mfshieldext is an mBlock extension for the Multi Function Shield, a generic IO shield for the Arduino. mBlock is a scratch like environment which support several hardware platforms, including the Arduino. This extension is made with the online extension editor.
The Multi Function Shield contains:
- 4x leds
- 3x push buttons
- 4x 7 segments display
- 1x buzzer
- 1x poteniometer
- and some interface for external sensors
For the Arduino IDE there is library available at https://www.cohesivecomputing.co.uk/hackatronics/arduino-multi-function-shield/. You can also find a nice pdf manual for the use of it. This extension is based on version 1.2 of the multi-function-shield library.
You can the extension in the extension center under the name MF Shield. It will add a tab called MFS to you block palete.
With the following blocks:
- command: beep [length] ms
- command: repeat [count] beep [length] ms and silent [length] ms
- command: set led [number] [on|off]
- command: blink led [number] [on|off]
- number: get button state
- boolean: is button [number] [state] in [value]
- number: get potentiometer
- command: display [text]
- command: blink display segement [number] [on|off]
- command: set display segement [number] to [raw value]
Most blocks spears for itself, only get button state vs is button [number] [state] in [value] needs some more clarification. The used multi-function-shield library stores changes to the push buttons in a queue. get button state will get the first one from the queue, in this way using it muliple times one after the other will result in missing button events. If is button [number] [state] in [value] is used only once in your loop you can use get button state as value. In case you need is button [number] [state] in [value] multiple times it will require to call on top of loop get button state once and store the value in a variable. This variable can then be used by is button [number] [state] in [value]. See the example for the use of it.
This extension is created with the online extension editor which can be found at https://ext.mblock.cc/.
The first time go to the extension overview and press import data to import the .mext file from this project. For trying out changes
- In the extension center use the download button of the extension.
- Open mBlock
- Drop the downloaded file on mBlock
- Restart mBlock
For updating the development variant repeat the same process.
To add this extension to your mBlock enivronment:
- Open a new project in the mBlock application or the online enviroment.
- Add a arduino device, remove the default
- Press the button extensions in the block palette
- Search for the MF Shield extension in the extension center
- Press the + up in right upper corner download it (not needed in the online environment)
- Press the Add button
An example project that demonstrates the use of most block is provided at https://ide.mblock.cc/#/?cloudProjectId=161721.
