Getting a TXT file into an EEPROM

Projects General Guidance
1

I've constructed a 5x5x5 led cube, that will use an external eeprom (24C256) to store the designs that will be displayed.

I do already have a TXT file containing the information that I have to store in the EEPROM. The question is: how to do that?

I've started using serial communications: an application in processing reads the file and send it via the COM port, the Arduino receives the data and sends it to the EEPROM via I2C. So far i wasn't successful, but I blame that on my poor knowledge of Processing.The EEPROM gets full of dirt, and has lots of 255 bytes.

So the other alternative was saving the file into an SD card, and then solve everything in the Arduino. Maybe that should work. has anyone done something like that?

Is there an easier way?
Regards

2

I would have gone with what you tried at first - but I wouldn't have used processing.

I would start by making a more interactive interface to the programming sketch using serial. Provide a nice menu for uploading the text file to the eeprom - maybe include the ability to list the eeprom. And all just in serial - no need for any extra software. You can then use a standard terminal emulator (hyperterm, or whatever) to do the actual uploading.

Ideally handling "standard" data formats for upload would be nice - like Intel HEX format - and then you can use it for more complex uploads to eeproms etc in future.

3

Thanks Majenko. I'll explore that option.