Attaching a lcd [Archive]

sonicx059

08-02-2008, 22:12

Well i thought it would be cool to attach an lcd to the oi that has the dashboard viewer on it. Problem is i am not sure how i should go through with this. Do you have any ideas on how i can do this open for all suggestions or comments.

wireties

08-02-2008, 23:59

I think the dashboard viewer data link is RS-232 carrying binary data packets. You can't drive a LCD directly, even a LCD that has a RS-232 interface won't work because the messages will not make sense. And the LCD needs power.

You could get a very simple little board (like a rabbit) and program it to receive the binary data and drive an LCD. That would very cool.

HTH

bear24rw

09-02-2008, 23:24

wait till you see team 11's box lol

wireties

10-02-2008, 20:03

How did they do it? The output is designed to feed a PC that runs a program that FIRST provides. You could replace the PC and the program with a small board with a serial link that can drive the LCD and some custom code. I'm reasonably sure you can't just simply pipe it to a simple LCD module.

HTH

wt200999

10-02-2008, 23:37

If you go on the IFI website and download the zip file for the dashboard viewer they tell you all of the specs on the data that comes from that port. I was thinking of exploring that this year as well :)

Tom Line

11-02-2008, 09:41

Find a mentor with a pocket pc or palm pilot and con them into allowing you to plug it in :D