Bluetooth Controlled Scrolling Text Display with Arduino

In this tutorial, you will learn how to make a Bluetooth controlled scrolling text display using Arduino and P10 DMD.

Previously I made a written and video tutorial on how to design a scrolling text display project with Arduino and P10 dot matrix display modules (DMD). I have also made simulation tutorial of the same project in Proteus, If you have read or watched the tutorial, endeavor to do so.

You will agree with me that for you to have texts scroll on the dot matrix display modules,  you need to add the text you want to scroll on the DMD written in the Arduino code, and if you wish to change the texts, you have to reprogram the Arduino.

However, in this very tutorial, you will learn how to design a scrolling text display with Arduino, that can be controlled via Bluetooth using a smartphone.
What this means is that, if you want to change the texts that scroll on the DMD, you do not need to reprogram the digital scrolling text display by plugging it into the computer to reprogram, you only need to download and install the android application I made with MIT APP inventor, with the application, you can send texts to scroll on the DMD modules. This project has its benefits especially to businesses and establishments that display menus, instructions, and so on.

Materials for making Bluetooth scrolling text display

1. Arduino board
2. HC-05 Bluetooth module
3. Three (3) P10 Dot matrix display modules (DMD)
4. 5V power supply
5. Flat Ribbon cables (FRC) also known as multi wire planar cables
6. Jumper wires
7. Arduino code for the design
8. Android App for the design
9. Breadboard

Circuit diagram of the Bluetooth controlled scrolling text

Connect the parts as shown in the circuit diagram above, the RXD pin of the Bluetooth is connected to the RX pin of the Arduino board which is pin0 of the Arduino, while the TXD pin of the Bluetooth is connected to the TX pin of the Arduino board which is pin1 of the Arduino board. However, these two pins should be disconnected prior to uploading the Arduino code, this is because the Arduino communicates with the computer via those two pins using the serial communication protocol. Also, remove the power supply connection from the connection, and connect back after uploading the code to the Arduino board and the Arduino board disconnected from the computer.

Arduino code

#include <SPI.h>        
#include <DMD.h>        
#include <TimerOne.h>   
#include "SystemFont5x7.h"
#include "Arial_black_16.h"
#define DISPLAYS_ACROSS 3
#define DISPLAYS_DOWN 1

DMD dmd(DISPLAYS_ACROSS, DISPLAYS_DOWN);
#define max_char 100
char message[max_char];    
char r_char;               
byte index = 0;            
int i;            

void ScanDMD()
{ 
  dmd.scanDisplayBySPI();
}

void setup(void)
{  
   Timer1.initialize( 5000 );           
   Timer1.attachInterrupt( ScanDMD );   
   
   dmd.clearScreen( true );  
   Serial.begin(9600);
}
void loop(void)
{
   if(Serial.available()){       
        for(i=0; i<99; i++){
            message[i] = '\0';
        }      
        index=0;
    }
    while(Serial.available() > 0){
       if(index < (max_char-1)) 
       {         
           r_char = Serial.read();      
           message[index] = r_char;     
           index++;                     
           message[index] = '\0';      
       }
   }
   dmd.clearScreen( true );
   dmd.selectFont(Arial_Black_16);
   dmd.drawMarquee(message, max_char,(32*DISPLAYS_ACROSS)-1 ,0);
   long start=millis();
   long timer=start;
   boolean ret=false;
   while(!ret){
     if ((timer+30) < millis()) {
       ret=dmd.stepMarquee(-1,0);
       timer=millis();
     }
   }
}

If you do not have the various libraries already installed in the Arduino IDE and you don’t know how to go about that, read this tutorial on Arduino libraries

Design Explanation of the Bluetooth controlled scrolling text

Open the Arduino IDE on your computer, copy and paste the code in an empty editor window in the IDE, plug the Arduino board to the computer, set up the board as required by selecting the board you are using and the com port.  After everything is set, upload the code by clicking the upload button or ctrl U. Once the code is done uploading, unplug the Arduino board from the computer and connect back the TXD and RXD pins of the Bluetooth module to the TX and RX pins of the Arduino respectively, then connect back the power supply to the circuit as shown in figure one above. Once this is done, the Bluetooth module will start flashing, the next thing to do is to download and install the android application to control the design. Download the android application with the link below
DOWNLOAD ANDROID APPLICATION

Once the app is downloaded, enable your smart phone to install the app, you need to allow your phone to do so. When you’ve installed the app, you will see the interface like this when you open the android application.

Click the button that says “click to connect to Bluetooth”, when you click it, it will bring out list of all the available and previously paired Bluetooth devices, amongst them you will see HC-05, click it and your device will pair with the HC-05 Bluetooth module and you will see “Connected” on the app and the Bluetooth module will stop flashing. Now you can send text to display on the DMD.

In the box that says “Type your text”, type in the information you want to scroll on the DMD and press the send button, automatically, the information will start scrolling on the DMD from right to left.

Watch the video tutorial here below.

Conclusion

This is how to design and implement a Bluetooth controlled scrolling text display, this is a very interesting IoT project. I will be making more IoT projects like Bluetooth controlled robotic cars, so subscribe to our YouTube channel so you won’t miss any new tutorial. Meanwhile, as you await new tutorials, check out this wonderful Arduino projects.

Password based door lock
Arduino robotic arm
Water level indicator and control
Remote controlled light switch