This is a small commandline utility for Medion's VFD Displays built into some of their computers.
The linux tool is below 15k in size. Future development will bring a DOS utility, too.
It seems, there are different models, M18ST05A and M18ST05B. I don't know about differences yet.
There are very few sources about these displays out there.
One of the most complete available is (was) located here:
(archive.org link).
I discovered a few more commands while trying other Futaba
display's commands and created a text file with all known
commands (05/2019). You can read it at 'protocol.txt'.
Newly discovered commands include dimming and a really nice
built-in demo!. Scroll down to pictures to see it.
protocol.txt contains the full documentation, but not so many words like here.
It is enough to have this file as a reference for using the display.
There is quirk in pin names like shown here. I found this pinout
on the internet a few times. I dont want to bring in more confusion and
rename this. So I keep the names and explain here:
RX is not the futaba chip's RX, it shall be connected to SERIAL PORT'S RX.
TX is not the futaba chip's TX, it shall be connected to SERIAL PORT'S TX.
Go to linux-c folder and simply type make. It just needs gcc on your system.
Just run it without arguments, it will print a help.
./m18st05a
Some simple examples:
$ ./m18st05a clear
$ ./m18st05a textl0 "This is Line 0"
$ ./m18st05a textl1 "This is the second Line"
This program is in a very early stage of development and may be buggy. It does not cover all the functions provided by this display.
Sorry for the poor image quality on a few pictures. Better may come one day.
The built in demo spins around all icons and there's snow falling down, very cool:
TODO