BASIC Stamp question

Does anyone know if the stamp can interface with the computer while running, or only while being programmed?

I know the Stamp 2p has 2 pins dedicated to serial I/O, but are those only used during programing or all the time? Basically, I want to be able to have control of my relays/sensors/components without having to wait for my PC to boot, so I'm using the stamp to control them. But once the PC boots, I want to be able to control the relays via windows, while still have the stamp's program running for automated functions (auto-headlights, auto-windows, etc.)

Yes, the BASIC stamp can be used to communicate with a COM port besides the download port. I have a setup pretty close to what you have planned, and it works well.

You might want to check out BasicX -24 chips as well- they have 12 bit analog inputs as well.

DRos.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Banderon

Does anyone know if the stamp can interface with the computer while running, or only while being programmed?

I know the Stamp 2p has 2 pins dedicated to serial I/O, but are those only used during programing or all the time? Basically, I want to be able to have control of my relays/sensors/components without having to wait for my PC to boot, so I'm using the stamp to control them. But once the PC boots, I want to be able to control the relays via windows, while still have the stamp's program running for automated functions (auto-headlights, auto-windows, etc.)

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Ooohhhh... the BasicX24 seems to be better than the stamp in almost every way. Maybe I should just use this instead.


edit: and this uses standard BASIC! no need to learn PBASIC! yay! And I mean, it's basicly the same as a stamp, so it should work with all of the stamp's pretty add-ons.

I'll be the first to admit serial comms with the basic stamp are much, much easier though. The BX requires you to set up buffers and queues and is generally ackward in general compared to the stamp.

Could the Basic stamp be programmed as a startup/shutdown controller? And be reliable?
My board does not support the last power state function, so I have a very simple on/off relay system. However, it is possible to get the relay system out of sync, so that the computer boots when the key is turned off, and shuts down when the key is turned back on.
I'm trying to design an on/off controller that would be much more reliable, and difficult to confuse.
Any thoughts?
PS, I don't know how to program in BASIC, but if I can also do a power windows setup too, then I'll learn.

Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Banderon

Does anyone know if the stamp can interface with the computer while running, or only while being programmed?

I know the Stamp 2p has 2 pins dedicated to serial I/O, but are those only used during programing or all the time? Basically, I want to be able to have control of my relays/sensors/components without having to wait for my PC to boot, so I'm using the stamp to control them. But once the PC boots, I want to be able to control the relays via windows, while still have the stamp's program running for automated functions (auto-headlights, auto-windows, etc.)

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Just out of curiosity, what exactly would you have the stamp do?
I was trying to decide if it would be worth it for me to use computer/chip control of the car, but I couldn't find any great compelling reasons to do so. My alarm has enough outputs that I can use it to do what I need.

I'd appreciate it if you would share some ideas and thoughts.

BTW: There's also this.
It looks like it could be pretty cool if you've got wireless internet in your car. Connect to its web server and start your car or unlock you doors or anything else you can think of, all from any internet-connected terminal, I guess even a cell phone.

From their site:
SitePlayer SP1 is the World's Smallest Ethernet Web Server at roughly one square inch. SitePlayer allows your application to be web enabled easily with just a serial port on your device. For less than the price of a keypad and graphics LCD, you can have a world wide user interface.


Thanks,

Kris

A stamp (regardless what kind... BASIC Stamp, BasicX, OOPic-C, Tiger, etc.) is just a powerful user-friendly microcontroller with a ton of I/Os, upgradable RAM/EEPROM... well, basically a mini-PC that is instantly on, and functions as well or as poorly as your programing and wiring skills. I have huge plans for my stamp. :D

I realized a while ago that the only way I'll get things exactly how I want them to be, is to do things myself. As such, I'm going to create/buy/modify parts to make my own hardware solution, and write software for the PC/PDA to interact with it.


My stamp (or additional EEPROM, if needed) will hold the code for the car's functions. The features I want (and will add if they aren't standard) include:

- power locks (auto-locked when car is put in D)
- auto-switch LCD's input to composite video (rear cam) when in R
- auto-headlights (if it isn't standard)
- humidity sensor to auto-turn on headlights/wipers for fog (with manual override)
- auto-window up/down (on servos)
- auto-sunroof
- power seats/mirrors with user profiles (useful for passenger seat)
- remote starter (only active if the car's in Park [if the car's a manual])
- AM/FM radio on a PCB, controlled via PC (since there seems to be no AM radios for the PC, only FM)
- radar detector concealed in-dash, connected to stamp to auto-switch LCD to GPS and disable non-cop-friendly PC functions if cop is near (with manual override for false alarms, of course)
- servo to raise rear license plate @ EZ-Pass tolls (depending on how illegal I want to be... bridges and tunnels are like $6!! :eek: )
- thermisters/servos to create regional climate zones with climate control
- photoresistors connected to an inverter to auto-dim the LCD
- sonar rangefinders with digital readouts for parking and "smart cruise control" (applies brake to keep from hitting car in ahead of you)
- emergency lights and siren control
- keypad on car door for keyless entry (if it isn't standard)
- RFID tag on keychain, detector in steering column; tag needed to enable starter
- mini wireless ethernet with booster antennae; I can control/monitor car functions via wireless-enabled PDA
- all power functions for PC

These are just the ones that come to mind immediatly. I've got a ton more.


The way I see it, the microcontroller will be doing most of the work. Some of them come with multi-tasking, and I can always use more than 1 if needbe. Any function that I need that can't wait for the PC to boot up will be controlled via the stamp (lights, locks, EMT lights, etc.) with physical switches, and all PC control of the car will be through the stamp. The PC's job will be to give me a nice GUI to interact with via LCD touchscreen, a means of programming/updating the stamp, GPS, data transfer (memory readers/IR for cameras/phones), and storage/playback of media (mp3s, CDs, DVDs, etc.)

I'll have a 802.11g adaptor in the PC, as well as one in my PDA. The power cables will be on channels, so I can remote-start the PC via the microcontroller's ethernet and choose to start only the motherboard, HD, and the USB HUB that has the 802.11g connected... to save power. Then I can stream mp3s/movies straight to my PDA while I'm sitting in class, or anywhere close enough for the booster antennae to still reach... and have the PC auto-shutdown if the battery voltage still drops too low. (And, I supposd I can have a capacitor bank connected solely to the starter in case the battery somehow DOES manage to drain too far.)

Also, a side note. I don't know if it's legal or not... but I was thinking of putting a 8-10" LCD where the rear-view mirror is, with the camera input coming from a wideangle lens mounted near the rear window. That way, even if there's people in the back seat, I have a large unobstructed view of everything that's behind the car.


Anyway... maybe that gave you some ideas. Let me know if it did. :cool:

But anyway.. now I'm trying to decide on what the best stamp out there is. I plan on encoding all the programing into the stamp, and store variable data that I want saved into a tiny/cheap EEPROM chip which I can just replace if/when it breaks down.


I'm currently considering the following four stamps:

Stamp 2p - lots of documentation, little onboard EEPROM/RAM
BasicX24 - less documentation, lots of onboard EEPROM/RAM
OOPic-C - don't really know too much about it... it's OO
Economy Tiger - amazing chip... but it's not too cheap and really ugly =\


Any other good ones that I'm unaware of? What are other positives/negatives of each?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Banderon

But anyway.. now I'm trying to decide on what the best stamp out there is. I plan on encoding all the programing into the stamp, and store variable data that I want saved into a tiny/cheap EEPROM chip which I can just replace if/when it breaks down.


I'm currently considering the following four stamps:

Stamp 2p - lots of documentation, little onboard EEPROM/RAM
BasicX24 - less documentation, lots of onboard EEPROM/RAM
OOPic-C - don't really know too much about it... it's OO
Economy Tiger - amazing chip... but it's not too cheap and really ugly =\


Any other good ones that I'm unaware of? What are other positives/negatives of each?

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You could also try picaxe (www.picaxe.com)

Hmm.. that Picaxe doesn't look too good. Neither does the OOPic-C.. way too many connections on the chip itself. They should've just made it a 28 or 40-pin IC.


So it's down to BasicX24 and Basic Stamp 2p. I'm considering the Tiger... but it seems a bit overkill.