If you just need static display or repeating loop of characters, it can be easily done with an Arduino / Atmel ATMEGA 328 microcontroller/chip with Normal LCD Module (no need USB version)

Just wire up all the pins and loop it.. no need LCD Smartie to send in the dynamic data..

Only need the following... ( not tested but should work...)

Tap +5V & Gnd from molex connector to the following :-



Atmega 328 pins to LCD Module pins :-

Gnd - 1
+5V - 2
Pot - 3
18 - 4
Gnd - 5
17 - 6
11 - 11 (D4)
12 - 12 (D5)
13 - 13 (D6)
14 - 14 (D7)
+5V - 15 (backlight)
Gnd - 16 (backlight)

If you need 2 to 3 temp sensors, you can add them to the free analog pins...

Attached is the pic with Atmega 328 with LCD module as per the above pins with a IR range sensors, you can easily replaced it with temp sensors..



Ignore the left portion (voltage regulator) as the molex already supply +5V to the chip and the left most chip as it is used to program the chip using serial RS-232

This post has been edited by stan001: Nov 22 2010, 11:55 PM

that pic looks complicated with all the wiring. my lcd module came with pre installed/wired usb connection. might need an extra chip, flash it with whatever i want to display and let it run in loops. might work, i'll look for the solution.

thanks

Yes, that what the Arduino / ATMEGA328 (or similar ATMEL) chip does..

Breadboard are for prototyping... usually the finished product will look much neater with all the cables soldered directly from the chip to the LCD module..

And it does it very easily and lots and lots of people are doing it all over the world ( so no issues if u run into a problem ) and a lot of supplier of Arduino in Malaysia too..

Just google for "Arduino LCD" .... the version I posted/suggest to you is without the Arduino board but still the chip (Atmega328) so it is much lower cost..

Need help just let me know.. ok

Add-on for my reply :-

If you have a free serial port free, you can have the TX & RX port from the serial port connected to the Atmega/Arduino via the Max232 (the smaller chip in the picture ) and when you need to change the display on the LCD, just use a serial terminal program like Hyperterminal (or similar) to the serial port,they in the text and disconnect.

Can easily program the Arduino to listen to serial port and loop the display to the LCD module...




This post has been edited by stan001: Nov 23 2010, 06:59 PM

Where can I find colour LCD ?

Try this site :-
http://www.winstar.com.tw/products.php

Or just get those mini 7"or larger LCD with VGA ports... powered from the PC...

Usually for microcontroller and small device, it is powered by a single colour LCD module..

The MurderBox is using what type of LCD ? 16x2 Character LCD or 20X4 Character LCD ? One USB can connect how many LCD ?

If you count the longest text display on the LCD, it is around 20 characters... but have 2 lines only... 20 x 2 type or longer...

I think he is using a uncommon LCD module ...

From the URL, I saw that the fellow hv another LCD inside the case to display all the temp and such and the three LCD at the front are static LCD only..

So my guess is that those 3 LCD are static display only and the text does not change ... no need to use USB, just wire up a microcontroller to the LCD, send the codes/programming to the microcontroller with the text

line 1 " Super Duper Mod 002"
line 2 "Intel Core i 7 xx 888"

and power it up from the +5V molex with some resistors.. totally not connected to the PC at all...

When you need to change the text, just plug in the USB/Serial TTL and re-programme it... I've an article on my blog/facebook page on it..

Each Arduino microcontroller could drive like 1 LCD bcos each LCD would take up 3 control pins and 4 data pins...

If you needed 3 Arduino for this purpose with LCD module, I can make them for you cheaply if you are intertested...

---

Added on December 26, 2010, 10:23 amIf you count the longest text display on the LCD, it is around 20 characters... but have 2 lines only... 20 x 2 type or longer...

I think he is using a uncommon LCD module ...

From the URL, I saw that the fellow hv another LCD inside the case to display all the temp and such and the three LCD at the front are static LCD only..

So my guess is that those 3 LCD are static display only and the text does not change ... no need to use USB, just wire up a microcontroller to the LCD, send the codes/programming to the microcontroller with the text

line 1 " Super Duper Mod 002"
line 2 "Intel Core i 7 xx 888"

and power it up from the +5V molex with some resistors.. totally not connected to the PC at all...

When you need to change the text, just plug in the USB/Serial TTL and re-programme it... I've an article on my blog/facebook page on it..

Each Arduino microcontroller could drive like 1 LCD bcos each LCD would take up 3 control pins and 4 data pins...

If you needed 3 Arduino for this purpose with LCD module, I can make them for you cheaply if you are intertested...







This post has been edited by stan001: Dec 26 2010, 10:23 AM

Where got sell the Static Display ?

can use scientific calculator display? mine is fx-570ms! ned to know b4 2011. few days holiday for me to do thanks!

It is cheaper to buy a LCD module than to salvage from a calculator...

Anyway, the calculator is numeric, not alphanumeric..

what about a touchscreen lcd from besta dictionary? mine's broken, but i'm 100% sure the lcd is working can?

Are you able to get the specs or datasheet of the LCD used in the besta ?

The ones Arduino usually use are all using HD44780-compatible LCD ..

More of the type of display supported at : http://www.arduino.cc/playground/Code/LCD

All the supported ones will have its libraries..

I think I will get one soon.

Perhaps trying parallel port first, then if OK, should try USB method.

However I might need PCI parallel card as my motherboard doesnt have LPT.


Do you think using USB to parallel port convertor works with this?



This post has been edited by jeopardise: Jan 1 2011, 11:01 AM

nice elektrical n elektronik job here...nak belajar dgn expert la...hehe

Do you want to learn about electronics ? I can give you some guidance...

I'm just a very curious hobbyists on how things work..

Mines not working. I've followed exactly like http://www.icehw.net/article.php?id=104 wiring diagram.

Double checked and still nothing come out.

I bought a LCD module from super electronic@lelong model JHD 204A



I bought a cheap PCI parallel port and my PC specs are as my signature. Perhaps the PCI card isn't a true parallel hardware. I will try on other machine soon.

How to use LCD smartie softare? I mean the parameter. It seems my LPT1 port have E880-E887


This post has been edited by jeopardise: Jan 6 2011, 07:35 PM

When LCD boot up, it should show a full bar on all the lines, you use the preset/trimpot on pin3 to adjust the contrast until you can see the BLACK bars.

Make sure all the Ground are connected.

LCD Smartie settings for LPT :-
Display Plugins is HD44780
Startup parameter = $E880

You need a software to make yr parallel port accessable on Win7. It is called port95nt.

I still have trouble to access LPT port using Windows 7.

Now at the office I am using Win 7 32 bit while at home I''be using Win 7 x64.

Tried port95nt and INpout32.dll (said to support 64-bit) ... still not working.

However when my LCD turned on it'll show like in the photo. Line 1 and 3 appears darker than 2 and 4. Izzit normal? When I upped the voltage supply to 6V using 6x1.5 alkaline battery, all spaces appear at the same brightness.



Once this is successful, I'll be confident to try using Arduine bit USB.

Hope Google helps me find the answer soon

For testing/running, try to use Power Adapter ( 5V ) with the correct current ratings... if you have multimeter, pls test the output voltage first...

You need to read the datasheet ( search google or seller ) and see the specs for MAX voltage and current requirements..

Using battery is not consistence as voltage will drop over time/usage...

I cut an extra USB cable and draw the power from USB ( red wire is +5V, black cable is Ground ) directly from the PC USB port...

Draw power from the Molex connector from PC Power Supply , Red is +5V, Black is Ground... dun use Yellow as they are +12V !!!

Another idea is find those extra Nokia/Ericson Mobile charger, some of them are small and rated at 5V.. just nice for this..


Good luck!!!!

At 5 volts from molex (YES I connects to the red line)


Line 1 and 3 appears darker than 2 and 4. Izzit normal?

In addition, it appears that my LCU module quite different from usual LCD that I can find. This one has 16 golden fingers on top and at the bottom. All the same?

This post has been edited by jeopardise: Jan 7 2011, 12:06 PM