How to program a White On Blue Graphic LCD?

Hey there! As a supplier of White On Blue Graphic LCDs, I'm super stoked to share with you how to program these nifty little displays. Whether you're a newbie in the world of programming or a seasoned pro looking to expand your skills, this guide is for you.

First off, let's talk a bit about what a White On Blue Graphic LCD is. It's a type of display that uses a white text or graphic on a blue background. These LCDs are popular because they offer good visibility, especially in various lighting conditions. They're used in a wide range of applications, from industrial equipment to consumer electronics.

Getting Started with Programming

Before you start programming your White On Blue Graphic LCD, you'll need to gather a few things. You'll need the LCD itself, of course, along with a microcontroller. Popular microcontrollers for this kind of project include Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and PIC microcontrollers. You'll also need some software to write and upload your code. For Arduino, the Arduino IDE is a great choice, and for Raspberry Pi, you can use Python or C++.

Understanding the LCD Interface

Most White On Blue Graphic LCDs use an interface that communicates with the microcontroller. The most common interfaces are the parallel and serial interfaces. The parallel interface allows for faster data transfer but requires more pins on the microcontroller. The serial interface, on the other hand, uses fewer pins but may be slower.

When you're programming the LCD, you'll need to understand the commands that the LCD supports. These commands are used to control things like clearing the display, setting the cursor position, and writing text or graphics. The datasheet for your specific LCD will have a list of all the commands and how to use them.

Writing the Code

Let's start with a simple example of writing text to the LCD using an Arduino. First, you'll need to include the necessary libraries. For most LCDs, you can use the LiquidCrystal library in the Arduino IDE. Here's a basic code snippet:

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

// initialize the library with the numbers of the interface pins
LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 5, 4, 3, 2);

void setup() {
  // set up the LCD's number of columns and rows:
  lcd.begin(16, 2);
  // Print a message to the LCD.
  lcd.print("Hello, world!");
}

void loop() {
  // set the cursor to column 0, line 1
  // (note: line 1 is the second row, since counting begins with 0):
  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  // print the number of seconds since reset:
  lcd.print(millis() / 1000);
}

In this code, we first include the LiquidCrystal library. Then, we initialize the LCD object with the pin numbers that are connected to the Arduino. In the setup function, we set up the LCD with 16 columns and 2 rows and print a simple message. In the loop function, we set the cursor to the second row and print the number of seconds since the Arduino was reset.

Drawing Graphics

If you want to draw graphics on the White On Blue Graphic LCD, it gets a bit more complicated. You'll need to understand how the LCD stores and displays graphics. Most LCDs use a framebuffer, which is a memory area that stores the pixel data for the display.

To draw a simple shape, like a rectangle, you'll need to calculate the pixel coordinates and set the corresponding bits in the framebuffer. Here's an example of how you might draw a rectangle using Python on a Raspberry Pi:

import time
import spidev

# Open SPI bus
spi = spidev.SpiDev()
spi.open(0, 0)
spi.max_speed_hz = 1000000

# Function to draw a rectangle
def draw_rectangle(x1, y1, x2, y2):
    # Calculate the width and height of the rectangle
    width = x2 - x1
    height = y2 - y1
    # Set the pixel data for the rectangle
    for y in range(y1, y2):
        for x in range(x1, x2):
            # Set the pixel at (x, y) in the framebuffer
            # This will depend on your specific LCD and how it stores pixel data
            pass

# Draw a rectangle
draw_rectangle(10, 10, 50, 50)

# Keep the program running
while True:
    time.sleep(1)

This is a very basic example, and the actual code to set the pixel data will depend on your specific LCD. You'll need to refer to the datasheet for your LCD to understand how to access and modify the framebuffer.

Troubleshooting

If you're having trouble getting your White On Blue Graphic LCD to work, there are a few things you can check. First, make sure that all the connections between the LCD and the microcontroller are correct. Check the pin numbers and make sure that there are no loose connections.

If the display is blank or shows garbage characters, it could be a problem with the power supply or the programming. Make sure that the LCD is getting the correct voltage and that your code is sending the correct commands.

Where to Find More Resources

If you want to learn more about programming White On Blue Graphic LCDs, there are plenty of resources available online. You can find tutorials, forums, and even video guides on platforms like YouTube. You can also check out the datasheets for your specific LCD, which will have detailed information about the interface and commands.

Our Product Range

As a supplier, we offer a wide range of White On Blue Graphic LCDs, as well as other types of LCD displays. Check out our FSTN Transflective Graphic LCD Display Module, LCD Module for Characterfor Office Calculator, and LCD Screen for Car Dashboard.

Contact Us for Purchasing

If you're interested in purchasing our White On Blue Graphic LCDs or have any questions about programming them, feel free to reach out to us. We're here to help you with all your LCD needs and can provide you with the best solutions for your projects.

References

• Arduino Documentation
• Raspberry Pi Documentation
• LCD Datasheets