I started learning Arduino a couple of years ago and started playing around with a 16×2 LCD display that uses the Hitachi HD44780 chipset. I soon found out that the screen provides 8 character slots that are customizable. I found a project in which someone used the slots to create their own special characters, which could then be used to make a big character font using both rows of the screen. I didn’t find those characters attractive and couldn’t comprehend the script written by that individual. So, I decided to create my own collection and use my limited programming skills to create a more user-friendly design for my large character font.
In this guide, I will show how I made my complex character font and streamline the drawing for easier understanding. To begin with, it is essential to set up the Arduino and LCD.
Materials Needed:
– Arduino (i used a Nove)
– Hitachi HD44780 based 16×2 LCD
– Breadboard
– 5K Potentiometer
– button or switch
– jumper wires
Step 1: Connecting the LCD to the Arduino
Initially, I will discuss the process of linking a Hitachi HD44780-based LCD display to an Arduino. Your initial task is to locate Pin 1 on the display and determine the necessary pins. The initial image depicts a basic arrangement for linking the LCD to your Arduino. This is the pin configuration for the LCD.
- Pin 1 – Grd
- Pin 2 – VCC
- Pin 3 – Vee (controls screen contrast)
- Pin 4 – RS (controls where in the LCD’s memory your writing too)
- Pin 5 – RW (controls weather your Reading or Writing to the LCD)
- Pin 6 – E (enables writing to the register)
- Pin 7 – D0 (not used)
- Pin 8 – D1 (not used)
- Pin 9 – D2 (not used)
- Pin 10 – D3 (not used)
- Pin 11 – D4
- Pin 12 – D5
- Pin 13 – D6
- Pin 14 – D7
- Pin 15 – LED+ (LCD back light)
- Pin 16 – LED- (Grd)
My LCD had only 15 pins, which is okay because the 16th pin should be connected to ground regardless. In the image, Vee is connected to a potentiometer. This regulates the screen’s contrast. The data pins are the separate bits that you are either writing to or reading from the register.
I decided to wire mine up differently in order to keep things simple. I prefer utilizing ribbon cable to minimize wire clutter whenever feasible. It also makes it much easier to keep track of connections.
- RS pin to D7
- E pin to D6
- D4 pin to D5
- D5 pin to D4
- D6 pin to D3
- D7 pin to D2
- V0 tied to a pot to control brightness
- Grd and R/W tied to ground
- Vcc to +5V
- pin 15 to push button/switch that is tied to ground for control of back light
With everything connected we can now go over how i created the fonts.
Step 2: Numerical Font Design
It was now the moment to think about the font’s design. What divisions do I need to make in order to create a visually striking and attractive font for this display?
My goal was to start with a simple task and address the numbers initially. I believed people would be looking for a big, high-quality font for their Arduino-based digital clock or a similar project. So, I started by making the number 8 since all the components of 8 can be put together to create different numbers. This utilized just 6 personalized blocks. Another unique block was needed to display a 0, 1, and 7.
The images show the first batch of numbers that I created. Modifications were made to the personalized blocks to enhance the look of the digits. I will show them later on.
Step 3: Letter Font Design
Once I completed creating the numbers, I moved on to making letters. I got asked by people for letters often seen in Temp, RPM, and Speed displays. I went on to form the complete alphabet. To achieve the desired look, I had to make use of the final custom character block that was accessible.
The images show the first batch of letters that I made. Various modifications were carried out on the customized blocks to improve the look of the letters. I will present them in the upcoming phase.
Step 4: Refining the Look
I found the curves on the first letters I created to be too pronounced for my taste. I eventually learned how to access the various predefined characters that the LCD is capable of displaying. I examined the Data sheet of the Hitachi HD44780 driver to check the available characters. I noticed the last character was solid, so I decided to use it with the custom characters. I also need the empty space right above the solid block. I made slight adjustments to the custom characters I created before we started working on a sketch.
Watch this video displaying the authentic characters moving along the screen. Some changes have been made since the video was recorded.
For more detail: Custom Large Font For 16×2 LCDs
