This will be my last class for a while. But don’t fret, someone else has graciously volunteered to pick the class up! I’m sure it’ll be nice to have someone new 😀

Anywho, this class will focus on 4 wire resistive touch screens. These are attached to LCD screens from Garmin GPS units.

Python will be required for the last part of this class. Please ensure that you have Python with pygame and pyserial installed prior to class!! If you have issues installing either, please contact arduino@unallocatedspace.org.

Agenda:

1. How do resistive touch screens work
2. Wire the screens up
3. Write code to determine position of stylus/finger
4. Use Python (with pyserial and pygame) to render position information

If you cannot attend the class in person, E-Mail arduino@unallocatedspace.org and ask to be added to the Google Hangout. The hangout will be started just before class (6:45-7:15 PM). If you have not gotten an invite by 7:15 PM, then please E-Mail arduino@unallocatedspace.org.

The slides for the upcoming and previous classes can be found here. The slides are generally made during the three days before a class.

Required Items:

1. An Arduino board of some kind (Uno, Due, Mega, Boarduino, Duemilanove, etc)
2. If your board does not have USB programming built in, you will need a programmer (AVRISP, Bus Pirate, Bus Blaster, AVR Dragon, another Arduino, etc)
3. Breadboard (the long one if possible, though the small square-ish ones are okay for now)
4. USB cable for your board and/or programmer
5. Laptop with the Arduino IDE installed (Linux, Windows, or Mac)
6. Python with pygame and pyserial installed

Provided Items:

1. 4 wire resistive touch panel

Since Unallocated Space runs off of donations, we would like to mention that the recommended donation for this class is $5. It is by no means a requirement, but it does help us keep the lights on! Attendance to the space, and this class, is 100% free to all!