metronome microwave oven and other house hold application.

Conventional systems require human intervention to decide which team has pressed the button and this system can be erroneous and even biased. Another problem arises when two members pressed the button at a negligible interval and it is difficult to guess who has pressed the buzzer first. Here we designed an automatic quiz buzzer system such that when more than one team presses the buzzer, the delay is accurately taken into account and number is displayed. We build the circuit using a microcontroller which scans the input from push buttons and displays the corresponding number on a display device. It is a simple circuit with minimum number of components and

sans any complexities. The microcontroller takes into account the time delay between two buttons and the accurate number is displayed. Even though this system is only for 8 teams, more teams can be added by using another set of 8 push buttons.

 1.2         AIM AND OBJECTIVE

  The aim of this project is to designed and construction of automatic quiz buzzer system such that when more than one team presses the buzzer, the delay is accurately taken into account and number is displayed.

1.3         JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

 The circuit is a simple embedded system with a set of 8 push buttons being the input devices, a microcontroller as the controller and the output devices being a buzzer and a display. The whole operation is carried out by a microcontroller through a program written in C language and dumped inside the microcontroller. When one of the buttons is pressed, the buzzer starts ringing and the corresponding number is displayed on the liquId crystal display.

  A quiz buzzer circuit can be implemented in several ways with the use of various controllers. These controllers include 555 timer and microcontrollers. The 555 timer based buzzer circuit is a simple and low-cost device wherein the time duration is determined by the resistorand capacitor value (RC constant). A microcontroller based buzzer circuit is a programmable timer wherein the time duration can be varied by changing the program code of the microcontroller.

1.4          SCOPE OF THE STUDY

  The whole design process involves six steps. First step requires designing the circuit; the second step is drawing the circuit on any software like Proteus. The third step involves writing the code using high level language or assembly language and then compiling it on a software platform like Kielu Vision. The fourth step is dumping the code in microcontroller and fifth step is simulating the circuit. The circuit involves using five major components – a Microcontroller, 8 SPST push buttons, a buzzer and liquid crystal display. The microcontroller used in this case is AT89C51, an 8 bit microcontroller manufactured by Atmel.

Reset Circuit Design

The reset resistor is selected such that the voltage at the reset pin, across this resistor is at minimum of 1.2V and the width of the pulse applied to this pin is greater than 100ms. Here we select a resistor of 100K ohms and a capacitor of 10uF.