GLICTalk-K1 for Windows

FGC This application will only run under Microsoft Windows 98SE or XP.

General Operation.
Whilst the GLIC-K and GLIC-T interpreter chips can be used for most basic graphic functions without
an EEPROM, more advanced functions such as text and graphic storage require the EEPROM to
be connected.
In order to download text and bitmap data to the EEPROM you will need GLICTalk-K1.
Considering the low costs involved, we would recommend that all circuit designs include the
EEPROM as standard. All options are available if using the FGC GLIC-K1 Interface pcb.
You must only use the 24LC512 Microchip EEPROM.

PC Connection.
You will need an RS232-type serial port on your PC. You then connect to the PC interface
as shown on the GLIC-T and GLIC-K data sheets. If you are using an FGC interface board
then all the circuitry and sockets are already included - just power-up and plug-in.

GLICTalk-K1 Overview.

GLIC Talk-K1 allows you to edit or create text strings to be stored on GLIC-K or -T EEPROM.
It also allows you to store bitmap images onto the non-volatile EEPROM.
The Text character Strings can be retrieved and displayed, controlled by your PICAXE / Stamp code. This
can save a huge amount of code space - especially when some text messages are used repetitively.
Graphic bitmaps are limited to 128 x 64 pixels in size in a 1-bit (black and white) format. NOTE: The
KS0108 / T6963 cannot display grey-scale and therefore images will NOT be photographic quality.

Opening Screen. GLCD Type

Selected Comm Port No.

The first screen shows the

basic functions that you will
use for downloading text
and bitmap images.

For new users the button

marked ‘Graphic Test’ is
useful to check that your
connections and settings
are good.

But first, there are two

settings to specify.
1. Com port number.
2. GLCD type.
Text Screen

Read On ....
Initial Setup.
Your first steps are to ensure that:-

You have selected the correct ‘Com’ port number

You have selected the correct Graphic LCD (GLCD) type

Com Port number.

All serial connections on a PC have an associated
number so that communications data goes to and
from the correct place.
This is usually COM1, but if you have a PC card
interface or a USB-Serial adaptor this may have
been defined as a different number.
Use the ‘Comms’ dropdown to select the number.

Graphic LCD (GLCD) type.

GLICTalk-K1 will support GLIC-T and GLIC-K.
GLIC-T is used for T6963 based GLCDs.
GLIC-K is used for KS0108 based GLCDs.
Use ‘Display’ dropdown to select the correct type.
Fastkey Note:
CTRL+K selects KS0108.
CTRL+T selects T6963.

Initial Tests.
You should now have your PC connected to the GLIC-K or GLIC-T
interface using the circuit described on the GLIC-K/T data sheets.
If you are using the FGC Interface board then everything is ready.

You must now supply +5V to the circuit - if using home-made circuit or
bread-board you must remember to apply the NEGATIVE voltage to the GLCD
via the ‘contrast’ potentiometer. You may have to adjust the Contrast pot to see
the screen.

Click on the “Graphic Test” button.

You should see:-

1. 3 concentric circles appear on both PC screen and GLCD screen.

2. “Hello from PC” appears on PC and GLCD screen.
3. A border animation appears on GLCD screen only.
4. GLIC firmware description on GLCD screen only.
Initial Check (continued).

IF nothing happens:
1 Check Power
2 Check Negative voltage to GLCD
3 Check Serial cable
4 Check Port Number
5 Check driver / settings if using a USB-Serial adaptor.
6 Check driver / settings if using a Brain Boxes Ltd PC or PCMCIA card.

(We do NOT support queries if using unbranded devices!)

If you are using an FGC Interface board then it should work first time.
If you are using a home-made pcb or ‘birds-nest’ breadboard then you could be in for a long haul.

Check and double-check. Remember, the GLIC- and GLIC-K circuit and software designs have
undergone rigorous testing. The circuit and software is perfect. However, if you have electrically
damaged the GLIC chip or the GLCD (or any other component) then you will have to replace them at
your cost - so be careful.

IF the graphics work but no text appears then you have forgotten to set it to the correct GLCD.
So, check to see whether you are using a GLIC-T (T6963) or GLIC-K (KS0108) GLCD.
Set it using the ‘Display’ dropdown.

All OK now?

STORING TEXT on GLIC-T or K EEPROM.

Click the ‘GLIC TEXT Dialogue’ button.

Any text data in the EEPROM will be transferred

to your PC and will be displayed in the text
screen.

On a fresh (empty) EEPROM the text screen will be blank.

To enter text, either:-

Manually type in text in the text screen.
Create text in ‘Notepad’ and use the ‘File’ / ‘Open’ dropdown dialogue to import.

NOTE: 20 characters maximum per line. 100 lines maximum. Any

characters over the limits will be erased and ignored.

Saving Text.
If you wish to save the text on the text screen, then select File / Save As...
Sending Text to EEPROM.
Once you have typed in your text, you will need to send it to the EEPROM.

To send the text to GLIC’s EEPROM, you click the “Send Text to GLIC” BUTTON.

You will now see a ‘Progress Screen’ on your PC and the GLCD.

It will take about 10 seconds to download...

IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS when using a USB-Serial adaptor you may have to increase the
‘Comms / Delay’ value.

The “Don’t Send” button terminates the text dialogue link with the GLIC-T/K. Confirmation will be
displayed on the GLCD screen.

A Good Idea.
SAVE a copy of the text screen as your PICAXE / Basic Stamp code will be calling particular lines
for display. Then you’ll know which number to use in the Serout command.

Clear EEPROM.
Clicking the “Clear EEPROM” button will blank the text section of the GLIC-K/T EEPROM.
Downloading a bitmap Image to GLIC EEPROM.
Click the “Load bmp Image Dialogue” button.

This starts the Image-select and download dialogue...

Select the desired file and click “Open”.

(Clicking “Cancel” abandons the dialogue.)

You will now be asked for an image number where

to store the image.

The number you choose specifies the EEPROM

location where the image is stored. It is also the
number you use in your PICAXE / Basic Stamp
code for displaying the image.

Enter a number between 1 and 20 for the location.

Click “OK” and the download will start.

You will see a ‘Progress Bar’ on your PC and GLCD

screen. Download takes about 10 seconds.

The GLCD screen will also notify you of comms

errors or if an interruption has occurred

After a successful download the image will be displayed on the GLCD screen for 3 seconds.
Creating a bitmap image for download.
You will need to create an image of the following specification:-

128 x 64 size.
1 bit (black & white) image
Save as Windows bitmap format.

Any other size or format will be rejected by GLICTalk-K1.

So, don’t expect ‘photographic’ quality images.

Almost any image-creation application can be used.

GLIC-K1 Functions.
A number of new functions have been included to speed-up code development.

Syntax/Run.
Use the “Display” dropdown to access these commands.

Now select the command for Syntax information.

You will be shown a new window listing the command

syntax and the meaning of each parameter.

An example is shown on how to use the command.

You will be presented with the option to RUN the selected command.

If you choose to “Run this Command” a new

dialogue box will appear.

It gives a brief syntax description and an input

zone where you can type in some values.

A simple set of example values are given.

You can then click “OK” and the command is run

through the mini-interpreter and sent to the GLIC-
K/T for execution on screen.

Parametric errors will be displayed.

“CLS Before Run”.
Selecting this option initiates a ‘Clear Screen’ command to the GLIC-K/T before your command is
executed. This can make things easier to view when testing commands.

“GLCD Characters”
This tells the GLCD to display the specially pre-programmed character set.
You can use these characters from your code using the Character Number value in your PrintAT
command by specifying their code number. Note: Specifying an ASCII number in the GLICTalk-K1
‘RUN’ command will cause an error. This is to be used ONLY in your PICAXE / Basic Stamp code.

“Message Delay”
Some functions display a message window on your PC. These windows appear only for a short time and
the Message Delay dialogue box can be used to change the amount of time they stay on-screen.

“Enter Command Line”

This is a shortcut method to execute a GLIC command line.

You simply type in the Command Number followed by the

parameters in the same way as you would enter the
parameter list within your PICAXE / Basic Stamp Serout
command.

If you click on the “OK” button the command string is checked

by the mini-interpreter and if OK will be sent to the GLIC-K/T
and displayed on the GLCD screen.

This new option allows you to rehearse your command lines before coding up.

Comms / Delay.
This varies the time between data block transmission from your PC to the GLIC-K/T + EEPROM. The
default delay should be adequate for most serial links, but if you are having problems with ‘unbranded’
adaptors you may have to increase this delay time. We will NOT support technical issues if you are
using cheap/unbranded serial adaptors.

DO NOT use a PICAXE interface and DO NOT think that the serial connections are the same as PICAXE. Use the circuit
diagram shown on Pages 2 and 5 of the GLIC-K1 main Data Sheet.

GLICTalk-K1 will only work on PCs running Microsoft Windows 98 or XP.

Due to the variable performance of USB-Serial adaptors we cannot support any adaptor-specific communication issues.
However, we are currently optimising the software to work with the adaptor supplied by Rev-Ed.

For notebook PCs we always recommend the PCMCIA/Cardbus Serial adaptor made by Brain Boxes Ltd. It is not cheap
but has a high specification and is of extremely high quality.

Windows and XP are trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation.

GLIC, GLIC-K1 , GLICTalk and GLICTalk-K are FGC copyrighted product names.

FGC Queries: GLICTalk@fgcvme.co.uk