CIPAD 48 1ière partie: Comment gérer des menus.

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through managing menus using an Arduino, specifically navigating them with a joystick. This is the first part of a series focused on menu management, building on previous lessons that included creating special characters. This tutorial is ideal for beginners looking to enhance their Arduino projects with user-friendly interfaces.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Arduino Environment

Before diving into menu management, ensure your Arduino environment is ready.

• Install Arduino IDE: Download and install the Arduino IDE from the official Arduino website.
• Connect Your Arduino: Use a USB cable to connect your Arduino board to your computer.
• Select Your Board: In the Arduino IDE, go to Tools > Board and select the appropriate board model.
• Install Necessary Libraries: If you plan to use a joystick, ensure you have the appropriate libraries installed, such as the Joystick library.

Step 2: Understanding Joystick Inputs

Familiarize yourself with how to read inputs from a joystick, which will be essential for navigating menus.

• Wiring the Joystick: Connect the joystick module to the Arduino:
  • VCC to 5V
  • GND to GND
  • VRx to an analog pin (e.g., A0)
  • VRy to another analog pin (e.g., A1)
• Reading Joystick Values: Use the following code to read joystick inputs:

int xValue = analogRead(A0); // Read X-axis
int yValue = analogRead(A1); // Read Y-axis

• Map Joystick Movements: You may need to map joystick movements to specific actions for menu navigation.

Step 3: Creating a Basic Menu Structure

Now, create a simple menu structure that can be navigated using the joystick.

• Define Menu Items: Create an array of strings for your menu options:

const char* menuItems[] = {"Option 1", "Option 2", "Option 3"};
int menuSize = sizeof(menuItems) / sizeof(menuItems[0]);

• Track Current Selection: Use an integer to keep track of the currently selected menu item:

int currentSelection = 0;

Step 4: Implementing Menu Navigation

Implement the logic to navigate through the menu using joystick inputs.

• Read Joystick Input: Check if the joystick is moved up or down:

if (yValue > threshold) { // Adjust threshold as needed
    currentSelection++;
    if (currentSelection >= menuSize) currentSelection = 0; // Loop back
} else if (yValue < -threshold) {
    currentSelection--;
    if (currentSelection < 0) currentSelection = menuSize - 1; // Loop back
}

• Display Current Selection: Use the Serial Monitor to display the current menu selection for testing:

Serial.println(menuItems[currentSelection]);

Step 5: Creating Special Characters

Refer back to lesson 11 for creating special characters that can enhance your menu's appearance.

• Define Custom Characters: Use the LiquidCrystal library to create and display custom characters. Here's an example of how to define a custom character:

byte customChar[8] = {
  0b00000,
  0b01110,
  0b10001,
  0b10001,
  0b01110,
  0b00000,
  0b00000,
  0b00000
};
lcd.createChar(0, customChar); // Create character at position 0

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to set up your Arduino for menu management, read inputs from a joystick, and implement a basic menu structure. You also explored how to create special characters for enhanced menu presentation.

Next Steps

• Experiment with different types of menus and actions for each menu item.
• Explore more advanced features, such as sub-menus or integrating other input devices.
• Review the related lessons for additional insights and coding techniques.

Feel free to reach out with any questions as you progress, and enjoy building your Arduino projects!