Fun Projects: Digital Badminton Scoreboard

In this project, you are going to build a completely standalone, feature-rich digital scoreboard for a badminton (or any racquet) match using an Myduino AIoT Education Kit. It handles score tracking, victory conditions, real-time LED indicators, sound effects, and celebratory lighting.

This exercise teaches you:

How to use an I2C 16×2 LCD to display real-time game status.
How to integrate WS2812 (NeoPixel) LED strips for visual effects.
How to read multiple Push Buttons using INPUT_PULLUP.
How to use a Buzzer to play custom sounds (tone()).
How to implement complex game logic (winning conditions, deuce, set points).

Checklist Before Start

How to connect an I2C LCD to ESP32.
How to wire and program a WS2812/NeoPixel.
Understanding digital inputs with INPUT_PULLUP.
Installing required libraries.

Circuit Connections

Components	ESP32 Dev Module
LCD 16×2 I2C SDA	SDA
LCD 16×2 I2C SCL	SCL
WS2812 RGB LED	IO15
RED SCORE BUTTON	IO23
BLUE SCORE BUTTON	IO13
RESET BUTTON	IO14
RED LED	IO25
BLUE LED	IO26
BUZZER	IO27

Code Lab

Step 1: Install Libraries

Open the Library Manager at the sidebar and install the following library:

LiquidCrystal I2C (by Frank de Brabander).
Adafruit Neopixel (by Adafruit).
Wire.h: (Built-in)

Step 2: Code

Copy and paste the following code into your Arduino IDE:

#include <Wire.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>
#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>

// ✅ Use your confirmed LCD address (change if needed)
LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);  // 16x2 LCD with I2C address 0x27

// WS2812 LED Strip Configuration
#define LED_PIN      15    // Change to your actual pin
#define LED_COUNT    6     // 6 WS2812 LEDs
Adafruit_NeoPixel strip(LED_COUNT, LED_PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);

#define RED_BUTTON   23
#define BLUE_BUTTON  13
#define RESET_BUTTON 14
#define RED_LED      25
#define BLUE_LED     26
#define BUZZER       27

int redScore = 0;
int blueScore = 0;
bool gameOver = false;

void setup() {
  Wire.begin(); // Required for ESP32 I2C
  lcd.init();
  lcd.backlight();

  // Initialize WS2812 strip
  strip.begin();
  strip.show(); // Initialize all pixels to 'off'
  strip.setBrightness(50); // Set brightness (0-255)

  pinMode(RED_BUTTON, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(BLUE_BUTTON, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(RESET_BUTTON, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(RED_LED, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(BLUE_LED, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(BUZZER, OUTPUT);

  showStartScreen();
}

void loop() {
  if (!gameOver) {
    if (digitalRead(RED_BUTTON) == LOW) {
      delay(50);
      redScore++;
      playScoreSound();
      checkWin();
      updateDisplay();
    }

    if (digitalRead(BLUE_BUTTON) == LOW) {
      delay(50);
      blueScore++;
      playScoreSound();
      checkWin();
      updateDisplay();
    }
  }

  if (digitalRead(RESET_BUTTON) == LOW) {
    delay(300);
    resetGame();
  }
}

void showStartScreen() {
  lcd.clear();
  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
  lcd.print("Badminton Match");
  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  lcd.print("Press any button");

  // Wait until any button is pressed
  while (digitalRead(RED_BUTTON) == HIGH &&
         digitalRead(BLUE_BUTTON) == HIGH &&
         digitalRead(RESET_BUTTON) == HIGH) {
    delay(10); // small delay to reduce CPU use
  }

  // Optional: clear and pause briefly before showing scores
  lcd.clear();
  delay(300);
  updateDisplay();
}

void updateDisplay() {
  lcd.clear();

  // Line 0: RED score at column 7
  lcd.setCursor(3, 0);
  lcd.print("RED ");
  lcd.print(redScore);

  // Line 1: BLUE score at column 10
  lcd.setCursor(7, 1);
  lcd.print("BLUE ");
  lcd.print(blueScore);

  // LED logic
  if (redScore > blueScore) {
    digitalWrite(RED_LED, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(BLUE_LED, LOW);
  } else if (blueScore > redScore) {
    digitalWrite(RED_LED, LOW);
    digitalWrite(BLUE_LED, HIGH);
  } else {
    digitalWrite(RED_LED, LOW);
    digitalWrite(BLUE_LED, LOW);
  }
}

void checkWin() {
  if ((redScore >= 21 || blueScore >= 21) && abs(redScore - blueScore) >= 2) {
    gameOver = true;
    announceWinner();
  }
  if (redScore >= 30 || blueScore >= 30) {
    gameOver = true;
    announceWinner();
  }
}

void announceWinner() {
  lcd.clear();
  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);

  // Centered winner message (on 16x2 LCD)
  if (redScore > blueScore) {
    lcd.setCursor(1, 0);  // RED TEAM WINS!
    lcd.print("RED TEAM WINS!");
    
    // Turn on red LED only (no flashing)
    digitalWrite(RED_LED, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(BLUE_LED, LOW);
    
    // Flash WS2812 LEDs in red, then play music
    flashWS2812Victory(true); // Red wins
  } else {
    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);  // BLUE TEAM WINS!
    lcd.print("BLUE TEAM WINS!");
    
    // Turn on blue LED only (no flashing)
    digitalWrite(RED_LED, LOW);
    digitalWrite(BLUE_LED, HIGH);
    
    // Flash WS2812 LEDs in blue, then play music
    flashWS2812Victory(false); // Blue wins
  }
  
  // Play the triumphant victory fanfare AFTER the LED show
  playTriumphantVictoryFanfare();
}

void resetGame() {
  redScore = 0;
  blueScore = 0;
  gameOver = false;
  digitalWrite(RED_LED, LOW);
  digitalWrite(BLUE_LED, LOW);
  
  // Turn off all WS2812 LEDs
  strip.clear();
  strip.show();
  
  noTone(BUZZER);
  showStartScreen();
}

// 🔊 Enhanced scoring sound
void playScoreSound() {
  tone(BUZZER, 600, 80);    // Low tone
  delay(90);
  tone(BUZZER, 800, 80);    // Mid tone
  delay(90);
  tone(BUZZER, 1000, 120);  // High tone
  delay(150);
}

// 🎆 WS2812 Victory Flash - Flash winner color before music
void flashWS2812Victory(bool redWins) {
  uint32_t winnerColor = redWins ? strip.Color(0, 255, 0) : strip.Color(0, 0, 255); // Red or Blue
  
  // Flash WS2812 LEDs 8 times in winner color
  for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++) {
    // Turn on all WS2812 LEDs in winner color
    for (int j = 0; j < LED_COUNT; j++) {
      strip.setPixelColor(j, winnerColor);
    }
    strip.show();
    delay(200);
    
    // Turn off all WS2812 LEDs
    strip.clear();
    strip.show();
    delay(200);
  }
  
  // Final state - keep WS2812 LEDs on in winner color
  for (int j = 0; j < LED_COUNT; j++) {
    strip.setPixelColor(j, winnerColor);
  }
  strip.show();
}

// 🏆 TRIUMPHANT VICTORY FANFARE - Much more victorious!
void playTriumphantVictoryFanfare() {
  // Opening fanfare - "Ta-da-da-DAAA!"
  tone(BUZZER, 523, 200); delay(220);  // C5
  tone(BUZZER, 659, 200); delay(220);  // E5
  tone(BUZZER, 784, 200); delay(220);  // G5
  tone(BUZZER, 1047, 400); delay(450); // C6 - triumphant!
  
  delay(100);
  
  // Victory ascending sequence
  tone(BUZZER, 880, 150); delay(170);   // A5
  tone(BUZZER, 988, 150); delay(170);   // B5
  tone(BUZZER, 1047, 150); delay(170);  // C6
  tone(BUZZER, 1175, 150); delay(170);  // D6
  tone(BUZZER, 1319, 300); delay(350);  // E6 - higher pitch!
  
  delay(150);
  
  // Triumphant finale - "We are the champions" style
  tone(BUZZER, 1047, 250); delay(280);  // C6
  tone(BUZZER, 1175, 250); delay(280);  // D6
  tone(BUZZER, 1319, 250); delay(280);  // E6
  tone(BUZZER, 1397, 500); delay(550);  // F6 - hold it!
  tone(BUZZER, 1568, 600); delay(700);  // G6 - VICTORY!
  
  delay(200);
  
  // Final celebratory flourish
  tone(BUZZER, 1319, 150); delay(170);  // E6
  tone(BUZZER, 1568, 150); delay(170);  // G6
  tone(BUZZER, 1976, 400); delay(500);  // B6 - Ultra high victory note!
  
  // Epic ending
  tone(BUZZER, 2093, 800); delay(1000); // C7 - THE ULTIMATE VICTORY NOTE!
}

Step 3: Upload and Run

Select the correct board (ESP32 Dev Module) and Port.
Click Upload.

How to use the Digital Badminton Scoreboard

Once the code is uploaded and your hardware is fully assembled, using the scoreboard is simple and intuitive, following the rules of the game.

Power On and Initialization
- Power up: Connect the ESP32 to a power source (USB cable or battery pack).
- Start screen: The LCD will immediately display the following message:
  - Badminton Match
  - Press any button
- Start game: Press any one of the three physical buttons (Red score, Blue score, or Reset). This clear the screen and initializes the score display too 0-0.

2. Scoring Point

The two colored buttons are dedicated to adding points for their respective teams.

Button	Action	Indicator	Sound
RED Button	Scores a point for the Red Team	RED LED turns ON if RED takes the lead	Plays a triple-tone score sound
BLUE Button	Scores a point for the Blue Team	BLUE LED turns ON if BLUE takes the lead	Plays a triple-tone score sound

The score displayed on the LCD updates immediately after each point.

3. Understanding the Display and Indicators

The display shows the current score, and the indicator LED’s show which team is currently ahead:

LED Status	Scoreboard Status	LCD Display Example
RED LED ON	Red Team is leading	RED 15 BLUE 12
BLUE LED ON	Blue team is leading	RED 18 BLUE 20
Both LED’s OFF	The score is tied (deuce or 0-0)	RED 10 BLUE 10

4. Game Over (Winning the Match)

The scoreboard automatically checks the winning conditions:

Standard Win: The first team to reach 21 points with a 2-point lead wins the game (e.g., 21-19, 22-20).
Deciding Point (Set Point): If the score reaches 29-29, the next point scored (reaching 30-29 or 29-30) immediately wins the game.

When a team wins:

The gameOver state is activated, and no more scoring is allowed.
The LCD displays the winner: RED TEAM WINS! or BLUE TEAM WINS!.
The WS2812 LED Strip flashes in the winner’s color.
The Buzzer plays the Triumphant Victory Fanfare.

5. Resetting the Scoreboard

To start a new match:

Button	Action	State
RESET Button	Press and hold for ∼300ms.	The scoreboard resets all scores to 0-0, clears all LEDs, stops the buzzer, and returns to the Start Screen

System Check and Troubleshooting Guide

Test	Expected Result	Problem	Solution
Start Screen	LCD displays “Badminton Match” and “Press any button”	LCD is blank or garbled	Verify I2C wiring (SDA to 21, SCL to 22)
Scoring	Pressing a score button increases score and plays sound	Buttons don’t score	Check wiring: Buttons must connect to the correct GPIO pin
LED Indicators	When scores are 5-3, the leading team’s LED (25 or 26) is ON	Indicator LEDs don’t work	Check wiring (GPIO25/26) and resistor connections
WS2812(RGB)	Flashes during win fanfare	WS2812 LEDs don’t light up	Check the `LED_PIN` (GPIO15)
Buzzer	Plays sound on scoring and winning	Buzzer does not make sound	Check the buzzer wiring on GPIO27

Buy from:

Myduino AIoT Education Kit from myduino.com

Our Tutorial

Fun Projects: Digital Badminton Scoreboard

Checklist Before Start

Circuit Connections