micropar, davesaudio, thanks for your replies
I've visited crystalfontz many times,, thats where I've seen 'serial LCDs'. However, their modules are actually hardwired onto the module, one board. I'm designing an attachment board, to go with a standard module. Of course, it'll pretty much be the same as a serial LCD, but with (I hope) greatly improved features. Theres some things I can't do, since they are down to the LCD module itself, like scroll individual lines, and have no gaps between characters.
Dave, cheers for the advice on protocols. I'm aiming for, not only rs232 and spi, but also I2C. All can be used. Rs232 for PC work, and the other two for embedded apps. The other reason I'm doing this, is to try and stretch the micro to its full capabilities. Using every resource, and nearly all its memory and EEPROM, since I don't think I've ever really got it working hard
Anyway, thanks again, I'll start on the 'protocol' for the device soon, since I'm not only sending data to the LCD module, but also, some data is meant for the PIC itself (programming characters into the eeprom, boot up screens, configuration, executing sub-programms for debugging and showing register contents). Hardware wise it shouldn't be too hard, and its only going to be as big as the LCD module. Software will be a nightmare though
If ever I finish this (probably end up in my 'never got off the ground' folder) I'll post the results here.
Regards,
BuriedCode