lcd4linux-users — lcd4linux users

Re: [lcd4linux] driving a TC6963 via USB?

[Michael R. <re...@eu...>]

Hi Andr=E9

> I am looking for a possiblity to drive my TC6963 Display via USB, to ge=
t
> rid of the parallel port cable going back into the computer case. (Ther=
e
> are plenty of USB connectors on the motherboard.)
> I read your page and took a look at the "USB-Upgrade Kit" on
> http://tilofranz.net/lcdshop/ .

> -Is it possible to drive the TC6963 with the "USB-Upgrade Kit"?
I don't know, but if this Kit is based on libLUIse, chances are good
that it works with LCD4Linux (There's a LUIse driver in current CVS)

> -How fast is the USB-Controller compared to /dev/parport?
I have no idea, but I think there's not much of a difference. I' expect
the CPU load to be lower with USB.

> -Are there any other fast USB-Controllers out there able to drive the
> TC6963?

Till has developed a cheap DIY interface for HD44780 displays. If you
got a spare T6963 display, maybe he will adopt his interface...

bye, Michael

--=20
Michael Reinelt <re...@eu...>
http://home.pages.at/reinelt
GPG-Key 0xDF13BA50
ICQ #288386781

[lcd4linux] Ann: LCD2USB

[Till H. <ti...@ha...>]

Hi all,

the readers of lcd4linux-devel have already heard about this, 
but since my girlfriend successfully assembled and of these
devices today it was time to go from devel to users ...

So here it is: lcd2usb, the open source/open hardware
hd44780 to usb interface:

http://www.harbaum.org/till/lcd2usb

The lcd2usb interface is supported by the current CVS 
version of lcd4linux. 

I have 25 spare pcbs which i am willing to sale for 15 Euros
each. These are _empty_ pcbs, you'll have to add the parts
youself. The most expensive part will be the atmega8 cpu
which costs about EUR 2.70, so the whole system is rather
cheap and even cheaper than most rs232 solutions. Besides
soldering the thingy together you'll have to upload a firmware
onto the cpu. This requires a special printer port adapter or
some other way to flash the avr mega8 cpu. I have a limited
number of spare cpus that i may be selling together with 
the pcbs. 

There's a libusb based demo program in the  lcd2usb archive. 
This program currently supports linux and windows since
the underlying libusb is available for both systems. MacOS 
should work as well, but i haven't tested this yet.

This device does not work with anything else than a hd44780 
based text display. It is possible to build a very similar hardware
to support graphic displays like e.g. the TC6863 based displays.
I don't own such a display. If you are interested in getting a 
version for uch a display you can either grab my files and 
convert it into the desired version or send me some of the
the displays you'd like to have a version for. Please drop
me an email in that case.

Ciao,
  Till

-- 
Dr.Ing. Till Harbaum <ti...@ha...>
http://www.harbaum.org/till

[lcd4linux] driving a TC6963 via USB?

[<And...@we...>]

Hello list,
I am looking for a possiblity to drive my TC6963 Display via USB, to get 
rid of the parallel port cable going back into the computer case. (There 
are plenty of USB connectors on the motherboard.)
I read your page and took a look at the "USB-Upgrade Kit" on 
http://tilofranz.net/lcdshop/ .

-Is it possible to drive the TC6963 with the "USB-Upgrade Kit"?
-How fast is the USB-Controller compared to /dev/parport?
-Are there any other fast USB-Controllers out there able to drive the 
TC6963?


Thank you a lot in advance.

  André

[lcd4linux] Newbie: how to change layouts

[Quazar <iis...@ya...>]

Is it possible to change layouts every so many seconds? I couldn't find this on the site. I'm using a 16x2 HD4478 so space is limited.
I't a great program though, thanx!

		
---------------------------------
Relax. Yahoo! Mail virus scanning helps detect nasty viruses!

Re: [lcd4linux] Problem with lcd4linux 0.10.0 / framebuffer

[Michael R. <re...@eu...>]

Hi Julien,


> Never mind my last e-mail, I fond the file and modified it. Sorry about
> that.
> The GKL still doesn't work. Get the same error message. 
You did compile it afterwards?

> However, setting it
> up as an LCD4041 seems to work.
Fine. But I'd like to get it to work the "correct" way, too....

> One last question: I think the "clear" function does not work. I will
> attempt to fix it but I must tell you that my knowledge of C is like
> vaporware LOL
> 
> drv_generic_serial_write("\376\130", 2); --> the \376\130 these are decimal
> number equivalent to ascii characters you send to the LCD right? Sequence
> "command + command number".

No, it's not decimal, but octal.
\376 (octal) is 254(decimal) or 0xfe (hex)
\130 (octal) is  88(decimal) or 0x58 (hex)

look at 'man ascii'


bye, Michael

-- 
Michael Reinelt <re...@eu...>
http://home.pages.at/reinelt
GPG-Key 0xDF13BA50
ICQ #288386781

Re: [lcd4linux] Problem with lcd4linux 0.10.0 / framebuffer

[Julien B. <Dha...@ho...>]

Hi Michael,

Never mind my last e-mail, I fond the file and modified it. Sorry about
that.
The GKL still doesn't work. Get the same error message. However, setting it
up as an LCD4041 seems to work.
One last question: I think the "clear" function does not work. I will
attempt to fix it but I must tell you that my knowledge of C is like
vaporware LOL

drv_generic_serial_write("\376\130", 2); --> the \376\130 these are decimal
number equivalent to ascii characters you send to the LCD right? Sequence
"command + command number".

Thanks for your patience,

Julien



On 1/30/06 11:36 PM, "Michael Reinelt" <re...@eu...> wrote:

> Hi Julien,
> 
>> I recently installed lcd4linux on my clarkconnect box (ver3.2) to interface
>> with a matrix orbital GKL1223-25 display. I modified lcd4linux.conf as
>> explained in the doc. The startup message "LCD4Linux 0.10.0" appears on
>> screen, I can modify the contrast and turn on/off the backlight. However,
>> nothing else seems to go through as if the "Layout" part of the config file
>> wasn't read. lcd4linux -Fvv returns:
>> 
>> MatrixOrbital: framebuffer could not be allocated: malloc() failed
> 
> Well, the reason for malloc() failing is simle: looks like I've been too
> lazy to enter all display sizes :-)
> 
> Take a look into drv_MatrixOrbital and look for your model name
> (GKL1223-25). There you will find:
> 
>   {0x0f, "VK204-25", 4, 20, 0, 1, 1},
>   {0x10, "GLC12232", -1, -1, 0, 1, 1},
>   {0x13, "GLC24064", -1, -1, 0, 1, 1},
>   {0x15, "GLK24064-25", -1, -1, 0, 1, 1},
>   {0x22, "GLK12232-25", -1, -1, 0, 1, 1},
>   {0x31, "LK404-AT", 4, 40, 8, 8, 2},
> 
> As you can see, all the GLC- and GLK-models have an unknown size. Enter
> the correct size here, and you should be done.
> 
> And, *please*, return your corrections as a patch so others can benefit,
> too.
> 
> 
> 
> TIA, Michael

Re: [lcd4linux] Problem with lcd4linux 0.10.0 / framebuffer

[Michael R. <re...@eu...>]

Hi Julien,

> I recently installed lcd4linux on my clarkconnect box (ver3.2) to interface
> with a matrix orbital GKL1223-25 display. I modified lcd4linux.conf as
> explained in the doc. The startup message "LCD4Linux 0.10.0" appears on
> screen, I can modify the contrast and turn on/off the backlight. However,
> nothing else seems to go through as if the "Layout" part of the config file
> wasn't read. lcd4linux -Fvv returns:
> 
> MatrixOrbital: framebuffer could not be allocated: malloc() failed

Well, the reason for malloc() failing is simle: looks like I've been too
lazy to enter all display sizes :-)

Take a look into drv_MatrixOrbital and look for your model name
(GKL1223-25). There you will find:

    {0x0f, "VK204-25", 4, 20, 0, 1, 1},
    {0x10, "GLC12232", -1, -1, 0, 1, 1},
    {0x13, "GLC24064", -1, -1, 0, 1, 1},
    {0x15, "GLK24064-25", -1, -1, 0, 1, 1},
    {0x22, "GLK12232-25", -1, -1, 0, 1, 1},
    {0x31, "LK404-AT", 4, 40, 8, 8, 2},

As you can see, all the GLC- and GLK-models have an unknown size. Enter
the correct size here, and you should be done.

And, *please*, return your corrections as a patch so others can benefit,
too.



TIA, Michael

-- 
Michael Reinelt <re...@eu...>
http://home.pages.at/reinelt
GPG-Key 0xDF13BA50
ICQ #288386781

[lcd4linux] Problem with lcd4linux 0.10.0 / framebuffer

[Julien B. <Dha...@ho...>]

Hi,

I recently installed lcd4linux on my clarkconnect box (ver3.2) to interface
with a matrix orbital GKL1223-25 display. I modified lcd4linux.conf as
explained in the doc. The startup message "LCD4Linux 0.10.0" appears on
screen, I can modify the contrast and turn on/off the backlight. However,
nothing else seems to go through as if the "Layout" part of the config file
wasn't read. lcd4linux -Fvv returns:

Version 0.10.0 starting
plugin_cfg.c: Variable minute = '60' (60)
plugin_cfg.c: Variable tack = '10' (10)
plugin_cfg.c: Variable tick = '50' (50)
lcd4linux.c: initializing driver MatrixOrbital
MatrixOrbital: using model 'GLK12232-25'
MatrixOrbital: using port '/dev/ttyS0' at 19200 baud
removing stale lockfile /var/lock/LCK..ttyS0
MatrixOrbital: framebuffer could not be allocated: malloc() failed

Anyone has an idea how to solve this?

Thanks very much,

Julien

Re: [lcd4linux] Lcd4Linux and ubuntu

[Norbert T. <tre...@te...>]

* unb...@ar... wrote:
> does lcd4linux work with ubuntu?

Yes.

> I cannot compile the files

There's a package in dapper.

Norbert

Re: [lcd4linux] Do-it-yourself USB-Interface for HD44780

[Simon C. <sim...@ho...>]

:
>>
>>So if somebody wants such a PCB, too, please email to the list.
>
>yes please!yes i would be interested !

Thanks for a great program I just got it working on a ubuntu box ..but i see 
after searching Lcd4linux site there is a link for a .deb package that would 
make it easy!
i did have to modprobe ppdev and add it to /etc/modules..to get parport0 to 
work ..
once again thanks to all..! for a super program!

Simon Clare


__
>Lcd4linux-users mailing list
>Lcd...@li...
>https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/lcd4linux-users

Re: [lcd4linux] Lcd4Linux and ubuntu

[Johan S. <Joh...@xs...>]

unb...@ar... wrote:
> Hallo,
> 
> does lcd4linux work with ubuntu?
> I cannot compile the files

Did you apt-get the development stuff, like make and gcc?


> 
> Thanks,
> Max
> 
> 

Re: [lcd4linux] Lcd4Linux and ubuntu

[Michael R. <re...@eu...>]

Hi Max,

> does lcd4linux work with ubuntu?
It should, really!

> I cannot compile the files
What exactly is your problem? Can you provide error messages?


bye, Michael

-- 
Michael Reinelt <re...@eu...>
http://home.pages.at/reinelt
GPG-Key 0xDF13BA50
ICQ #288386781

[lcd4linux] Lcd4Linux and ubuntu

[<unb...@ar...>]

Hallo,

does lcd4linux work with ubuntu?
I cannot compile the files

Thanks,
Max

Re: [lcd4linux] Do-it-yourself USB-Interface for HD44780

[Mark E. <mj...@po...>]

On Sun, 2006-01-22 at 14:38 +0000, Richard (MQ) wrote:

> > Till Harbaum is currently developing a very cheap and simple
> > USB-to-HD44780 interface. There are no SMD components, so it should be
> > easy to assembly. All parts are very cheap, alltogether should be around $5.

> > So if somebody wants such a PCB, too, please email to the list.

I was wondering why there was so many postings on a usually quiet
list....

I'd be interested in the PCB board too..

I understand that some AVR's have a built-in USB interface (perhaps
wiser to say - AVR's that have some form of USB knowledge). I also lurk
on one of the AVR mailing lists - GCC will cross-compile for the AVR,
and you can use C++ - etc.. as well. I have a STK-500 (AVR) development
kit and followed examples with the avrlibc projects - one of the
examples includes a 4-bit interface to the HD44780 - which works fine.

Actually had to use the LCD4Linux projects to get the pinouts for the
HD44780 to play with the AVR demo's...

Be nice if the PCB board also had a GPIO (or two) and (say) 4 buttons
for input  :-) .... ie - like the picture of the Blade server
(http://ssl.bulix.org/projects/lcd4linux/wiki/CoolStuff)

-- 
  .  .     ___. .__      Posix Systems - Sth Africa.  e.164 VOIP ready
 /| /|       / /__       mj...@po...  -  Mark J Elkins, Cisco CCIE
/ |/ |ARK \_/ /__ LKINS  Tel: +27 12 807 0590  Cell: +27 82 601 0496

Re: [lcd4linux] Mehrere Fragen

[Paul K. <pau...@xs...>]

Michael Reinelt wrote:

>Hi Maik,
>
>probably you didn't notice, but this is an english speaking list :-)
>
>I'll try a translation:
>
>  
>
I didn't even notice until I read your reply that his question was in 
German. :-)

Translation: There's a USB Chip called "IOWarrior" by CodeMercsm which

>can convert a HD44780 display to USB. Is there support for it?
>
>Answer: No, unfortunately not. I've never heard of IOWarrior. But it
>should be easy to write a driver for it...
>
>  
>
I had a quick look at their website. They provide a kernel module to 
access the module. However in these 5 minutes I could not find if 
applications using it are supposed to be user space or kernel space 
applications. Nevertheless it would be nice to try.

bye,

Paul

Re: [lcd4linux] Mehrere Fragen

[Michael R. <re...@eu...>]

Hi Maik,

probably you didn't notice, but this is an english speaking list :-)

I'll try a translation:


> ich betreibe erfolgreich ein CyrstalFontz CF635 mit LCD4Linux. Ich habe
> seinerzeit(11/05) den CVS Code genommen. Nun habe ich gelesen das die
> GPIO=B4s wieder unterst=FCtzt werden. Auch beim CF635 ?
Translation: I'm using a Crystalfontz CF635 with LCD4Linux. I'm using
the CVS version from November 2005. I'v read that GPO's are supported
again. Are the GPO's of the CF635 supported, too?

Answer: I'm not sure, because I don't have a 635. After a quick look at
the code, support is there, but will not work :-( The "Number of GPO's"
in drv_Crystalfontz.c is set to zero for the 635.

If you are willing to do some testing, I'm sure wen can add support quick=
ly!

> Besteht irgendwie die M=F6glichkeit mehrere Layout f=FCr das Display zu
> definieren und automatisch wechseln zu lassen ?
Translation: Is there a way to define more tahn one layout, and change
the layouts automagically?

Answer: No, not at the moment. But this is one of the next steps, so
stay tuned!

> Von CodeMercs gibt es einen USB Chip IOWarrior, welcher ein HD44780
> kompatibles LCD recht einfach nach USB konvertieren kann. Wird dieser C=
hip
> auch Unterst=FCtzt ?

Translation: There's a USB Chip called "IOWarrior" by CodeMercsm which
can convert a HD44780 display to USB. Is there support for it?

Answer: No, unfortunately not. I've never heard of IOWarrior. But it
should be easy to write a driver for it...


bye, Michael

--=20
Michael Reinelt <re...@eu...>
http://home.pages.at/reinelt
GPG-Key 0xDF13BA50
ICQ #288386781

[lcd4linux] Mehrere Fragen

[Maik H. <mai...@ma...>]

Hallo Liste,

ich betreibe erfolgreich ein CyrstalFontz CF635 mit LCD4Linux. Ich habe
seinerzeit(11/05) den CVS Code genommen. Nun habe ich gelesen das die
GPIO´s wieder unterstützt werden. Auch beim CF635 ?

Besteht irgendwie die Möglichkeit mehrere Layout für das Display zu
definieren und automatisch wechseln zu lassen ?

Von CodeMercs gibt es einen USB Chip IOWarrior, welcher ein HD44780
kompatibles LCD recht einfach nach USB konvertieren kann. Wird dieser Chip
auch Unterstützt ?

Danke Maik

Re: [lcd4linux] 3x HD44780 problem / special character problem

[Michael R. <re...@eu...>]

Hi Kamil,


>> all three displays should share the RS line!

> Yes, they should, but since it is a 40x4 and therefore it has two=20
> controllers on one board I presume they share the RS line anyways.
> There is no second RS pin on the connection bracket.

You're right, I missed that point.

> Stefan ( geronet ) already picked up the issue but he has no further
> advice other than to look what's happening with an osci. While I have
> a 60MHz osci ( which should be sufficient ) I am not that familiar
> with the protocol and timings so I don't really know what to look
> for. Any advice here ?
No, not at the moment. I'd say we should investigate other things
beforehand.

Have you tried if the 20x4 display works standalone (i.e. without the 40x=
4)?

> Right, that's what I figured. Since it is a 40x4 lines 1&3 are filled
> with blocks. That issue got solved once I bought a new 20x4. Both
> Display initialize correctly now, but th 20x4 only shows garbage and
> the lines 5-8 which are supposed to be shown on the 20x4 are shown on
> line 1-4 above the original 1-4 definituin. I have taken pictures but
> I was hesitant to post into the ML because of traffic issues.
You can send me the pictures with PM.

So the problem is that not only the 20x4 is not working, but disturbs
the 40x4? Strange... Maybe there's a bug in the multi-controller code?

I' recommend trying if both displays work standalone.

1. disconnect the 20x4 completely, but don't modify the config file, and
look if you still get lines5-8 displayed on the 20x4.

2. disconnect the 40x4, and connect the 20x4 only. look what happens.
try to connect the enable line of the 20x4 to all three enable outputs,
so you should see different parts of your layout, but no garbage.

Maybe it's alectrical problem, the two displays produce too much load on
the parport...

> However, when the Display shows garbage he flicks some weird ASCII=20
> characters through it and I could clearly identify the =B0 sometimes.
> So I *guess* the Display is able to produce it when properly
> triggered.

Could you please send me your config file?


bye, Michael

--=20
Michael Reinelt <re...@eu...>
http://home.pages.at/reinelt
GPG-Key 0xDF13BA50
ICQ #288386781

Re: [lcd4linux] Do-it-yourself USB-Interface for HD44780

[Richard (MQ) <sf...@16...>]

Hi,

 From a long-time lurker on this list!

> Till Harbaum is currently developing a very cheap and simple
> USB-to-HD44780 interface. There are no SMD components, so it should be
> easy to assembly. All parts are very cheap, alltogether should be around $5.
> 


> So if somebody wants such a PCB, too, please email to the list.


I'd be keen to have a couple, too - blank or assembled.


In the UK an AVR programmer is available from Farnell for about £40 (c. 
e60) thus:

http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=3884405&N=401

or for a little more, a dev kit with compiler too:

http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/endecaSearch/partDetail.jsp?SKU=8652449&N=401

- I believe they have branches in many other countries & will take 
credit card orders.

Thanks again to Michael and the other developers for a great tool.

Regards,
-- 
Richard Meek
mailto:rp...@16...

Re: [lcd4linux] Do-it-yourself USB-Interface for HD44780

[Michael R. <re...@eu...>]

Hi Stefan,

> yes please!
> 
> What about a ready soldered PCP for the not so experienced users? Maybe
> the electronics get's cheaper by buying a greater amount? Also the
> programming the AVR and testing could be done by a experienced one.

Should be no problem, I could do that for you (and probably others) as
long as there are not thousands to solder :-)

Programming can be a problem; you need a special adapter (luckily I got
one of these to flash my BlueMP3), so I could do the programming, too.
But what if there's a "firmware update"?


bye, Michael

-- 
Michael Reinelt <re...@eu...>
http://home.pages.at/reinelt
GPG-Key 0xDF13BA50
ICQ #288386781

Re: [lcd4linux] Do-it-yourself USB-Interface for HD44780

[Thomas S. <th...@gm...>]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Hi,

Michael Reinelt schrieb:
[...]
>> I wonder if i'd produce a small set of industry quality pcbs. They
>> should be about $5 each. Is anyone interested?
>>
>> Regards,
>>  Till
> 
> So if somebody wants such a PCB, too, please email to the list.

Great! I would really appreciate it to get one of these.

> bye, Michael

CU,
Thomas.
- --
thomas siedentopf - public key available.
this is linux country. on a clear silent night you can hear windows reboot.
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cjuPWMZFYvwZdCo9JZPNoJ4=
=6w8o
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Re: [lcd4linux] Do-it-yourself USB-Interface for HD44780

[Danil S. <Dan...@ne...>]

> I wonder if i'd produce a small set of industry quality pcbs. They
> should be about $5 each. Is anyone interested?
>
> Regards,
> Till

I would be happy to have at least 3. A friend of mine needs 1.

Danil

Re: [lcd4linux] Do-it-yourself USB-Interface for HD44780

[Stefan K. <ste...@cr...>]

Hi,

Michael Reinelt schrieb:
> 
> So if somebody wants such a PCB, too, please email to the list.

yes please!

What about a ready soldered PCP for the not so experienced users? Maybe 
the electronics get's cheaper by buying a greater amount? Also the 
programming the AVR and testing could be done by a experienced one.

Regards

Stefan

[lcd4linux] Do-it-yourself USB-Interface for HD44780

[Michael R. <re...@eu...>]

Hi lcd4linux-users,

I'm posting this to the users list, because some of you may be
interested....

Till Harbaum is currently developing a very cheap and simple
USB-to-HD44780 interface. There are no SMD components, so it should be
easy to assembly. All parts are very cheap, alltogether should be around $5.

Here's his original quote:

> the first prototype is working now:
> 
> http://www.harbaum.org/till/prototyp.jpg
> 
> It can be used with the current bwct driver from lcd4linux. As you
> can see, i am using it with a 4*20 lcd. Software contrast works as
> well. I still have to add support for the backlight and a second
> controller, but despite that, the concept is working.
> 
> I wonder if i'd produce a small set of industry quality pcbs. They
> should be about $5 each. Is anyone interested?
> 
> Regards,
>  Till

So if somebody wants such a PCB, too, please email to the list.


bye, Michael

-- 
Michael Reinelt <re...@eu...>
http://home.pages.at/reinelt
GPG-Key 0xDF13BA50
ICQ #288386781

[lcd4linux] ANNOUNCE: G-15 LCD Display

[Michael R. <re...@eu...>]

Hi David, Hi LCD4Linux users,

Thanks to David Ingram, there's a driver for the Logitech G15 Keyboard
Display in LCD4Linux CVS.

David, two points:

- could you please clean up the driver a bit, so the compiler does not
emit warnings? (looks like there are some unused functions and/or
parameters)

- would you mind creating a page in the Wiki and do some documentation?

If you need any help, please let me know!


Thanks a bunch for your contribution!


bye, Michael

-- 
Michael Reinelt <re...@eu...>
http://home.pages.at/reinelt
GPG-Key 0xDF13BA50
ICQ #288386781