In this project, I’ll demonstrate how to create a straightforward Unbiased Electronic Dice featuring LEDs. This project incorporates 6 LEDs, a 555 Timer IC, and a 4017 Decade Counter IC. It generates a random number ranging from 1 to 6 by illuminating the corresponding LED.
Outline
- Introduction
- Electronic LED Dice Circuit Diagram
- Components Required
- Operation of Unbiased Electronic Dice with LEDs
- Applications
Introduction
Dice games have been a part of our history for quite some time, providing us with enjoyable moments. However, ensuring the fairness and lack of bias in a traditional dice can be a concern. One age-old method involved transforming a solid block into a dice and meticulously carving it to ensure unbiased outcomes. Any imperfections in the shape of the dice could result in skewed results.
Furthermore, deformations can occur, particularly in wooden dice, due to factors like ambient moisture or mechanical stress. To address these common issues associated with traditional dice, we’ve devised an electronic dice circuit that effectively mitigates these challenges.
Now, we will introduce an electronic LED dice that offers a practical solution to the issue of bias. This circuit operates at an incredibly high speed, making it nearly imperceptible to the human eye, leaving no room for deception. It demands minimal maintenance, and its components age at a slow rate. Although the frequency may exhibit slight fluctuations due to variations in power supply voltage and component aging, the unpredictability of the outcomes remains intact.
Electronic LED Dice Circuit Diagram
Components Required
- LEDs X 6
- 555 Timer IC
- CD4017 Decade Counter IC
- Resistors – 2.2KΩ, 100KΩ X 2
- Capacitors – 1nF and 0.1µF
- Push Button
- 9V Battery
- Breadboard
- Connecting Wires
Operation of Unbiased Electronic Dice with LEDs
In this configuration, the circuit utilizes a 555 timer as an astable multivibrator, with specific component values: R2 = 100 KΩ, R3 = 100 KΩ, and C2 = 0.1 µF.
In this mode, the circuit operates as a pulse generator, producing pulses at a frequency within the kilohertz range. This results in a clock cycle of approximately 0.000210 seconds, a duration too brief for human perception. Consequently, any changes occurring at such a rapid rate are virtually imperceptible, minimizing the possibility of dice bias.
These clock pulses are directed to an IC 4017 counter and decoder circuit, featuring seven outputs including one reset output. Out of the nine available outputs, the seventh one is configured to reset because we only require counting up to six, mirroring the six faces of a standard dice. The initial six outputs are employed to activate the LEDs sequentially, each illuminating for a specific duration of time.
When the count reaches one, LED-1 illuminates, and when it reaches two, LED-2 lights up. This sequence continues until it reaches a count of six, at which point the sixth LED becomes active. The next clock pulse advances the counter to seven, causing the circuit to reset itself because the seventh count triggers the reset function via PIN-15.
It’s worth noting that this schematic, created using Proteus software, does not show the power supply and ground pins. However, the 16th pin of IC 4017 connects to a 9V power supply, while the 8th pin is grounded.
This is how the circuit operates, and if you want to introduce greater randomness to make the outcomes less predictable, you can increase the circuit’s frequency. You can implement this circuit on a general-purpose PCB with a 9V DC power supply.
Applications
This unbiased electronic dice with LEDs can be used wherever traditional dice is used like:
- Snakes and Ladders
- Chutes and Ladders
- Ludo
- Monopoly
- Business
