Me Audio Player

1. Overview

Me Audio Player module, compatible with the entire series of MakeBlock control boards, is able to play music and records with a built-in voice decoding chip. This module’s connector is marked in white, meaning that it is controlled by I2C signals, and must be connected to main board’s white-marked port. Insert the TF memory card to feel the joy of music and it is very convenient to use.

2. Technological Specifications:

Working voltage: 5V DC
Microphone sensitivity (1Khz): 50-54dB
Microphone impedance: 2.2 kΩ
Microphone signal to noise ratio: 58 db
Speaker rated power: 1W
Speaker rated impedance: 8±15%Ω
Communication method: I2C
Largest electric current: 500mA
Module size: 56 x 41 x 28 mm (LxWxH)

3. Characteristics

Onboard blue LED solid on means music playback mode, flashing means recording mode;
High sensitivity to sound;
The module’s metal hole area is the reference area in contact with the metal beam;
With reverse polarity protection, reverse power supply will not damage the IC;
Supports mBlock graphical programming, suitable for all ages users;
Convenient connection by using the RJ25 port;
Modular installation, compatible with LEGO series;
Module supports Micro USB to copy audio files directly without the need for a card reader;
Module directly supports MP3, WMA, and WAV files.

4. Connection Method

● RJ25 connection

Since the Me Audio Player module’s connector port is marked in white, when using the RJ25 port, it needs to be connected to the port marked in white on the main control board as well. Taking MakeBlock Orion as an example, you can connect it to ports 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8, as shown.

5. Audio File Importing

To play an MP3 file, you need to import the file into Me Audio Player first. You can import a file in either of the following two ways:

Take the memory card out of Me Audio Player, use a card reader to connect it to a computer, and import files to it.

The following figure shows the position of the memory card. You can press to eject it.
Use a Micro USB cable to connect Me Audio Player to a computer and import audio files into it.

6. Programming Guide

● Arduino programming

If you are using Arduino programming, you must call the Makeblock-Library-master to control the audio playback module.
This program controls Me Audio Player module through buttons through Arduino programming, achieving the playback, pausing, start recording, and stop recording.

Me Audio Player module-function list

Function	Instruction
MeAudioPlayer(uint8_t port)	Choose a port
playMusicFileIndex(uint16_t music_index)	Specify audio file index playback	Numbers：1.2.3……
pauseMusic()	Pause playback
stopMusic()	stop playback
playNextMusic()	Next
playPrevMusic()	Previous
setMusicVolume(uint8_t vol)	Set the volume	Range0~100
setMusicPlayMode(uint8_t mode)	Set playback mode	0.Single play 1.Single cycle 2.Playlist loop 3.Random play
startRecordingFileName(char *str)	Select a file name to begin
stopRecording()	Stop recording

● mBlock programming

Me Audio Player supports mBlock programming. To use mBlock to program Me Audio Player, you need to add the extension as follows:

1. Open the extension manager.

2. Download the MeAudioPlayer extension on the Manage Extensions page.

After the extension is downloaded, mBlock displays the corresponding blocks.

The following table describes the blocks.

Block	Description
	Initializes the audio player, specifying its port Note: You must add this block before using any other audio play block.
	Plays the audio file with the specified index number
	Plays the audio file with the specified name
	Sets the play mode: single play, single cycle, playlist loop, random play
	Plays the previous audio file
	Plays the next audio file
	Pauses or continues the playing
	Stops playing
	Sets the volume
	Increases the volume
	Decreases the volume
	Starts audio recording and saves to a file named T001
	Stops recording

The following is an example of how to use mBlock to control the Me Audio Player module：

This program can control Me Audio Player through the Me 4 button module. To achieve playback, pause, start recording, and stopping recording audio files, the following are the results:

● mBlock 5 programming

Me Audio Player supports mBlock 5 programming. To use mBlock 5 to program Me Audio Player, you need to add the extension first. The following takes mBot as an example to describe how to add the extension:

1. Click + extension.

2. Click + Add under the Audio Player extension on the Extension center page that appears.

After the extension is added, mBlock 5 displays the corresponding blocks.

The following table describes the blocks.

Block	Description
	Initializes the audio player, specifying its port Note: You must add this block before using any other audio play block.
	Plays the audio file with the specified index number
	Plays the audio file with the specified audio name
	Sets the play mode: single play, single cycle, playlist loop, random play
	Plays the previous audio file
	Plays the next audio file
	Pauses or continues the playing
	Stops playing
	Sets the volume
	Increases the volume
	Decreases the volume
	Starts audio recording and saves to a file named T001
	Stops recording

Program example

7. Audio file format instructions:

Please add an appropriate delay after After the volume setting blocks, and wait for it to take effect;
Using external memory TF card to store audio files, support MP3, WAV, WMA high quality audio format files;
Using FAT and FAT32 file systems;
The audio file naming format supports English naming (case-insensitive). English letters and numbers are mixed and the length of the naming is recommended to be less than 8 characters. For example: Hello.MP3, T002.MP3, and R000001.MP3. (It is not recommended to use pure number naming);
Sorting of audio files in TF card: It is recommended to sort by file name;
This module does not support Chinese naming of audio files;
Do not use special character names such as: v1.0″, o_o0, … ( not support).