It's a project in progress and it's partially been designed with the advice found here on these forums.

I call it the "Hippo Communicating Clock"

It's similar to an ALPHA Serial Clock about $199 US

http://www.adaptivedisplays.com/Pages/clock.htm

Here are some of the features...

• 4” HE Red display (Green optional)
• Bidirectional RS485 Communications
• Up to 64 clocks per RS485 network 4000’ max
• Master mode slaves synchronized to a master clock
• PC controllable with simple text commands good for LINUX
• iButton/1wire port will display temperature if DS18S20PAR connected
• External event switch connector
• Relay connector
• Multiple operating modes (clock, countdown timer, event counter)
• Multiple time zone offset from master clock
• Settable dimming time Settable disable/enable display times
• SuperCap power fail backup
• High efficiency 5v switching power adapter
• Firmware upgradeable

Almost forgot, a simple message display that can display 7 segment text (see myblueroom.ttf downloadable from my site)

I'll be posting the schematics in the next few days on my site and here if requested.
And yes I'll post the source code as I work on it. (In Parallax CVASM sorry I'm just so used to it)

Some hardware details of the project:
PIC 16F873A based
Common anode display
Programmabe boost power converter for the big (and even bigger 5" 6" & 8" displays)
5v power
1f supercap for power fail
RS232 option
Small main PCB, the displays use a harness to keep the cost low.
32768 clock crystal & 3686400 main

Attached are the ALPHA clock photo & manual.

Attached Images

clock1.jpg (4.9 KB, 4 views)

Attached Files

Big Clock.pdf (275.5 KB, 5 views)

__________________
Bill
Home of the
Firefly PIC Tutor
Inchworm ICD2

http://www.blueroomelectronics.com