Simple driverless Perl LCD Script.

[Davesworld]

Here is some stuff on using LCD which is a perl script and needs no other drivers. The VFD display is set up by slaving an LCD board from one of my Raq4i units into my devel box. Since it is a parallel port connection, this all can be done hot without shutting anything off. This is a Noritake VFD with a Red filter using the lcd program from here.

http://forums.ixus.fr/viewtopic.php?p=136075

I downloaded Franck's updated version 0.9 from his site and modified it just enough to make it run.

The stock LCD is in my stable full time Raq 4i running a variation of the lcd program called lcdpilot. Lcdpilot runs about 5% cpu cycles all the time whereas the lcd perl program running the vfd here is barely detectable as far as cpu cycles. I would rather use the single lcd perl file as it is a lot less cluttered than having dozens of perl scripts present.

Notice that in all examples, the upper line is cut short so the script needs to be seriously hacked to make it 16x2 friendlier. I think the year should be only two digits. IPCop uses a lot of perl so it makes sense to take advantage of it. Brian, I have the actual addresses of the Cobalt buttons so we could possibly incorporate an honest to goodness menu function. Unfortunately my ipcop building and kernel patching skills greatly exceed my next to nothing perl hacking skills. Oh Brian? 

[Davesworld]

As you can see, the white VFD is pretty. Also the Noritake VFD has a solid underline bar which is why it looks like an  L next to the word UP. The Newhaven displays which are less expensive have the underline as dots as does the LCD that comes with a Cobalt. The Newhaven display would need the grey plastic carrier with the lcdbuttons to be notched in a few places but it won't destroy anything at all. Below is the Newhaven VFD with Red filter. Notice that the characters are narrower and taller than the Noritake but the underline can be used as individual dots which is preferred. I also included the very lcd perl script that is driving both examples of VFD displays on a raqcop as well as Franck's as downloaded script renamed as  lcd_0.9_original. BTW, when the machine starts with the narrower and taller characters of these displays, more so with the Newhaven, the round Cobalt clock is more oval if anyone really cares. 

[Brian Ridgeway]

Dave,

I will be looking into the lcd stuff soon.

PS: Those White text displays are hot.  Any luck replacing a Raq display with it?... like actualyl fit in the same spot etc?

Brian

[Davesworld]

The pcb is the same size and yes, it will fit. The grey plastic carrier that the pcb screws into would need a bit of trimming under it to clear the chip on the back of the VFD displays but otherwise it's a drop in. You can see the lower rail that needs to meet Mr Dremel.