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Guide Make your own USB LCD controller!

Discussion in 'Modding' started by ch424, 23 Jun 2006.

  1. Robbin

    Robbin What's a Dremel?

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    Hi, PHermansson, ch242, jensah

    Would you please share your code to me? I want to apply it on my 16x4 LCD and make some buttons instead the encoder. It seems bit hard to me to build from scratch. Thanks.

    computermonster87(at)gmail.com
     
  2. Scorpia

    Scorpia What's a Dremel?

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    I thought the 64 bit version required signed drivers. I have the 64 bit version as well so ill give it a try and see what happens.

    Scorpia
     
  3. g0th

    g0th What's a Dremel?

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    I made a new PCB layout.

    [​IMG]

    It's pretty compact, and the pinout of the header for the LCD should be directly compatible for LCDs with a SIL header - but it always pays to double check.

    Other relevant EAGLE files available on request.

    PIC18F4550 version...


    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: 16 Mar 2007
  4. g0th

    g0th What's a Dremel?

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  5. Wayneeboy

    Wayneeboy What's a Dremel?

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  6. HACKSTAR

    HACKSTAR What's a Dremel?

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    Is anybody thinking of producing these boards for sale to bit-tech members? I'm interested in a couple for my systems, but haven't got the time to make them, i'm sure theres a few more like me lurking out there.
     
  7. m0o0oeh

    m0o0oeh Minimodder

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    +1! I am nowhere near good enough with a soldering iron to do this - and as and when I move back home ( :'( ) I might just have enough money to do this project I've been thinking about... cause I won't have every penny I earn going on rent... I can then spend it getting my PC working again!

    But seriously, if anyone did "mass-produce" these kiddies, how much would we be looking at?

    Cheers,

    Joe
     
  8. PHermansson

    PHermansson What's a Dremel?

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    Has a little problems with connecting a rotary encoder now. I use a different kind without a switch, and the big questions was how to connect it. Looking at the source I found this:

    Code:
    #define ROTA		PORTCbits.RC2
    #define ROTB		PORTCbits.RC1
    #define ROTS		PORTCbits.RC0
    So the outputs of the encoder is connected to RC2 and RC1, the separate switch to RC0, right?

    Next interresting thing in the code is this:

    Code:
    	if(queuedButton==1){
    		putrsUSBUSART("S");
    	if(queuedButton==2){
    		putrsUSBUSART("A");
    	if(queuedButton==3){
    		putrsUSBUSART("B");
    So the switch sends an S to the computer, encoder sends 'A' and 'B'.
    Then I look at my circuit and I can tell you this, connecting the switch to Vusb is not a good idea :idea:
    Have to work a little with the solder iron now :D
     
  9. ch424

    ch424 Design Warrior

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    Yes, that's right Patrik. S for switch and A or B depending on the direction of the encoder. checkButtons(void) is the other function that deals with the buttons, but it's changed since I sent it to you.

    HACKSTAR and m0o0oeh, we're working on that... though it can't be commercialised because I think Matrix Orbital might get a bit annoyed. If you consider that matrix orbital charge $90 for one that includes an LCD, then I think $35-40 might be a decent target...
     
  10. HACKSTAR

    HACKSTAR What's a Dremel?

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    What $40+shipping for a bare board????
     
  11. One~Zero

    One~Zero What's a Dremel?

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    No, that would be a populated board.
     
  12. ch424

    ch424 Design Warrior

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    And including shipping.
     
  13. Scorpia

    Scorpia What's a Dremel?

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    hi guys,

    i have been reading this thread and am still thinking of things i want to do with this LCD.

    I currently have one built that i use daily and found it to be very reliable. I use it with LCD smartie.

    here are some things i would like to see + some other random thoughts.

    1. Change the layout of the connector for the rotary dial to be 5 pins, 3 for rotary part amd 2 for the button part. This seems to be an area where people ask about then they first see it. also connecting the 2 common pins to 1 pad is a bit slack,

    2. Maybe an option for building a board with 3-5 buttons instead of the rotary dial. we have some extra pins available since the fan controllers arnt on the board so we might as well use em.

    3. i like the idea of an internal LCD that would fit behind a 5.25 drive bay. i have been thinking this would be good for a while. maybe start as just a LCD with the rotary dial or buttons, but then maybe add some things like the fan controllers, maybe a temp sensor etc. (i like the 18b20 or similar sensors). possibly add a 2-3 port USB hub IC to the board to get some extra USB ports.

    4. Im wondering what software would be needed to get the LCD working with Windows Media Center. Lots of the Media Center cases seem to have displays built into them so im thinkign this would be cool :)

    5. If there are going to be boards made/sold wouldnt you go surface mount?

    6. There seems to be a few people with the source code around now. Is it worth spending a little bit a time and getting a copy that can be released in general. Also with any changes going back to ch424 ( or someone else if he doesnt have time) for a consistant development.

    7. Has anyone tried the 18f4550 .hex i released. I still dont know if it works or not as i dont have one of the chips.

    8. Are people interested in this board becoming a more general purpose board with Fan controllers/ temp sensors + other things i cant think of. or should this stay as a LCD board and create a seperate controller for the I/O side of things. im still not sure what i would like to see myself.

    9. does anyone have any other thoughts etc.

    10. anyone have a nice config file to make a menu under lcd smartie.

    11. a graphical LCD version would be great. but i guess thats a different product.

    12. If there is a sold version. would there still be the option to make it yourself, with access to the code etc? i hope so. I love that this is a DIY project.


    anyway i hope this isnt to random.

    If anyone has any thoughts feel free to let me know.

    Also keep in mind that this is not my project. Many thanks must go to CH424 for putting in the work and getting this going in the first place. it is a great little LCD

    Scorpia

    edit: added some extra thougths :)
     
    Last edited: 24 Mar 2007
  14. jensah

    jensah What's a Dremel?

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    Well if it's a small batch and "home made" trough hole is faster and easier.
    My thoughts on this project is to add a few buttons and a one-wire port (ds1820 and so on) and maby a stand alone mode, i.e. fan controller. A splash-screen would maby be an idea so, before first input it will say something predefined.
    I have no idea how MCE-displays works, allthough i know that vistas "side-show" works in this mode, allthough the grapical color version seems more usual.

    IMO the controller lacks a few buttons for good menu operation in lcd smartie.

    anyways, i'm gonna try and make my own custom one and release it here.
     
  15. ch424

    ch424 Design Warrior

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    Hi

    thanks for the comments Scorpia and jensah:

    1. I'm planning on going to just buttons when I do a revision, as many people are having trouble with the rotary encoder, even if they can get it working. That includes mine...

    2. Will be included as above.

    3. Yeah, sounds nice... The only obvious problems (and why I haven't done that already) are that LCDSmartie offers no obvious way to cater for temp sensors and fan controllers. Also, USB hub ICs are surface mount, which isn't fun.

    4. There is a windows media centre plugin on the LCDSmartie site, I think. If there isn't we just need to wait for someone to write one. It's not hard in C#.

    5. I have no plans to mass produce boards because I'm scared of Matrix Orbital.

    6. I initially didn't release the source because it's ugly and hacked and I don't want any responsibility for it. If people ask me for it individually, they know that they're not going to get much help, where if I make it totally public, we're going to get people asking questions on how to mod it, and I don't want that.

    7. Not that I'm aware of, sorry.

    8. Same as before - though the two serial comms pins on the PIC are free if you want to use them.

    9. Yes, how about an IR or RF remote?

    10. Yes, I'll upload it later.

    11. As you say, a different product sadly.

    12. I'd guess so, yes. DIY is always more fun!

    Thanks for the compliments, I'm glad people are getting so much out of it! :)

    ch424
     
  16. jensah

    jensah What's a Dremel?

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    My first thought on #9 was to make a secondary serial port and implement LIRC.
     
  17. PHermansson

    PHermansson What's a Dremel?

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    #3 - But the readings from a sensor don't really need to go to the computer if a fan controller is the goal. The Pic can handle that itself. But sure it would be nice to get values to the computer, maybe it can be done by simulating key presses? Nah, the real solution would be a plugin för LCDSmartie to handle it.
    #6 - I like open source, but I don't know what Microchip would say. The solution might be different hex-files with different functionality?
    #7 - I have a 4550 set up on a testing board, just have to connect an LCD and try it out. Had forget about that...
    #8 - Same as #6 I think. We can have a base board with a basic firmware just for LCD, then one might add different sensors and upgrade the firmware according to that.

    The problem I see right now is that we might be working on the same changes. Some coordination would be nice.
     
  18. jensah

    jensah What's a Dremel?

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    I've successfully tried it in linux now (Ubuntu 6.06) and it works PnP, no driver needed. Just make sure you use /dev/ttyACM0 as serial port (might be different for you)

    My current setup, not recomended in every signal aspect (lots som air-wiring and signal around the osc.). I've just connected 4 Tellux leds to it. The other stuff you see is an IR-reciever and some ds1820 waitning to be used :)
    [​IMG]

    I think 6 buttons should be a good number, so you get up, down, left, right, okay and cancel. And a Ds18(s)20 based fancontroller would be marvellous. And i'm intrested in helping, making this a great(er) gadget =)
     
  19. bamboo

    bamboo What's a Dremel?

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  20. PHermansson

    PHermansson What's a Dremel?

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    Not to fun to wait on the stuff like that :/

    I did try with a 4550 now, but no success. I guess it's the config-bits again, had the same problem at first with the 2550. I use MicroPro, the settings for the config bits are a bit different there. Would love a 4550-hex with predefined bits :)
    Or else... can somebody to a generic list with Microchip's definitions?
     
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