Fencing-Scoring-Machine

An open-source Arduino-based fencing scoring system that detects touches and manages time, score, cards, and more. Touch register comes from the All-Weapon-Box open source code at https://github.com/wnew/fencing_scoring_box/blob/master/firmware/allweaponbox/allweaponbox.ino. Display code is all original.

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Project Overview

This project implements a complete fencing scoring machine built from low-cost, off-the-shelf components and open-source code.
It is divided into two main parts:

1. Hardware — the circuit design, wiring diagrams, and power layout.
2. Firmware — the code that drives the scoring logic, lights, sounds, and timers.

The system is compatible with standard fencing weapons and scoring rules (épée, foil, sabre) and uses Arduino microcontrollers for control and logic.

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Repository Structure

fencing-scoring-machine/
├── hardware/
│   ├── schematics/
│   ├── pcb-layouts/
│   └── README.md
│
└── firmware/
    ├── touch-handler/
    │   └── three_weapon_box/
    │       └── three_weapon_box.ino
    ├── touch-matrix-handler/
    │   └── touch_matrix_handler/
    │        └── touch_matrix_handler.ino
    └── display-handler/
        └── display_handler/
            └── display_handler.ino

hardware/

Contains all the circuit schematics, wiring diagrams, and mechanical drawings required to assemble the scoring box.
Includes documentation for the LED matrix, buzzer, IR receiver, and weapon signal inputs.

firmware/

Contains the Arduino sketches and supporting code for the two main control modules:

• touch-handler/
  Handles weapon signal detection and touch registration.
  Based on the open-source three_weapon_box project, adapted for Arduino Uno hardware.

• display-handler/
  Manages match time, score, penalty cards, and light/sound indicators.
  Entirely original code, written for the Arduino Mega to take advantage of additional I/O pins and memory.

• touch-matrix-handler/
  Firmware for lighting up colorduino-type matrices to display touch and off-target lights.

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⚙️ Hardware Summary

Component	Description	MCU
Touch Handler	Detects valid touches and differentiates between weapons.	Arduino Uno
Display Handler	Drives LED matrices, buzzer, indicators, and manages logic.	Arduino Mega
Touch Matrix Handler	Internal logic for the colorduino touch lights.	Colorduino Matrix (8x8)
Power	Shared regulated 5 V supply; separate logic and LED lines for stability.	–

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🚀 Getting Started

1. Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/<your-username>/fencing-scoring-machine.git

2. Upload firmware

• Open firmware/touch-handler/three_weapon_box/three_weapon_box.ino in the Arduino IDE and upload to Arduino Uno.
• Open firmware/display-handler/display_handler/display_handler.ino and upload to Arduino Mega.
• Open firmware/touch-matrix-handler/touch_matrix_handler/touch-matrix-handler.ino and upload to both colorduino touch lights (requires FTDI adapter).

3. Assemble hardware

Use the schematics in the hardware/ directory to wire the modules.
Ensure both microcontrollers share a common ground when interconnected.

4. Power up

When powered, the system initializes the display, waits for valid weapon connections, and begins match timing once both sides are active.

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🔧 Dependencies

• Arduino IDE
• LedControl library
• three_weapon_box library (included or referenced)
• Adafruit NeoPixel library
• Standard electronic components (MAX7219, LEDs, buzzers, etc.)

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📜 License

This project is open-source and released under the MIT License.
The touch-handler code includes or references portions from the three_weapon_box project, which is licensed under GPLv3.

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🙌 Acknowledgments

• three_weapon_box — for some of the foundational touch detection logic.