StripSwitch

[Mehridian Sanders]

Something interesting.. maybe an LCD screen or screens powered by arduino that switches the keyboard strips with a switch.

 

Yes it is somewhat needless, but a fun experiment and low level. Should be cheap to make. I know I have a few of those arduino screens floating around somewhere. Welp just a thought. Will show when prototype is mocked up

 

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[jrhodes]

I was actually considering suggesting an idea like this, but i guess you beat me to it. 🙂

Edited December 8, 2019 by jrhodes

[Mehridian Sanders]

Ok so, what can we do with the rest of the GPIO?

 

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[+FarmerPotato]

I think this idea is pretty cool.

 

Do you know of a display that would be the right size to go across the function strip?

A character panel would be more in the spirit. I'm familiar with the 16x2 types, but a row of these would not neatly fit together to cover the whole function strip.

 

And I feel like color OLED would be cheating (more CPU power than the 9900, more colors than the 9918). I have one of those 0.91" 240x320 ones.

 

[Mehridian Sanders]

I think this idea is pretty cool.
 
Do you know of a display that would be the right size to go across the function strip?

A character panel would be more in the spirit. I'm familiar with the 16x2 types, but a row of these would not neatly fit together to cover the whole function strip.
 
And I feel like color OLED would be cheating (more CPU power than the 9900, more colors than the 9918). I have one of those 0.91" 240x320 ones.
 

Something like this?
https://www.crystalfontz.com/product/cfah4004atmijt-character-display-40x4

Getting the dimensions of a strip here in a few

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[Mehridian Sanders]

Ok the informational section of the strip Is 8.125 inches across. Looking for a LCD screen about that length


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[Mehridian Sanders]

HD44780A00

Looks like this may fit the width requirement but 5" tall leaves some room for monitoring information to be displayed. Damn projects growing already.

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[wierd_w]

eInk display seems ideally suited.  You dont need (nor really want) OLED for this application.

 

1) OLEDs degrade and get burn-in

2) They are expensive

3) tend toward being rigid displays

4) emit light

 

 

eInk display however, could conceivably fit in the existing overlay slot natively, is low power, does not emit light, and all that.

[Mehridian Sanders]

eInk display seems ideally suited.  You dont need (nor really want) OLED for this application.
 
1) OLEDs degrade and get burn-in
2) They are expensive
3) tend toward being rigid displays
4) emit light
 
 
eInk display however, could conceivably fit in the existing overlay slot natively, is low power, does not emit light, and all that.

I must've assumed with the matrix listing, dagnabbit. eInk looks pretty good. Saw a paper display on adafruit like this. 8.125" x 1" would work well for the original idea, now to find the display. On the hunt..

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[wierd_w]

I can't find a suitable one either... I know they must exist, because Sony incorporates them into an overpriced watch as part of the wrist band.  (Sony EPS smartwatch)

 

 

[+FarmerPotato]

5 hours ago, Mehridian Sanders said:

HD44780A00

Looks like this may fit the width requirement but 5" tall leaves some room for monitoring information to be displayed. Damn projects growing already.

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The 40x2 char  lcd at crystal fonts is almost a fit at 7.25”.  for a low-tech solution. You could get 8 labels.  It’s not perfect. 

[wierd_w]

I saw an epaper display that is close-- 4.2" x 1.8" .  If you put two on back to back it would work... but 1.8" is too wide.

https://www.pervasivedisplays.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1P208-00_01_E2437FS083_20190520.pdf

Edited December 9, 2019 by wierd_w

[wierd_w]

Maybe 4 of these in a row?

https://www.amazon.com/waveshare-2-13inch-Resolution-Controller-Interface/dp/B07RMCR921/ref=sr_1_131?keywords=epaper+display&qid=1575879882&s=electronics&sr=1-131

 

Dimensions in mm are 23.71mm × 48.55mm (0.93" x 1.91")  Flexible, so you could adhere them to a stiff plastic stock backing then slip it into the strip holder. You would need to route the trailing cables out the back of the stiffening strip, but that seems doable...

 

??

[+FarmerPotato]

6 hours ago, wierd_w said:

Maybe 4 of these in a row?

https://www.amazon.com/waveshare-2-13inch-Resolution-Controller-Interface/dp/B07RMCR921/ref=sr_1_131?keywords=epaper+display&qid=1575879882&s=electronics&sr=1-131

 

Dimensions in mm are 23.71mm × 48.55mm (0.93" x 1.91")  Flexible, so you could adhere them to a stiff plastic stock backing then slip it into the strip holder. You would need to route the trailing cables out the back of the stiffening strip, but that seems doable...

 

??

That's getting close! I have bought STM32 boards from WaveShare before. Here is their store page:

https://wvshare.aliexpress.com/store/418423?spm=2114.12010612.pcShopHead_8157629.0

 

Somehow, that board is cheaper on Amazon, than direct from China.

 

[wierd_w]

"what can we do with the rest of the GPIO?"

 

Test for when the FN key gets pressed, and automatically update the strip images, for one.

Logically control multiple SPI screens with chip select lines for another... (those epaper displays have persistence!)

 

Perhaps integrate a 2 wire serial connection with the TI itself, so that you can use a loader stub that sends appropriate 1bpp tiles to the arduino for whatever title is being launched?

 

To be honest, these little things have me considering an upgrade to the RepliPEB bezel; These 1"x2" SPI epaper tags are JUST PERFECT for putting just above the light pipe holes. All sorts of data could be reported about the card in the slot that way, aside from just an activity flash. (sorry, did not need to hijack, but the thought occurs to me.)

[Mehridian Sanders]

"what can we do with the rest of the GPIO?"
 
To be honest, these little things have me considering an upgrade to the RepliPEB bezel; These 1"x2" SPI epaper tags are JUST PERFECT for putting just above the light pipe holes. All sorts of data could be reported about the card in the slot that way, aside from just an activity flash. (sorry, did not need to hijack, but the thought occurs to me.)

Creative chaotic mind patterns are my bread and butter. No hijack felt, every idea leads to another. I like this too.

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[Mehridian Sanders]

Maybe 4 of these in a row?

https://www.amazon.com/waveshare-2-13inch-Resolution-Controller-Interface/dp/B07RMCR921/ref=sr_1_131?keywords=epaper+display&qid=1575879882&s=electronics&sr=1-131

 

Dimensions in mm are 23.71mm × 48.55mm (0.93" x 1.91")  Flexible, so you could adhere them to a stiff plastic stock backing then slip it into the strip holder. You would need to route the trailing cables out the back of the stiffening strip, but that seems doable...

 

??

Put them in list for post christmas purchase. The controllers are $7.10 from aliexpress for 2 of them. Those will arrive after christmas. So project may be on hold until then but do keep brainstorming. I like what you guys are saying here.

 

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[Mehridian Sanders]

I think I may have our controller. https://wiki.wemos.cc/products:d1:d1_mini#d1_mini

 

Small and powerful. 4MB should be enough to drive 3-4 eInk screens.

[wierd_w]

You dont need a powerful controller;  Those epaper displays have image persistence.  That means you dont have to keep refreshing/sending data to them.

 

SPI is pretty simple. A little logic gate array driven by 2 gpios would let you individually address which device gets the spi connection, then you just write on them sequentially. It isn't like this is gonna do full motion video or something.

[Mehridian Sanders]

2 hours ago, wierd_w said:

You dont need a powerful controller;  Those epaper displays have image persistence.  That means you dont have to keep refreshing/sending data to them.

 

SPI is pretty simple. A little logic gate array driven by 2 gpios would let you individually address which device gets the spi connection, then you just write on them sequentially. It isn't like this is gonna do full motion video or something.

Believe me I love SPI. I simply lack the programmer. I use Dediprog quite a bit in my work. I would love to own one, but.... money... reasons... kids. I will grant you the microcontroller is more than what we will need. However it is easy to program. Easy entry level TI project. Get em hooked in.... show em around... get em addicted. yanno....

 

[Mehridian Sanders]

2 hours ago, wierd_w said:

You dont need a powerful controller;  Those epaper displays have image persistence.  That means you dont have to keep refreshing/sending data to them.

 

SPI is pretty simple. A little logic gate array driven by 2 gpios would let you individually address which device gets the spi connection, then you just write on them sequentially. It isn't like this is gonna do full motion video or something.

Is there an easier way to program SPI? I only know of the Dediprog and Xeltek. I am always willing to be wrong, which helps with married life too.