Published February 21, 2018 © MIT

Valentine's Day Inspired Beating Heart and Message

Beating Heart and Message using the BBC Micro:bit and XinaBox xCHIPs. So here's your geeky, sweet project for February.

BeginnerFull instructions provided5 minutes1,123

Valentine's Day Inspired Beating Heart and Message

Things used in this project

Hardware components

XinaBox IM02

AA Batteries (generic)

Software apps and online services

Microsoft MakeCode

Story

Introduction

I built this display using the Micro:Bit and a couple of ☒CHIPs from XinaBox. It is a very simple and quick build. The XinaBox technology made this project extremely easy to do by eliminating the need for soldering and tools. The Micro:bit interface allows me to develop easily. You can easily modify the code to show whatever text you want and shape/image on the LED display.

Step 1: Assemble the circuit

Click the OD01 and MD01 together using a ☒BUS connector (from the XC10pack).

Insert the Micro:bit into the IM02 interface:

Click the IM02 to the OD01 and MD01 using 2 XC10 xBUS connectorsDSCN1203.JPG

Now for the next step!

Step 2: Install package

Open a browser and go to makecode.microbit.org

Scroll down to "Advanced"

Then Scroll down to "Add Package"

Paste this URL into the search bar : https://github.com/xinabox/pxt-OD01 then click on OD01 to add the package.

You now have all the packages you need this project.

Step 3: Programming

Drag and drop code elements until you get something that looks like the image below.

You can also cheat and click on the "{ } JavaScript" button on the top and simply copy and paste the code into the code section below. Click on "Blocks" again to see the result.

Step 4: Compile and Test

Click on "Download"

Drag the downloaded file, typically named: microbit-Untitled.hex, to your Micro:Bit drive, typically name: MICROBIT.

See the result on the scrolling LED display and OLED screen.

Step 5: Complete Temperature Monitor

Disconnect the Micro:bit from the Micro-USB connection.

Insert the AA batteries into the PB04

Use 2 ☒BUS connectors to connect the PB04 to the OD01 and the MD01 as seen below

Turn the switch on the PB04 on.

Now your Micro:bit Valentine's Display is portable and ready to be placed wherever you choose.

Feel free to use this project code as a template and customise it as needed

VDayInspiredcode

input.onGesture(Gesture.Shake, () => {
    OLED.showString("Have a Fabulous Feb!")
    OLED.showString("May it be filled with love and laughter")
    basic.showLeds(`
        . # . # .
        # # # # #
        # # # # #
        . # # # .
        . . # . .
        `)
    basic.showLeds(`
        # # . # #
        # # # # #
        # # # # #
        . # # # .
        . . # . .
        `)
    basic.showLeds(`
        . # . # .
        # # # # #
        # # # # #
        . # # # .
        . . # . .
        `)
    basic.showLeds(`
        # # . # #
        # # # # #
        # # # # #
        . # # # .
        . . # . .
        `)
})
OLED.init(64, 128)
basic.showIcon(IconNames.Heart)
OLED.showString("Happy Love Month!")
basic.forever(() => {
	
})