Talking to the BS2

alnajjar1

I am creating an exhibit where the visitor can decide what happens. for example: they can decide on how long they want a timer to go before a buzzer sounds. The BS2 does all the work while a simple Visual Basic application on a PC can take the user's input and relays it to the BS2.

I have done serial communication with the Stamp before but not like this. My thought is for the PC to send an alert to the BS2 that information is forthcoming. Then the Stamp queries the PC for the specific information it needs.

Anyone with experience doing this or can point me to examples?

Many thanks in advance,

Al

aldude999

Visual Basic does have support for communicating with COM, but it seems somewhat daunting. Microsoft has some information here.
Since the Basic Stamp also, can accept commands from the Serial port, I see no reason why this couldn't be done. Getting information from the computer and sending it to the COM port may not be an easy task though. Good luck!

erco

Interactive displays are fun. Using a computer & VB for input can obviously work, but have you considered using "funner" input devices? They could replace the PC entirely, just using Stamp resources. A Stamp could read a few twist knobs, pushbuttons, light sensors, ultrasonic/IR distance modules, touch sensors, count taps, count jumps, weigh the user, tell you the color of his shirt, you name it.

NWCCTV

THis thread may be of some assistance to you: http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?96973-VB-Express-to-Stamp-Template&highlight=visual+basic

alnajjar1

Thanks all. the thread you provided is very useful. I am very comfortable with VB10 and the Stamp so programming is not the issue. The key unknown is how to use the programming pins (pin 0-3) on the Stamp to do serial communication. I can't use any of the other pins because they are all in use.

To use Serin pin, buad, data, what would be the "pin" in order to accept data?

thanks

erco

Pin 16 uses the programming pins. See http://www.generation5.org/content/2001/rob10.asp

Note that you can't use DEBUG at the same time. http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?87697-BS2-SERIN-Pin-16-Problems

More useful general serial info at http://www.parallax.com/dl/docs/cols/nv/vol1/col/nv16.pdf