LCD Display - Nan Ya Plastics Corp. LMDDCS423CK

Trying to figure out this display, that I acquired. No real plans for it. Just thought that it was pretty cool. The only thing I have going so far is the electroluminescent (EL) backlight.

Just using this to keep notes, as I learn more about it. Also open to suggestions and clues.

Numbers on white sticker:

• 1C290503A320
• LMDDCS423C

Details on Board:

• (1) 2 pin power connector for EL backlight
• (2) 40 Pin Connector
• (1) OKI M6255 (MSM6255) Dot Matrix LCD Controller
• (4) Sanyo LC79401 Dot-Matrix LCD Drivers
• (3) Sanyo LC79430 Dot-Matrix LCD Drivers
• (2) MT62C256F-70LL
• (2) 74HC245D CMOS OCTAL BUS TRANSCEIVER

Possible Board details on 40 PIN Connector:

• Pin 09: Power 5V or 3.3V?
• Pin 10: Power 5V or 3.3V?
• Pin 11: Ground
• Pin 12: Ground

Board details about MSM625:

White sticker with the following text:

• D1C202A1O
• M423-GB

Memory Address inputs:

• A0 is...
• A1-A15 (Memory Address inputs) are all tied together, and held low.
• DB0-DB7 (Data Bus) all feed into 74HC245D.

Board details about LCD Drivers:

The combination of the LC79401 & LC79430 tells me that it is possibly 320x240 pixels.

Pictures:

Front:

Back:

Powered EL:

References:

• Large LCD Reverse Engineering
• Reverse Engineering the LC
• OKI MSM6255 Datasheet

shutdown.chat PM Beep Injection

shutdown.chat took away a feature, that some people found useful.

It no longer beeps when you receive a PM.

You can shimmy this feature back in, by doing a few little tweaks. Just keep in mind that it can break at anytime. The site may makes changes on the server side that are no longer compatible with the local objects.

Download shutdown.chat's JavaScript:

Download the following JavaScript from shutdown.chat: furtherchat.js

The script is minified, so you may want to prettify it, so that it is easier to follow.

Get Chrome Extension: Or Firefox, but i wrote this document for Chrome.

You will need a Chrome Extension called "Resource Override", that can be found here: Resource Override

Setup Resource Override:

Add Tab URL: https://www.shutdown.chat/*

• Add Rule: "URL ---> File"
• From: https://www.shutdown.chat/js/furtherchat.js*
• To: [Edit File]

Press the [Edit File] button next to https://www.shutdown.chat/js/furtherchat.js*

Copy and paste the contents of furtherchat.js into the editor window that opened.

Edit the JavaScript:

Search for: "fc_chatbox.prototype.addnormal="

Add the lines to the script denoted by the left curly brace.

Gist Containing the lines of JavaScript, to copy and paste.

Press [Save] or [Save and Close] on the bottom of Resource Override's editor.

Test and Use:

Load up shutdown.chat and test it out.

---

Optional

Add a toggle to turn it on and off:

Use JavaScript to inject some HTML into the page that contains a speaker icon, for turning the beep on and off.

Setup Beep Toggle:

• Add Rule under the existing tab that was previous created: "Inject File"
• Name is whatever you want. I called it "Beep Toggle"
• Select File Type: JS
• Select Inject Into: Body

Press the [Edit File] button on this recently added rule.

Populate the file with the lines of code provided in the following Gist.

---

Notes

I normally wouldn't grab the query string values where I did, but I wanted it self contained, so it would be easy to maintain, if an update happens to the original js.

Resources:

• Emit a beep - Real's Javascript How-to
• Base64 encoded audio - JSFiddle - Code Playground

Cheating: You can download my whole copy of the modified file, or my backup of the Resource Override rules.

You're better off doing your own tweaking, to keep up to date.

Relacement JavaScript: shutdown.chat furtherchat.js local replacement

Import Into Resource Override: Shutdown.chat_BeepToggle.json

Updates:

• 20210317 - shutdown.chat updated their JSP, so had to true up mine.
• 20210518 - Make so when a message starts with nb & NB, there is no beep.
• 20210519 - Allow disabling beep via query string.
• 20230324 - Account for EzcapeChat > shutdown.chat code updates.
• 20230326 - Less annoying Beep.
• 20230508 - Added Shutdown.chat_BeepToggle.json Resource Override backup.
• 20230518 - Account for shutdown.chat code updates.

Woods WiOn 50055 Trigger & Sensor (For Ocotpi)

I was given a Creality CR-10S, and use OctoPi to control the printer.

I wanted to be able to have OctoPi power on and off the printer.

Modifying the Woods WiOn 50055 outlet is perfect for me:

• Has USB ports to power the Raspberry PI 3 B+.
• I did learn that I need to use 20AWG usb cables.  The voltage drop on the 28AWG cords that come with everything has too large of a voltage drop.
• Has an internal switch, and status LED.
• I can also control it remotely, via WiOn's app.

Finished External Modification: (3.5mm Jack)

I decided to accomplish this by interacting with the WiOn's (ESP8266) GPIO ports that interface the momentary push-button, and power indicator LED.  I could have done it by writing custom firmware for the device, but I didn't want to rely on a network being available.

The USB power supply, and the ESP8266 inside this device do not share a common ground, so I opted to use a NTE Electronics NTE3086 Dual Optocoupler.  Probably good idea to do this, none the less.

Even though this was designed with a Raspberry PI in mind, there is no reason why you couldn't use this with any other circuit that supplies 3.3VDC.  I've also tested the trigger with 5VDC.

The WiOn toggles power on the release of the momentary switch (LOW to HIGH). That translates to HIGH to LOW on the LED side of the optocoupler.


Schematic:

 Circuit On StripBoard:

Ended up just using StripBoard because the circuit was so simple.

3.5mm to Dupont connector for Rasbperry PI: 

OctoPrint PSU Control Settings:

Software:
OctoPrint
PSU Control


Trigger Portion:
I opted to use GPIO 17 for Trigger.  PSU Control allows you to call a Python program to control power. 

Python Code:

## Using GPIO 17 (BCM) to toggle the WiOn device on and off. ## WiOn trigger toggles on Hight to Low. ## Import GPIO library import RPi.GPIO as GPIO import time GPIO.setwarnings(False) GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM) GPIO.setup(17, GPIO.OUT) GPIO.output(17, True) time.sleep(1) GPIO.output(17, False)

Thw follow screen is where you set up switching and sensing.  You can see where I call my Python program.

I opted to use GPIO 04 for Sensor.  This GPIO pin is pulled up internally with a resistor.  The optocoupler pulls it down whenever the WiOn's power LED is illuminated.

OctoPrint PSU Supply Settings:

You may be interested in my older programming based WiOn entry:
Woods WiOn Indoor Wi-Fi Outlet Modification (Amazon Echo Too!) 

Nixie Tube Fun

I've always wanted to tinker around with some nixie tubes. I acquired some IN-18 tubes about 15 years ago, and just kind of ignored them. I have finally started tinkering with them.

The first thing I needed to do before I could even do anything with the Nixie Tubes, is build a power supply that is capable of driving them.

I utilized DIYLC (Do it Yourself Layout Creator) to design the layout of the strip-board.

Circuit Layout designed with DIYLC:

DIYLC was missing an Axial Lead Inductor on it's component palette.  I ended up using Java to create my own component.

Inductor I Added:

This is my first circuit built on strip-board. I am a tad messy, hence the reason why I am opting for Strip-Board instead of etching a PCB. You can see where I accidentally laid it on my hot iron. I made a few placement mistakes and and I did not feel like unsoldering, so I utilized DYLC to move some of the components around to accommodate my mistakes.

Circuit built on Strip-Board:

Finally, I was able to load test the circuit, to make sure that it would drive four nixies.

Load Testing Circuit:

I'm pretty clumsy, so I designed a tube socket holder for the nixie tubes:
- Thingiverse IN-18 Nixie Tube PL31p Socket Mounts

Holder:

I also mounted everything to a board, while tinkering, because of the very same reason.

Wood Board:

Video:

Logic:

I am utilizing an Adafruit HUZZAH ESP8266 Breakout board to control what is displayed on the tubes.

https://github.com/jefferoonie/ESP-Huzzah-Nixie-Tube-Clock

ESP8266 → MCP23017 → K155ID1

Breadboard rats-nest to PCB:

Decided to have a PCB made, so that I could get rid of the rats nest that is hanging out on that breadboard.

Drew Schematic:

Routes:

Blank PCB Arrived:

Populated PCB:

There are many things that I would have done differently like:

• Better labeling and marking of polarity, and etc.
• Bigger screw holes.
• Maybe flipped two of the BCD chips.

Finished:
Ended up making the finished housing out of a wood box from Hobby Lobby.
Drew up, and printed a top of the box, based on my previous tube socket holder:
IN-18 Nixie Tube PL31p Socket Mounts - Hobby Lobby Box Lid

Update: Webserer Controls
Decided to throw a web-server on it, for changing time zones, and daylight savings. It captures the offset that correlates with the time zone, and puts it into the emulated EEPROM. The code in Github has been updated to reflect this
Ugly, but works for me.

HAM Hero!

Something just came on TV about Amelia Earhart.  It reminded me of someone that I knew as a kid, that was influenced by Amelia.

Fern V. Fisher (Call Sign: W9LCJ) was an interesting person from Racine, that was a pilot, flight instructor, mechanic & radio tech.

I used to live by her as a kid, in the 80's. She is one of the people that kind of guided me into the world of computers & electronics.  Little did she know that I would end up making a career out of it.

Fern used to bring me to the HAM swap meets, so that I could bring home a bunch of electronic goodies, to tinker with. I also received a few electronic kits from her, like the Radio Shack 150in1. Even gave me an aircraft receiver.  I just remember that the antenna was a phono plug, so I had to get a phono to F connector, in order to connect it to the rooftop TV antenna.  Yes, I know now that the impedance was probably off.

I was also recently asking a friend, Blake, about amateur radio stuff, and she came to mind. I'm pretty sure my brother remembers me going through the trash, when she tossed out electronic goodies. :P

Still remember when she shook my hand and said, "You shook the hand that Amelia Earhart shook."

Learn About Her:
40 years at Batten
A passion for flight: Local aviation pioneers join Hall of Fame
Obit: Fern Viola Fisher (Call Name W9LCJ)
Southeastern Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame

Update June 21, 2019:
I was at the EAA Chapter 838 Museum, and stumbled on some pictures & information. She was inducted into chapter 838's hall of fame, back in 1999.  Took some pictures of them with my phone, so the quality is not the best.  Click on them to enlarge.

Working on a Cub, circa 1943:

Fern with the same Cub (NC37905) in 1991:

A chic Fern Fisher with her Cub Coupe:

Fern with one of the Cubs she flew as an instructor during World War II:

Working the unicom in 1985:

Misc Photo:

Hall of Fame Letter:

TI-99/4A & HDX (Dsk2Pc)

I have been playing around with Fred Kaal's HDX server programs, for the TI-99/4a.  Just testing out the DSK2PC portion for a friend.  I don't have a windows machine, so I had to utilize Wine for Linux.

Software:

• PC - Ti99Hdx Server
• TI - Dsk2Pc

Hardware:

• nanoPEB (Version 1)
• UberGROM (Extended Basic v2.7 Cart)
• DB9 - Serial to USB Converter (Prolific PL-2303)
• DB9 - Female to Female, Null Modem

Wine Notes:

In order for an application running under Wine to see COM1, I had to had a symbolic link:

ln -s /dev/ttyUSB0 ~/.wine/dosdevices/com1

TI Steps:

1. Boot the Extended Basic v2.7 Cart
2. Take option [B: TI Writer/Assembler]
3. Take option [6: RUN PROGRAM FILE]
4. Enter: DSK1.NPDSK2PC

DSK2PC: File Sent

HDX Server: File Received

Console File Listing: On HDX server, after transfer:

Raspberry Pi 3 Experimentation

I've always wanted a Raspberry PI, but I have never bought one for myself, because I didn't have any plans.  I still do not have any plans, but it will be fun to tinker with, so bear with me.

My father in law gave me one, for Christmas, along with a bunch of goodies to tinker with.

Toys used so far:

• Raspberry Pi 3,Model B, 1gb RAM
• Kuman 5 inch Resistive Touch Screen 800x480 HDMI TFT LCD Display
• Kuman RPI Powerpack v1.2
• Rii H9S Mini 2.4Ghz Wireless Keyboard

Pi booted into Raspbian, and checking out the command prompt:

As you can see, the screen is chopped off, on the right side. 

I order to remedy this, I added the following to [/boot/config.txt]:

hdmi_group=2

hdmi_mode=87

hdmi_cvt 800 480 60 6 0 0 0

Pi Assembled to Kuman RPI Powerpack:

Utilizing GPIO Extension Board:

This board is where the real fun/experimentation starts. Yes, I like to start small.

Python script to test the LED:

## Import GPIO library
import RPi.GPIO as GPIO

## Use BCM (more later) pin numbering
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM) 
GPIO.setup(5, GPIO.OUT) 
GPIO.output(5, False)

Ended up moving this onto something that was more self contained: