Receiving HID remote codes!

So I tried taking another look at getting remote codes from my iMon Soundgraph (0x0038) LCD. I am receiving the remote codes finally! I need to do some more work cleaning up the code and I think I can get something released!

iMon LCDproc Compiler Script Update

See the original iMon LCDproc Compiler Script post for installation details.

Many new features have been added:

Auto Discovery

The driver will now auto-discover your iMon device with no need to edit the LCD.conf file. You can still specify specific product and vendor ids if you wish.

Remotes

The new driver works with newer iMon HID devices (with "HID" printed on the back), to allow Mac OS X to open the device and let you use your remote control as a mouse. Several Mac OS X drivers are available to extend the use HID devices and will now work with the remote buttons. If you had an older version of the iMon installer script that installed the LCDprocUSBShield.kext, you will need to reboot after you run the install script to gain full control of your remote.

Older iMon devices that use the iMon Pad remote, but do not use HID, such as the 0xffdc VFD, can also use the remote with the help of a few programs:

1. GrowLCDproc 1.4.1, 1.3.11 or newer must be running and connected to lcdproc.
2. Remote Buddy must be running with the "Script Remote" enabled in the "Hardware" area.

The imon lcdproc driver will send remote control button presses to GrowLCDproc, which in turn, sends commands to Remote Buddy via AppleScript. Remote Buddy is not a free product, but it is so professionally written with so many excellent features that it is worth the money. Remote Buddy has many options to control all of your essential Mac OS X programs. There is also a free 30 day download available.

Improved features with 0x0038 SoundGraph LCD

New features have been added that improve the stability of the SoundGraph LCD and allow users to control what the LCD will display after LCDproc shuts down.

Good Luck!

GrowLCdproc 1.4.1 Available

GrowLCDproc 1.4.1 is now available for download.

GrowLCDproc 1.4.1 is compiled for 64-bit Leopard. It also includes a feature to display the current date and time when no other notifications are visible. It is largely untested and may have some minor bugs in the configuration screen. It appears to work otherwise.

See it in action.

Take a look at the documentation.

Download the latest version now.

Update:

GrowLCDproc 1.3.11 is now available for GrowLCDproc users using Pre-Leopard Operating Systems. It has all of the features of 1.4.1, but works with Mac OS X 10.4.

Update:

GrowLCDproc 1.4.1 fixes an error in GrowLCDproc 1.4.0 that would cause the display to not load on some systems.

iMon based VFD and remote on ebay

This seems like a good deal:

Cooler Master RC-260-OSB1 Multimedia Value Pack w/VFD M. Less than $15 shipped.

I just bought my next project!

Update 4-NOV-2009

This device lists as: Product ID: 0xffdc Vendor ID: 0x15c2 and works with the iMon LCDproc Compiler Script. Just change the /usr/local/etc/LCDd.conf file to include the proper USB Product id.

I was also able to get the remote working with some additional code, applescript and the very impressive Remote Buddy

iMon LCDproc Compiler Script

I uploaded the iMon LCDproc Compiler script / installer for Mac OS X. You need to have the Apple developer tools installed to use it. The script will download the latest LCDproc, compile it and install it with the iMon LCD driver. You may need to edit the LCDd.conf file to suit your particular LCD. This will likely block the mouse from working on your remote.

To use it, just:

1. Download the latest version now.
2. Open the iMon_LCDproc_Installer archive
3. Double-click the "install.command" script
4. Enter your password to allow installation
5. Edit the /usr/local/etc/LCDd.conf file to include the product id of your iMon display

Download the latest version now.

Update!

The iMon LCDproc driver for Mac OS X now supports many more iMon displays including product IDs 0xffdc, and 0x0037.

Update 2009-12-21

See the new features: iMon LCDproc Compiler Script Update

GrowLCDproc 1.3.9 Available

GrowLCDproc 1.3.9 is now available for download.

GrowLCDproc 1.3.9 improves priority handling of Growl notifications, causing normal priority notifications to be displayed immediately on your LCD.

See it in action.

Take a look at the documentation.

Download the latest version now.

Universal Belkin F5U103 kext/Driver

Here is a Universal Binary driver for the Belkin F5U103 usb serial adapter. It works on Intel and PPC on Mac OS X 10.4 and should work on 10.5 also. Compiled from source available at: ubsa-osx project.

Download

The ownership of the kext file will likely need to be changed to root:wheel

I wrote some code to get LCDproc working on Mac OS X with the iMon LCD 0x0038. I am currently trying to get the remote to work with it as well.

I should have a compiled binary to release soon.

LCDproc Compiler script

I have had a lot of requests for an Intel compile of LCDproc. Here is a compile script you can use to compile it yourself. You will need to have the Apple Developer Tools installed. Then run the install.command script and it will:

1. download LCDproc
2. download libusb, if not installed already
3. set up any necessary environment variables
4. configure, compile and install LCDproc
5. run LCDproc with the default LCDd configuration
6. open the LCDd.conf file so you can edit the configuration if you want
7. open the LCDd StartupItem installer to allow you to run LCDd at start up

You may need to enter your password when prompted.

In the end you will have a fully-featured LCDproc compiled with all of the USB drivers enabled. You will need to edit the LCDd.conf file to suit your display. If you have to specify a device in the LCDd.conf file,be sure to use the cu.usbserial device, not the tty.usbserial device.

Unfortunately, because this is a default install, some drivers such as imon will not work properly without other Mac OS X specific patches.

Many USB displays will work with minor configuration file changes, including the Mac OS X USB LCD Kit.

Download the latest version now.

LCDproc iMon driver

Working with a user on InsanelyMac, I was able to get LCDproc working with an iMon VFD product id 0x0036.  I am working with another user to get it working with an iMon LCD product id 0x0038, and I will hopefully have a download available soon.