Programs used: Visual Studio

Skills needed: Visual Basic, C++

Project Background

We had been using microprocessors in our products for a few years. As with any microprocessor based products, we were always adding new features and updates. Typically the customer would send in his product for updating. Our products were directed towards the professional photographer. Whether it was wedding, sports or fashion, the photographer could hardly give up his equipment for 5 – 10 days while it was shipped to us, updated and returned.

The decision was made to add a USB port to our product, so the customer could do his updating at home on his PC.

Adding USB

As luck would have it, the microprocessor manufacturer had a microprocessor with an on board USB module. Building on code that came from their application notes we were able to customize for our updating purpose.

But now we had to program the PC side. Having never programmed a PC user interface before I took a course on Visual Basic, picked up a Sams “teach yourself C++ in 24 hrs” book, and I was ready to go.

In a short amount of time we several PC based user interfaces, some of which are used in the product and repair departments, as well as one that we post on the web for our customers.

This greatly expanded our ability to add features, fix bugs, and release beta versions for testing.