Propeller Moble Device Development Kit ----[Ideas needed and wanted]-----

Microcontrolled

As you may have read on other posts I am "planning" (funds provided, that is) to make a Moble Device Development Kit for the Propeller. So far I am thinking of an SD Card slot, 5 button interface, and the graphical interface to be the Nokia Knockoff screen by sparkfun. Jazzed has written an object for it (of which I ask him to post, please) and at $15 each, there about the cheapest screen that you can get! I am also going to put a touchscreen on it (Anyone know where I could get one this size?) and perhaps an accelerometer.

Ideas are gladly appreciated, object writters for the touchscreen once found are greatly needed, thank you for all yoiur comments and support.

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Toys are microcontroled.
Robots are microcontroled.
I am microcontroled.


If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)

Propeller SRAM TV driver winner: ==NOT COMPLEATED:·1 1/2·WEEKS UNTIL ENDING TIME==

jazzed

microcontrolled,

I'm attaching the demo code from the TvFavorites.spin video. www.youtube.com/watch?v=YalcMqkdHEU

The LCD SDIO driver can be optimized using the Propeller counter registers to make the display faster ... I haven't had time to do it though.

The TvFavorites demo shows how to use the gui* spin objects. Using the objects in another application will take some work, but I have a GUI maker project in progress that would make it pretty painless. At some point I'll finish and release the GUI maker software.

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--Steve


Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230

Microcontrolled

Thank you, Jazzed! I will be getting a big payoff at the end of this month that will give me $120 dollers to spare/save.

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Toys are microcontroled.
Robots are microcontroled.
I am microcontroled.


If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)

Propeller SRAM TV driver winner: ==NOT COMPLEATED:·1 1/2·WEEKS UNTIL ENDING TIME==

MagIO2

Good job, jazzed. That's a nice subset of what I am planning to build. I only would like to have a bigger screen. It has to replace 4 infrared remote controls and 2 radio remote controls, so I'll allow it to be a bit bigger than a mobile phone.

jazzed

@MagIO2 ... Thanks. I'm at the point where I see the more adventurous Propeller projects skeptically mainly because of memory usage. I know what I posted could be trimmed with some EEPROM tricks and a slow CRC calculator, but the memory issue always comes up. Given an SDIO uSD card, one could load the applications on an as needed basis. At some point one says, Ok, if that's the way it has to be done, then do it or find another platform. Onward and over one way or another I guess [noparse]:)[/noparse]

@microcontrolled, I strongly suggest you get very comfortable writing programs before spending too much of your well earned/saved money. You have everything you need today to get started doing interesting things with the hardware Parallax gave you. If you don't understand any of the code I posted, then you have a long way to go to being proficient. The Nokia Knockoff is a good small display, but like cellphones it will eat battery power, so plan on that for sure. Someone started posting part of the MIT license in their .sig ... I would like to point out that anything you get here should be taken with that disclaimer including opinions or advice. I'll dedicate more time to the GUI maker project at some point to support the LCD and probably a TV driver display, but it will be on an as time permits basis. What I mean is "don't get too excited" ... the road is long, sometimes the end is not in sight, and where you have been is always much less hopeful than where you can go unless you've hit some truly meaningful and sustainable success.

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--Steve


Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230

Microcontrolled

@Jazzed: I haven't looked at your code yet: I'm having problems with my flash drive(my programming computer dosn't have internet). I won't be spending any of my money soon, I'm very tight with my money. Without the equipment that Parallax gave me there is no way that I could build this! I am already on the last chapter of the PE labs book. In relation to that, I am thinking of adding a potometer to the device so that I can use RC Decay to mesure the ajustments. This way, if someone made it into a clock you could set the clock by rotating the pot rather then pushing buttons over and over.

The thing is that THE KIT IS DESIGNED TO LEAVE THE SOFTWARE TO THE PROGRAMMER, AND THE HARDWARE TO ME. The PMDDK is made to aid those (like me) that are interested in pushing the prop to it's full potential to design one of the most popular items of the day: the moble device. If I ever get it done professionally (like that will ever happen, I'd have to be rich) I will sell it on the forum to others who are interested in this perticular field. By adding bluetooth or Xbee in later models it could communicate to other devices through a wireless connection. This would free up some of the limitations with the PMDDK.

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Toys are microcontroled.
Robots are microcontroled.
I am microcontroled.


If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)

Propeller SRAM TV driver winner: ==NOT COMPLEATED:·1 1/2·WEEKS UNTIL ENDING TIME==

jazzed

OK. So if you don't meet your goals or get in over your head it won't be my fault. Excellent [noparse]:)[/noparse]

An analog control is a fair idea. Most phones have a separate volume control, but that's two buttons also. Maybe two buttons are easier to assemble or cheaper than a potentiometer? ... I have no idea ... but it is very common.

Be careful with "leave the programming to others." I've seen some designs here where not taking what is possible or optimal in software leads to less usable hardware. The last thing a product producer wants is to have a bunch of unwanted inventory on hand. Throwing your ideas out in the forum for feedback helps of course. You have to have a foundation to be able to make good decisions though ... that is necessary for good management but not the end of the story of course.

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--Steve


Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230

Microcontrolled

If I do make it to sell it will come with some sample programs, to give people an idea, and all the objects they need to design. It will come with it on a CD, if it ever goes into production. I should have a D-Sub 9 connector on the end so that you can easily interface with other devices or share the left-over pins on the prop. I am thinking about dumping the touchscreen idea for now, since there is no object written for it and because it would complecate matters. Instead I could include arrow buttons, select buttons and of couse I will include an SD card slot and maybe some SRAM for computing. It sould also have an infared port for sending, receiving and even object detection. The last thing that I would want is making such an investment and then not selling anything.

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Toys are microcontroled.
Robots are microcontroled.
I am microcontroled.


If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)

Propeller SRAM TV driver winner: ==NOT COMPLEATED:·1 1/2·WEEKS UNTIL ENDING TIME==

Timothy D. Swieter

I have also wanted to make a mobile propeller computing device. I have approached my project several times, but each time I manage to get myself distracted or change my focus. My latest inspiration was a starter kit from ST Micro. www.stm32circle.com/hom/index.php and parts.digikey.com/1/parts/1640328-kit-starter-stm32-512k-flash-stm3210e-primer.html

The design I was tinkering through included:
-monochrome or gray scale OLED screen. I went with gray scale because the Prop just doesn't have enough RAM for color graphics, so I didn't want to allocate the resources in that means.
-joystick or capacity sensor jog wheel, like the iPOD
-SD card or microSD
-built in USB for programming/serial port
-expansion headers for add-on cards and user circuitry
-switching regulators for power (as oppose to linear regulators)


I am interested to see how your project works out Microcontrolled.

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Timothy D. Swieter, E.I.
www.brilldea.com - Prop Blade, LED Painter, RGB LEDs, 3.0" LCD Composite video display, eProto for SunSPOT
www.tdswieter.com

Mike Huselton

May I suggest the SparkFun ProtoBoard V1 as the basis for your hardware prototype?

www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8723
www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8722

Included USB, switching power supply, LiPo charger and header expansion make for a solid basis to prototype mobile Prop applications.
I use these in conjunction with the project case:

www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8632

I add an Xbee module for short range and Xbee Pro for long range comms. A WiFi module I am experimenting with is:

www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8869

Then, when you decide to produce these, you "borrow" the circuit layout.

I would suggest you lay out circuitry for TWO props, as the price reduction allows for increasing the cogs to 16 and the I/O to 64 pins, sharing a common clock.
Also provide circuitry for one Winbond flash chip and two 23K256 RAM chips. Mike Green has written a single driver for both and has a boot-up PASM routine that loads from the Winbond chip.

This could all fit, with the Xbee or WiFi external board for wireless comms.

A LiPo battery I use is available from Sparkfun also:

www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=341
www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=339
www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8483

Joysticks:
www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9032
www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=9110

I used Tim's LCD TV module. Much less hassle than the Nokia Knockoff idea, which I thoroughly examined.
Cheap is not always usable.

This is, of course, just food for thought. I have made and sold these, so I know that the concept works.

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JMH

Post Edited (James Michael Huselton) : 6/22/2009 8:44:14 AM GMT

SciNemo

This is a really odd coincidence. I've been working on a mobile device using the propeller and that exact lcd screen for about a week now. When I get the money soon I should finally be able to build the actual device instead of just having the breadboard version to play with. Whole thing will fit in an altoids tin (the beauty of the propeller ).

Wii nunchucks are awesome for interfaces at $15 and 2 buttons with a joystick and 3 axis accelerometer. The actual circuit board that contains the accelerometer is actually quite small, and can easily be cut away from the buttons, you just have to put up with those nasty Y shaped screws to get to it.

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Not the fish.
sites.google.com/site/bitwinproject/

jazzed

@James, Nice idea with the joystick for sure! [noparse]:)[/noparse] The SFE case you mention is nice and cheap but it's much bigger than today's cell phones. A case will be the hardest thing to find for production unless one is willing to spend $100K+ for a custom design. Cell phone housings and other parts are on EBAY.

Isn't Tim's display and supporting PC board is a little bulky for a cell phone size application? What is the current draw for it? The display would be great for games and such, but being a TV it does not have any memory for keeping display data.

Another display to consider is the SFE OLED 128x128 which is 1.4"x1.4". Mark (Swain?) wrote a driver for it. The LCD has SDIO or parallel bus interfaces (8x or 16x data) ... very flexible. It's twice the Nokia Knockoff price, but still attractive at $37 one each to $30 100 at a time. That OLED has direct LCD SRAM access too which would be good for games. The OLED that Parallax sells which is a little expenseive could be used, but it doesn't appear to have direct LCD SRAM access ... the widget code I wrote just uses lines/rectangles and text, so that is still a GUI only candidate (I have one, but have not had time to use it).

The thing about OLED that's very attractive is power consumption. LCD and other displays are power hungry. A mobile device needs to be power efficient. Using OLED with a black background does not take much current. The 4D Systems OLED Parallax sells claims an average power consumption of 40ma and should be similar for other OLED about the same size. The Nokia Knockoff LCD consumes 128ma+ all the time and can be even worse for low voltage situations like the 3.6 NiMh I'm using.

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--Steve


Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230

Post Edited (jazzed) : 6/22/2009 10:44:03 PM GMT

jazzed

Nokia 6100 parts compatible with the LCD are available on EBAY. Even the LCD is there $8 to $12 [noparse]:)[/noparse]

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--Steve


Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230

Microcontrolled

Thats a good list James. Thanks!

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Toys are microcontroled.
Robots are microcontroled.
I am microcontroled.


If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)

Propeller SRAM TV driver winner: ==NOT COMPLEATED:·1 1/2·WEEKS UNTIL ENDING TIME==

Mike Huselton

Hmmm..

I haven't considered seriously the current draw, just the fact I didn't like it.
OLED displays, being active light-emitting devices, also have the advantage of being readable in bright light.
Disadvantage is limited lifetime, but seriously, who expects a design to be viable two years from now?
The rate of change will only accelerate for the foreseeable future. That's why I use the PROTOTYPE setup.

I'll try the OLED option for my next design.
By the way, I like the WiFi module I am testing. Works great!

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JMH

jazzed

WiFi would be a good mobile device addition. You could sniff out and use unsecured networks on the go [noparse]:)[/noparse]

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--Steve


Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230

Microcontrolled

WiFi would be a nice addition for sure, but it is pricy. Can I have an opinion on wether it would be worth it?

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Toys are microcontroled.
Robots are microcontroled.
I am microcontroled.


If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)

Propeller SRAM TV driver winner: ==NOT COMPLEATED:·1 1/2·WEEKS UNTIL ENDING TIME==

Microcontrolled

Here's a touchscreen topic lead that you might get some info out of.

http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=25&m=271261&g=271478#m271478

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Toys are microcontroled.
Robots are microcontroled.
I am microcontroled.


If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)

Propeller SRAM TV driver winner: ==NOT COMPLEATED:·1 1/2·WEEKS UNTIL ENDING TIME==

jazzed

@microcontrolled, the smallest touchscreen available from digikey is 3.5" diagonal.
WiFi would have to be optional I guess.

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--Steve


Propalyzer: Propeller PC Logic Analyzer
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788230

Timothy D. Swieter

I agree with the OLED option, but I think it should be a monochrome screen or gray scale screen instead of a color screen. I would hate to see resources and memory of the Prop I wasted on trying to make a cool color display only partially do what it is fully capable of.

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Timothy D. Swieter, E.I.
www.brilldea.com - Prop Blade, LED Painter, RGB LEDs, 3.0" LCD Composite video display, eProto for SunSPOT
www.tdswieter.com

Mike Huselton

micontrolled said...
WiFi would be a nice addition for sure, but it is pricy

What is the cost? What is the price? You cannot design something without a cost goal in mind.
The first parameter in any design is cost, not function. Cost constrains function.

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JMH

Microcontrolled

Nothing over $100, but that would dependant on whether or not I had any advance orders. I would like it to sell $50 or under, with all the optional features removed.

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Toys are microcontroled.
Robots are microcontroled.
I am microcontroled.


If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)

Propeller SRAM TV driver winner: ==NOT COMPLEATED:·1 1/2·WEEKS UNTIL ENDING TIME==

Mike Huselton

$100.00 cost? What will you sell it for? I assume you want to make a profit.

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JMH

Microcontrolled

Only up to $100 if people on this forum order in advance (after I get the PCB specs posted) It would have to be a group of about 3, at least. My funds are limited. My main intention is to make it for $50 or less for the standard device without any customations or optional features. The standard device would include screen, arrow buttons, a select button, SD card slot, Assembled Propeller PCB and battery. Add-ons would include WiFi, accelerometer, infared, camera or color detector and (the cheapest of all) lights and other cosmetics. A case might make it as another option.

Profit is not my intention, but I might make a little, I just need to pay back the production costs. I am designing this for people with a love of electronics and programming, and who are interested in this field. So therefore I am not counting on making a huge profit on it.

Also, I need to find a place to fabricate my PCB that's cheap and easy. I don't think anyone would pay for a homebrew PCB or a circut built on a RadioShack or Gadget Gangster board.

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Toys are microcontroled.
Robots are microcontroled.
I am microcontroled.


If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)

Propeller SRAM TV driver winner: ==NOT COMPLEATED:·1 1/2·WEEKS UNTIL ENDING TIME==

Microcontrolled

Has anyone come up with any ideas yet?

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Toys are microcontroled.
Robots are microcontroled.
I am microcontroled.


If it's not Parallax then don't even bother. :-)

Mini-Din/PS2 connectors are for sale! 5 for $1! PM me if you wish to make an order.

Propeller SRAM TV driver winner: ==NOT COMPLEATED:·1·WEEK UNTIL ENDING TIME==