LoL Shield

The LoL Shield is a charlieplexed LED matrix for the Arduino. The LEDs are individually addressable, so you can use it to display anything in a 9×14 grid. Scroll text, play games, display images, or anything else you want to do. The shield comes in two different LED colours - red or orange (note: there seems to be a bit of inter-office debate as to the last colour. This humble writer's opinion is that it's a rather attractive hue of yellow-orange).

"But wait a minute," you cry in protest, "isn't this here LoL Shield the same as that there yonder Jimmie Rodgers' Lol Shield?!" Well, yes it is. And no it isn't. The Solarbotics version of this shield has some pretty awesome things going for it, namely the SMD construction (low form factor LEDs which are already installed) and current limiting resistors (which save you from toasting your components. Or, if you really want, you can change the resistors to limit the LED brightness). Alas, we figured it just wouldn't be any fun if we did all the work for you, so we've left the pin headers to you for soldering on.

Since this is a shield, you will need an Arduino for this project. The LoL Shield is just a board with LEDs and headers on it, so you need something to control them. Once you have the Arduino, it’s as simple as ODS file here.

If you would like to find out more about how the kit works, you can check out the original's development process program it here. Lol Shield Theatre is another great resource for programming your display and downloading others' animations.