This week, I focused on completing the switch matrix and writing core software for button detection and LED response.
May and I built the full switch matrix from start. We started by gluing all the tactile buttons to the baseboard, then soldered copper wire across each column. We had to solder a diode to the other leg of each button, and then another copper wire connecting all the rows. We used electrical tape along every connection to strengthen joints and prevent short circuits between adjacent rows and columns. After finishing the matrix, I worked on the Python code for button press detection. I implemented software debouncing to make sure a singular button press didn’t register as multiple presses. This took most of Tuesday, and by the end, we had a working, stable 11×11 switch matrix that could detect multiple presses simultaneously.
May and Tanisha handled most of the LED re-soldering (I mostly just held wires down for them). I took the strips they finished soldering and taped them in the correct positions around the board to form hex shapes. This took most of our Wednesday work session. The duct tape I used initially wasn’t strong enough, as the joints kept flexing. We decided to switch to hot glue for all sections. On Thursday, May and I secured all the LEDs in place and thoroughly tested them to make sure the connections were strong enough to withstand normal gameplay and movement.
I also wrote the main LED control script, which links button presses to specific LED indices. The program continuously scans the switch matrix, and (1) lights up “house” LEDs when a single button is pressed, (2) lights up “road” LEDs when two adjacent buttons are pressed, and (3) moves the “robber” light when a specific tile button is pressed again. Right now, the code framework is complete: we just need the final mapping between buttons and LED indices once the boards are physically aligned. After that, I’ll test and tune the system for full responsiveness.
We are slightly behind schedule on finishing the second board because the LED re-soldering and mounting took longer than expected. Before the interim demo, we hope to have the first board assembled completely and the mapping between buttons to LED indices recorded. For next week, I plan to work on tuning the software components, as I am out of town for half the week. Once I am back, I plan to help finish the second board and start working on synchronizing the two boards together.