Multi-Zone Matrix Clock

A WiFi-enabled LED matrix clock for ESP8266 that displays time from multiple timezones. Features automatic NTP synchronization, DST handling, and a web-based configuration interface.

Features

• 🌍 Multiple Timezone Support: Display time from up to 6 different timezones (UTC, CST, EST, PST, IRST, and more)
• ⏰ Automatic Time Sync: NTP synchronization ensures accurate time
• 🌅 DST Handling: Automatic Daylight Saving Time adjustments for US timezones
• 📱 Web Configuration: Easy-to-use web interface for settings
• 🔌 WiFi Manager: Automatic WiFi configuration portal on first boot
• 🎨 Customizable Display: Adjustable brightness and 12/24-hour format
• 📺 Animated Display: Smooth scrolling animations for timezone names and time
• 💾 Persistent Settings: Settings saved to EEPROM

Hardware Requirements

• ESP8266 (NodeMCU, Wemos D1 Mini, or similar)
• MAX7219 LED Matrix Display (4 modules, FC16 hardware type)
• Jumper wires for connections
• 5V power supply (USB or external adapter)

Pin Connections

ESP8266 Pin	MAX7219 Pin	Description
D5	CLK	Clock
D7	DIN	Data In
D8	CS	Chip Select
5V	VCC	Power
GND	GND	Ground

Note: The pin definitions can be modified in config.h if needed.

3D Printing

This project includes 3MF files for 3D printing the enclosure and mounting components. All files are optimized for Bambu Lab A1 Mini and are located in the stl/ directory.

Available 3MF Files

File	Description
FRONT.3mf	Front panel/enclosure
FRONT Wemos D1 Mini.3mf	Front panel with Wemos D1 Mini mounting
BACK.3mf	Back panel/enclosure
FRAME FRONT.3mf	Front frame component
FRAME BACK.3mf	Back frame component
2 x MATRIX HOLDER.3mf	Matrix display holder (print 2x)

Printing Instructions for Bambu Lab A1 Mini

1. Open files in Bambu Studio (or compatible slicer)
2. Recommended settings:
   • Layer height: 0.2mm (standard quality) or 0.16mm (fine quality)
   • Infill: 15-20% (sufficient for structural integrity)
   • Supports: Enable if needed (check model orientation)
   • Material: PLA or PETG recommended
3. Print order:
   • Start with the frame components (FRAME FRONT.3mf, FRAME BACK.3mf)
   • Print the front and back panels
   • Print 2x of the matrix holder
4. Assembly: Follow the component names to assemble the enclosure

Notes

• All files are provided in 3MF format for easy import into Bambu Studio
• The models are designed to fit standard MAX7219 8x8 LED matrix modules
• Ensure proper clearance for the ESP8266 board and wiring
• You may need to adjust print settings based on your specific material and preferences

Software Requirements

Arduino IDE Libraries

Install the following libraries via Arduino IDE Library Manager:

1. ESP8266WiFi (included with ESP8266 board support)
2. WiFiManager by tzapu - GitHub
3. MD_Parola by majicDesigns - GitHub
4. MD_MAX72XX by majicDesigns - GitHub
5. NTPClient by Fabrice Weinberg - GitHub
6. WiFiUdp (included with ESP8266 board support)
7. EEPROM (included with ESP8266 board support)

Arduino IDE Setup

1. Install Arduino IDE (1.8.x or newer)
2. Add ESP8266 board support:
   • Go to File → Preferences
   • Add to Additional Board Manager URLs: http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json
   • Go to Tools → Board → Boards Manager
   • Search for "ESP8266" and install
3. Select your board: Tools → Board → ESP8266 Boards → NodeMCU 1.0 (ESP-12E Module) (or your specific board)
4. Set upload speed to 115200 in Tools → Upload Speed

Installation

1. Clone or download this repository
2. Open MultiZoneMatrixClock.ino in Arduino IDE
3. Install required libraries (see Software Requirements above)
4. Connect your hardware according to the pin connections table
5. Select your ESP8266 board and COM port in Arduino IDE
6. Upload the sketch to your ESP8266

First Time Setup

1. Power on the ESP8266
2. Connect to WiFi: The device will create a WiFi access point named MultiZoneClock
3. Connect to this network with your phone/computer
4. Configure WiFi: A portal will automatically open (or navigate to 192.168.4.1)
5. Enter your WiFi credentials and connect
6. Note the IP address displayed in Serial Monitor (or check your router's connected devices)
7. Access the web interface by navigating to the IP address in your browser

Configuration

Web Interface

Access the web configuration interface by navigating to your ESP8266's IP address in a web browser.

Settings available:

• Timezones: Enable/disable which timezones to display
• Display Intensity: Adjust brightness (0-15)
• Time Format: Choose between 12-hour (AM/PM) or 24-hour format
• WiFi Configuration: Reconfigure WiFi connection

Default Settings

• Enabled Timezones: EST, IRST
• Display Intensity: 5
• Time Format: 24-hour
• Time Display Duration: 10 seconds per timezone

Manual Configuration

You can modify default settings in the code:

• Timezones: Edit timezone.cpp to add/modify timezones
• Hardware pins: Edit config.h to change pin assignments
• Display settings: Edit config.h for timing and display parameters

Usage

Display Behavior

• Single Timezone Mode: If only one timezone is enabled, the clock displays time statically with a blinking colon
• Multiple Timezone Mode: If multiple timezones are enabled:
  1. Timezone name scrolls up
  2. Brief pause
  3. Time scrolls in from left
  4. Time scrolls out to right
  5. Repeats for next enabled timezone

Time Synchronization

• The clock automatically syncs with NTP servers (pool.ntp.org)
• Sync occurs periodically to maintain accuracy
• DST is automatically calculated and applied for US timezones

Project Structure

MultiZoneMatrixClock/
├── MultiZoneMatrixClock.ino  # Main Arduino sketch
├── config.h                   # Configuration constants and settings structure
├── display.h                  # Display manager header
├── display.cpp                # Display manager implementation
├── timezone.h                  # Timezone manager header
├── timezone.cpp                # Timezone manager implementation
├── webserver.h                 # Web server manager header
├── webserver.cpp               # Web server manager implementation
├── stl/                        # 3D printing files (3MF format)
│   ├── FRONT.3mf
│   ├── FRONT Wemos D1 Mini.3mf
│   ├── BACK.3mf
│   ├── FRAME FRONT.3mf
│   ├── FRAME BACK.3mf
│   └── 2 x MATRIX HOLDER.3mf
└── README.md                   # This file

Troubleshooting

WiFi Connection Issues

• Can't connect to AP: Reset the device and try again
• Portal doesn't open: Manually navigate to 192.168.4.1
• Can't find device IP: Check Serial Monitor output or your router's device list

Display Issues

• No display: Check wiring connections, especially power and ground
• Garbled text: Verify pin connections match config.h
• Too dim/bright: Adjust intensity in web interface (0-15)

Time Issues

• Wrong time: Ensure WiFi is connected and NTP sync is working
• DST not working: Check that timezone uses DST in timezone.cpp
• Timezone offset wrong: Verify timezone offset in timezone.cpp

Serial Monitor

Enable Serial Monitor at 115200 baud to see debug information:

• WiFi connection status
• IP address
• NTP sync status
• Display state changes

Customization

Adding New Timezones

Edit timezone.cpp:

// Add to timezones array
timezones[5] = {"TZNAME", offset_seconds, uses_dst};

Update TZ_COUNT in config.h if adding more than 6 timezones.

Changing Display Hardware

Modify config.h:

• HARDWARE_TYPE: Change if using different MAX7219 module type
• MAX_DEVICES: Number of matrix modules
• Pin definitions: CLK_PIN, DATA_PIN, CS_PIN

Technical Details

• MCU: ESP8266 (80MHz, 4MB Flash)
• Display: MAX7219 8x8 LED Matrix (4 modules = 32x8 display)
• Protocol: SPI for display communication
• Storage: EEPROM for settings persistence
• Network: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
• Time Protocol: NTP (Network Time Protocol)

License

This project is open source. Feel free to modify and distribute.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.

Acknowledgments

• Built with Arduino IDE and ESP8266
• Uses excellent libraries from the Arduino community
• Inspired by the need for a simple, multi-timezone clock

Support

For issues, questions, or contributions, please open an issue on GitHub.

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Enjoy your Multi-Zone Matrix Clock! ⏰🌍