This is an ideal complement to any project. It is a complete front panel with an I2C interface, build you project without need to worry about input or output from the user. Hardly any resources taken up from the host, i.e Arduino or Raspberry pi. *** Works from 3.3V to 5V ***
It can from the front panel of any project. It has a 'blank' front and so the projectier is free to print out on a standard printer any front panel of choosing. This will make any project look professional.
The device is only 6mm deep plus the pins.
For further information see the data sheet, due to ebay policy cannot provide a link here, look for ByVac or BV4242 or pichips
The device consists of an integration of two parts, the LCD display and the Touch pad controller. Both are controlled through the same I2C address.
There are 16 individual touch pads. The pads are constantly monitored by the on board microcontroller and if one is touched the value of that pad is stored in the key buffer. In addition to this there is a pin that will go low indication that there is information in the buffer. The host (Arduino etc.) microcontroller can either monitor this pin or simply read the key buffer using I2C. In this way the host burden is considerably freed.
The pads can be tuned by setting values in EEPROM. This caters for the differing materials that may be put on the front of the keypad. There are also I2C commands that will assist in this tuning. The default values will cater for the panel without any covering and also for vinyl and thicker glossy photo paper.
The LCD display has some special characteristics;
This is a choice of two colours:
(BLUE) Blue foreground with white backlight, this type of display need to have the back light on all of the time. (WHITE) white foreground, black letters and white backlight. The dsiplay can easily be seen without the back light and it also work in direct sunlight.
The BV4242 user interface with a blue or white LCD.