{"id":322,"date":"2019-06-07T12:21:16","date_gmt":"2019-06-07T12:21:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/warmcat.uk\/?p=322"},"modified":"2022-06-13T07:50:34","modified_gmt":"2022-06-13T07:50:34","slug":"warmcat-6x14-segment-display-i2c-backpack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/?p=322","title":{"rendered":"6&#215;14-Segment i2c Backpack"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When working on a Geocaching Project, I ended up with a substantial number of small 6&#215;14-segment displays:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_2940-e1559940768824-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_2940-e1559940768824-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_2940-e1559940768824-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_2940-e1559940768824-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_2940-e1559940768824-350x263.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_2962-e1559940885157-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_2962-e1559940885157-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_2962-e1559940885157-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_2962-e1559940885157-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_2962-e1559940885157-350x263.jpg 350w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_2962-e1559940885157.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Remembering how useful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adafruit.com\/product\/1911\">Adafruit&#8217;s 4 digit 14-segment display backpacks<\/a> were, I thought it might be a good idea to manufacture some similar backpacks utilising the smaller 6 digit displays.<br>I created a prototype in Eagle and had some boards manufactured in china. Unfortunately, due to the size of the HT16K33 IC and the display being somewhat similar, I was unable to locate the IC under the display as is the case with the larger Adafruit backpack. Still, more than small enough for most projects:<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/img_3042-e1556585399169-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"First Prototype\" class=\"wp-image-305\"\/><figcaption>First prototype<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/img_3045-e1559938638802-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Backpack Comparison\" class=\"wp-image-309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/img_3045-e1559938638802-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/img_3045-e1559938638802-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/img_3045-e1559938638802-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/img_3045-e1559938638802-350x263.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Size comparison<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>These prototypes worked great, so I began creating a <a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/WarmCatUK\/WarmCat_6x14Backpack\">new Arduino library<\/a> with plenty of example code, which would support multiple displays. By simply setting the number of displays when instancing the library object, up to eight displays can be used easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If these are going to be manufactured and sold, then they need to look a lot prettier. Additionally why not make use of that extra space thanks to the HT16K33?  Plug and socket so that the displays could be &#8220;daisy-chained&#8221;. Some changes were made whilst enjoying the view on holiday in Crete:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"http:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_3608-e1559941006647.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_3608-e1559941006647-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_3608-e1559941006647-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_3608-e1559941006647-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_3608-e1559941006647-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_3608-e1559941006647-350x263.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The new prototypes turned out well, with only a minor further change to be made before I was happy enough to place a large order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/img_3652-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-326\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"http:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/6x14BoardLayout.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"716\" src=\"http:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/6x14BoardLayout-1024x716.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/6x14BoardLayout-1024x716.png 1024w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/6x14BoardLayout-300x210.png 300w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/6x14BoardLayout-768x537.png 768w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/6x14BoardLayout-350x245.png 350w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/6x14BoardLayout.png 1462w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Final design<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"http:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/6x14Schematic.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" src=\"http:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/6x14Schematic-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-319\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/6x14Schematic-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/6x14Schematic-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/6x14Schematic-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/6x14Schematic-350x183.png 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"579\" src=\"http:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/6x14Modular-1024x579.jpg\" alt=\"6 Modular 6x14 displays connected together\" class=\"wp-image-429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/6x14Modular-1024x579.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/6x14Modular-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/6x14Modular-768x434.jpg 768w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/6x14Modular-350x198.jpg 350w, https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/6x14Modular.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is a project by Daniel using the same code for his awesome teletype terminal and display:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"nvictria video # 6\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EcxCmK0OsiY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption><br><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"excerpt\">When working on a Geocaching Project, I ended up with a substantial number of small 6&#215;14-segment displays: Remembering how useful Adafruit&#8217;s 4 digit 14-segment display backpacks were, I thought it&hellip; <span class=\"more-link\">more<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":312,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[106,39],"tags":[41,103,49,105,104,102,47],"class_list":["post-322","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arduino","category-electronics","tag-arduino","tag-backpack","tag-display","tag-eagle","tag-ht16k33","tag-i2c","tag-led"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/322","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=322"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/322\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":433,"href":"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/322\/revisions\/433"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/312"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=322"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=322"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/warmcat.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=322"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}