Wireless Altoids Display

This Instructable will show you how to modify an Altoids tin for a wireless 2x16 character display.

Using an Altoids tin was inspired by the need to have a small yet protective enclosure for a pair of Xbee modules recently bought from Sparkfun. I purchased the Xbee Pro modules with external antenna for the extended range the setup provides (useful for future projects). Then I realised I would need to mount the antenna socket and have a box to house the circuits.

A L T O I D S !

Overall Configuration

There will be a 'remote' Altoids tin containing Arduino, LCD and Xbee module.

A second Altoids tin containing an Xbee module only. This connects to the PC with a USB to FTDI serial cable.

Data is sent from the PC using a terminal program such as the Arduino 'Serial Monitor' and appears on the Altoids display.

So here are some possible ideas for use with this setup:

(Data flow PC to Wireless Display)
- Email Notifier
- RSS Feeds
- Facebook/Twitter Updates
- Realtime Clock

(Data flow Wireless Display to PC)
- Weather Station
- Speedometer
- Engine Monitoring
- Heart Rate Monitor
- Other realtime data logging

Let's get started!

Step 1: Components & Tools

So here's a list of what you're going to need for this project:
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 A) Featured P2P Wireless Setup

- (2x) ALTOIDS TIN
- (1x) Arduino Duemilanove
- (1x) 2x16 LCD HD44780
- (4x) Hex Posts/Spacers
- (4x) Matching Screws
- Form of sheet insulation (Card / Foam etc.)

- (2x) Xbee Modules (U.FL antenna connector)
- (2x) U.FL to RP-SMA cable connector
- (2x) Adafruit Industries Xbee Adapter Kit
- (2x) RP-SMA 2.4Ghz Duck Antenna

- (1x) USB type A to type B
- (1x) USB to serial FTDI
- Cat5 Cable

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

I realise that the Xbee modules can be quite costly.

If you still want wireless and you're content with one-way communication then there are alternative radio modules such as these from HopeRF:
http://shop.jeelabs.com/products/rfm12b

I think it's worth mentioning that this project can still be effective without wireless communication so why not create a neat USB desktop widget?

B) USB Version Only

If you just want to create a USB Altoids Message Display you're going to need:

- (1x) ALTOIDS TIN
- (1x) Arduino Duemilanove
- (1x) 2x16 LCD HD44780
- (4x) Hex Posts
- (4x) Matching screws
- (1x) USB type A to type B
- Cat5 Cable
- Form of sheet insulation (Card / Foam etc.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tools Needed

- Soldering iron & solder
- Needle-nose pliers
- Scissors
- Tin snips
- Marker pen
- Wire strippers
- Cross head screwdriver
- Fine grade sandpaper
- Drill & bits 3mm + 6.5mm

Comments

[iApple guy]

Where did you get that display? Can I use a arduino UNO, if not can I change up the code so that I can use a UNO?

[Darmani]

I know its a really old question but... it just happens that I got to this instructable today and I made it with an arduino UNO, it works :) just had to adjust the code a tiny bit, cheers.

[Jasontheperson]

I wonder how difficult it would be to modify this setup to work with bluetooth. You could make something almost like an old school pager. Anyway, very cool Instructable, definitely trying this one out.

[blenderking]

VERY COOL :)!!!!!!!

[iApple guy]

5 STARS!!! Great Instructable!

[shewolf23]

I'm very new to this kind of thing and I was wondering how you could get the screen to have buttons, so that i could have it display different text if i pressed a button.

Nice work :)

[Alexdlp]

You might find this useful... It uses the Arduino LCD Keypad Shield :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGGvrkku1ig

[Sky-Monkey]

Have you gotten to test the range limitations yet? - I just ordered a pair of the 60mW U.FL units with similar antennae, for a project. I was originally hoping to get upwards of 1000m range, but reading some reviews online, that may be optimistic. Thanks - Nice work

[The nerdling]

how do you make the colors inverted?

[Alexdlp]

Well it's a monochrome display and so is only meant show white text on a black background. Other colours are available like Red on Black, Black on Green etc. Just search for 16x2 character display. I suppose you could create custom characters if you really wanted to have the background/text inverted though :)

[BodenM]

Would it be possible to add a buzzer or vibration motor? I was thinking of maing this, and it means I can leave it on the table so i don't have to constantly check it.

[vika367]

hi, i have already bought xbee pro chip antenna, is it ok to me to use it??i'm placed the xbee pro in the box.
is it same between u.fl with chip?? i'm new in xbee. so really need your help.thanks

[Alexdlp]

Hmm I haven't used the xbee's with the chip antenna (: I'm not sure what kind of range you're gonna get with it being in the altiods tin..

I have a feeling that putting the antenna inside a metal box is going to shield and discharge the radio signal - a bit like a Faraday Cage?? Although i'm not certain.

You could always try it I guess - if it doesn't work, how about mounting the Xbee on top of the Altoids tin instead of on the inside?

Let me know how you get on :)

[pobturtle]

How much does this cost to make?

[garyrowe]

I just worked out gathering parts from America, UK and Hong Kong (eBay) that this would cost roughly £150 GBP inc postage for me.

I could be way off though as I wouldn't know where to buy the parts from the UK alone.

[Alexdlp]

Gary - please don't order parts just yet!! I think you may have overestimated slightly... Just to let you know that I've got your message and will get back to you later this evening :) Thanks

[Ghost Wolf]

I want to make one big time

[lawizeg]

Same here!

[garyrowe]

Same, big time!

[kyismaster]

could i make this into a name tag?

[toogers]

pretty high-tech for a nametag.

[TheRevJester]

Oh man...The Bike Shack needs one like this that reads the hours for volunteers off of Google Calendar. Alas, no funds, and I'm sure not going to take the time.

[fzxdf5]

It would be easier to use a nibbler...you can get these from home depot for about $15 in the electrical department

[Digi-mech]

(removed by author or community request)

[Alexdlp]

Hey there! Sure, I admit that the particular components featured are expensive but they were actually meant for another project (not just to put in a tin!) :D

I think it's the Arduino and radio modules that bump up the cost...

Check out the link below for a great kit that was designed especially for low cost Arduino/radio communication!

http://shop.jeelabs.com/products/jeenode

Hope this helps?

[siklosi]

Have you tried what's the range, and also what happens when signal is lost? I need something like this for fast moving car... display would be in car and should show text that is sent every lap when car passes. Is it possible with Xbee? What is reconnection time when signal is again in range?

[Alexdlp]

Hi, it's funny you should mention that because that was the idea I had when I bought the components! (Fit to a track car to gather sensor data and send messages to driver). I have to admit that i'm fairly new to Xbees and at the moment just running default settings. (There are many configurations).

The modules used here are XbeePro 60mW which are good for about 1 mile outdoors, but believe you can get higher power output modules with 6 mile range. I haven't done a range test yet but if you disconnect one module and power it up again, data starts streaming almost immediately!

Please keep me informed about your project, it sounds very interesting :)

[Ghost Wolf]

NOTICE: All who don't give this person 5 stars should have never joined instructables! Thank you for your time

[Alexdlp]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it! :)

[blackwellj]

how can i get my mac to display the number of unread emails i have on the lcd?

[Alexdlp]

Hmm, I have made an Arduino Gmail Notifier before, but that only triggers an output such as an LED. I know that you need to have a program called Python installed. From what I understand, it gathers your inbox status data (unread emails) and then sends it to the arduino software. I imagine it must be a similar setup to check the amount of emails unread and print to the LCD.

Check out this link... (google mail though)
http://blog.tinyenormous.com/2008/11/25/gmail-notifier-project-for-dummies/

Sorry I don't know exactly but hope this helps?

[kingbirdy]

this would make a nice little RSS feeder, depending on costs. what did you spends total on this project?

[Alexdlp]

Hi there, I agree an RSS feeder would be great! The components featured in this 'ible weren't specifically bought for this project alone. I just needed some sort of enclosure for the circuits. The Xbee wireless modules were the most expensive components, you can find them here... http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=xbee&x=0&y=0&search_section=products. :)