Arduino Project

Arduino Cat Feeding Game with IR Sensor and LCD Display

Name	Includes Arduino board	PURCHASE LINK
Ultimate Sensor Kit	Arduino Uno R4 Minima	BUY
Universal Maker Sensor Kit	×	BUY

Course Introduction

In this lesson, you’ll use an I2C LCD and an IR sensor with the Arduino UNO R4 to create a fun cat feeding game.

Each time the IR sensor detects a fish, the cat receives a meal and the LCD displays a new message. Keep feeding the cat to unlock all of its reactions.

Note

If this is your first time working with an Arduino project, we recommend downloading and reviewing the basic materials first.

1.1 Install Arduino IDE(Important)
1.2 Introduction of Arduino IDE

Required Components

In this project, we need the following components:

SN	COMPONENT INTRODUCTION	QUANTITY	PURCHASE LINK
1	Arduino UNO R4 Minima/Arduino UNO R4 WIFI	1	BUY
2	USB Type-C cable	1	×
3	Breadboard	1	BUY
4	Wires	Several	BUY
5	IR Obstacle Avoidance Sensor Module	1	BUY
6	I2C LCD 1602	1	BUY

Wiring

4.png__PID:e26096fc-cb16-4b70-ada9-58152954a28f

Common Connections:

IR Obstacle Avoidance Sensor Module
OUT: Connect to 2 on the Arduino.
GND: Connect to breadboard’s negative power bus.
VCC: Connect to breadboard’s red power bus.

I2C LCD 1602
SDA: Connect to SDA on the Arduino.
SCL: Connect to SCL on the Arduino.
GND: Connect to breadboard’s negative power bus.
VCC: Connect to breadboard’s red power bus.

Writing the Code

Note
You can copy this code into Arduino IDE.
To install the library, use the Arduino Library Manager and search for LiquidCrystal_I2C and install it.
Don’t forget to select the board(Arduino UNO R4 Minima/WIFI) and the correct port before clicking the Upload button.

/*
  Cat Feeding Game
  Board: Arduino UNO R4 Minima

  I2C LCD 1602:
  VCC -> 5V
  GND -> GND
  SDA -> A4 / SDA
  SCL -> A5 / SCL

  3-pin IR sensor:
  VCC -> 5V
  GND -> GND
  OUT -> D2
*/

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

// Most I2C LCD modules use address 0x27.
// If the screen does not work, try changing 0x27 to 0x3F.
LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 16, 2);

// IR sensor output pin
const byte IR_SENSOR_PIN = 2;

// Most IR obstacle sensors output LOW when detecting an object.
// Change LOW to HIGH if your sensor works in reverse.
const byte SENSOR_ACTIVE_STATE = LOW;

// Debounce and repeated-detection protection
const unsigned long SENSOR_DEBOUNCE_TIME = 50;
const unsigned long DETECTION_COOLDOWN = 500;

// Number of detected fish
byte fishCount = 0;

// Sensor state variables
bool lastRawState = false;
bool stableState = false;
bool objectAlreadyCounted = false;

unsigned long lastSensorChangeTime = 0;
unsigned long lastDetectionTime = 0;

// Clear the LCD and print two lines
void showMessage(const char *line1, const char *line2 = "") {
  lcd.clear();

  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
  lcd.print(line1);

  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  lcd.print(line2);
}

// Update the LCD according to the number of fish
void updateGameDisplay() {
  switch (fishCount) {
    case 0:
      showMessage("pls food");
      break;

    case 1:
      showMessage("only 1 ???", "still more");
      break;

    case 2:
      showMessage("still more!!!");
      break;

    case 3:
      showMessage("DONT BE STINGY");
      break;

    case 4:
      showMessage("I think I could", "have one more...");
      break;
  }
}

// Run when a new fish is detected
void feedOneFish() {
  // Stop counting after four fish
  if (fishCount >= 4) {
    return;
  }

  fishCount++;

  Serial.print("Fish detected. Total: ");
  Serial.println(fishCount);

  updateGameDisplay();
}

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);

  pinMode(IR_SENSOR_PIN, INPUT);

  // Start the LCD
  lcd.init();
  lcd.backlight();

  // Show the initial state
  updateGameDisplay();

  // Read the initial sensor state
  bool initialReading =
      digitalRead(IR_SENSOR_PIN) == SENSOR_ACTIVE_STATE;

  lastRawState = initialReading;
  stableState = initialReading;

  /*
    If an object is already in front of the sensor when powered on,
    wait until it is removed before counting.
  */
  objectAlreadyCounted = initialReading;

  Serial.println("Cat Feeding Game ready.");
}

void loop() {
  // Convert the sensor signal into:
  // true  = object detected
  // false = no object
  bool currentRawState =
      digitalRead(IR_SENSOR_PIN) == SENSOR_ACTIVE_STATE;

  // Raw signal changed
  if (currentRawState != lastRawState) {
    lastRawState = currentRawState;
    lastSensorChangeTime = millis();
  }

  // Accept the new state only after it remains stable
  if (
    millis() - lastSensorChangeTime >= SENSOR_DEBOUNCE_TIME &&
    currentRawState != stableState
  ) {
    stableState = currentRawState;

    if (stableState) {
      // Object has just entered the detection area
      if (
        !objectAlreadyCounted &&
        millis() - lastDetectionTime >= DETECTION_COOLDOWN
      ) {
        feedOneFish();

        objectAlreadyCounted = true;
        lastDetectionTime = millis();
      }
    } else {
      /*
        The fish has left the detection area.
        The sensor is now ready to detect the next fish.
      */
      objectAlreadyCounted = false;
    }
  }
}

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Arduino Project

Arduino Cat Feeding Game with IR Sensor and LCD Display

Kit purchase

Course Introduction

Required Components

Wiring

Common Connections:

Writing the Code

Arduino Project

Arduino Cat Feeding Game with IR Sensor and LCD Display

Kit purchase

Course Introduction

Required Components

Wiring

Common Connections:

Writing the Code

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