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This side contains various hardware projects

lcd lh155 library
MediaCup

lcd lh155 library

The lh155 library contains functions to control Sharp lh155ba controller based LCD displays. Keypoints:

Written for a PIC 16F876 in C (using the CCS C-Compiler)
Comes with a character font as the lh155 does not contain one
Accesses the LCD in serial mode (only 6 wires needed)
Tested for a Powertip PG12864LRF-NRA-H-SO, but can also be used for other lh155ba based displays (Winstar etc.). See www.actron.de for more information and how to buy the display
- PG12864 is a small 128x64 dot LCD display (55Lx40Wx6H!) with backlight (green)
- The PG12864 can easily be soldered without special connectors:
How to control the display
The libaray
Questions & Comments: contact Michael Beigl

MediaCup

There are two versions of the MediaCup (for information about the MediaCup project and more elaborative information how it works see http://mediacup.teco.edu) available:

MediaCup B (Battery) version. Recommended for all that are not VERY experienced with electronics. Version 0.1-0. Non-Beta, Stable, easy to assemble, required parts are easy to get
MediaCup H (HUC) version No 1.3-1. Stable. Experts only, uses wireless recharging and additional sensing switch. Difficult to find a dealer for some of the parts

How to get your own MediaCup and your own environment?

Read this page and mediacup.teco.edu
Build a MediaCup B:
1. Find a PCB manufacturer (e.g. PC-Pool)
2. If you do not want to assemble the board yourself, find a company
3. Get the layout from below and send them to your PCB manufacturer
4. Assemble the electronics
5. Find a Cup that fits the board.
6. Assemble a programming connector (see below) and program the PIC with the firmware
7. Test the MediaCup: The LED should blink after switching on the MediaCup.
8. Install a IrDA dongle at your computer or get a computer with build in IrDA (e.g. a Laptop, see below)
9. Disable the IrDA stack if you use Win95/98/2000. Open a Hyperterminal at your computer with the setting 19.2k, 8N1 (IrDA port). Check the Hyperterminal with another device (e.g. another Laptop with IrDA or a PalmPilot, Visor or Mobile with IrDA).
10. If the infrared port and the Hyperterminal works, place the MediaCup in front of your IrDA interface. You should see some non-readable characters (see the MediaCup 1.3 protocol)
Install the serback program (see the Webvis scenario below). Now the MediaCup messages are broadcasted on your local network and can be used by other applications
Install an application that makes use of the MediaCup messages, e.g. WebVis or SmartDoorPlate (see below)
For Questions and Comments send a mail to Michael Beigl

MediaCup overview

The MediaCup recognised the environment through sensors (what kind of movement is carried out, temperature). The sensor data are processed to states (e.g. drink, play ...) and communicated to the environment via infrared
Sensors used: 3 ball switches, 1 switch for "stand on desk" (H version only), DS1621 temperature sensor
Processor: PIC 16F84
Power: 2 lithium cells (type 2016, 2025 or 2032) or 2 panasonic GoldCaps 1F each.
Communication: Infrared diode, Software physical encoding or IrDA physical layer through PIC (19200 baud 8N1)
SMD layout, single sided
Scenarios available for download:
- Post your MediaCup status to the Web (for an example see mediacup.teco.edu/cups/):
  - Description of Scenario
  - visulizes MediaCup condition (location, state, temperature) to the Web user
  - receives UDP packets with MediaCup state and interprets them
  - shows on the Web where meetings happen
  - Runs on Windows 95/98/NT (command line program), runs on 486 or higher
  - Needed Software: serback and webvis (OS: Win95/98/NT) and a Web-Server (for webvis). For serback you had to switch off the IrDA stack of 2000/95/98!
  - Needed Hardware: PC (with IrDA dongle). No IrDA dongles attached to the serial port are supported; instead use an IrDA dongle that is attached to the mainboard (e.g. a i815 based board with a Ir dongle from Actisys)
- SmartDoorPlate: Display on your Doorplate when you have a meeting