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New LCD board in development! — Parallax Forums

New LCD board in development!

RaymanRayman Posts: 14,848
edited 2009-08-22 18:54 in Propeller 1
I hope to have a prototype ready for the Expo next week!

Here are·a·few features:

4.3" TFT LCD display with 480x272xRGB resolution.
·-·display has an integrated touch screen!
·- backlight and microreflective technology make it ideal for both indoor and outdoor·use

Full-size SD card with WP and CD feature

Stereo audio output with headphone amplifier

Keyboard and Mouse via dual USB-A connector

VGA connector

TV connector

mini-USB for·programming and/or power·

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My Prop Info&Apps: ·http://www.rayslogic.com/propeller/propeller.htm

Post Edited (Rayman) : 8/14/2009 12:36:33 PM GMT
«1

Comments

  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-08-14 14:58
    I'll be at the Expo, looking forward to seeing it! Would you accept some componants as trade for one? smile.gif (if you are planning on selling it)

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  • Agent420Agent420 Posts: 439
    edited 2009-08-14 15:04
    That does sound quite interesting.· I wonder if that is similar to the PSP lcd that SparkFun carries?

    Also, it's amazing how you can purchase some older (but new) GPS products that include a similar screen, probably based on an entire linux system,·for not much more!· (make a good hacking project)
  • P!-RoP!-Ro Posts: 1,189
    edited 2009-08-14 15:13
    I find this to be very interesting as well, and I already have a perfect project idea for it. When you do get the final version, I will buy one from you. I might even buy more farther in the future, as well.

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  • AleAle Posts: 2,363
    edited 2009-08-14 15:19
    There are a number of sources for such a display. What everyone wants to know is:

    How did you connected it ? are you using an external RAM as framebuffer or limiting the number of colors ?

    Btw, we want pictures ! (I want pictures). lol.gif

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  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,848
    edited 2009-08-14 15:38
    This display only operates in RGB mode, so I'd need all the Prop's pins to do 24-bit color. So instead, I'm using just 6-bit color, basically turning the display into a Prop VGA monitor...

    I may reconsider this in the future, maybe using 2 Props to give better color.

    The plan is to try to do simultaneous LCD and VGA output using the same 6 color pins and 2 sync pins. We'll see if that works!

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  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,848
    edited 2009-08-14 15:49
    BTW: I have access to a large supply of these displays at very low cost... So, I have a feeling that people might be interested in a more low cost board for this display... I'm interested in any ideas or suggestions!

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  • Bill HenningBill Henning Posts: 6,445
    edited 2009-08-14 16:03
    Sounds very nice... I have two such 4.3" displays sitting next to me waiting for me to make an SMD breakout board for the fine pitch connectors...
    Rayman said...
    I hope to have a prototype ready for the Expo next week!


    Here are a few features:



    4.3" TFT LCD display with 480x272xRGB resolution.

    - display has an integrated touch screen!

    - backlight and microreflective technology make it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use



    Full-size SD card with WP and CD feature



    Stereo audio output with headphone amplifier



    Keyboard and Mouse via dual USB-A connector



    VGA connector



    TV connector



    mini-USB for programming and/or power
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  • P!-RoP!-Ro Posts: 1,189
    edited 2009-08-14 16:38
    It sounds like your intention is for it to be a stand alone unit. For me, I would prefer it to have better color and be configured by another micro. If you should descide to give it a second prop though, I would stand by it as functionality is one of the primary things I'm looking for.

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  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-08-14 18:03
    You could make it a slave device and have a 2nd Propeller run it through serial commands.

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    Computers are microcontrolled.

    Robots are microcontrolled.
    I am microcontrolled.

    But you·can·call me micro.

    If it's not Parallax then don't even bother.

    I have changed my avatar so that I will no longer be confused with others who use generic avatars (and I'm more of a Prop head then a BS2 nut, anyway)



  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,848
    edited 2009-08-14 23:36
    Agent420 said...

    That does sound quite interesting.· I wonder if that is similar to the PSP lcd that SparkFun carries?

    Also, it's amazing how you can purchase some older (but new) GPS products that include a similar screen, probably based on an entire linux system,·for not much more!· (make a good hacking project)

    It is very similar to the PSP LCD, but not the same, and a lot cheaper!

    That GPS unit does look like a nice hacking project!

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    My Prop Info&Apps: ·http://www.rayslogic.com/propeller/propeller.htm
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2009-08-15 00:41
    Hey Rayman, sounds exciting. Low cost is always attractive here [noparse]:)[/noparse] I may have a keyboard/LCD game chassis waiting for one of these. What is the outer width & length of the LCD?

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    --Steve


    Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,848
    edited 2009-08-15 01:12
    The LCD is about 4-1/8 X 2-5/8.· Actually, the diagonal looks to be about 4.5", so I have to double check now why I'm calling it 4.3"...

    Do you think you'd be interested in buying just the bare LCD?· I think I could provide these for a very low cost from my supplier...

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  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2009-08-15 01:22
    Maybe 4.3 is the viewing area diagonal. I might be interested in the bare LCD. Send me a specification link.

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    --Steve


    Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230
  • Cole LoganCole Logan Posts: 196
    edited 2009-08-15 02:43
    I'd be interested in this. Or at the very least the screen by it self

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  • Agent420Agent420 Posts: 439
    edited 2009-08-15 13:37
    Rayman said...
    Do you think you'd be interested in buying just the bare LCD?· I think I could provide these for a very low cost from my supplier...

    I'd be interested in some details.· PM if you'd like.
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-08-15 14:37
    Will this be cheaper then the PSM?

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Computers are microcontrolled.

    Robots are microcontrolled.
    I am microcontrolled.

    But you·can·call me micro.

    If it's not Parallax then don't even bother.

    I have changed my avatar so that I will no longer be confused with others who use generic avatars (and I'm more of a Prop head then a BS2 nut, anyway)



  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,848
    edited 2009-08-16 18:55
    Question:

    The LCDs I have has been restored to "like new" condition, and have been sold as "new", but have had their touchscreens replaced...
    But, I can also get some that are direct pulls from returned to the factory units. Those would be much cheaper, but might have a smudge/scratch or two on the screen...

    Anybody interesting "used" displays? Or, do you only want "new" ones?

    I'll post a datasheet soon.· First, I have to remove some vendor specific info...

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    My Prop Info&Apps: ·http://www.rayslogic.com/propeller/propeller.htm

    Post Edited (Rayman) : 8/16/2009 7:15:10 PM GMT
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,848
    edited 2009-08-16 19:11
    Microcontrolled: It's hard for me to say right now what the price will be. First, I have to get the thing to work!

    This unit needs a couple extra chips, but I'm leaning toward leaving off the DAC, ADC, and accelerometer. So, I think the price may only be $30 or so more than the PSM...

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  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2009-08-16 20:06
    How much can you get the used screens in for? Is there an "easy" way to interface them with the Prop?

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Computers are microcontrolled.

    Robots are microcontrolled.
    I am microcontrolled.

    But you·can·call me micro.

    If it's not Parallax then don't even bother.

    I have changed my avatar so that I will no longer be confused with others who use generic avatars (and I'm more of a Prop head then a BS2 nut, anyway)



  • Agent420Agent420 Posts: 439
    edited 2009-08-17 10:18
    The cheaper the better, provided they are functional.· I don't mind a smudge here or there so long as they are readable.
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,848
    edited 2009-08-17 13:19
    I think I can sell the "used" displays for $15 and the "like new" ones for $30.·
    How does that sound?

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    My Prop Info&Apps: ·http://www.rayslogic.com/propeller/propeller.htm
  • Agent420Agent420 Posts: 439
    edited 2009-08-17 13:29
    That sounds great to me.· Any chance of the tech docs you alluded to earlier so we can better understand what is required to interface them?
  • AleAle Posts: 2,363
    edited 2009-08-17 14:56
    Rayman which display are you getting ? this one ? www.sharpsma.com/Page.aspx/americas/en/part/LQ043T3DX02/
    I think it is the one I get around here (Germania). The price is good, it is around 21 Euronen plus shipping.

    I was thinking on a CPLD with 2 128k SRAMs to drive it. Of course with less colors, say 4bpp, it can be used with the propeller. But I think that if more COGS are sync'd and with an external RAM and two latches It could be used in 8 or 16bpp, what are your thoughts ?

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    pPropQL: propeller.wikispaces.com/pPropQL
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    OMU for the pPropQL/020 propeller.wikispaces.com/OMU
  • mikestefoymikestefoy Posts: 84
    edited 2009-08-17 15:03
    I would be interested in this LCD with a prop.

    I appreciate that to drive RGB would require 3x8 pins .

    is it feasable to to 8 bit latches, then only 8 pins for the data total proably 12 or so would be required

    check this schematic for a similar method.

    maybe it would need the LCD controller ILI9325

    I bought a couple of the breakout boards, and drive them from a PIC

    http://www.thaieasyelec.net/index.php/display-module/breakout-board/breakout-board-2-8-inch-qvga-tft-lcd-with-touch-screen/p_3.html

    http://www.mcudevzone.com/archives/Manual/ELT240320TP_BB(NEW).pdf
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,848
    edited 2009-08-17 15:06
    Ale:· This display is very similar to that one, but not the same...· I don't see the word "reflective" in that one so it may not be as good outside...
    Also, there is only one 60-pin FPC cable for all the connections...

    Agent420:· Here's the datasheet [noparse]:)[/noparse]



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    My Prop Info&Apps: ·http://www.rayslogic.com/propeller/propeller.htm
    pdf
    pdf
    4p3_TFT_Datasheet.pdf
    759K
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,848
    edited 2009-08-17 15:20
    My prototype PCBs come Wednesday... Hopefully, I'll have it working for the Expo on Saturday!
    I'll bring some "as new" LCDs too, just in case anybody wants to buy some....

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  • Roger LeeRoger Lee Posts: 339
    edited 2009-08-17 17:39
    Rayman said...
    My prototype PCBs come Wednesday...

    That will give you a day and a half or so...

    I am looking forward to seeing your display and board in Demo mode.

    See you Saturday

    Roger
  • Jim FouchJim Fouch Posts: 395
    edited 2009-08-17 19:07
    Raymond,
    ·
    I'd really be interested in a device that provided this high rez LCD with a touch screen, SD (or uSD) card for image storage. A simple two way protocol using serial that I could call up images from the SD card and have them displayed on the LCD and have some way for touch screen feedback.
    ·
    This would allow for a 2nd prop (or·any uController)·do driving this device and acting as a HMI.
    ·
    I'm thinking something very similar to your PSM's serial interface. I'd like to be able to tweak the protocol so I can add/modify to the base functions.
    ·
    With the SD card for image storage you could have fancy buttons and menus popup. Even splash screens. Way cool.
    ·
    ·

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    Jim Fouch

    FOUCH SOFTWARE
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,848
    edited 2009-08-18 10:10
    I think displaying a high-color picture on the display will be a challenge for the Prop! I'm not really sure if this display actually has any GRAM... It may just be like a regular VGA monitor, with no memory. In that case, the TFT itself will hold an image for a while, but will need to be constantly updated...

    Still, I suppose you could just read the image from SD over and over again and show it... But, a better scheme would be to use external RAM for Prop.

    But, then you really get into pin count issues!

    Note that you can still show a quasi-decent image with just 6-bits. I did it already with the Prop·using 3 synced VGA drivers!

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    My Prop Info&Apps: ·http://www.rayslogic.com/propeller/propeller.htm
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,706
    edited 2009-08-18 11:01
    Rayman, thanks for posting the datasheet.

    One thing that interests me about that display (and its 4.3" cousins) is that they don't specify a minimum dot clock.· I wonder if it therefore possible to assemble images on the fly (JPG decoding?) .· Or to send 1/8 of the screen, then pause and assemble the next 1/8, send the next 1/8 etc...

    Nice having just the 1 connector too.·

    tubular
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