Stamps talking back and forth to PC

Archiver

I am developing an application where I want to have a program on the PC
act as an interface to a stamp, which will also be in contact with a
number of other stamps via RF. This will require sending information to
the stamp and receiving information from it.

Essentially, each stamp will have a bunch of configuration parameters
that are somewhat interrelated, so to make it easier for the user, I'd
like him/her to have a program on their PC with a friendly interface
that knows all those configurations and can change them. When they are
changed, I'd like to send a message (out my serial port?) to the main
stamp which will then route it via RF to the appropriate satellite
stamp. So I think my PC program will have to maintain a moderate size
database.

Since I hope to make a product out of this, I'd like a PC application
where I can make run time modules so people don't need to buy the
software.

I'm familiar with MS Access and Foxpro in the database world, but am
willing to learn a new program if it would be more appropriate for
either the communicating or the run time module creating or for any
other reason!

Any suggestions?

Thanks

bob

Archiver

I have a few suggestions for your messaging system

these are things that I would change about your design:

personally I would use radio transmission for your method of message
transport because of the extended range, Inferred has a line of sight
range and unless you are communicating in a close proximity or using
mirrors IF would not only be a viable solution (plus if you are
communicating in close proximity it kind of defeats the purpose).

Instead of basic stamp for each of the "satellite" stations I would
use IC's because of there price compared to the stamp ($50 < %of a
dollar) or a one-time programmable chip (also very cheap) but with
this choice you should probably work out all bugs before writing the
one times.

sounds like a interesting project drop me a line
(djdunkman@h...)

Duncan Fairley

PS I would try C++ for the programming (I don't have much experience)
or just the debug terminal (I am not sure if this would work)

Archiver

Visual Basic is much the simplest and easiest
language to use for Windows. I recommend
VB version 6 Pro, if you can still get it.
Microsoft is trying to force everyone to go
to ".NET" technology, so I don't know if they
still sell it. Look for an auction on eBay.

It comes with an 'install builder', so you can
build a distribution for your app.

Visual C++, again version 6 Pro, is what the
'professionals' would use. As an example,
say you had a program where you wanted to
instantiate a form, instantiate an 'MSCOMM'
port object, add a little code to write to
a text box to talk to your users, add a
little text box to talk out the comm port,
add a few buttons to execute things.

In VB, this program could be done with a
single form, in one file, with one or two
'Project' files to keep track of it all.

In VC, this program would take 15 files.

So it's your choice. If you want to be hired
as a software developer, VC++ is the way to
go. If you want to solve the problem in a
short period of time and move forward,
VB is the way to go.

BTW, VB supports 'ODBC' connections with
Access databases, which let you send SQL
queries and updates to the database and get
the information back in your program.
So does VC++, but I havn't used those yet.

--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Roan" <bob@t...> wrote:
> I am developing an application where I want to have a program on
the PC
> act as an interface to a stamp, which will also be in contact with a
> number of other stamps via RF. This will require sending
information to
> the stamp and receiving information from it.
>
> Essentially, each stamp will have a bunch of configuration
parameters
> that are somewhat interrelated, so to make it easier for the user,
I'd
> like him/her to have a program on their PC with a friendly interface
> that knows all those configurations and can change them. When they
are
> changed, I'd like to send a message (out my serial port?) to the
main
> stamp which will then route it via RF to the appropriate satellite
> stamp. So I think my PC program will have to maintain a moderate
size
> database.
>
> Since I hope to make a product out of this, I'd like a PC
application
> where I can make run time modules so people don't need to buy the
> software.
>
> I'm familiar with MS Access and Foxpro in the database world, but am
> willing to learn a new program if it would be more appropriate for
> either the communicating or the run time module creating or for any
> other reason!
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks
>
> bob