Pen Truth

Mike Trethowan

Only one variable will be needed in this project:

#Region " Dims "
    Const VidPid As String = "VID_0403+PID_6001+RAYIG8GTA" ' Acquired using Device Manager
#End Region

Use Windows Device Manager to get the Vendor ID and Product ID numbers.  Add the routine that sets the serial port.  As mentioned, the serial port is located and set using ManagementObjectSearcher.  Once the searcher provides a collection of available ports loop through them and locate the device that we need the port name for.  Once the device is located exit the loop.  This is put in the form of a Function that returns a Boolean even though the Boolean is not used.  In a more refined project the Function can be tested in an IF statement and if there are no ports found, i.e. findDevice() returns false a message can be generated for the user to take some action.

#Region "  Serial Routines "

    Public Function FindDevice() As Boolean
        Dim answer As Boolean = False
        Dim searcher As New ManagementObjectSearcher("root\WMI", "SELECT * FROM MSSerial_PortName")
        For Each queryObj As ManagementObject In searcher.Get()
            Dim foundDevice As Integer = queryObj("InstanceName").IndexOf(VidPid)
            If foundDevice > -1 Then
                lblMessage.Text = "GPS Found At " & queryObj("PortName")
                answer = True
                spUSB.PortName = queryObj("PortName")
                System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(100)
                spUSB.Open()
                Exit For
            End If
        Next
        Return answer
    End Function

#End Region

GetMessage() and SendMessage() are simple routines, not much different from the GetMessage() from the previous post.  Place bothe of these in the “Serial Routines” region with FindDevice()

   Private Sub GetMessage(sender As Object, e As SerialDataReceivedEventArgs)
        Try
            If spUSB.IsOpen And spUSB.BytesToRead Then
                DisplayMessage(lblMessage, spUSB.ReadLine)
                pnlRx.BackColor = Color.Green
            Else
                pnlRx.BackColor = Color.Red
                spUSB.Open()
            End If
        Catch ex As Exception
            DisplayMessage(lblMessage, "Error In GetMessage() " & ex.Message)
        End Try
    End Sub

    Private Sub SendMessage(ByVal txMessage As String)   ' Translate the passed message into ASCII and store it as a byte array. 
        Try
            If spUSB.IsOpen Then spUSB.WriteLine(txMessage)
        Catch ex As Exception
            lblMessage.Text = "Error In SendMessage() " & ex.Message
        End Try
    End Sub

When the program runs we want the StartUp() routine to be called from the code for the Form Load Event, so add this code and call it when the program loads.  Remember, double clicking the main form will automatically generate the code for the Form Load Event.

    Private Sub StartUp()
        lblMessage.Text = "Status: Ready"
        bgwGetMessage.WorkerSupportsCancellation = True
        FindDevice()
        AddHandler spUSB.DataReceived, AddressOf GetMessage
    End Sub

And finally, add the code in the Button Click Event.

#Region " Button Events "

    Private Sub btnSend_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles btnSend.Click
        If txbMessage.Text <> "" Then SendMessage(txbMessage.Text)
    End Sub

#End Region

Now simply jump the Orange and Yellow pins on the TTL-232R, plug the cable into the USB Port and run your program.  Type a message in txbMessage, press the Send button and you should see it Echoed in lblMessage.  Here are the screen shots of my program at startup, after I typed the message into the text box and after sending the message.  Messages can be sent in any form.  Projects that can be designed from this include Microcontroller Interfacing to the PC, Weather Station, Robotics and Home Automation.

Happy Coding.

Disclaimer:  The code in this tutorial is not intended as a final product or by no means the only way this project can be coded. The presented code is for educational purposes only and no warranty is granted or implied. I/we are not responsible for any damages as a result of using this code. Use at your own risk.