Seetron TRM-425 display/keypad interface

[victorf]

Has anyone on the forum any experience with Seetron's TRM-425?

See http://www.seetron.com/

This is a rather neat (albeit pricy) 4 X 20 display that can be a terminal device. It has a serial (RS232) interface and supports a 4 X 4 keypad as well.

I am planning to use this puppy in my current project and would like to know if anyone has any sharable software (API) for it. I plan to make use of the display as well as the keypad interface. I have read the AN for attaching a matrix keypad to the ZX but I am running out of pins. I have a hardware RS232 interface (MAX232A) configured as Com3 available.

Any enlightenment will be appreciated.

Vic

[mikep]

If you can wait a few weeks I will be writing an application note for the LCD03 display that has a I2C interface and supports a matrix keypad.

As you will note from some of my other recent application notes, I include an test module (Main) and a reuseable interface module. I plan to do the same for this LCD display. The interface will have more public APIs than is typically because the extra capabilities of this display.

This display is available from Acroname for $50 in the US.

[dkinzer]

I have some extra 8x24 LCD panels for $35 each. They can be connected using an async serial port (COMn) or synchronous serial (ShiftOut).

If you opt for a display with an I2C interface, you can connect a matrix keyboard via I2C using a PCF8574. I need to update the application note to show how to do this but it's pretty straightforward.

[victorf]

Thanks for the replies

The reason I am considering the TRM-425 is that it is possible to store up to 95 pre-formatted screens non-volatilly[] in the puppy which can easily be recalled to the screen. My application makes use of this capability (not all 95 possibl;e screens tho). Also, I need to connect a 4 X 4 matrix keypad. Also, I am out of space on my PCB for more chips. The board is fixed in size within the app so going larger is not an option. I had hopes someone had already done the code.

Any enlightenment will be appreciated

Vic

[victorf]

Don,

I do like that 8 X 24 display.

As I expect my application to be viable for several years, I need a display that will be persistant for some time and likely available off-the-shelf. Otherwise I would buy them.