Embedded Java??

[ancientvulcan]

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

[Jeff]

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

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.

[ancientvulcan]

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!

Games published by our own members! Check 'em out!

[ancientvulcan]

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!

[Jeff]

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

[swpalmer]

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

[Jeff]

I believe this is the one Tim was fooling with

[princec]

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