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PROJECT IN PROGRESS: Serial LCD — Parallax Forums

PROJECT IN PROGRESS: Serial LCD

VaatiVaati Posts: 712
edited 2009-08-10 06:16 in Propeller 1
I haven't got any pics yet, and since I am working on the schematic, no code either...· Just wanted to tempt all of you...

With this circuit, you will be able to use your stupid I/O hogs of parallel lcd's and change them to the nifty little three-pin serial devices you·crave so much.· (Hmm...· I might use that sentence for the sales pitch... smurf.gif)


So, what would be the level of desire for a product such as the one described above?


Thanks.

Also, some of you may be wondering why this is in the propeller chip forum: I have the test code writtedn only in .spin, and I don't·know if it will work for the BS2 or any·other mcu for that matter...

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Post Edited (Vaati) : 7/30/2009 3:13:46 AM GMT

Comments

  • parts-man73parts-man73 Posts: 830
    edited 2009-07-30 03:14
    It's been done before, by many different people/companies. The question is, what will be different about yours that will make it special??? It has to have something to make it stand out, otherwise it's just a "oh, another one of 'those' "

    You're posting on the Propeller forum, so I assume this will use a Propeller for the brains???

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    Brian

    uController.com - home of SpinStudio - the modular Development system for the Propeller

    PropNIC - Add ethernet ability to your Propeller! PropJoy - Plug in a joystick and play some games!

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  • VaatiVaati Posts: 712
    edited 2009-07-30 03:21
    Firstly, my lcd controller will be able to be installed and used with ease and simplicity. (or that is how it appears to be on paper, and a breadboard...) It will stand out due to its ingenious use of jumpers and very little soldering.

    The board will be a module, made for another project I am constructing in the vast expansive depths of my mind... smile.gif


    And yes, it will have a prop at the center...

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Quit buying all those fixed voltage regulators, and·get an Adjustable Power Supply·for your projects!· Includes an LED testing terminal!

    *-NEW-* SD Card Adapter·Now available!· Add extra memory to your next Propeller project with ease!
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2009-07-30 04:02
    I applaud the efforts of someone so young. You will learn many things by trying, failing, and succeeding.
    Best of luck learning how to create marketable output; you will have to do that the rest of your life.

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    --Steve


    Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230
  • VaatiVaati Posts: 712
    edited 2009-07-30 04:12
    Well, seeing as my granddad was a salesman and he taught me just about everything concerning sales he knows, I think it's only a matter of time until one of my sales pitches finally works and snares some customers...

    By the way, what is that a pic of, jazzed? Some uber propeller product that will lighten my wallet? smile.gif

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Quit buying all those fixed voltage regulators, and·get an Adjustable Power Supply·for your projects!· Includes an LED testing terminal!

    *-NEW-* SD Card Adapter·Now available!· Add extra memory to your next Propeller project with ease!
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2009-07-30 04:50
    It's a secret [noparse]:)[/noparse] I haven't decided to sell it yet. So much to do, so little time.

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    --Steve


    Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2009-07-30 05:23
    I have made serial lcd backpacks from a single 8-pin chip before but here is one current one that is totally jumperless and uses a push-button or software to set the contrast. The unit is fully compatible with Seetron and Parallax and automatically accepts logic level or RS-232 serial input. This one is used with Propeller systems and I also have a more advanced version of the backpack based on what else but.....a Propeller.

    This picture is actually an older model as the new one has a connector on the left hand edge to directly mount a piezo.

    *Peter*
    ecolcd module-t.JPG
    317 x 170 - 54K
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2009-07-30 06:23
    Oh BTW Vaati, when it comes to sales you need to have a product before you can sell it so it's always good to at least prototype so you can make sure you can deliver. But really these serial interfaces should be standard with the LCD itself I feel so if you want to sell backpacks it comes down to "marketing", not sales, because anyone will buy your backpack if it's cheap and better value for money, even without the sales pitch. Without customers you can't sell, so you have to have product and customers. I already have a use for my backpacks in my products plus a good customer, no sales involved in that.

    So by all means make the thing first and then you can sell them, as long as you have done your marketing right.

    *Peter*
  • DroneDrone Posts: 433
    edited 2009-07-30 09:08
    Peter, do you sell those little backpacks?
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2009-07-30 10:04
    I normally sell them in batches complete with LCD but I could probably just sell the backpack pcb I suppose. What's a good price? I don't normally like dealing with ones but how about 2 for $29USD?

    These are designed for the 16 pin SIL style LCDs, especially the backlit 20x4s.

    *Peter*
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-07-30 22:11
    I am in the process of designing a Serial to RCA adapter. Using a Prop and the Garaphics object, it uses almost all the Graphics functions. When it recieves serial data (such as "L" for line) it then waits for the specifications (like x and y coordinates). It is currently a work in progress.

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    Toys are microcontroled.
    Robots are microcontroled.
    I am microcontroled.


    If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)
    ·

    Mini-Din/PS2 connectors are for sale! 5 for $1! PM me if you wish to make an order.
    Cheap·shipping unless specified!··········150 left!!··


  • VaatiVaati Posts: 712
    edited 2009-07-30 22:56
    This is slightly off-topic, but would it be possible to have a 74hct165 Parallel in/Serial out shift register and make a BS2 or some mcu other than the prop output different signals on 8 separate lines that converge on one output, which could be an RCA jack? Then, a bs2 could do video out...

    I will post pics in a while--I have the serial lcd running on the propstick kit. smile.gif

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Quit buying all those fixed voltage regulators, and·get an Adjustable Power Supply·for your projects!· Includes an LED testing terminal!

    *-NEW-* SD Card Adapter·Now available!· Add extra memory to your next Propeller project with ease!
  • SamMishalSamMishal Posts: 468
    edited 2009-07-31 16:29
    Vaati said...
    Well, seeing as my granddad was a salesman and he taught me just about everything concerning sales he knows,
    Hi Vaati,
    It is one thing to learn something and another to do it. Once you start doing, you soon discover that you did not really learn. The learn part
    is necessary though so as to be able to start doing.
    Vaati said...
    I think it's only a matter of time until one of my sales pitches finally works and snares some customers...
    You would be a better salesman if you did not think of sales in terms such as "sales pitch" and "snaring" of customers.
    It would be a lot better and you would be a lot more successful at selling if you thought of a sale as offering a service
    to a customer that needs it.

    Customers are not fish or game to be snared and no one but a fool really falls for a pitch.

    A knowledgeable customer has a need and you are showing him/her that your product serves their need.
    If you are able to convince a prospective customer of the applicability of your product to their need and how it
    will serve them better than other products then you have a sale without the need to snare or pitch.


    Just a little advice.....from another grandfather........

    Samuel
    ·
  • VaatiVaati Posts: 712
    edited 2009-07-31 18:18
    Yes, I do understand those points, and I was merely being sarcastic...

    Also, you do have a point--I really don't think there are many fools on this forum, as it it s forum for discussing microcontrollers, programming, and other such topics.

    I do indeed know that you must *let* the customer buy your product, and not force it upon them. It also has to be something that they "can't live without."


    I am taking pictures and will have them up in a moment...

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Quit buying all those fixed voltage regulators, and·get an Adjustable Power Supply·for your projects!· Includes an LED testing terminal!

    *-NEW-* SD Card Adapter·Now available!· Add extra memory to your next Propeller project with ease!
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2009-07-31 18:45
    A BS2 is not fast enough to handle video. Think about it. The horizontal scan frequency of a TV is nearly 16KHz. That leaves about 64us to produce a horizontal sync pulse and however many pixels you plan to put across the scan line. There isn't a single PBasic statement that will execute in less than 120us on a BS2. Video needs either a much faster microcontroller or some kind of external logic to handle all the details of the video timing.
  • CassLanCassLan Posts: 586
    edited 2009-07-31 21:33
    microcontrolled said...
    I am in the process of designing a Serial to RCA adapter. Using a Prop and the Garaphics object, it uses almost all the Graphics functions. When it recieves serial data (such as "L" for line) it then waits for the specifications (like x and y coordinates). It is currently a work in progress.
    I'm also working on a similar device, quite similar in fact [noparse];)[/noparse]

    Rick

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    ·
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-08-01 14:48
    You will most likely beat me to it!

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Toys are microcontroled.
    Robots are microcontroled.
    I am microcontroled.


    If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)
    ·

    Mini-Din/PS2 connectors are for sale! 5 for $1! PM me if you wish to make an order.
    Cheap·shipping unless specified!··········150 left!!··


  • softexsoftex Posts: 27
    edited 2009-08-10 00:36
    OK, as usual, necessity being the mother of invention, I went ahead and built a few video subsystems based on these requirements:

    http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=25&m=321401
    http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=15&m=322219&g=322836#m322836

    One and a half square inch surface mount design (World's smallest video card???)
    Runs the graphics demo on any NTSC tv
    Programmed with our custom SPIN software for our application which changes font size, draws lines and boxes, etc
    Software can, of course, be further customized by any user (the unit has a 4-pin prop plug connector)

    Will post post pics and specs in a couple of days - probably Tuesday.

    We got all I need right now for our prototype project so I'll produce a few more for sale if anyone's interested.

    Cheers,

    Dave
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2009-08-10 00:47
    Well I don't know about world's smallest video card but back in 2005 before I knew about the Prop I did a thumbnail sized module based upon an ARM processor that generated VGA graphics purely in software. One little chip and nothing else.

    Here are some pics from my old website

    *Peter*
    Thumbnail3-t.jpg
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    breakout2.jpg
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    instrument.jpg
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  • softexsoftex Posts: 27
    edited 2009-08-10 01:16
    Hey Peter,

    Looks great - the space for the RCA jack (optional) bulks up mine a bit (probably about 50% bigger than yours). Otherwise, looks like we had the same general idea. BTW, just being glib about the "worlds smallest" - pretty small though. As you know, the video is all processed in the prop with the addition of 3 tiny SMT resistors.

    -D
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2009-08-10 01:59
    Well "the world's smallest claim" is an opportunity for me to feature this old product and sort of say in a way of a challenge "come on, is that the best you can do 4 years on AND with a Propeller". The video on the ARM was run out on three resistors also but as VGA and absolutely no hardware support, not even a shift register, just good old assembler under interrupts leaving room for application software. As for RCA jacks they don't need to be on the pcb as I would find it easier to use an adaptor lead from RCA down to something suitable such as a sub-mini 3.5mm jack (which is not uncommon for digital cameras).

    Doing video on the Prop is easy and I have any number of modules large and small that will do this, even my little Prop version of the serial LCD backpack has this built in as does my SD memory module. Of course it's always fun when you do your own custom modules but if you want to impress us then do something different or special with the Prop.

    *Peter*
  • softexsoftex Posts: 27
    edited 2009-08-10 02:28
    Hello again,

    The only thing I need to be impressed with is the $50/unit I'm saving over the ONLY daughterboard that I could find in three years (http://www.multilabs.net/ezVID_20.html) that has the features we need for our prototype.

    Cheers,

    Dave
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2009-08-10 03:25
    That ezVID looks like a typical RAM+CPLD configuration driven by an underpowered 8-bit CPU. I was a bit surprised by the lack of any real features, rather low resolution, slow etc. Even the software version on the ARM did a better job all round.

    You are always on a winner with the Prop though!

    Cheers too mate,
    *Peter*
  • hinvhinv Posts: 1,255
    edited 2009-08-10 05:07
    Hi Peter and softex,


    Where does one start to developing little boards? I have put together many breadboarded and soldered prototypes, but I would like to know where to start in putting them on a cost effective little board. Any tips on tutorials and such?
    What cad software do you use? I have tried eagle, and I am not impressed. It is very cumbersome, but if that is what I need to learn, I guess I will figure it out.

    Thanks,
    Doug
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2009-08-10 05:59
    There has been a bit of discussion about pcb software and certainly Eagle is popular and well supported though it has a steep learning curve and seems counter-intuitive to use. A few of us have been trying Diptrace which is just as free as eagle for small pcbs and it seems to be excellent both in use and in features as well as an extensive library of parts.

    Good placement of parts on a pcb makes it easier to layout and manufacture. There are on-line tutes around but bear in mind the word art in artwork. It's a lot of work and more art than it is science. However the Propeller is very forgiving so it shouldn't be too hard, just holler for help as you go.

    *Peter*
  • Peter JakackiPeter Jakacki Posts: 10,193
    edited 2009-08-10 06:16
    Doug,

    Just to give you an idea about how I might go about doing a new pcb. For instance, I have a standard module format for I/O devices that is 1.8" x 0.8" with a 16-pin DIL connector on both ends. I wanted to put the core Prop components onto such a module along with a micro-SD, RTC, etc.

    Normally I would just do the schematic first but sometimes it helps to just play with the "puppets" or the components on the pcb to see what can fit and how. Here is a *very* early screen capture of the pcb in question. There is no schematic yet until I am happy with what I think I can achieve with such a module. Just from this quick layout I know that I can have:

    * Prop CPU + EEPROM
    * RTC + supercap
    * DataFlash
    * micro SD
    * Regulator
    * 1 pin TV
    * Prop Plug connector
    * 24 free I/O

    So here is a tiny module that packs it in which must give you some idea of where to start. BTW, I use Protel99SE which is certainly very nice but not for evaluation. I may change over to Diptrace in the near future though.

    *Peter*
    screenshot1.png
    1059 x 648 - 32K
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