FASTEST FINGER FIRST INDICATOR

Abstract
Now a days quiz-type game shows are increasingly becoming popular on television. In such quiz games,
fastest finger first indicators (FFFIs) are used to test the contestant’s reaction time. We present this project
for a 2-team quiz game, that determines which team first pressed the button and locks out the entry of the
other team. Simultaneously, a LED of the respective team will glow, when the player presses his entry button.

Introduction
In the buzzer round of quiz contests, the question is thrown open to all the teams. The person who knows the
answer hits the buzzer first and then answers the question. Sometimes two or more players hit the buzzer
almost simultaneously and it is very difficult to detect which of them has pressed the buzzer first. In television
shows, where the whole event is recorded, the actions are replayed in slow motion to detect the first hit. Such
slow motions are possible only where huge funds are available to conduct the show. For this reason buzzer
rounds are avoided for quiz contests held in colleges.

This project is an electronic quiz buzzer that is affordable by the colleges and even individuals. We present
this project for a 2-team quiz contestant, although it can be modified for more number of teams. The circuit
can detect and record the first hit contestant among all the contestants.

Components
● 2 × NE555 ICs
● 2 × LEDs (different colors)
● 3 × Momentary push buttons
● 4 × 10K ohm Resistors
● 2 × 1K ohm Resistors
● 2 × 100 ohm Resistors
● 1 × 1𝜇F Capacitor
● 2× 0.1𝜇F Capacitors
● 2× IN4007 Diodes

Block Diagram
 Figure 1: Schematic diagram of Fastest Finger Fast Indicator Circuit.

Figure 2: Block diagram of NE555 IC Timer

Working Principle
Fastest finger first indicators (FFFIs) are used to test the player’s reaction time. The LED of the respective
player’s will glow, when the player presses his entry button. The circuit presented here determines as to which
contestant first pressed the button and locks out the other contestant.

The circuit consists of two 555 timer bistables which are triggered or reset when their inputs are low. Their
reset inputs are connected together and operated by a single reset push-switch. The trigger switches are
connected to the bistable trigger (pin 2) through a 0.1µF capacitor so that only the initial press triggers the
bistable; continuing to hold the switch closed will have no effect. This is called edge triggering.

Connecting the switch directly to the bistable would prevent the quizmaster from resetting the circuit until the
trigger switch was released and trials showed that many contestants kept the switch pressed until asked to give
their answer! When triggered the bistable output (pin 3) lights an LED and makes the 'trigger line' high - this
prevents any other bistable being triggered. A diode is used to link the output to the trigger line.

Applications:

1. In Quiz Competitions
2. Entertainment purpose

Conclusion
In the buzzer round of any quiz contest question are thrown open to all the participating teams. After hearing
the question any member of a team who knows the answer and hits there switch first gets a chance to answer.
In multiple cases who hit the switch first gets the opportunity to reply. For next round the quiz master reset
the buzzer operation circuit by pressing the reset switch. For visual indication all teams have the lamp fitted
on their desk. The lamps glow until the reset of buzzer controller indicating the eligible team for replying the
question.