Designing a 3-Input Game Show Buzzer System

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around designing a three-input game show buzzer system, focusing on how to ensure that only the first participant to press their buzzer has their light activated. Participants explore various electronic components and methods to achieve this functionality, including the use of demultiplexers, relays, and discrete logic components.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using a demux chip like the 74hct4051 to handle analog voltages, considering a microcontroller for managing the light activation.
  • Another participant proposes using normally-closed relays to ensure that when one light is activated, it disables the others, though they express uncertainty about implementing this with a chip.
  • A participant mentions their lack of experience in circuit design, indicating familiarity primarily with digital systems and microcontroller programming.
  • One participant recommends using discrete logic components, specifically a flip-flop setup, to maintain the light activation until a reset occurs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express different approaches to the problem, with no consensus on a single solution. Various methods are proposed, indicating multiple competing views on how to design the buzzer system.

Contextual Notes

Participants have varying levels of experience with electronics, which may influence their proposed solutions. Some suggestions depend on specific components or configurations that may not be fully explored or defined.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in electronics design, particularly in creating interactive systems or game show setups, may find the discussion relevant.

exequor
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Ok I'm designing a simply system for a three input game show buzzer. I'm thinking about using a demux chip that simply handles analog voltages like the 74hct4051. However I need to only allow the light for the first person that clicks their switch to be displayed. A microcontroller could be used for this, however I was wondering what are some simple solutions for this?

Edit: Maybe I'm looking at this wrong, maybe I just need to disable the other two switches after the first output on the chip is high.
 
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I don't know anything about electronics, so I can't help with the details of your question. If I were building such a thing, I'd put a normally-closed relay in line with each light, which is energized by either of the other two. When one light goes on, it eliminates the rest. How you would do that with a chip is beyond my knowledge.
 
It doesn't have to be a chip; I was only trying to use what I'm familiar with, obviously I've never designed such a circuit before. Most of my EE classes so far have been logic for digital systems and microcontroller programming.
 
I think you could easily make this using discrete logic components. Using a flip-flop setup you can make the (on)-off switches turn on the light permanently until it is reset.
 

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