Noob sx interface and capabilities questions (possible project)
jgjonola
Posts: 27
Hello, I have been playing with the BS/2 for awhile and find it just great.· I come from a c++ with windows background, and learning to program the bs2 has been so much fun.· I would like to start learning the sx now for cost reasons.· I have a little pet project that i have been wanting to start, but before I do, I would like some startup info. I have ordered the sx tech toolkit plus, and cant wait to get started.· Here is what i want to eventually do (I have already done this on a pc, but making it work without the pc seems a bit complicated).· I would like to build a time clock.· It would have to interface to these devices:
A serial barcode scanner (from metrologic)
an lcd.
a serial to lan interface (so i can communicate with a pc based server program)
a speaker (just for beeps)
a keypad
a realtime clock chip
Basically, i would need to monitor the scanner for data being sent, monitor the keypad for data.· When data is detected from the scanner, i would store that until the computer sends it a command to "give me all of the stored data".· I would also need to be able to set the clock, accept input from the keyboard (for special codes before a punch), and it would have to be battery backed up so that it wouldn't lose stored 'punches' in the event of a power outage.·
So, do you think a noob can work his way through this?· (I think that i could get it all working on a BS/2 right now, but i dont think i would have enough pins to get the job done.)·· I think that the hardest part will be getting the serial to lan interface working.· I'm thinking lantronix, but i have seen posts about getting it to work with the bs2, but i have not seen any with the sx.
I have a pretty good grasp on electronics, as well as basic and a little asm, along with some playing around with the basic stamp.· This is nothing I am really interested in selling, more of just a "I wonder if I can do it" thing.· I find that I learn the best when I just jump in and get started, so here goes nothin!
Thanks for any suggestions!· You guys are the best!
John Gjonola
A serial barcode scanner (from metrologic)
an lcd.
a serial to lan interface (so i can communicate with a pc based server program)
a speaker (just for beeps)
a keypad
a realtime clock chip
Basically, i would need to monitor the scanner for data being sent, monitor the keypad for data.· When data is detected from the scanner, i would store that until the computer sends it a command to "give me all of the stored data".· I would also need to be able to set the clock, accept input from the keyboard (for special codes before a punch), and it would have to be battery backed up so that it wouldn't lose stored 'punches' in the event of a power outage.·
So, do you think a noob can work his way through this?· (I think that i could get it all working on a BS/2 right now, but i dont think i would have enough pins to get the job done.)·· I think that the hardest part will be getting the serial to lan interface working.· I'm thinking lantronix, but i have seen posts about getting it to work with the bs2, but i have not seen any with the sx.
I have a pretty good grasp on electronics, as well as basic and a little asm, along with some playing around with the basic stamp.· This is nothing I am really interested in selling, more of just a "I wonder if I can do it" thing.· I find that I learn the best when I just jump in and get started, so here goes nothin!
Thanks for any suggestions!· You guys are the best!
John Gjonola
Comments
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Jon Williams
Applications Engineer, Parallax
Very interesting project...Keep us informed.
Bean.
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"SX-Video·Module" Now available from Parallax for only $28.95
http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30012
Product web site: www.sxvm.com
"One experiment is worth a thousand theories"
·
John Gjonola