Dummie like me needs help!!!

NTMS

Hi,

I study electronics 3 years in technical college in 82-85. But I didn't work in electronics. Now I want to develope some application using screen board.
So if I simplfy my needs may be some one helps me to find some solution.

- Billiard sport with 3 table. (6 players)
- Each table must have electronic screen board with 2(may be 4 if mistakes made that can be reduce the score) buttons.
··If in Table A players get first round he press 1. button and shows his score as 1
· The screen must have to be A4 size or similar so I can code in with players name, picture or club flag and his score,
· the set name etc.
· Once the player hit the button it will show on screen his score and same time with wirless mode sends the signal to main computer
· and insert the data into database.

The picture that attached shows what I want, but I am not sure where I can get all product to assamble them myself. score board must use wirless
communication to update MS SQL database that will reside in my laptop.

I design smal picture of the screen board and I am attaching with this post.

My question are:
- Is it possible to construct such a board that suits my need in a none expensive way?
- Is it possible to buy and basic stamp borad that can connect screen lacd and wireless communication into 1 board?
- Is it possible to send data·using wireless communication to laptop database?

I thank you in advance for reading my post.

Kind Regards,
NTMS

Dgswaner

NTMS said...
- Is it possible to construct such a board that suits my need in a none expensive way?

Expensive is subjective... if you talking about under $100.00 no way. I'd say more like $500 to get started

(3) screens $80+
(4) BS, or other microprocessor $50+ Propeller proto boards are $25... I think.
(4) RF modules $60+ if you only need one way communication you could almost cut that in 1/2
this would be a bear minimum to get get this project started. and that's not including all the misc. wires and components you'll need. is that cheap? I guess it all depends on your funding.

NTMS said...
- Is it possible to buy and basic stamp borad that can connect screen lacd and wireless communication into 1 board?

for this application you would want to use the Propeller, it supports video but you would need to buy the accessories kit to connect a monitor.

NTMS said...
- - Is it possible to send data using wireless communication to laptop database?

Yes, this is possible using any of the parallax RF modules other people have used xbee modules, you'll need a Stamp or other micro. on the lap top to receive the RF signal and then send the data to the Laptop via a serial connection.



added: this is mostly because I'm working on a PINK project so I'm in that frame of mind.. how about using a PINK. if you have 3 old PC's Network them to your lap top and PINK and your done! The PC's support Video of course, would just browse the PINK which would display the score page. each PC could have a on screen method for updating/changing the score. touch screens would eliminate the need for a mouse.

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A complex design is the sign of an inferior designer. - Jamie Hyneman, Myth Buster

Post Edited (Dgswaner) : 10/20/2007 7:16:12 PM GMT

NTMS

Hi Dgswaner,

Thank you for reply. well $500 out of my range at the moment. But I will keep in mind for later use.
By the way what do you mean by saying about PINK? (... i know is not a color man like me :-) )

Is it possible to explain it more in detail about PINK?
Is it possible to use PINK to over come my problem?
Dose this 3 PC can achive my problem adding to Wirless board?

Thank you again for your kind reply.

Kind Rgds,
NTMS

Mike Green

PINK is an internet interface that Parallax sells. They have a full description and downloadable manuals on their website. It's not wireless, but you can attach a wireless adapter (ethernet cable to WiFi) to it. The PINK "talks" to the Stamp via an ordinary serial connection.

NTMS

Hi Mike,

Thank you for reply. I red about PINK and gave me different idea with my different project that I might be able to go for PINK, but not this project.

I am still try to design the board similar to jpg file that shows on my first post and trying to see if I can mange to do that. Unfortunatly Parallax don't sell any 10"~12" LCD display. So I have to rely on some Chniese product (...find by serching the net)·that I am not keen to buy regarding to quality. :-(

But I am still searching kind of board that I can construct my project, and I hope Parallax can come up some sort solution as their future product. Again, I am not guru on electronics, but I know it can be achivable.

I like·Parallax , and currently I am helping 2 student about their robotics project using Parallax products.

Thank you for your kind reply.

Kind Regards,

NTMS

Mike Green

I think you would do better by using a Propeller with a cheap video display, like those sold for use in cars. The Propeller can easily produce the video and the existing Propeller graphics routines can produce text (like your numerals) in different sizes. If, for some reason, you find a cheap VGA display, then the Propeller can handle that as well. For the wireless link, you should look at xBee. You could use FTDI's 3.3V USB to serial converter (www.ftdichip.com/Documents/DataSheets/Modules/DS_TTL232R3V3.pdf) to connect to an xBee and even power it (through its own 3.3V regulator) from the PC. It would look like an ordinary serial port to the PC and to the Propeller.

For the Propeller, I'd suggest getting a Propeller Protoboard with the Accessory Kit which would allow you to use a VGA display. If you're using video output, you can add the necessary resistors just as done on the schematic for the Propeller Demo Board.

NTMS

Hi Mike,

I will check the Parallax Propeller tomorrow.

Thank you for your kind advacie.

Rgds,

NTMS

T&E Engineer

If you must stay with programming in BASIC (Basic Stamp 2 or SX/B), you may want to consider the SX Video Module by Terry Hitt (Bean - Moderator). I have used this in a couple of projects but it is in B/W. It is really easy to use with any microcontroller (BASIC STAMP 2, SX-28 or even the PROPELLOR, PIC, etc.).

http://www.hittconsulting.com/products/sxvideomodule/

(PS: The TUESDAY CLOCK screen was from my first BS2 project - "Talking Video Clock")

or also from SparkFun:

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=749

Chris Savage

Hello, you might also get more feedback in the future if you use a descriptive subject line. This may cause more people to read the thread. Take care.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support

NTMS

Hi everyone,

First of all, I am sorry for my subject line, but in the area of electronics I am feeling myself like dummy, really. I didn't know how to start or what·should I do. The parallax product it is very easy to learn basic on electronics, and I am greatful for the products. I thought the basic stamp might sort my problem, but I find the Propeller is too advance to me to start with.·I still don't know how to start, but the attachment that shown in my first post was clear enough to state my needs.·I check few LCD makers in US but couldn't find anything that can be achivable, most of the site that I find online says "We can build your own Scoreboard." :-) Well if they do, and I am sure they can so how about my curiosity that can be done by myself to make me feel that "If everyone can do it than I can do it as well."

And I have to admit that the Parallax products give me that senses. So the reason I wrote to get some kind of idea to build my project, but after the good comment and help that·I get from·this forum,·I feel right to feel like I am still dummy as I stated in·subject line. :-(

I thank you all for your great comment, and I will going to rest my curiosity for a while untill I find sutible LCD display to start with my project again.

Kind Regards,

NTMS