Posts with «hexadecimal» label

The Seven-Segment Display That’s Also an Input Device

We’re used to seeing all manner of seven-segment displays, be they mechanical, electronic, or something in between. But what all these displays have in common is that they’re, you know, displays. Using them as inputs would just be crazy talk, right?

Perhaps, but we like where [Dave Ehnebuske] is going with “InSlide,” the seven-segment input device. The idea for this comes from the “DigiTag” display, which we covered back in October, and divides a standard seven-segment character into three vertical strips — two skinny ones for the outside vertical segments, and one wide strip holding the horizontal elements. By sliding these strips up and down relative to each other, the standard nine digits, plus a few other characters, can be composed.

[Dave]’s take on this theme started by building his display from laser-cut plywood pieces, which is a nice choice because of the good contrast between the white wood and the engraver segments. Next, he embedded rare earth magnets in the slides and installed seven Hall effect sensors in the frame. The sensors are connected to an Arduino Nano via a 74HC165 parallel-load shift register, which lets multiple modules be daisy-chained together. He also built an Arduino library to read the current state of the segments; it supports the full hexadecimal character set, or even duodecimal if you like.

[Dave] has shared the library, and it looks like you can get the build files for the mechanism from the original project. That’s good, because this looks ripe for hacking. It looks like it would be pretty easy to motorize a display like this by adding rack-and-pinion gearing and steppers — something like that could make an interesting clock.

Hack a Day 05 Nov 15:00
7 segment  74hc165  arduino  as3144  duodecimal  hall effect  hexadecimal  misc hacks  seven segment  

Send HEX values to Arduino

FIVE MINUTE TUTORIAL

Project Description: Sending Hex values to an Arduino UNO


This simple tutorial will show you how to send Hexadecimal values from a computer to an Arduino Uno. The "Processing" programming language will be used to send the HEX values from the computer when a mouse button is pressed. The Arduino will use these values to adjust the brightness of an LED.



 

Learning Objectives


  • To Send Hexadecimal (Hex) values from a computer to the Arduino
  • Trigger an action based on the press of a mouse button
  • Learn to create a simple Computer to Arduino interface
  • Use Arduino's PWM capabilities to adjust brightness of an LED
  • Learn to use Arduino's analogWrite() function
  • Create a simple LED circuit


 

Parts Required:


Fritzing Sketch


The diagram below will show you how to connect an LED to Digital Pin 10 on the Arduino.
Don't forget the 330 ohm resistor !
 


 
 

Arduino Sketch


The latest version of Arduino IDE can be downloaded here.
  
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/* ==================================================================================================================================================
         Project: 5 min tutorial: Send Hex from computer to Arduino
          Author: Scott C
         Created: 21th June 2015
     Arduino IDE: 1.6.4
         Website: http://arduinobasics.blogspot.com/p/arduino-basics-projects-page.html
     Description: Arduino Sketch used to adjust the brightness of an LED based on the values received
                  on the serial port. The LED needs to be connected to a PWM pin. In this sketch
                  Pin 10 is used, however you could use Pin 3, 5, 6, 9, or 11 - if you are using an Arduino Uno.
===================================================================================================================================================== */

byte byteRead;                   //Variable used to store the byte received on the Serial Port
int ledPin = 10;                 //LED is connected to Arduino Pin 10. This pin must be PWM capable.  

void setup() {
 Serial.begin(9600);             //Initialise Serial communication with the computer
 pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);        //Set Pin 10 as an Output pin
 byteRead = 0;                   //Initialise the byteRead variable to zero.
}

void loop() {
  if(Serial.available()) {
    byteRead = Serial.read();     //Update the byteRead variable with the Hex value received on the Serial COM port.
  }
  
  analogWrite(ledPin, byteRead);  //Use PWM to adjust the brightness of the LED. Brightness is determined by the "byteRead" variable.
}


 


 
 

Processing Sketch


The latest version of the Processing IDE can be downloaded here.
  
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/* ==================================================================================================================================================
         Project: 5 min tutorial: Send Hex from computer to Arduino
          Author: Scott C
         Created: 21th June 2015
  Processing IDE: 2.2.1
         Website: http://arduinobasics.blogspot.com/p/arduino-basics-projects-page.html
     Description: Processing Sketch used to send HEX values from computer to Arduino when the mouse is pressed.
                  The alternating values 0xFF and 0x00 are sent to the Arduino Uno to turn an LED on and off.
                  You can send any HEX value from 0x00 to 0xFF. This sketch also shows how to convert Hex strings
                  to Hex numbers.
===================================================================================================================================================== */

import processing.serial.*;           //This import statement is required for  Serial communication

Serial comPort;                       //comPort is used to write Hex values to the Arduino
boolean toggle = false;               //toggle variable is used to control which hex variable to send  
String zeroHex = "00";                //This "00" string will be converted to 0x00 and sent to Arduino to turn LED off.
String FFHex = "FF";                  //This "FF" string will be converted to 0xFF and sent to Arduino to turn LED on.

void setup(){
    comPort = new Serial(this, Serial.list()[0], 9600);   //initialise the COM port for serial communication at a baud rate of 9600.
    delay(2000);                      //this delay allows the com port to initialise properly before initiating any communication.
    background(0);                    //Start with a black background.
    
}


void draw(){                           //the draw() function is necessary for the sketch to compile 
    //do nothing here                  //even though it does nothing.
}


void mousePressed(){                   //This function is called when the mouse is pressed within the Processing window.
  toggle = ! toggle;                   //The toggle variable will change back and forth between "true" and "false"
  if(toggle){                          //If the toggle variable is TRUE, then send 0xFF to the Arduino
     comPort.write(unhex(FFHex));      //The unhex() function converts the "FF" string to 0xFF
     background(0,0,255);              //Change the background colour to blue as a visual indication of a button press.
  } else {
    comPort.write(unhex(zeroHex));     //If the toggle variable is FALSE, then send 0x00 to the Arduino
    background(0);                     //Change the background colour to black as a visual indication of a button press.
  }
}


 

The Video


 

The tutorial above is a quick demonstration of how to convert Hex strings on your computer and send them to an Arduino. The Arduino can use the values to change the brightness of an LED as shown in this tutorial, however you could use it to modify the speed of a motor, or to pass on commands to another module. Hopefully this short tutorial will help you with your project. Please let me know how it helped you in the comments below.

 
 



If you like this page, please do me a favour and show your appreciation :

 
Visit my ArduinoBasics Google + page.
Follow me on Twitter by looking for ScottC @ArduinoBasics.
I can also be found on Pinterest and Instagram.
Have a look at my videos on my YouTube channel.


 
 
             


 
 



However, if you do not have a google profile...
Feel free to share this page with your friends in any way you see fit.

ScottC 22 Jun 07:52
arduino  arduinobasics  best arduino blog  brightness  communication  computer  hex  hexadecimal  led  mouse  processing  project  pwm  receive  send  serial  

Send HEX values to Arduino

FIVE MINUTE TUTORIAL

Project Description: Sending Hex values to an Arduino UNO


This simple tutorial will show you how to send Hexadecimal values from a computer to an Arduino Uno. The "Processing" programming language will be used to send the HEX values from the computer when a mouse button is pressed. The Arduino will use these values to adjust the brightness of an LED.



 

Learning Objectives


  • To Send Hexadecimal (Hex) values from a computer to the Arduino
  • Trigger an action based on the press of a mouse button
  • Learn to create a simple Computer to Arduino interface
  • Use Arduino's PWM capabilities to adjust brightness of an LED
  • Learn to use Arduino's analogWrite() function
  • Create a simple LED circuit


 

Parts Required:


Fritzing Sketch


The diagram below will show you how to connect an LED to Digital Pin 10 on the Arduino.
Don't forget the 330 ohm resistor !
 


 
 

Arduino Sketch


The latest version of Arduino IDE can be downloaded here.
  
  1
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/* ==================================================================================================================================================
         Project: 5 min tutorial: Send Hex from computer to Arduino
          Author: Scott C
         Created: 21th June 2015
     Arduino IDE: 1.6.4
         Website: http://arduinobasics.blogspot.com/p/arduino-basics-projects-page.html
     Description: Arduino Sketch used to adjust the brightness of an LED based on the values received
                  on the serial port. The LED needs to be connected to a PWM pin. In this sketch
                  Pin 10 is used, however you could use Pin 3, 5, 6, 9, or 11 - if you are using an Arduino Uno.
===================================================================================================================================================== */

byte byteRead;                   //Variable used to store the byte received on the Serial Port
int ledPin = 10;                 //LED is connected to Arduino Pin 10. This pin must be PWM capable.  

void setup() {
 Serial.begin(9600);             //Initialise Serial communication with the computer
 pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);        //Set Pin 10 as an Output pin
 byteRead = 0;                   //Initialise the byteRead variable to zero.
}

void loop() {
  if(Serial.available()) {
    byteRead = Serial.read();     //Update the byteRead variable with the Hex value received on the Serial COM port.
  }
  
  analogWrite(ledPin, byteRead);  //Use PWM to adjust the brightness of the LED. Brightness is determined by the "byteRead" variable.
}


 


 
 

Processing Sketch


The latest version of the Processing IDE can be downloaded here.
  
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/* ==================================================================================================================================================
         Project: 5 min tutorial: Send Hex from computer to Arduino
          Author: Scott C
         Created: 21th June 2015
  Processing IDE: 2.2.1
         Website: http://arduinobasics.blogspot.com/p/arduino-basics-projects-page.html
     Description: Processing Sketch used to send HEX values from computer to Arduino when the mouse is pressed.
                  The alternating values 0xFF and 0x00 are sent to the Arduino Uno to turn an LED on and off.
                  You can send any HEX value from 0x00 to 0xFF. This sketch also shows how to convert Hex strings
                  to Hex numbers.
===================================================================================================================================================== */

import processing.serial.*;           //This import statement is required for  Serial communication

Serial comPort;                       //comPort is used to write Hex values to the Arduino
boolean toggle = false;               //toggle variable is used to control which hex variable to send  
String zeroHex = "00";                //This "00" string will be converted to 0x00 and sent to Arduino to turn LED off.
String FFHex = "FF";                  //This "FF" string will be converted to 0xFF and sent to Arduino to turn LED on.

void setup(){
    comPort = new Serial(this, Serial.list()[0], 9600);   //initialise the COM port for serial communication at a baud rate of 9600.
    delay(2000);                      //this delay allows the com port to initialise properly before initiating any communication.
    background(0);                    //Start with a black background.
    
}


void draw(){                           //the draw() function is necessary for the sketch to compile 
    //do nothing here                  //even though it does nothing.
}


void mousePressed(){                   //This function is called when the mouse is pressed within the Processing window.
  toggle = ! toggle;                   //The toggle variable will change back and forth between "true" and "false"
  if(toggle){                          //If the toggle variable is TRUE, then send 0xFF to the Arduino
     comPort.write(unhex(FFHex));      //The unhex() function converts the "FF" string to 0xFF
     background(0,0,255);              //Change the background colour to blue as a visual indication of a button press.
  } else {
    comPort.write(unhex(zeroHex));     //If the toggle variable is FALSE, then send 0x00 to the Arduino
    background(0);                     //Change the background colour to black as a visual indication of a button press.
  }
}


 

The Video


 

The tutorial above is a quick demonstration of how to convert Hex strings on your computer and send them to an Arduino. The Arduino can use the values to change the brightness of an LED as shown in this tutorial, however you could use it to modify the speed of a motor, or to pass on commands to another module. Hopefully this short tutorial will help you with your project. Please let me know how it helped you in the comments below.

 
 



If you like this page, please do me a favour and show your appreciation :

 
Visit my ArduinoBasics Google + page.
Follow me on Twitter by looking for ScottC @ArduinoBasics.
I can also be found on Pinterest and Instagram.
Have a look at my videos on my YouTube channel.


 
 
             


 
 



However, if you do not have a google profile...
Feel free to share this page with your friends in any way you see fit.

ScottC 22 Jun 07:52
arduino  arduinobasics  best arduino blog  brightness  communication  computer  hex  hexadecimal  led  mouse  processing  project  pwm  receive  send  serial