For this project I used an adafruit usb/serial LCD controller Adafruit USB + Serial LCD Backpack Add-On with Cable : ID 781 : $12.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits
I followed the LCDproc install instructions from here [Howto] LCD HD44780
next run dmesg | grep tty somewhere in the it will have something like this
cdc_acm 1-1.4:1.0: ttyACM0: USB ACM device the ttyACM0 is the address you will use in the config.
to set up lcdproc via usb I ended up with this as my LCDd.conf
# Pared-down LCDd configuration file; contains only those
# settings relevant to the Adafruit USB+Serial Backpacks.
# Global settings apply to all driver types -------------
[server]
ServerScreen=no
# Path to driver modules. IMPORTANT: EDIT THIS TO MATCH
# YOUR SETUP. Last character should ALWAYS be slash.
DriverPath=/home/osmc/lcdproc/
# Select Matrix Orbital driver
Driver=MtxOrb
# Interface, port and user under which daemon runs
Bind=127.0.0.1
Port=13666
User=nobody
# If 'yes' server runs in foreground (handy during setup)
#Foreground=yes
# Settings specific to Matrix Orbital driver ------------
[MtxOrb]
# Output device. IMPORTANT: EDIT THIS FOR YOUR SETUP!
Device=/dev/ttyACM0
# Speed applies only to serial pins; ignored w/USB.
Speed=9600
# Display size, type, contrast and brightness range.
Size=16x2
Type=lkd
Contrast=750
hasAdjustableBacklight=yes
Brightness=1000
OffBrightness=0
Install the xbmcLCDproc addon, reboot, and you’re good to go!
Hope this help someone!