Project Abstract

Abstract
The design and construction of an automatic quiz buzzer system is a computer engineering project that aims to create a user-friendly and efficient system for conducting quiz competitions. This project involves the integration of hardware and software components to facilitate the automatic operation of quiz buzzers during competitions. The system is designed to enhance the overall experience of quiz participants and organizers by providing a seamless and interactive platform for conducting quizzes. The hardware components of the automatic quiz buzzer system include buzzers with LED indicators, a control unit, and a display unit. The buzzers are equipped with microcontrollers that enable wireless communication with the control unit. The control unit is responsible for managing the quiz session, controlling the buzzer activation, and displaying scores on the display unit. The software component of the system includes a user interface for setting up quiz parameters, monitoring the quiz progress, and displaying results. The automatic quiz buzzer system operates based on a set of predefined rules that govern the quiz competition. These rules determine the timing of buzzer activation, the allocation of points for correct answers, and the display of scores. The system is designed to handle multiple teams or participants, allowing for competitive and engaging quiz sessions. The automatic operation of the quiz buzzers reduces the need for manual intervention, minimizing errors and ensuring fair play. The construction of the automatic quiz buzzer system involves assembling the hardware components, programming the microcontrollers, and developing the user interface. The buzzers are connected wirelessly to the control unit, enabling seamless communication during the quiz competition. The software interface provides a user-friendly platform for quiz organizers to configure quiz settings, monitor progress, and display scores in real-time. Overall, the design and construction of an automatic quiz buzzer system offer a technological solution to enhance the efficiency and interactivity of quiz competitions. By automating the quiz buzzer operation and integrating hardware and software components, this project provides a comprehensive system for conducting quizzes in various settings. The system's user-friendly interface, wireless connectivity, and automated features make it a valuable tool for quiz organizers and participants alike.

Project 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.