Sparkfun 4 digit 7-segment LED display with SPI

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
1

Hello Arduino Community,

I have two of the SPI 4 digit displays from Sparkfun, and I am trying to get them to interface with my Arduino Duemilanova ATMega328. The info I have found on SPI is not clear. My aim is to have the displays show the time. I know to use pins 10, 11, 12, 13 on the Arduino board, and I have one display connected now. I also imported the SPI library... where do I go from here? Can I type into the serial monitor and have numbers displayed that way? I appreciate any help.

Ron

2

Is there a set of examples demonstrating the programming to use SPI?

I know that the SPI library should be referenced, though I don't see that in some of the code posted for other devices using SPI. I am trying to communicate in one direction, from Arduino to a 7-seg LED display.

3

Just looking for a SPI primer. Please give advice.