Embedded Java??

Newbie & Debugging Questions
#1

Today I was looking at electronic dart boards, and I couldn’t find a single one that I liked. Then an idea hit me - wouldn’t it be a fun project to make one myself??

So - thus far I’ve decided I can buy a cheap electronic dart board - strip out the board and sensors, attach the sensors, a small keypad, and a small LCD to a board that runs the JVM, and write a java program to handle the actual game itself, and build a wooden case for the whole thing.

I have no problem writing the Java code - I’ve been working professionally with Java for over four years now. However, I am truely a clueless newbie when it comes to any good Java chips / boards to use. I think it would be a bit overboard to actually have a computer running this game, a small embedded solution would be ideal.

Can anyone suggest anything or point me in the right direction?

Thanks,

  • Jerry
#2

[quote]Today I was looking at electronic dart boards, and I couldn’t find a single one that I liked. Then an idea hit me - wouldn’t it be a fun project to make one myself??

So - thus far I’ve decided I can buy a cheap electronic dart board - strip out the board and sensors, attach the sensors, a small keypad, and a small LCD to a board that runs the JVM, and write a java program to handle the actual game itself, and build a wooden case for the whole thing.

I have no problem writing the Java code - I’ve been working professionally with Java for over four years now. However, I am truely a clueless newbie when it comes to any good Java chips / boards to use. I think it would be a bit overboard to actually have a computer running this game, a small embedded solution would be ideal.

Can anyone suggest anything or point me in the right direction?

Thanks,

  • Jerry
    [/quote]
    There are a few makers of java hardware or micro-controller solutions. Ajile makes a wonderful Java processor but I don’t know if you can buy it in single units currently.

There was a mini on board java micro-controller solution I saw a few years ago at Java One. I think Tim Lindholm had a board, Ill try to catch him and ask him what it was and if its still around.

You might try a google on “Java” and “Micro-controller”. Similarly a search on those terms on java.sun.com might turn up some info.

#3

Great! I’ll try adding “Micro-controller” to my google search.

I haven’t found much for embedded Java on my searches, but I have found some results with embedded Linux. I’m guessing I could do that and run my JVM under the embedded linux?? Of course, I’m still trying to figure out exactly WHAT I need. I’ve never been a huge hardware guy - although I did go through several EE courses in college.

With the embedded Linux, the only problem I’ve found is price. $1,200 + for a single board computer!!! There has to be a cheaper solution out there. (I was hoping to spend no more than a few hundred on my little ‘project’.)

Ah… the fun of a challenging project! :slight_smile:

#4

Actually, the Ajile Aj-100 looks really good! And it’s cheap too. Of course, it’s only the CPU - so I’d have to build my own board. (Or spend more money than I want to buying the aj100EVB Evaluation Board…) Time to dust off those old books from college!

#5

Its a nice chip. I have their Java cartridge for the Gameboy Advanced and we’ve clocked some impressive numbers on it.

#6

Check out this one http://www.parallax.com/javelin/index.asp

#7

I believe this is the one Tim was fooling with :slight_smile:

#8

There was also something around called the TINI which was about the size of a SIMM and had ethernet and RS232 built-in to it.

Cas :slight_smile: