Older LCDs have a lower level interface. From memory, there's a pixel clock, line clock and frame clock. Then a parallel bus with the pixel value. The cirrus logic ARM SoC in the Psion 5mx interfaces with the LCD directly. You also need to supply it with some weird voltages (+/- 15V?). When I was doing that I found that part more difficult, I think I'd find it easier now...
The interface is pretty standard, so the gumstix (TI OMAP3something) can also drive it.
The keyboard is pretty big for a FPCB. I'm just guess 500USD, for maybe 10 pieces. Because that's the prototype level pricing I've seen before (check itead.cc or Seeed, they both do FPCB now I believe).
The process they actual use in membrane keyboards is different, I don't know what that process is called.
Hmm. When you say "talks to the LCD directly", there's still a tiny low-level controller attached to the LCD, right?
While highly nonstandard, but I want to see how feasible it is to truly drive an LCD directly. To me that sounds like a) huge pin count, b) "fun" prototyping costs, and c) difficult conversations with manufacturers who don't want to explain how their controllers work (and I guess d) a lot of work on my end to support all the different LCDs I'll use). My motivation is to see whether it's possible to control an LCD and touch panel or keyboard from a single chip.
> The interface is pretty standard, so the gumstix (TI OMAP3something) can also drive it.
Good to know.
> The keyboard is pretty big for a FPCB. I'm just guess 500USD, for maybe 10 pieces. Because that's the prototype level pricing I've seen before (check itead.cc or Seeed, they both do FPCB now I believe).
Oh okay, so $50ea for prototyping. Cool.
> The process they actual use in membrane keyboards is different, I don't know what that process is called.
I was curious about integrating LCD control into a single processor because the security implications are really interesting. Just an idea at this point though.
I remember looking inside cheap electronic organizers and seeing a lone blob on the PCB. So I know managing simple LCDs is doable.
The interface is pretty standard, so the gumstix (TI OMAP3something) can also drive it.
The keyboard is pretty big for a FPCB. I'm just guess 500USD, for maybe 10 pieces. Because that's the prototype level pricing I've seen before (check itead.cc or Seeed, they both do FPCB now I believe).
The process they actual use in membrane keyboards is different, I don't know what that process is called.