Large Character Format LCDs

[Guest]

Hi All,

I've got a new design that uses a PIC to measure various DC voltages and currents, and displays them on a 20 X 4 character LCD display. I really only need to display one parameter at a time, and I'd like to do it on an LCD with larger characters for better readability. I'm considering a generic LCD display (non-character type) that I can drive directly with a PIC, or creating some custom large characters to display on my current display (or a larger one if needed, like 40 X 4). All I really need to do is display characters 0 - 9, a period, an 'A', and a 'V'. Thoughts on how to approach the need for a large character LCD display?

Thanks,

Daniel

[FvM]

Do you mean graphics display with "non-character type"? They are specified in terms of pixel rows and columns rather than characters.

[PCM programmer]

I think he means LCDs like the BPP-420L, about halfway down this page:
http://www.seetron.com/slcds.htm

[Guest]

Hi Again,

Yes, I'm currently using a character type LCD, but I'm not necessarily wedded to this solution. I'm just looking for a cost-effective way to obtain large characters on an LCD display. I see two options:

1. Use a generic "raw" LCD display, and using a driver chip, or a PIC with built-in LCD functionality, display my data.

OR

2. Use a character type LCD module, and create custom large digits like the Seetron display that PCM Programmer referenced. That display might work, but it's too expensive for my application, and it (undoubtedly) has more functionality than I need!

I'm just looking for any input on what others might have done to address the need for large character LCD displays!

Daniel

[rberek]

I have used a monochrome 128x64 Graphics LCD to do something similar (RPM Indicator). They are cheap and easy to control (I believe CCS has a driver for them). The Samsung KS01018 controller is bog standard.

You will just need to create a bitmap of the characters you want to display.

r.b.

[FvM]

O.K., I see how large characters can be displayed on a 4 line character display utilizing the programmable character generator with aný Hitachi compatible display. The term "raw" LCD display seems at least ambiguous to me, and no common technical term anyway.

PICs with LCD interface are dedicated to drive multplexed custom specific LCD displays as used with electronic home appliances or electronic instruments, but not a "generic" character or graphics display.

[John Morley]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the many helpful suggestions! I like the idea of using the graphic LCD display module, so I've ordered a few from SparkFun to play with!

Thanks,

Daniel
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John Morley