I'm currently working on a project where I have an Arduino and Parallax RFID reader communicating with an applet created in Processing.
I've been searching for some answers with no luck and was hoping someone here could point me in the right direction. Currently the Arduino+RFID reader sends the RFID tag info to Processing via serial communication which displays information on the computer screen accordingly.
Now however I want to add a 16x2 LCD to display text information as well. I can get the two things to work separately but can't seem to figure out how to accomplish both.
Currently the baud rate is set to 2400 to accommodate the Parallax RFID reader. Do I need to set up a separate serial port to allow Processing to send data back to the Arduino even (though they're already communicating)?
Sorry if this is a very newbish question, but I'm really stuck! Thanks ahead of time
Do you need to display data on the computer screen and 16x2 LCD simultaneously? As for the actual LCD, I'd take a look at this, Arduino Character LCD Tutorial
Its a simple tutorial using the Liquid crystal library.
Yes, what I want to do is display the data on the computer and the 16x2 LCD simultaneously. I've used the LiquidCrystal library and got it to work quite well. I also have the RFID reader working.
Basically, Processing takes the incoming tag id and looks it up in a database of albums. Now, what I'm trying to do is also display that album/artist information on the LCD. The ideal solution would be that the information is coming from Processing, that way I'm dealing with only one database. But if I have to, I have no problem coding the text (in this case, album/artist information) in Arduino and simply sending it unique id's from Processing. I'm trying to use something like val = Serial.read(); and then saying if(val == #) { display text for ___ album}
After scouring the internet, it seems like maybe the best solution would be to use two separate Arduinos? What do you guys think? One to handle the RFID tags and maybe setting up a separate port to handle the LCD and any other hardware "stuff" I might want to do.
But how to use them at the same time, since they use the same ports ? I searched about newSoftware, but I found no wiring guide or anything helpful for me, who is rather a programmer than an electronician. (sorry...)
Oh, great! I wouldn't have thought it was so simple... I saw pictures of complicated montages with breadboard and wires everywhere...
Assuming you are talking about a Parallax RFID reader and a SparkFun serial LCD display, would you not just connect all the grounds to ground and all the +5V power to a source of +5V power? If you want details of exactly how to do this, then you will need to provide us with details of exactly what you are using and what you are trying to do.
Yes, exactly, a Parallax RFID reader and a SparkFun serial LCD. In addition, my Arduino is a Duemilanove.
If you don't mind giving some details about power connections, I would be pleased.
I actually power the board through USB. To power the RFID and LCD boards, do I just, as you said, connect all VCC/VDD to the 5V pin on the Duemilanove and all GND to the GND pin ?
