Maker Screen Automatic Backlight

Use the ‘Parts List’ image along with the component cards in your box to correctly plug in the electronic hardware to your Maker Board. The colorful dots next to the legs of the components match up to the ports where that leg should go on Maker Board’s ports.

Code

The code in the editor below is ready to run! Plug in the electronic components just like the Parts List card above, connect Maker Board to your computer's USB port with the cable, and hit 'Upload Your Code!'. Tinker with the code and change something! If you get stuck, you can hit the 'Restore' button to make the code go back to the working example.

/* Turn on the backlight and print a message when the light sensor 'sees' that it is dark*/ #include "MakerScreenXVI.h" //A code library enables new functions to be used with the screen MakerScreenXVI lcd; //the library name is followed by the 'name' you give the LCD screen. Here it is 'lcd' void setup() { lcd.begin(); //.begin() 'sets up' the screen. You'll always need it when using Maker Screen pinMode(A5,INPUT); //light sensor } void loop() { if(analogRead(A5)<300){ //If the light level is below 300... lcd.backlightOn(); //Turn the LCD backlight on lcd.setCursor(0,0); //Set the cursor point to the top row, first column before writing the message lcd.write("It's dark!"); //16 characters including spaces can fit on one line of Maker Screen } else{ //otherwise if the light level is above 300 lcd.backlightOff(); //Turn off the LCD backlight lcd.clear(); //Clear away any messages printed on the screen } } // (c) 2019 Let's Start Coding. License: www.letsstartcoding.com/bsdlicense

Walkthrough Video

Watch the video for a line-by-line explanation of how the example program works. Then you'll be ready to make some changes of your own!

Challenges

Can you complete the challenge? Change the code in your code editor above. Upload your code to see the effect when you're finished. Complete a challenge? Check it off the list!

Change the message that the Maker Screen shows when there is low light on the sensor.

Add a message that shows on the screen when it’s not dark. Hint: This will be inside the ‘else’ statement and you might have to delete ‘lcd.clear();’.

Add a speaker that plays a tone when there is low light on the sensor.

Concepts

These are the new code concepts covered in this example program. To become a great coder, read through these concepts to learn new vocabulary.

Quiz

If you're having trouble, try to run an experimental program or look at the example code to help you find the answer.

1. Which syntax ends the entire 'void loop' function?

semicolon ;
parentheses )
closing curly brace }

2. Which syntax ends a single code command?

semicolon ;
closing curly brace }
period .

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