The new USBLcd is available. This card can control up to 4 LCDs (standard HD44780).http://www.opencockpits.com/images/USBlcd2.jpgThe new card is connected to any free USB port (automatically detected; no drivers needed) and is controlled with a specific software so you can control up to 20 individual virtual displays.Displays configuration is done with a visual software by setting the variables and the related texts.You have manuals and software of this new card in www.opencockpits.comRegards, Manuel V

Should I say .. wickeeeed !! :)I've been awaiting this card !Nex up should be an USB-key card ? I know there is the keyboard card on usb but as I think I understood this doesn't work like an other key/switch input card ?

I am checking the software and I notice there is no support for 8x2 displays ? I got 10 of them. You know if it will work if I set up for 16x2 displays and keep all data on one side of the display ?Let me add another question:Will there be a way to upload customised fonts to the LCD ?E.g:http://users.skynet.be/porreke/oldfont.jpgThis is the standard numerical font of all LCD's.http://users.skynet.be/porreke/newfont.jpgThis is what I get when uploading customised characters and using some other symbols.The code I last had made the number 4 character longer at the top & bottom and the number 7 character longer at the bottom.Uploading these fonts to the LCD is easy. The tricky part is that the code for driving the LCD must convert numbers to the right characters and not just upload them to the LCD.7 customised fonts can be uploaded. That's just enough because use the capital letter O instead of a nuber zero and use the | instead of the number 1 and keep the 8 as it is.Here's the codes for uploading. You probably got other comands programmed, but the "0x28E" part is what you need and should work.send_lcd_cmd(0x00);send_lcd_cmd(0x40);// 2send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x290);send_lcd_data(0x290);send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x280);// 3send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x280);// 4send_lcd_data(0x291);send_lcd_data(0x291);send_lcd_data(0x291);send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x280);// 5send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x290);send_lcd_data(0x290);send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x280);// 6send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x290);send_lcd_data(0x290);send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x291);send_lcd_data(0x291);send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x280); // 7send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x280);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x280);// 9send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x291);send_lcd_data(0x291);send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x281);send_lcd_data(0x28E);send_lcd_data(0x280); // reset cursor to top left visible position send_lcd_cmd(0x02);// letter 0 instead of numer 0send_lcd_data(0x4F);// | instead of 1send_lcd_data(0x7C);// first one of the new made charssend_lcd_data(0x00);// etc ..send_lcd_data(0x01);send_lcd_data(0x02);send_lcd_data(0x03);send_lcd_data(0x04);send_lcd_data(0x05);// set cursor to botom line (cuz I got 2*8 display)send_lcd_cmd(0xC0);// keep the original 8send_lcd_data(0x38);send_lcd_data(0x06);If this could be included in the software .. that would be truely awesome. If not, I'd still be happy with just the fact I can drive my LCD's now with more ease than with PHCC.

You can use 16x2 type, but in next version the software can manage all other types needed.This USBLcd card is ready for upload new fonts, but in this software not have a implementation of this feature.

>Nex up should be an USB-key card ? I know there is the>keyboard card on usb but as I think I understood this doesn't>work like an other key/switch input card ?What I'd love to see in the future is:* USBLeds led output* USBSwitches (that supports toggles and gray encoders like Master)So that the cumbersome USB Expansion + Master monster combo could be replaced by two simple and small USB modules. The USBSwitch card would also make a GREAT starter-kit for people new to cockpit building.I just ordered an extra Master+USB set as I accidentally connected my laptop's AC adapter (16V) to the card instead of the 5V.. Nice smoke.. :-] Oh well, it was my turn to join *that club* I guess ;-)//Tuomas

I absolutely agree with Tuomas...I'm a great fan of USB so I would like to see an "USB Master Card" from Ferdie & Co. ...I'm currently studying how to build USB peripherals to make my own "cockpit card system" but I think that I will have finished it when there already will be the "Firewire Master Card" !!Regards,Bob

You have a new implementation of this software with 8x2 model included (and others new features) in www.opencockpits.com siteThe card is ready for upload users-defined characters, but i want to create a software for easy-design those characters.

>You have a new implementation of this software with 8x2 model>included (and others new features) in www.opencockpits.com>site>>The card is ready for upload users-defined characters, but i>want to create a software for easy-design those characters.>>Maybe we could just have them defined in the .ini file? This way configuration could be shared easily?Something like

MyArrow-1="....."MyArrow-2="..X.."MyArrow-3="..XX."MyArrow-4="XXXXX"MyArrow-5="XXXXX"MyArrow-6="..XX."MyArrow-7="..X.."MyArrow-8="....."

Or something like that? Then you wouldnt need to spend time doing a software to design chars, it would be pretty easy to do them with notepad..?//Tuomas

Yes!, is a good idea.But, also i need to modify configuration software for write those new characters.

Uploading fonts to the lcd is fairly easy. To define the codes needed for one character you can use the lcd simulator.http://www.geocities.com/dinceraydin/djlcdsim/djlcdsim.htmlOnce you understand how that one works. But your idea is good indeed.The tricky part however will be to let the software know whom uploaded a sign or a character. The software will have to receive e.g. 1048 as xpdr code from FS. Then will have to know to change the 1 with a | then change the 0 with a O, then use the 4 from the new char-set and use the 8 from the orriginal.Now it is probably just sending "1048" to the lcd as 1 variable.Also I noticed that when sending "1048" to an lcd it gives not as good results as sending "1" then "0" then "4" and "8" and whenever the xpdr code changes sending an updated character for 1 number at a time.Anyway, I'll buy some of these cards and test if they did a better job on the software as the software I got here self-made :(They probably will.