//******************
// button inputs
//******************

void shiftIn_1() { 
  int i = 0;
  int temp = 0;

  while(i < led_count){
    digitalWrite(btn_clock_1, 0);
    //delayMicroseconds(0.2);
    temp = digitalRead(btn_data_1);
    if (temp) {
      btn_DOWN[i] = true;
      a_button_is_pressed = true;
    }
    else {
      btn_DOWN[i] = false;
    }
    digitalWrite(btn_clock_1, 1);
    i++;
  }
}

void pulse_btn_latch_1(){
  digitalWrite(btn_latch_1,HIGH);
  //delayMicroseconds(20);
  digitalWrite(btn_latch_1,LOW);
}