Arduino Watch Build Instructions

Arduino Watch Build InstructionsThe Arduino Watch provides augmented sensing of temperature and range, 16-bit color drawing program, Breakout game, and also tells the time in your choice of digital, binary, or analog.  Additional sensors, devices, and programs are easy to add as any standard Arduino.
The source code can be downloaded from the google code page, code.google.com/p/arduino-watch.
Updates and news on the Arduino Watch can be found at OptimizedForce.com
This is a video that gives an overview of what the Arduino Watch can do.
Demo

Step 1 The Materials

The materials used in making the watch are
Electronics
1 Arduino Mini Pro 328 – 3.3V/8MHz available at SparkFun
1 FTDI Basic Breakout (if you don’t have one) available at SparkFun
1 4D Systems OLED Module 1.5″ (128×128 pixels) available at SparkFun
1 Blackberry Trackballer Breakout available at SparkFun (I’m sensing a theme of the supplier)
1 3.7V 1000mAh Li-Polymer battery available at SparkFun
1 LiPoly Fast Charger available at SparkFun
1 DS1307 Real-time clock available at Digi-Key
1 Crystal 32kHz available at SparkFun
Nuts and Bolts available at local hardware stores
2 #4 bolts 3/8″ long
2 #4 bolts 1/4″ long
4 #4 bolts 3/4″ long
8 #4 nuts
(for the nuts and bolts I found the brass ones at Ace and the zinc ones at Home Depot)
Watch Band
~13″ x 1 5/8″ leather band for the outer layer (I used a wide leather belt)
~8″ x 1 7/8″ elastic band for the inner layer (I used another belt)
Misc
1/4″ OD copper tube available at Home Depot
1/2″ thick piece of wood for screen case, I usually use poplar wood.
6 right angle header pins available at MarVac
1 Connector Housing 6 pin housing (if you can find a 5 pin housing get that) available at MarVac
2 Connector Housings 1 pin housing
7 female pins available at MarVac
1 IDE ribbon cable (dig it out of that pile of cables you never use)
Alternate parts
1 4D Systems OLED Module 0.96″ (96×64 pixels) available at SparkFun will also work since I originally programmed the watch for that display until I accidentally broke mine and everyone was out of stock so I had to move to the next size up.
1 3.7V 900mAh Li-Polymer battery available at SparkFun smaller cheaper battery almost as much power.
1 Real-time clock module available at SparkFun or at RobotShop these modules would replace the real-time clock chip and the 32kHz crystal and give you a backup battery.

Step 2 The Software

SoftwareThe code for the Arduino Watch can be found on my Arduino Watch google code page http://code.google.com/p/arduino-watch/.
The main file needed is the WatchRXX.pde (were XX is the current revision) and at the same location you can also download all the libraries needed for the Arduino Watch software.

Step 3 Preparing the materials

Arduino Prep
Solder the right angle header pins to the Arduino so that you can connect the FTDI Basic Breakout board easily.
Battery Prep
Cut the JST connector off of the battery and attach the single pin housings to the ends of the wire this tutorial is useful to teach how to crimp the wires.

Step 4 Carving the Screen Case

This step covers the carving of the case for the OLED display.  The frame was carved on a Carvewright woodcarving machine.  Then sanded down the part and drilled the screw holes on a drill press with a 1/8″ bit.  To locate the holes I put the display in and marked out where to drill.  Originally I tried to drill the holes in with the Carvewright but it split the frame during the hole drill and I had to start over. Next I used a dark stain to give the poplar wood a nice finish.

Step 5 Parts Layout

This step is where you layout the parts to see how long of wires you need to have for the watch.  Remember that when the watch is on your wrist the parts will be closer together due to the curvature of the watch band.  Tape the components to the watch band and see how it fits on your wrist and make sure everything is in a comfortable position.  Layout the ribbon cable from the part to the Arduino and mark the distance on the cable (leaving wire to solder to), then cut the cable and strip the wires.
For the trackball to Arduino there needs to be a minimum of 7 wires (power, ground, button press, up, down, left, right).  If you want to light up the trackball you can use more wires and connect to an available digital out.
For the display to Arduino there are 5 wires.
For more Detail: Arduino Watch Build Instructions


About The Author

Ibrar Ayyub

I am an experienced technical writer holding a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan, Pakistan University. With a background spanning various industries, particularly in home automation and engineering, I have honed my skills in crafting clear and concise content. Proficient in leveraging infographics and diagrams, I strive to simplify complex concepts for readers. My strength lies in thorough research and presenting information in a structured and logical format.

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