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username#132
LCD?
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2004 1:07 pm

* Noob Distress Signal *

Post by username#132 »

http://www.matrixorbital.com/pages/prod ... oductID=80The one I want....

I was thinking of doing my first proper case mod (beyond sticking an LED fan in my case) and was wondering if it would be possible to type in whatever I want the screen to display so that it would scroll upwards?
I've tried playing with CrystalControl 1.06 but you have to configure it with screens. It would be possible to simulate scrolling by just adding one line at the bottom and deleting the line from the top, moving all lines inbetween up to replace that deleted, but I was wondering if it was possible to acheive a smoother scrolling between lines (instead of a line of text 'jumping' up from one line to the next).

I'm just not sure it will do what I want it to. I've decided I'd like to put the screen in the left side of my case (not on the front) and would like to use the scrolling text I mentioned above as a sort of screensaver. I'd like to be able to select different modes (e.g. weather and share prices) by using a keypad (4x4, available as an accessory) and it'd also be pretty cool to use it to control various fan speeds and get temperature read outs, controlling everything from the keypad.

Is that kind of thing possible?

Also I read somewhere something about playing space invaders??

And what's a GPO? Thanks!

Tom
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Post by Tom »

When you say scroll upwards do you mean from the bottom going up in a vertical line? If you are, it is possible to do it, but you need to program that function yourself. LCDC doesn't have that scrolling type.

It is highly possible to do the functions you want for the display. Since you are using your PC, you can use LCDC to do your functions like reading temperature, controlling fans, etc. You can also program your own application with a programming language, considering you have the libraries for accessing a com port. Also you can only control the fans and read temperature with the MX series displays, which are found at http://www.matrixorbital.com/pages/choosemxcat.asp. If you get the MX series display, it comes with a key for LCDC. For details on LCDC you can go to http://www.lcdc.cc/ and http://forums.lcdc.cc/.

We do not have a space invaders game loaded onto our displays, it was just a sample graphic put on our displays.

A GPO is a general purpose output. The outputs are used to control devices like leds, relays, fans,etc. For more information on the GPOs please refer to the manual at http://www.matrixorbital.com/manuals/LK ... USB_01.pdf.

If you have any sales questions, you can contact our excellent sales staff at info@matrixorbital.com.

:D

Best Regards,

username#132
LCD?
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2004 1:07 pm

Post by username#132 »

Sorry, this is the one I meant to say I wanted;
http://www.matrixorbital.com/pages/prod ... ductID=106

It's got a similar code to the manual you gave me.

Unfortunately I can't program - I was hoping I could set it up with the software supplied. I kinda wanted to put this into the side of my case, and the MX series are designed to be put in drive bays which isn't really the look I want.

If LCDC is only free with the MX series, what is supplied with the LK204-24-USB-IY?

I found some other software which enables scrolling of text from a text file but is there anyway to switch between the scrolling and other readouts externally (i.e. with the keypad) and by shutting down said program?

I spent an hour trying to understand it but that manual is all way out of my depth. I should be able to control fans and read temperature probes using the available connectors (if it's anything like in the manual you linked me to) right?

Thanks for the help so far.

Tom
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Post by Tom »

The manual I gave you will be the same for your desired product.

You can get LCDC to do all the mentioned functions like temperature sensing, fan control, and screen scrolling with the keypad. The programming in LCDC is pretty simple, and there are plenty of resources to show you how to do this. You can also download LCDC as a trial to get a feel for it at http://www.lcdc.cc/downloads.htm.

When you purchase the LK204-24-USB-IY, you are purchasing the display alone. You must purchase all the accessories seperately, including the LCDC registration code.

Best Regards, :D

username#132
LCD?
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2004 1:07 pm

Post by username#132 »

I understand that I must buy the display, the keypad and the LCDC software. Is there anything else I need like cables or interface/controller cards or whatever?

Tom
Matrix Orbital
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Post by Tom »

If you do not have a USB cable, you will need that too. If you plan on using the fans, you will need an unmodified floppy. Both the cables can be purchased from us. We also sell the temperature probes for the temperature sensing feature.

The details on the cables are at http://www.matrixorbital.com/pages/acce ... sp?CatID=5. The temperature probe can be seen at http://www.matrixorbital.com/pages/acce ... sp?CatID=2.

To power up and use your desired display you only need the USB cable, which goes directly to your pc.

:D

Best Regards,

username#132
LCD?
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2004 1:07 pm

Post by username#132 »

In some mod pictures I've seen, people appear to have hooked up their own switches and buttons - is it possible that I could construct an array of buttons in my own design in place of the 4x4 keypad? And if so, would a minimum number of buttons be required?

Tom
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Post by Tom »

Hi,

It is very possible to setup your own switches in place of the keypads. You must hook up one side of the switch to a row and the other side to a column. The character generated will depend on the row and column shorted by the switch. The character generated will be shown in a table in section 3.2 "Connections" in the manual at http://www.matrixorbital.com/files/LK204-24-USB_TM.pdf . There is no minimum amount of buttons to be used. There is a maximum of 24 keys used for your display.

If you have anymore questions or concerns, please feel free to post.

Best Regards, :D

username#132
LCD?
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2004 1:07 pm

Post by username#132 »

In the manual it says "use of upto a 24 keypad with a 10 key buffer" - whats a 10 key buffer?
Last edited by username#132 on Tue May 31, 2005 6:06 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Tom
Matrix Orbital
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Post by Tom »

Hi username#132,

The 10 key buffer is an area where the key characters are stored before they are transmitted to the RX line. When you use autotransmit, a key is placed inside the key buffer, and received on the RX line almost instantaneously. When you use the poll key command, you canstore up to 10 characters inside the buffer, then poll them when desired.

I hope this explaination clears things up for you. If you have anymore questions or concerns, please feel free to post.

Best Regards, :D

username#132
LCD?
Posts: 6
Joined: Sun Nov 14, 2004 1:07 pm

Post by username#132 »

Would I "poll" them one by one or would it be all at once? And why would I want to store them up like that anyway?

Also, whats a 'dallas 1 wire bridge'?

And in the manual it states

"2.2.1 Advanced General Purpose Outputs & GPO's 1 to 4

These outputs are capable of controlling high current draw devices, saving power up state, being switched to PWM mode, and repeat back RPM via Hall effect sensor."

What does 'saving power up state' and 'pwm mode' mean?


Thanks...

spin-dizzy
LCD!
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Post by spin-dizzy »

"saving power up state" indicates that the unit remembers how you have your devices set to behave when the system powers up - if you like to power up your connected fans at 50%, it will remember that setting. PWM stands for Pulse Width Modulation - when it comes to controlling the speed of fans, there are generally two approaches - one is varying the voltage (usually from 12v down to about 7v), and the other is pulse width modulation which rapidly cycles voltage on and off at a frequency that you set. The MO units utilize pulse width modulation to control fan speeds.

Tom
Matrix Orbital
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Post by Tom »

username#132,

You would be polling all the characters one by one from the key buffer. We generally made the poll keypad command for the I2C protocol since you won't be able to receive data on I2C, the keys needed to be polled. We typically allowed the storage of keys in the key buffer, so they can be retrieved at a later time. Some people want to have their microcontrollers to perform other functions before they poll all keys.

The "dallas 1 wire bridge" is the dallas one wire bus for the dallas 1 wire protocol.

spin-dizzy has explained the "saving power up state" pretty well, so I won't need to explain it.

If you have anymore questions or concerns, please feel free to post.

Best Regards,

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