What if... (2 LCDs)

makarona · Post by **makarona** » March 23rd, 2009, 3:48 pm

Hello everybody, well.. What if 2 different LCD Smarties (instances) run up and connect 2 USB LCDs ? It may solve "i want more of them" problem?
And not to much to fix, like lets say change "USB" in ftdi config to "USB1""USB2". What do you say guys?

Post by **limbo** » March 24th, 2009, 1:43 pm

LCD Smartie can support more than one instance using switches under the shortcut and different configuration files.
The problem is that FTDI (the LCD Smartie one) driver doesn't support multiinstance (as far as I know).

The FTDI multiple displays is very good idea! its easy... stable and economic!

makarona · Post by **makarona** » March 24th, 2009, 8:37 pm

maybe somebody will be so kind to fix it? as i can imagine, it's maybe not to hard fix FTDY.dll ? it can be so nice!

btw, FTDI driver (which is from ftdi site) can support more than one USB port?

Post by **caesar** » March 25th, 2009, 8:21 am

The problem is knowing which is which.

It is easier to just use the remaining unused pin on the ftdi module to connect it to a second LCD enable line.
That way two LCD's can be connected to a single FTDI module.
But this will require the driver to be rewritten.

makarona · Post by **makarona** » March 25th, 2009, 7:43 pm

btw R/W pin isn't necessary to connect also. it may be pulled up/down easy.
i dont know if the programm waits for busy flag clear, but it's not need to be waiting for it, just little delay can be added. ironically, datasheet for 44780 recommend it, because if LCD halts or something the system will wait for busy flag clear forever:)

Master1280 · Post by **Master1280** » March 26th, 2009, 10:30 pm

i have working 2 lcds, ftdi chip

simply connect

LCD ID2, first, and run program
then
LCD ID1 and run the second program

to works u must disconect the two devices each time

makarona · Post by **makarona** » March 28th, 2009, 2:07 am

the thing is only left to build - a robot, to disconnect/connect LCDs in right order, connect robot to USB and synchronize batch file which start Smarties!

COOL

))

BTW: if connect serial-in/parallel-out shift register, we can increase quantity of LCDs used to 8 for one USB port! ... maybe it's time to pray for somebody write a driver

Master1280 · Post by **Master1280** » March 28th, 2009, 2:29 am

makarona wrote:the thing is only left to build - a robot, to disconnect/connect LCDs in right order, connect robot to USB and synchronize batch file which start Smarties! COOL ))

BTW: if connect serial-in/parallel-out shift register, we can increase quantity of LCDs used to 8 for one USB port! ... maybe it's time to pray for somebody write a driver

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