Remove intro screens from game apps and refactor UI

Intro screens and 'Press SELECT' prompts were removed from Break_the_Bricks, Decision_Compass, Helicopter_Game, and How_Many_Days_Until to unify app launching via the main menu. The UI.ino file was refactored for clearer menu navigation, idle animation, and integration of all apps, including Chrome Dino. Chrome_Dino.ino received code cleanup, improved comments, and better character slot management for LCD custom glyphs.

Author: adhamhaithameid

UI/Break_the_Bricks.ino

@@ -107,17 +107,7 @@ static void BB_arkanoidsong();
 //-------------------------------------------------------------------
 void runBreakTheBricks()
 {
-  // Clear the shared lcd (defined in UI.ino).
-  lcd.clear();
-  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
-  lcd.print("  Break Bricks  ");
-  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
-  lcd.print(" >Press SELECT< ");
-
-  // Wait for user to press SELECT before starting.
-  while (BB_read_LCD_buttons() != BB_btnSELECT) {
-    delay(10);
-  }
+  
 
   // Optional short beep or delay
   delay(200);

UI/Chrome_Dino.ino

@@ -1,40 +1,57 @@
 #ifdef EMBED_DINO_IN_UI
-#define setup dinoSetup
-#define loop  runChromeDino
-extern LiquidCrystal lcd;
-extern int read_LCD_buttons();
+  // When embedded in the menu UI:
+  // - rename Arduino entry points so UI can call one frame at a time
+  // - reuse UI's lcd and button reader
+  #define setup dinoSetup
+  #define loop  runChromeDino
+  class LiquidCrystal;            // forward declaration to avoid include order issues
+  extern LiquidCrystal lcd;
+  extern int read_LCD_buttons();
 #endif
 
+/* Chrome Dino (16x2 LCD Keypad Shield)
+ * - Dino pixels: UNCHANGED (CREA ELECTRONICA / Max Imagination two-cell style)
+ * - Separate lanes: ground cactus (row 1) and bird (row 0)
+ * - Score-based difficulty, clean Game Over
+ * - Start/Restart with SELECT; Jump with UP or SELECT
+ */
+
 #include <LiquidCrystal.h>
-const uint8_t DINO_BTN_RIGHT = 0;
-const uint8_t DINO_BTN_UP = 1;
-const uint8_t DINO_BTN_DOWN = 2;
-const uint8_t DINO_BTN_LEFT = 3;
-const uint8_t DINO_BTN_SELECT = 4;
-const uint8_t DINO_BTN_NONE = 5;
+
 #ifndef EMBED_DINO_IN_UI
 LiquidCrystal lcd(8, 9, 4, 5, 6, 7);
 #endif
 
-// ---- Buttons via A0 ----
+// ---------- Button mapping (no BTN_* macros to avoid clashes) ----------
+#ifndef DINO_BTN_RIGHT
+  const uint8_t DINO_BTN_RIGHT  = 0;
+  const uint8_t DINO_BTN_UP     = 1;
+  const uint8_t DINO_BTN_DOWN   = 2;
+  const uint8_t DINO_BTN_LEFT   = 3;
+  const uint8_t DINO_BTN_SELECT = 4;
+  const uint8_t DINO_BTN_NONE   = 5;
+#endif
+
 #ifndef EMBED_DINO_IN_UI
+// Local reader only in standalone builds
 int read_LCD_buttons() {
   int adc = analogRead(A0);
-  if (adc < 50)   return BTN_RIGHT;
-  if (adc < 195)  return BTN_UP;
-  if (adc < 380)  return BTN_DOWN;
-  if (adc < 555)  return BTN_LEFT;
+  if (adc < 50)   return DINO_BTN_RIGHT;
+  if (adc < 195)  return DINO_BTN_UP;
+  if (adc < 380)  return DINO_BTN_DOWN;
+  if (adc < 555)  return DINO_BTN_LEFT;
   if (adc < 790)  return DINO_BTN_SELECT;
-  return BTN_NONE;
+  return DINO_BTN_NONE;
 }
 #endif
 
-static inline bool isJumpPressed(){ int b = read_LCD_buttons(); return (b == DINO_BTN_UP || b == DINO_BTN_SELECT); }
-
-// ---- Custom characters ----
-// Index map: 0/1 right foot, 2/3 left foot, 4/5 idle, 6 cactus, 7 bird (animated)
+static inline bool isJumpPressed(){
+  int b = read_LCD_buttons();
+  return (b == DINO_BTN_UP || b == DINO_BTN_SELECT);
+}
 
-// ---- Cactus ----
+// ---------- Custom characters (PRESERVED DINO PIXELS) ----------
+// CACTUS
 byte CACTUS[8] = {
   B00100,
   B00101,
@@ -46,57 +63,47 @@ byte CACTUS[8] = {
   B00100
 };
 
-// --- Dino style from CREA ELECTRONICA / Max Imagination (two-cell wide) ---
+// Dino (two-cell style) — DO NOT CHANGE
 byte DINO_PARADO_PARTE_1[8] = {B00000, B00000, B00010, B00010, B00011, B00011, B00001, B00001};
 byte DINO_PARADO_PARTE_2[8] = {B00111, B00111, B00111, B00100, B11100, B11100, B11000, B01000};
 byte DINO_PIE_DERE_PART_1[8] = {B00000, B00000, B00010, B00010, B00011, B00011, B00001, B00001};
 byte DINO_PIE_DERE_PART_2[8] = {B00111, B00111, B00111, B00100, B11100, B11100, B11000, B00000};
 byte DINO_PIE_IZQU_PART_1[8] = {B00000, B00000, B00010, B00010, B00011, B00011, B00001, B00000};
 byte DINO_PIE_IZQU_PART_2[8] = {B00111, B00111, B00111, B00100, B11100, B11100, B11000, B01000};
 
-// --- Upper obstacle: bird (animated wings on index 7) ---
-byte BIRD_UP[8] = {
-  B00000,
-  B00001,
-  B00011,
-  B00111,
-  B01111,
-  B11111,
-  B00000,
-  B00000
-};
-
-byte BIRD_DOWN[8] = {
-  B00000,
-  B10000,
-  B11000,
-  B11100,
-  B11110,
-  B11111,
-  B00000,
-  B00000
+// Bird (animated into slot 7 only)
+byte BIRD_UP[8] =   {B00000, B00001, B00011, B00111, B01111, B11111, B00000, B00000};
+byte BIRD_DOWN[8] = {B00000, B10000, B11000, B11100, B11110, B11111, B00000, B00000};
+
+// Character slots (lock dino pixels in 0..6; only slot 7 animates)
+enum : uint8_t {
+  CH_DINO_L0   = 0, // right-foot left cell
+  CH_DINO_R0   = 1, // right-foot right cell
+  CH_DINO_L1   = 2, // left-foot  left cell
+  CH_DINO_R1   = 3, // left-foot  right cell
+  CH_DINO_IDLE_L = 4,
+  CH_DINO_IDLE_R = 5,
+  CH_CACTUS    = 6,
+  CH_BIRD      = 7
 };
 
+// ---------- Game state ----------
 enum State { START, RUN, GAMEOVER };
 State state = START;
 
 // Dino placement (two cells wide)
 const uint8_t DINO_COL1 = 1;
 const uint8_t DINO_COL2 = 2;
-
 uint8_t dinoRow = 1;         // 0 = top, 1 = bottom
 bool footSwap = false;       // toggle run frames
 
 // Obstacles
-int8_t cactusCol = 15;
-bool cactusActive = false;
-
-int8_t birdCol = 15;
-bool birdActive = false;
+int8_t cactusCol = 15;  bool cactusActive = false;
+int8_t birdCol   = 15;  bool birdActive   = false;
 
 // Difficulty/scaling
 uint8_t cactusSpawnChance = 2; // out of 10
-uint8_t birdSpawnChance   = 0; // out of 10 (starts at 0 until score threshold)
+uint8_t birdSpawnChance   = 0; // out of 10 (begins at 0)
 
 // Timing
 unsigned long lastTick = 0;
@@ -111,7 +118,7 @@ const unsigned long jumpDuration = 520;
 // Score
 unsigned long score = 0;
 
-// ---- Drawing helpers ----
+// ---------- Helpers ----------
 void drawScore() {
   lcd.setCursor(10, 0);
   char buf[7];
@@ -130,25 +137,25 @@ void clearDinoRow(uint8_t row) {
 }
 
 void drawDino() {
-  // Alternate legs; during jump we can keep alternating for effect
+  // Alternate legs; dino pixels fixed to slots 0..5
   bool right = footSwap;
-  uint8_t leftIdx  = right ? 0 : 2; // left cell bitmap index group
-  uint8_t rightIdx = right ? 1 : 3; // right cell bitmap index group
-  lcd.setCursor(DINO_COL1, dinoRow); lcd.write(byte(leftIdx));
-  lcd.setCursor(DINO_COL2, dinoRow); lcd.write(byte(rightIdx));
+  uint8_t leftIdx  = right ? CH_DINO_L0 : CH_DINO_L1;
+  uint8_t rightIdx = right ? CH_DINO_R0 : CH_DINO_R1;
+  lcd.setCursor(DINO_COL1, dinoRow); lcd.write(leftIdx);
+  lcd.setCursor(DINO_COL2, dinoRow); lcd.write(rightIdx);
 }
 
 inline void spawnCactus(){ cactusCol = 15; cactusActive = true; }
 inline void eraseCactus(int8_t c){ if (c>=0 && c<16){ lcd.setCursor(c,1); lcd.print(' ');} }
-inline void drawCactusAt(int8_t c){ if (c>=0 && c<16){ lcd.setCursor(c,1); lcd.write(byte(6)); } }
+inline void drawCactusAt(int8_t c){ if (c>=0 && c<16){ lcd.setCursor(c,1); lcd.write(CH_CACTUS); } }
 
 inline void spawnBird(){ birdCol = 15; birdActive = true; }
 inline void eraseBird(int8_t c){ if (c>=0 && c<16){ lcd.setCursor(c,0); lcd.print(' ');} }
 inline void drawBirdAt(int8_t c){
   if (c>=0 && c<16){
-    lcd.createChar(7, (footSwap ? BIRD_UP : BIRD_DOWN));
+    lcd.createChar(CH_BIRD, (footSwap ? BIRD_UP : BIRD_DOWN)); // only slot 7 is updated
     lcd.setCursor(c,0);
-    lcd.write(byte(7));
+    lcd.write(CH_BIRD);
   }
 }
 
@@ -164,7 +171,7 @@ void updateDifficulty() {
   else if (score < 20) { cactusSpawnChance = 3; birdSpawnChance = 2; }
   else if (score < 40) { cactusSpawnChance = 4; birdSpawnChance = 3; }
   else if (score < 60) { cactusSpawnChance = 5; birdSpawnChance = 4; }
-  else { cactusSpawnChance = 6; birdSpawnChance = 5; } // still out of 10
+  else { cactusSpawnChance = 6; birdSpawnChance = 5; } // out of 10
 }
 
 bool checkCollision() {
@@ -191,32 +198,29 @@ void resetGame(bool toStart) {
   footSwap = false;
   jumping = false;
   dinoRow = 1;
-  cactusActive = false;
-  cactusCol = 15;
-  birdActive = false;
-  birdCol = 15;
-
-  if (toStart) {
-    lcd.setCursor(0, 0); lcd.print("  CHROME  DINO  ");
-    lcd.setCursor(0, 1); lcd.print(" >Press SELECT< ");
-    state = START;
-  } else {
+  cactusActive = false; cactusCol = 15;
+  birdActive   = false; birdCol   = 15;
+
+  
     showHUD();
     state = RUN;
-  }
+  
 }
 
+// ---------- Arduino entry points (renamed when embedded) ----------
 void setup() {
   lcd.begin(16, 2);
   randomSeed(analogRead(A0));
-  // 0/1 = right foot; 2/3 = left foot; 4/5 = idle; 6 = cactus
-  lcd.createChar(0, DINO_PIE_DERE_PART_1);
-  lcd.createChar(1, DINO_PIE_DERE_PART_2);
-  lcd.createChar(2, DINO_PIE_IZQU_PART_1);
-  lcd.createChar(3, DINO_PIE_IZQU_PART_2);
-  lcd.createChar(4, DINO_PARADO_PARTE_1);
-  lcd.createChar(5, DINO_PARADO_PARTE_2);
-  lcd.createChar(6, CACTUS);
+
+  // Load fixed glyphs (dino & cactus). Only bird slot is animated later.
+  lcd.createChar(CH_DINO_L0,     DINO_PIE_DERE_PART_1);
+  lcd.createChar(CH_DINO_R0,     DINO_PIE_DERE_PART_2);
+  lcd.createChar(CH_DINO_L1,     DINO_PIE_IZQU_PART_1);
+  lcd.createChar(CH_DINO_R1,     DINO_PIE_IZQU_PART_2);
+  lcd.createChar(CH_DINO_IDLE_L, DINO_PARADO_PARTE_1);
+  lcd.createChar(CH_DINO_IDLE_R, DINO_PARADO_PARTE_2);
+  lcd.createChar(CH_CACTUS,      CACTUS);
+
   resetGame(true);
 }
 
@@ -255,10 +259,11 @@ void loop() {
         lastTick = now;
         footSwap = !footSwap;
 
-        // Cactus movement
+        // Difficulty
         updateDifficulty();
+
+        // Cactus movement / spawn
         if (!cactusActive) {
-          // avoid spawning right on top of a fresh bird near the edge
           bool birdTooClose = (birdActive && birdCol > 11);
           if (!birdTooClose && (random(0, 10) < cactusSpawnChance || score == 0)) spawnCactus();
         } else {
@@ -273,9 +278,8 @@ void loop() {
           }
         }
 
-        // Bird movement
+        // Bird movement / spawn
         if (!birdActive) {
-          // Start birds only after a few points and keep spacing from fresh cactus
           bool cactusTooClose = (cactusActive && cactusCol > 11);
           if (!cactusTooClose && score > 5 && random(0, 10) < birdSpawnChance) spawnBird();
         } else {
@@ -296,7 +300,7 @@ void loop() {
         // Collision
         if (checkCollision()) {
           enterGameOver();
-          return;
+          return; // stop processing this frame
         }
       }
     } break;

UI/Decision_Compass.ino

@@ -49,21 +49,12 @@ void runDecisionCompass()
   // Initialize random
   randomSeed(analogRead(A1));
 
-  // Clear the shared lcd from UI.ino
-  lcd.clear();
-  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
-  lcd.print("Decision Compass");
-
   // Main loop: press SELECT to pick random response, press RIGHT/LEFT to scroll
   while (true) {
     int buttonValue = analogRead(A0);
 
-    // If user presses SELECT
-    if (buttonValue > (DC_SELECT_BUTTON - 10) && buttonValue < (DC_SELECT_BUTTON + 10)) {
       DC_showRandomResponse();
-      delay(500);
-    }
-
+    
     // If user presses RIGHT
     if (buttonValue > (DC_RIGHT_BUTTON - 10) && buttonValue < (DC_RIGHT_BUTTON + 10)) {
       DC_scrollText(1);

UI/Helicopter_Game.ino

@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 void runHelicopterGame() {
   const int UP_BUTTON = 131;
   const int DOWN_BUTTON = 309;
-  const int BTN_SELECT = 790;
-  
+
+  extern int read_LCD_buttons();
+  const int BTN_SELECT_ENUM = 4;
+
   int heliRow = 0;
   int obstacleX[5];
   int obstacleY[5];
@@ -38,11 +40,6 @@ void runHelicopterGame() {
   resetGame();
 
   lcd.clear();
-  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
-  lcd.print("Helicopter  Game");
-  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
-  lcd.print(" >Press SELECT< ");
-  while (read_LCD_buttons() != BTN_SELECT) { delay(50); }
 
   while (true) {
     int btnVal = analogRead(A0);
@@ -73,13 +70,13 @@ void runHelicopterGame() {
     delay(200);
     if (gameOver) {
       lcd.clear();
-      lcd.setCursor(3, 0);
+      lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
       lcd.print("   GAME  OVER   ");
-      lcd.setCursor(2, 1);
+      lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
       lcd.print(" >Press SELECT< ");
       while (true) {
         int val = analogRead(A0);
-        if (val > (BTN_SELECT - 10) && val < (BTN_SELECT + 10)) {
+        if (read_LCD_buttons() == BTN_SELECT_ENUM) {
           resetGame();
           gameOver = false;
           break;

UI/How_Many_Days_Until.ino

@@ -129,8 +129,8 @@ static void HMD_showIntro()
 {
   lcd.clear();
   lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
-  lcd.print("How Many Days?");
-  lcd.setCursor(1, 1);
+  lcd.print(" How Many Days? ");
+  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
   lcd.print(" >Press SELECT< ");
 }