MODDING-FAQ FORUM

Hi,

ich suche eine Software, die mein VFD unterstützt (Noritake CU20045SCPB-T23A 4x20 VFD), das VFD hat einen etwas ungewöhnlichen Treiber...

Wenn jmd möchte kann er (mit hilfe der Datenblätter) auch gern selber eine Software schreiben, ich würde die sogar bezahlen. Im Internet finde ichn nur keine Software dafür. Falsl jemand interesse hat: Shark@Shark5060.net oder her im Forum.

thx schonmal

PS: hier nochmal ein Link, an dem ihr die verbindungen seht:
http://www.vfdworld.com/index.php?page=usingyourvfd

Ich versuche gern, das in STLCD einzubauen. Flexibel genug ist die Software, denke ich ;)
Brauche aber so ein Display, damit ich sehen kann, was ich da fabriziere.

Jo klar, kann ich dir zuschicken.
reicht dir auch ein ausführliches Datenblatt, oder ist das Display besser ? (wegen testen und so ?).

Falls du es haben willst Schreib mir ne mail.
(Shark@Shark5060.net)

ok, das thema hat sich (dank olaf) erledigt. Alles weitere in Olaf's LCD Software Thread.

kann geschlossen werden, thx anyway

dann mach ihn doch selbst zu (links unten)

Ich wollts gerade in ähnlicher Form Posten - danke Spunky :§

Ich würde in diesem Thread gerne die Fortschritte bis zur eventuellen Erfolgsmeldung einstellen.

Nein, ich werde kein Tut draus machen ;D

is ja gutr ich habs verstanden abba ich mein wenn se posten kann zugemacht werden .. man kanns doch selberr machen

ok, ok entschuldigung....

dann lasse ich ihn offen :-\

greetz shark

So...

Gestern ist das Display angekommen, das mit Shark5060 mutigerweise zur Verfügung gestellt hat. Erste Sichtprüfung ergab keine Transportschäden.

Heute habe ich mich drüber hergemacht. So sieht also ein Noritake VFD aus:
(http://stlcd.curz.com/Nori1.JPG)

Mal ein Größenvergleich zu meinem 20x4-LCD:
(http://stlcd.curz.com/Nori3.JPG)

Direkt nach Anschluß und Start von STLCD ergibt sich der "Matrix"-Effekt, den Shark5060 schon erwähnte:
(http://stlcd.curz.com/Nori4.JPG)

Vier Stunden später (und, ungelogen, Null Flüche später) haben wir dann dieses Bild:
(http://stlcd.curz.com/Nori5.JPG)

Hat sich dramatisch ausgezahlt, die Treiberstruktur ein wenig zu modifizieren ;D

Ergo: Noritake Itron VFD's, die kompatibel zu diesem CU20045SCPB-T23A sind, gehören ab sofort zu den unterstützten Displays.
Das Display gehört nicht zu den schnellsten seiner Art, man kann stellenweise zusehen, wie sich die Zeilen aufbauen. Im "FlickerFree"-Mode wirds noch schlimmer, dann steigt sogar die Systemlast auf >15% (gemessen mit P4-1800). Aber, es sieht richtig gut aus. Ich bastel jetzt noch die Lichtsteuerung (das VFD kann gedimmt werden), dann fertig.

Es gibt nur einein Gott: Olaf !

wow, ich bin begeistert !!!! *feu* *freu* *freu*

*jump* *hüpf* *tanz*

Danke.....

Warts ab, bis wir über Euros gesprochen haben ;D ;D ;D

hammer kann ich da mal wieder nur sagen, echt mal dicken respect!! _0_ _0_ _0_

So... Ich habe vorgestern und gestern noch ne neue Funktion ausgetestet (und bin fast Wahnsinnig dabei geworden), aber it works.

Wenn mein mit angetrautes Eheweib gut drauf ist, geht das Display heute wieder zurück.

Wenn Shark5060 dann Bilder postet, wäre das :b, ansonsten kann der Thread zu ;)

Jo, hoffen wir mal, dass dein frauchen gut gelaunt war :D

*bet*

aber ich freu mich schon drauf.
ehm Bilder wollt ihr ?? hmm mal schauen, was sich machen lässt...

yo, Olaf, das VFD ist heute wieder zurück...

deine Software rockt: Ranstecken, geht :D
WEnn du noch einen Mirror für deine Software brauchst, meld dich bei mir. (ich hab deine Mail durch ien format c: verloren :( )

greetz shark

Hoffentlich so, wie du es mal hergeschickt hast ;)

So sollte es sein ;D Aber: |.0.|

Beobachte mal die Systembelastung. Die Stabilität hast ja schon geprüft :b

StLCD ist bei ca. 10 - 15%... mit Aktiviertem Flicker Free Mode.
Da Nebenbei noch Kazaa, Winamp, Emule, AK-MAil, Winamp Com port Control & Bluetooth treiber läuft fällt das kaum auf.
ABer Bald hab ich ja noch 512MB RAM mehr *fg*... dann fällt fas gar nicht mehr auf.
Mein sys:
P4 2,4Ghz Northwood - Wakü
2x 256MB DDR-RAM 333Mhz
WinXP Pro Corporate incl SP1

ich merke die "mehrbelastung" beim arbeiten und Zocken kaum...
also alles in butter :D

Okay, entspricht meinen eigenen Messungen. Das ganze fällt auf etwa 3-5% herunter, wenn du FlickerFree abschaltest (My Sys: P4-1800 NW).


Kannst Du auch nicht. Je stärker das System ausgelastet wird durch Programme, desto weniger bekommt STLCD zugeteilt (Es zieht sich sozusagen von selbst in den Hintergrund zurück, wenns rund geht am Prozzi). Wenns beim zocken also ruckelt, liegt es niemals an STLCD 8)

Ganz extrem dürfte das bei Dir im FlickerFree-Mode auffallen. Quäl die Kiste mal ordentlich (nicht mit Seti@home, das wird nix, aber 3DMark isn guter Kandidat).

Ansonsten bin ich hocherfreut, das meine Ideen zu diesem Programm Realität geworden sind - und auch noch prima funktionieren.

Jo bin auch stolz auf dich :D

hmm 3dmark bekommt man ein paar weniger punkte.. aber wenn cih zocke ist normalerweise auch alles aus...

ehm aber in deinem GUI wird das °C (Grad Celsius) Symbol "°" nicht angezeit. Auf dem Display sehr wohl... nur noch so eine anmerkung, falls du mal wieder zu viel zeit hast.

Das einige Zeichen (nicht nur das Grad-Symbol) auf der GUI nich zu sehen sind, liegt am LCD-Control. Das stellt es schlicht nicht dar. Keine Ahnung warum, aber isso.

Hauptsache ist ja, das es aufm Display richtig ankommt. Die GUI ist eigentlich nur für Debugging-Zwecke gemacht worden - STLCD soll mal ein Dienst werden, der keine Bildschirmausgaben machen kann. Da schadet es in der Alpha-Phase nicht, noch ne GUI zu haben...

Aber das mit dem Dienst wid wohl ne Version exklusiv für mich - niemand fragt danach.

hmm keine bildschirmausgaben ?? verbraucht das dadurch weniger Speicher ? oder warum willst du das machen ?

es ist dadurch schneller geladen beim start und es verbraucht halt nicht so viele ressource. ich habe zwar kein lcd(noch nciht), aber gibt es bald stld als dienst?!? ;D... so jetzt hat einer nach gefragt, olaf ;D. jetzt is es nicht mehr nur für dich :~.

Also... Das mit dem Dienst hat so gar nix mit Ressourcenverbrauch oder ähnlichem zu tun. Wie Moorhuhn richtig bemerkte. geht der Speicherverbrauch deutlich zurück, wenn die GUI nicht mehr existiert. Weniger CPU-Last verbraucht es dadurch aber nicht wesentlich - wäre also kein Grund ;D.

Viel gewichtigeres Argument für den Dienst ist einfach, das das Display so früh wie irgendmöglich anspringt und Daten anzeigt: Das Display bleibt leer, solange man nicht angemeldet ist (typisch für ne SysTray-Anwendung, denn die laufen erst los, wenn der Benutzer feststeht) und das hat mich am meisten an allen LCD-Programmen gestört ::). Dienste dagegen werden auch ohne angemeldeten Benutzer gezündet.

Ergo bräuchte man nur n Paua-Knopf pressen und STLCD zeigt irgendwann Daten an. Soetwas ist auch Pflicht im Server-Betrieb ;)

Das ganze hat nen Haken: Service-Programmierung ist verdammt hartes Brot, fast so hart wie Treiberprogrammierung. Deshalb ist STLCD nach wie vor im Alpha-Status. Ist es erst einmal ein Dienst, hab ich keine Chance mehr, Fehler anzuzeigen - sie dann auch noch zu finden ist aussichtslos. Deshalb auch mein permanenter Aufruf: Quält das Programm, gnadenlos. Muß es abkönnen ;D

aso... na dann....

toll jeder kann sehen, wenn meine CPU durchbrennt, auch ohne, das ich angemeldet bin :p

Hmm hab noch ne "macke" an StLCD entdeckt:
wenn man in der ini datei rumspielt und speichert, während StLCD darauf zugreift, crasht das prog (ok, normalerweise macht man das acuh nicht), aber nur mal so :D

Dieses Problem existiert schon geraume Zeit und ich dachte, ich hätte es endgültig gelöst - offenbar ein Irrtum >:(

Eigentlich kann dieser Hänger aber nur bei wirklich vielen Speichervorgängen der INI auftreten. Im wesentlichen ändert man en bloc und speichert ein einziges Mal.

Anyway, muß ich da wieder beigehen.

joa, wenn man so 4-5 mal speichert kommt das schon mla vor... bei einmal speichern nicht.

So, meine Digicam ist heute aus der ½ jählichen Reparatur zurück... Da hab ich mir gedach, ich mach mal ein paar Shots von dem VFD:

Sorry, das die Bilder so unscharf sind... cih werde mal ein paar neue machen, wenn ich zeit hab.

(http://www.shark5060.net/forum/Bild0001.jpg)
(http://www.shark5060.net/forum/Bild0002.jpg)
(http://www.shark5060.net/forum/Bild0003.jpg)
(http://www.shark5060.net/forum/Bild0004.jpg)
(http://www.shark5060.net/forum/Bild0005.jpg)
(http://www.shark5060.net/forum/Bild0006.jpg)
(http://www.shark5060.net/forum/Bild0007.jpg)

cool... etwas OT: hab ich das was von stlcd und service und so gelesen?? *aufzeig* *bescheidsag* *nachfrag*

@Shark5060: :b

Ist ein ganz merkwürdiges Gefühl, sein Programm auf einer völlig fremden Maschine arbeiten zu sehen. Da macht das Ego <:0>
Wegen dieses Gefühls bin ich Programmierer geworden ;)

japp falzo scheint wohl so auszusehen ;). olfa hat viel verbessert wo du nicht da warst. hab zwar selbst kein lcd aber was ich so im support-thread gelsen hab verdiend fetten :respect: ;D 8)

Hello - Does anyone here speak English? (I hope it is OK to speak English here)...

I don't speak German and am having a terrible time trying to navigate this site... :-\ An internet search led me to these forums.....

I have a couple of these displays. Has anyone been able to get one of these running in serial mode using the white 3-pin connector?

Parallel mode: Does anyone have a hookup diagram or pinout? It's a little confusing what with the technical documentation I've seen showing two +5v's and two Grounds on the 16-pin connector.... which to use?

Thanks in advance...... :)

I will take a try. ;)
Not in this forum.

Hm, Olaf wrote a driver for his software STLCD http://stlcd.curz.com/
But I can't find wiring diagram. Maybe Olaf can tell you.

Spunky

You're welcome!

Shark5060, who opened this thread, mentioned this link:

STLCD (http://www.vfdworld.com/index.php?page=usingyourvfd]http://www.vfdworld.com/index.php?page=usingyourvfd[/url]

go for it and you will find more than one of the desired hookup diagrams at least to be able to use parallel mode ;-)
as I understand it you have to use both pins for voltage and ground...

unfortunatly I can't help you with how to set it up for serial mode, even I dunno if there is a reasonable piece of software to drive it that way :(

by the way: the display shown in this thread is driven by [url=http://stlcd.curz.com) our own software written by OlafSt... alas, its german - but maybe u'll give it a try!

best regards.

Thanks for the replys! :)

Yes, I'm familiar with the www.vfdworld.com link. Dan_Dude (the webmaster @ vfdworld) and I have communicated about these displays... He had no success getting it to run in serial mode and mild success getting it to run in parallel mode - there were a few problems. Looking at the pictures in this thread, it looks like you guys got it going fine in parallel mode.... 8)

(By the way, if you scroll down the link, you'll see my name next to the Noritake 2 x 24 display. I found those displays for $3 each (! :o !) at a website, bought 30 of them and sold them for cost to my modding friends that hang out at www.pheatonforums.com, eheh.... I've used jaLCD's with these and it works great....but I digress....)

Problem is, I've got several models of VFD's - most of them are parallel. This is one of the few that supports serial. I've been building cases with small motherboards (http://www.planetcasemod.com/CuCube/FB54c.JPG) lately and these small motherboards don't have a parallel port. That leaves my choices for adding a VFD very slim. There's the IEE Century 2 x 20 display (BGMicro.com) and that's about it. It's a little long and bulky for a small case. If I could find another display that runs in serial mode, that would be aces.... 8)

Anyhow, I would stilll appreciate a wiring diagram for parallel mode if someone has one...

BTW, I will try STLCD, thx for the link! :)

Olaf is working on a USB interface. A company from germany build an special controller for USB-IO. http://www.codemercs.com/IOWarriorE.html

Olaf wants to write the support for this controller in his STLCD software. I build the hardware. If you send us an example, we maybe support your VFD (as Olaf has time to do this ;) )

If it is this Display: http://www.qscomp.cz/Pdf/CU24025ECPB-W1J-02.pdf
it maybe works already as a HD44780 LCD.

Spunky

That is cool! Dan_Dude mentioned to me today that someone needs to start mass producing a USB converter/controller...


I had the CU24025ECPB-U1J (http://www.planetcasemod.com/VFD/Noritake.pdf) model. The only differences I can see between the two is in "operating temperature" and "luminance" so basically, they are the same. I think the "W1J" is probably the newer version of the "U1J". And, yes, it worked fine in "HD44780 mode"/paralllel with most LCD software including jaLCD's. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it), they sold out pretty quick at that price..... ;)

As I'm the founder of STLCD, let me put my 5 cents to your problem :)

STLCD can drive Noritakes, as long as they are compatible to the one I had for programming. Lines and Chars are of no interest, the controller needs to be fine. Of course I have build complete support, even for those nasty hairpulling User Defined characters and flicker-free-mode.

Shark5060's Noritake also has a serial port, but Shark5060 had no need for it - so I skipped that part. However, serial displays are on the To-Do-List (Matrix-Orbitals and CrystalFontz are serial too). If I can get my hands on such a Display (this includes VFD), support will be coded.

If you like to, I will do my best to translate STLCD to english, so you can work with it a bit more efficiently - just say a word. Be warned, this software is written for purists, no really Dumb-Docs and no mouse-clicking-config. Proven by several users in this forum, STLCD seems to be the fastest (speaking of consuming CPU-cycles) and most robust LCD-Software yet.

Well, I think you could reach a wider audience (if that is your intention) by providing English support. Eventually, you may want to include many languages ala the way Alex did with MBM. I think the problem I've seen most often with some LCD programs is memory leaks. It's kind of ironic that the program can "tattle" on itself by showing growing memory usage! Some of the LCD software programs are OK but sort of "unfinished". Others promise great things to come but never arrive (Uller's LCDriver 2.0 comes to mind).

That said, there's more than a few of us that prefer VFD's over LCD's. VFD's can be found for cheap on Ebay and electronic surplus stores/websites. Noritake and IEE are the ones I see a lot of in the US. Both brands make "parallel only" models and bimodal (serial and paralllel) models. A lot of people (like myself) are not programmers, but can get one of these running no problem as long as there's support via an easy to read wiring diagram (diagram by me) (http://www.planetcasemod.com/VFD/VFDpinout2fs.JPG) (btw, do you have a parallel piinout for the CU20045SCPB-T23A? :P) and some software to run it. For parallel, the software can get by usually with just the HD44780 mode. But serial mode might be stickier, I don't know - like I said, I'm not a programmer. I do know LCDC depends on "definition files". (A while back, over here in the states, www.bgmicro.com had the huge IEE Century 2 x 20 VFD for sale for $20. Hundreds bought one of these, download the ".ocx" file, hooked up 3 wires: +5v, ground and serial-in, and with LCDC or VFD Thinger, were off and running in serial mode. Very easy).

I couldn't follow this thread except for the pictures.... Did Shark send the VFD to you, you got it running and then you sent it back to him? Tell you what, if you PM or email me your address, I will send you another CU20045SCPB-T23A to see if you can get it running in serial mode.... That is, if you're willing to try. It may not be easy, though. Dan_Dude was unsuccessful..... :-\

Not really. But an english translation can help a lot. Put on the list.


No errors detected for months. Myself has taken a 96-hour-session to check for leaks. None found. Most users have tested STLCD intensively and they all look happy.

However, software like this is never finished - Users permanently have ideas. OTOH, It's my decision, what ideas make it into STLCD. As long as the idea doesn't run against the two "Master-of-decision"-goals, chances are great: First MODG is robustness, second is speed. That's why all those Internet-features like fli4l, picture-uploader and so on are missing - consumes too much speed and can make STLCD run wild.


Yep. This method is a very handy one... Users get their LCD running, STLCD gets a bit more flexible and I don't have to buy tons of LCD...


I have taken a look at Sharks Noritake-Specs. Looks like an RS232 with only one line (no handshake). That's dangerous, because STLCD may loose contact to the VFD and has no chance to detect this - but this may be solved by using BUSY as RTS-signal.
Second: Emulating serial port behaviour on a parallel port is nearly impossible, as the timings cannot be guaranteed under multitasking conditions. Obviously, Dan-Dude tried this, too, and STLCD is conceptually unable to do this either.

The next problem is, we need a MAX232 or something like this to convert serial port levels to TTL-Levels. I'm sure, the VFD doesn't like -12V on his Data Line. Building this Level-Shifter (very simple, indeed !) we can attach that VFD to a standard RS232-Port every PC has and get it running. More interesting, using an USB-to-RS232 Adapter, you can attach your VFD to any USB-Port ;)

Of course, building some extra Hardware is dangerous and may damage the VFD when not being extremely careful. The Levelshifter is fairliy easy (one IC, 4 Capacitors) but may be too complex for single-cell-brainers.

Still interested ?

First off, do you have something against sharing your parallel pinout for the CU20045SCPB-T23A? ;)

Jeez, serial hookup sounds complicated all of a sudden, eheh... ;) As I mentioned earlier, on those very popular IEE Century 2 x 20 displays, it was just - connect 3 wires, make sure the jumpers were set right on the back (19200 baud, Intel, Normal), install the .ocx file and LCDC or VFD Thinger, make a couple of minor tweaks to the software and badda bing, badda boom, it ran no problem...

Sounds like the Noritake serial mode is not so user friendly .... I was hoping for a simple and direct serial port hookup, thinking that perhaps Dan_Dude had overlooked something...... If I understand you correctly, Noritake didn't quite get it to that point....

So, right back at ya: Still interested?

Surely not. The problem is - I don't have one ;D Shark5060 connected the VFD, I just got it completely running.

Not really. It's much easier to wire it up than explaining it...


Well... Noritake made it as simple as the IEE's - set jumpers, connect three wires and off with it. The problem is, the Noritake only accepts TTL-Levels (0V and +5V), not RS232-Levels (-12V and +12V). Looks like the IEE's were ready for RS232.


Always. Whoever comes first is getting it first ;D We're in research for connecting Parallel LCD/VFD to USB and it looks like we have a solution that needs some Software ;D

Greetz ^^

so you're searching for a wireing plan ? hmm i took mine from
http://www.vfdworld.com/index.php?page=usingyourvfd

but if you want I can scann the ~15 pages of the
blueprints and technical information.

- shark

Hi,
May I interfere you? ;)

What exactly is the Advantage and the Disadvantage of this Vacuum Flurouscenc Displays?? And what exactly is the Difference between a VFD and a standard LCD with HD44780 controller ??

Sorry bad english :-[

a LCD is a background lighted Display.
in a VFD the Pixels are illuminated. because the VFD is like a tube of a TV (loosely ^^).

you can't watch a LCD from all angels, because the Letters will disapper, with a VFD it's possible, because there a no crystals which are polarized.

I understand.

looks like that VFDs are besser eh ? ;)
But, i See, they are much more expensive than LCDs
The Software is another Disadvantage, I didnt see any software yet, which support VFDs (without STLCD of course ;))

Are VFDs Graphical Displays or Alphanumeric Displays? or both?

Some are Text Character, some are Graphical. and some can do both... it's just like the LCDs...

I don't know exactly, but i think the are some VFD that support HD44780.
also there are some special VFD softwares out in the internet, but it's not the same like the LCD software.

there's a new "ready to use" VFD dispaly: the L.I.S. (Lost in Space) VFD Display... but who wants to buy ready to use mods ??

Good question, I dont buy some.... and i won't
You are only able to gain some Experience, when you du everything yourself. And Not, when you buy some Ready-to-Use things....

Thanx for that Info, We could have speak (spoken) german °>|, but english is also an good language ;D ;D

(I have to train my english vocabular, I think i will be better at the next English-test at the school ;D)

may be, if you're english gets better, soon you'll be able to use the whole internet ;-)
this way you can do searches at google for english written pages too and stop spamming around asking dumb questions :P

PS: no offense meant! shift the blame to your bad english or dict.leo.org ;D ;D ;D

Please let me do one last Offtopic Post *lol*

I understand English very well (man beachte das adverb muhaha/look at that adverb). But think and write an own text is not so easy as it seems sometimes.

Jeez, Olaf, I hadn't heard from you in a while so I thought you were ignoring me... ??? :D Eheh....


Here's a pic of the back of the BG Micro (IEE) 2 x 20 VFD:

(http://www.planetcasemod.com/VFD/BGMicro/back1.JPG)

Perhaps it has its own way to get RS232 levels onboard?

Obligatory front shot:

(http://www.planetcasemod.com/VFD/BGMicro/front1.JPG)

BTW, www.bgmicro.com got some more of these in but they bumped the price to $32.50. (They were originally $20). Still not a bad deal for a huge display with big 9mm characters.... I know some Europeans that bought some of these (yes, they ship international) and shipping wasn't too bad at about $10....


Well, click on my "email" icon over on the left and send me your mailing address and I'll send you one of these (CU20045SCPB-T23A ) and probably some other stuff, too. It's yours to keep - I just ask that you help me get it going serial (preferred) or parallel (that'll work, too). If you can furnish some wiring diagrams or relay the info to me, I will see to it that it gets posted at VFDWorld and that you receive full credit.

Shark: So, Dan_Dude's wiring diagram works OK? It's just a software problem? Did you hook up both +5v's and both grounds?

Klinkerstein: VFD's, in my opinion, look so much better than LCD's. They are "prettier". :D

Definitely not. When you're in my ignore list, you will know ;D I'm just a bit busy ATM.


Not so easy to see. Maybe it's integrated into the Controller-Chips.


Address sent. I will try my best getting it running in serial mode - hopefully I won't turn that green pertinax to something like carbondioxide and other ugly, black things ;)

@Klinkerstein: Your english is absolutely OK. Keep up learning a bit more ;D

Eheh... :) Sounds good.... The USB thing sounds interesting, too....

Noritake - the "U" series seems to be straightforward - parallel only, 14-pin connector, +5v power and HD44780 compatible... My findings show that all the "U" series models hookup the same way and run easily with many different LCD software in HD44780 mode....

The "T" series (like the subject of this thread), on the otherhand, is parallel and serial (seems with limitations), 16-pin connector with alternate serial 3-pin connector and +5v power..... Hmmm, seems to be a very tough nut to crack......

Here's some techdocs on the Noritake CU20045SCPB-T23A (if you don't have them already):

Identical Samsung model (long version) (http://www.vfdworld.com/techdocs/Noritake_CU20045SCPB-T23A_4x20_VFD.pdf]Short version[/url]

[url=http://www.vfdworld.com/techdocs/Noritake_CU20045SCPB-T28A_4x20_VFD.pdf]Long version T28 model (sister display)[/url]

[url=http://www.apollodisplays.com/pdf/20s401da1.pdf)

I am waiting on some VFD filters (red, blue, green, yellow, etc.) to arrive... Well, actually they are photographer's gel sheet. They won't be here till Monday (10th). I will throw some of those in the box and the package will leave on Tuesday (11th).

So, Good Luck and let me know or post back here when the package arrives.... :)

thx man, CD