B-Squares is a modular electronics platform that enables users to build, customize, and continuously update their own electronics applications.

In this B-Squares App we will cover how to assemble a simple Color-LCD Application using the Arduino-Square.

Hardware:
1. Arduino-Square.
2. Battery-Square
3. Color LCD Shield.
4. FTDI USB connector (3.3V).

Software:
1. Arduino Software.
2. BSQ-ColorLCD sketch files.

Step 1: Configure Arduino-Square

• First begin by pulling the Arduino-Pro board outside of the Arduino-Square frame and rest it on top of the frame. (You should be able to do this easily by angling the Arduino-Pro board inside the frame, pulling one side out of the frame and then the other.)

• Line up the Color-LCD Shield pins with Arduino-Pro connectors. There are 2 sets of 6 pin connectors on one side and 2 sets of 8 pin connectors on the other.

• Plug the FTDI serial adapter into the right angled 6 pin connector located on the Arduino-Pro board adjacent to the power connector.

• Plug the USB cable into your computer.

Step 2: Upload Sketch

• To install the Color-LCD library copy and paste the entire “ColorLCDShield” folder into the Arduino Library folder
o Win: My Documents\Arduino\libraries\
o OS X: ~/Documents/Arduino/libraries/

• Start the Arduino software and open the BSQ-ColorLCD sketch.

• To configure Arduino for your Arduino-Square select Tools->Board and select “Arduino Pro or Pro Mini (3.3V, 8Mhz) w/ ATmega 328”

• Go to Tools->Serial Port and select the Serial Port that was created for the FTDI serial port adapter (example “COM 5”).

• Click on the “Upload” button. You should see a small progress bar at the bottom right of the Arduino console.

• Once the code is done uploading an image with multiple colored bars should appear on your LCD Shield. NOTE: If the screen turns on but the image is distorted, the most likely reason is that your Shield uses a different driver. To fix this, change the code on line 33 from “ lcd.init(EPSON);” to “ lcd.init(PHILLIPS);” or vice versa.

Step 3: Final Assembly

• Unplug the FTDI serial adapter from the Arduino-Pro and, with the Color-LCD Shield still plugged in.

• Reinsert the Arduino-Pro board back into the Arduino-Square frame.

• To power the Arduino-Square with the Battery-Square connect the corner contacts with the “+” symbol.

Step 4:

• The BSQ_ColorLCD software uses three buttons, S1, S2, and S3 on the LCD shield to switch between the different displays and set the Clock.

• At startup the LCD displays an Analog Clock in 'Run Mode':
S1: Switch to the Color Bar Display
S2: Set the Clock into 'Set Mode'
S3: Switch to the Color Bar Display

• Analog Clock in 'Set Mode'
S1: Increase the Minutes
S2: Set the Clock into 'Run Mode'
S3: Increase the Hours

• Color Bar Display
S1: Reset the Color Bar Display
S2: Switch to the Analog Clock
S3: Reset the Color Bar Display

NOTE: The Clock background switches from Black to White to indicate AM and PM

CREDIT:

ColorLCD Shield Library: Peter Davenport and Sparkfun Electronics.