1204 User Guide

Getting Started

Checking the Contents

You should have received: A PhidgetTextLCD Adapter A mini-USB cable Mounting hardware kit		In order to test your new Phidget you will also need: An LCD An LCD cable

Connecting the Pieces

Connect your LCD to the Adapter using your LCD cable. Connect the PhidgetTextLCD Adapter to your computer using the Mini-USB cable.

Testing Using Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / 7

Make sure you have the current version of the Phidget library installed on your PC. If you don't, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Quick Downloads section on the Windows page
2. Download and run the Phidget21 Installer (32-bit, or 64-bit, depending on your system)
3. You should see the icon on the right hand corner of the Task Bar.

Running Phidgets Sample Program

Double clicking on the icon loads the Phidget Control Panel; we will use this program to ensure that your new Phidget works properly.

The source code for the TextLCD-full sample program can be found in the quick downloads section on the C# Language Page. If you'd like to see examples in other languages, you can visit our Languages page.

Updating Device Firmware

If an entry in this list is red, it means the firmware for that device is out of date. Double click on the entry to be given the option of updating the firmware. If you choose not to update the firmware, you can still run the example for that device after refusing.

LCD Display Tab Double Click on PhidgetTextLCD Adapter in the Phidget Control Panel to bring up TextLCD-full and check that the box labelled Attached contains the word True. Choose the screen. Select the screen size. Click on Initialize to set-up and clear the display. Click on the Backlight box. The screen will light up. Click on the Cursor box. A “dash” cursor will appear on the screen. Click on the Cursor Blink box. A square blinking cursor will appear on the screen. You can increase or decrease the LCD contrast by moving the pointer in the Contrast slider box. You can increase or decrease the LED Brightness by moving the pointer in the Brightness slider box. You can type your message to be displayed on the LCD screen. To make your own characters, click on the Custom Characters Tab.
Custom Characters Tab Draw your custom character. Select the memory location (you can store up to 8 characters in location 0 to 7). Select the screen. Store the custom character in the memory location. The stored values are shown in the boxes. The algorithm is described in the Technical Section of the manual. You can see your custom character by typing \0 (in the case of Memory Location 0) in one of the text boxes on the “LCD Display” tab.

Testing Using Mac OS X

1. Go to the Quick Downloads section on the Mac OS X page
2. Download and run the Phidget OS X Installer
3. Click on System Preferences >> Phidgets (under Other) to activate the Preference Pane
4. Make sure that the is properly attached.
5. Double Click on in the Phidget Preference Pane to bring up the Sample program. This program will function in a similar way as the Windows version.

Using Linux

For a step-by-step guide on getting Phidgets running on Linux, check the Linux page.