My Arduino WordClock

The initial project, and certainly the one to which many were inspired is that of Doug Jackson.
http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Word-Clock-Arduino-version/

also inspired by

http://www.highonsolder.com/blog/2011/1/8/arduino-word-clock.html

http://www.instructables.com/id/Sleek-word-clock/

Step 1 The Materials

The list of materials for the board depends on how you plan to make the electronics, if you want an Arduino standalone or an Arduino UNO or 2009, however, this is what I used.

Comments

[Ahmedqatar]

Great idea ..
Is there a chance to make an Arabic version?

[drj113]

I know this is an old post - I would be very interested in helping with an Arabic version - You can email me at [e-mail] - All I need is a short instruction in how to tell the time in Arabic, and I can modify the code and cut up a stencil.

I have 24 separate words to play with, so it should be doable.

Doug

[Cello62]

Hi, ty for reply Do not know Arabic and I do not know quite how it is delivered on time, but I think so. The concept is to modify the program by replacing the input on the correct words, the layout is simpler. See this in the Arabic version:
http://qlocktwo.com/
Regards

[Ahmedqatar]

I know how this clock works and the one you sent me is cool but yet i'm not sure how to get Arabic to work with it.

Is it easy to modify the program to control the led sequence?

[Cello62]

Not so easy, but not impossible. You must study the language, in any case before you know how it is treated the time in Arabic, after taking the example in English try to see if there are similarities, if so just replacing the words, otherwise you have to add instructions.
Try to contact if you want this author
http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Word-Clock-Arduino-version/
is very kind and competent, may have already done something in Arabic.
Regards

[Ahmedqatar]

I do have programming background .. I think it's just replacing the words..
Thanks for helping

[pro2xy]

"Share a project does not mean give away components" - I thought we were talking about the designs, not the components. Sorry I misunderstood that.

"I paid several euros to have the designs and build the pcb" - The text on the instructable wasn't clearly mentioning that. "Has made by a professional mastering" gives more of an idea that you are a professional in designing PCBs. Sorry about that again.

" mine is just a request for transport cost"  - I thought that you would email a soft copy of the design or upload it here. Sorry again, misunderstanding.

"but as youI've seen i have completely shared project including wiring diagrams" - I completely agree, and honestly, following your schematics and design ideas, I'm building my own word clock! Thanks to Doug as well!

"If you have nothing to do go to to make the communist from another site please." - I dont understand this statement, please elaborate. 

Over everything, this is a very nice instructable. Hats off to you. :)

[pro2xy]

Interesting to note: You say -
'Author:Cello62
There is no joy in possession without sharing'

And yet -
'I can send gerber file for a small fee.'
Anyhow, I wonder how much.

[Cello62]

Share a project does not mean give away components if your limited brain can understand that I paid several euros to have the designs and build the pcb, mine is just a request for my costs, but as you have seen i have completely shared project including wiring diagrams. If you have nothing to do go to to make the other from another site please.

[sucanushie]

Do you use a DS1302? I can't seem to see it on your PCB

[Cello62]

Hi
You don't have understood my words. I've just wrote that there is another member, Doug Jackson, that has made a word clock using Ds1302.
Look at http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Wordclock-Grew-Up/.
Regards

[ddolbi1]

Hi, if I plan on using ATMega168 and other components instead of using an arduino, what do I do about the "to arduino" connections on the schematic?
Do I just completely ignore it and imagine it isn't there?

[Cello62]

Hi, ty for reply.
Yes you have to ignore this part (CN1)
Me too i didn't use the Arduino but only the ATMEGA and of course what it takes to make it work. View photos of the card and you'll see that I put only the chip. The card is designed to connect directly to an Arduino (CN1) connecting the various pins but it is a choice. In this case you don't need C1-C2-X1-R1 because are already included in the Arduino. Greetings

[ddolbi1]

And also, I have a question regarding the CN3. I placed 3 male pins on it, and I'm confused about pin 1 and 3. What's going through those pins? It appears to me that there are no currents going through them because they are open.
If I'm mistaken, what else gets connected to these pins other than the microcontroller?

[Cello62]

CN3 is for the two buttons that regulate the hours and minutes. Pin 1 is for one and Pin3 is for the other. Pin2 is for 5volt shared toghether.

[ddolbi1]

Thanks for the quick reply.
What do you mean by I don't need C1-C2-X1-R1? Isn't the point having them so I can build the arduino on the card itself?
Also, I'm not very good with arduinos, but can I program the microcontroller on an arduino UNO, then take out the chip and just place it on the card?
Thanks again!

[Cello62]

I hope to explain you well:
-if you use a board like the one i did, with a ATMega standalone, you need c1-c2 and so on, better you need capacitors, clock, resistor, all that is indicated by my scheme ok? If you plan to connect an Arduino to my board it is no necessary to add these component because are already included in an typical Arduino board, if you plan to build another board with an Atmega standalone to connect to my board you need all these component (and others like power supply and so on) but in your board to drive the Atmega ok? The last method is a no sense because is more simple to add an Atmega to my board.
For the second question YES, i have done this, i've buyed an Atmega 328 with bootloader inside, replaced with that of Arduino UNO, reprogrammed and placed on my board.

[ddolbi1]

Wow. Thanks! That solved all my problems!

[HomelandSecurity]

If I could ask a couple of questions - how could I get a copy of that PCB board - also would a project like this be easy for someone with a basic understanding of circuits and various experiences soldering?

[Cello62]

Hi ty for reply. Methods may be different. I have given the schematic to a designer and i did make the PCB to a professional mastering there are several on the internet. You must send the gerber (software) file after you decide how many cards you want to achieve. Once you have the card is very easy to solder the components. As i wrote in the instructions i sell the gerber files, after you can choose where to make the pcb. To solder the components is very easy after looking the schematic. Regards

[HomelandSecurity]

Thanks - where could I browse to purchase one of your boards?

[Cello62]

For better understanding, as I wrote, I do not sell the card, sell the drawings, the files,to be provided to those who create the card. You must find out who makes the cards, I used an Italian company www.mdsrl.it, obviously you've got to find a more comfortable. In summary, look for those who create cards, checks if they accept the gerber files, check prices (the drawings are for a double-layer PCB), consider that a quality board like the one I made cost about 40-45 euros with a minimum of two, but that's verified in your country. The cost of the files but if you're still interested I will communicate you with a personal message.
Regards

[kylerwinters]

Nice job.

[Cello62]

Ty

[Dominion-Network]

I'm just wondering, am I able to use 74HC595 Shift Registers instead of HCF4094 Shift Registers ?

[Cello62]

I just looked and I seem to datasheet potentially similar, compare the pins anyway. Do you recommend this tutorial to try to do some experiment with replacement:
http://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ShiftOut

Thanks for your comment

[Dominion-Network]

I already know how to use the 74HC595, I was just wondering if I could use them instead of the HCF4094 chips.

[Cello62]

Hello. I understood that you know them but not having them available I looked to the datasheet on the internet, I have already said that the pins seem compatible, the easiest thing is to buy a hcf4094 and try the tutorial to see if it works, otherwise you have to change inputs.
Regards

[randofo]

Can you please provide a little more description about what you did in each step?

[Cello62]

Hi Randolfo
Thanks for comment
I ve done a little description in each photo step because , as you read, I was inspired by existing designs, especially in Sleek word clock, I will be happy to explain to you what you want