Here are a couple of thoughts intended to help generate ideas for you. (If you haven't thought of them already.)
Whether you choose the V-Stamp or another serial text-to-speech module, such as the Emic, you could store words, phrases, sentences (and more) as data statements in your microprocessor program. Your program could then send them out to the speech module depending on buttons pressed or other types of sensors you might like to use to trigger speech. You could associate text per many individual buttons/sensors, or you could use a display and set your program up so that you could scroll through the text choices to choose one, then send it with one button. It's all very versatile and up to you. What you want to do for your brother in this project is not too difficult and will be fun to put together.
All the best to you and thank you for passing it on to your brother,
Bill I just wanted to say I'm watching this thread with great interest. I don't have a need for a device like this but I love to see someone make their own solution to a problem. Once you get to a point in your project where you are happy I suggest making it fun for your brother to use by adding some easter eggs in it. Maybe some short audio clips from his favorite movies as a secondary option to some of the pre-recorded sounds. For example if he was a huge Terminator fan you could have a second "Good bye" option as Arnold saying "hasta la vista baby". Good luck with your project and keep the updates coming.
...hmmmmmmm, a possible future product for some eager Parallaxian?
Even my layman's investigations indicate that such a project would be straightforward using one, maybe two APR 9600s or one of those fabulous V-Stamp chips. It could easily be push button driven using a BS2p40 (more I/O).
Thanks to a little--well, ok; A LOT--of help from forum folks, my Talking Thing is progressing nicely. In fact, I have two of them going. One is AP-16+ based. It plays a named file upon button press. I'm using an SX48 and can devote 31 pins to buttons. I am going to experiment with 74HC165 chips and see if I can expand it to 96 buttons.
The other one is based on an APR 9600 chip. I have it breadboarded except for ONE resistor! It is a 10 ohm resistor which I do not have. I wonder if I could use something in place of it to see if my breadboarded circuit works? Here's the Sumron schematic if you have time to look and give me some guidance. Scroll down to page 3. It is R12, bottom right.
I've also attached a picture of my APR 9600 efforts.
That's the Zobel Network (typically called a Boucherot cell in audio circuits) of the most common style LM386 setup and helps balance the apparent resistance of the load to the output. It is used to improve the performance of the amplifier and your circuit should function without it, but it is possible you may hear the output oscillate if you turn the volume up too loud without it. (in other words, this part of the circuit is not mandatory)
Do you have any pots you can set at 10ohms and drop in there? A crazy solution would be to solder ten 100ohm resistors in parallel.
Thank you for the explanation. I do have some pots. I will test with one of them. I have some 10 ohm resistors (and other stuff!) in the mail as of a few seconds ago.
The APR 9600 Talking Thing works well. It will be the first Talking Thing to get an enclosure. I figured out how to make the LM386 circuit work . . . use the right pins. It helps. A lot.
I am now working on a dual APR 9600 device. This will give me 16 messages, each 8 seconds long. Eventually, I will do a Stamp- or SX- or Prop-driven APR 9600. A microcontrolled APR 9600 expands the possibilities of the Talking Thing.
My other Talking Thing is a Robot Workshop SX48 Module/EFX-TEK AP-16+ combination. The AP-16+ works EXACTLY as advertised. It is dirt-simple to use. It will definitely get an enclosure, but I need to develop and explore more of its potential.
I got a lot of help from folks on this forum; WBA Consulting gave me a bag o'stuff which generated a lot of ideas and provided some parts for one of these projects; Bean sent me an EMIC Text to Speech unit; Dave James suggested the great APR 9600 chip; Zoot and SXlee patiently helped me with SX/B code for the AP-16+ and A LOT of other forum folks pitched in. JonnyMac gave me a tremendous amount of AP-16+ help. He also got me over one of those dismal_stupid obstacles I experience more often than others.
All this help reduced the time it took me to get to the working prototype stage using two different products, both of with will become real, live Talking Things. I don't know how much longer before I get the first one in an enclosure, but it shouldn't be long . . . and that is a good thing.
Bill - thank YOU for keeping us updated as to your progress.
It is very gratifing to see the support of numerous people manifest into a solution for you (warn fuzzies all around).
I like the name Talking Thing. Once all the details have been debugged, serously consider offering it to others in similar situations? That would be very cool.
I have successfully breadboarded three versions of the "Talking Thing." Basically, I worked out the use of the TDA7052 vs the LM386. The project must go from a breadboard to a prototype board. This is where I am having issues.
I tried to do this using 30awg wire. I SUSPECT that is too small for some connectivity, such as +5vdc to the APR9600 and TDA7052 and ground and the speaker connections. A pdf of the simple circuit is attached. (It shows use of the LM386, though. I have switched to the TDA7052.)
The actual implementation will be physically on two boards, with the "upper" board serving to mount only the pushbuttons, speaker, slide switch and an LED. The normally open push buttons function well in the circuit when I use long 30awg wire.
Do you have a moment to give me some hints that will help transistion this project from breadboard to something I can stick in a box?
I am using a Jameco protoboard and enclosure. I'll cut the protoboard down to fit the enclosure. One of the things I need to know is if in looking at the schematic one can determine what gauge wire I need to use. The pushbuttons work fine with the long 30 gauge wire. But, I am thinking that the speaker and +5 and ground connections should be heavier gauge wire.
I would likely use #22 or #24 for power and ground to the chips and for the speaker.
I would use solid wire for anything point to point on the board and stranded for the speaker and any other off-board connections just help prevent breaking them off in the future.
Hello Bill
'
There's a little calculator on this site that might be of help to your question.
' http://www.electrician2.com/calculators/wireocpd_ver_1.html
'
If we had WiFi , You wouldn't need this or the wires.
'
Hope this helps.
'
P.S. I would use SOW multi conductor or ATW if using individual wires. Not THHN(too stiff)
I joined in '06 looking for a WiFi module. Before long, I had the opportunity to suggest one as a product. Discussion followed. Discussion followed. More discussion followed. All the disussion that followed was interesting, informative, and very positive. Then more discussion followed.
I sure have learned a lot following discussions and vice versa. Still waiting on WiFi, though.
When it DOES arrive, I have many projects in mind. Foremost is a robot that offloads all computational and data storage and grinding heavy lifting tasks to a PC. The onboard microcontrollers will perform tactical tasks and low level management; sensors--such as Ping--will be handled and results reported to the PC for incorporation in the decision making process.
I could have gone some other WiFi way earlier, but the Parallax support infrastructure adds at least two layers of quality to every product they sell. I'm glad I waited and waited and . . .
Instead of using a protoboard. You can use ExpressPCB program to layout your PC board. Jonnymac had pointed me to this software. This software is free to download. I use this software to draw my schematics and do my PCB board layouts and it is easy to use. What it does for you, is provide an neat PC board.
After you, layout your board the why you want it. You send it off to the expresspcb.com and they will make you an board for you to put your components on and it takes them 2-3 days to mail it to you after you place your order.
I actually HAVE ExpressPCB installed! When I used it in the past, I never thought about having boards made; it didn't interest me at the time. If I make very many of these things, that will change!
Saying you used the ExpressPCB but never actually had boards made..
Does it mean you did draw the layout but never did anything more with the projects?
I see your schematics would be a nice project for the ExpressPCB, in my own projects I use to draw the layout on this program too and then develope the whole thing all by myself. That is not too difficult, in fact quite easy. The only boring task is to drill all them small holes. For one or two boards thats ok but for several it would be easiest to let them make the boards for you for a handfull of dollars.
For information on making your own boards, google around or just ask someone here in the forums.
Good luck with your project, I'm very glad to see you make something that really is a useful thing.
Breadboarding the Talking Thing taught me a lot. Moving from breadboard to prototype board environment suitable for an enclosure was difficult due to overlooking a SINGLE bad solder connection! (Power to the APR 9600. ) I found the poor joint today, after a week of frustration.
Here are pictures of the Talking Thing to date. This version will be on two boards. The lower one contains all the electronics and the upper (still in progress; shown in the third picture) serves as a mount for pushbuttons, switches, speaker (to be mounted from below), microphone and an LED.
Hello Bill--
'
I see you've been to RadioShack.
'
Nice little lay out.
'
Don't you wish they made a tiny little DLOR meter to test solider joints?
'
Keep us posted when you get it all in the box.
Wonder when I should start a thread in the "Projects" section? Maybe when I get the upper board finished and connected?
There is--or was--an actual Parallax part in this project: The original audio amp was an LM386, which I had leftover from What's a Microcontroller or Stampworks, I think. PARALLAX PART, anyway!
The audio amp is now a TDA 7052, as recommended by many (not quite "countless") forum members.
Hello Bill--
'
I see you've been to RadioShack.
'
Nice little lay out.
'
Don't you wish they made a tiny little DLOR meter to test solider joints?
'
Keep us posted when you get it all in the box.
I agree with $WMc%.You did a nice for what you have to work with.
Wonder when I should start a thread in the "Projects" section? Maybe when I get the upper board finished and connected?
There is--or was--an actual Parallax part in this project: The original audio amp was an LM386, which I had leftover from What's a Microcontroller or Stampworks, I think. PARALLAX PART, anyway!
The audio amp is now a TDA 7052, as recommended by many (not quite "countless") forum members.
Bill--
'
I'm not sure that you have enough Parallax stuff in your project to start a completed projects post. The LM386 is just a generic part, Not made by Parallax..
'
But since its made for the Handicap, Parallax might consider this as a Public Service and let it fly?
'
I think it would really go over easier if it used a Stamp or a Prop in the circuit some were.
Like a SD card reader or a USB thumb drive to retrieve a vocal library.
'
I'm just looking at the Parallax forum rules.
'
The Parallax projects.
I would start it now,And see if they kick it to the curb or not.
Parallax parts used or not, I think this project deserve a place among the [compleated] projects here. You have shown the progress of the project here in Parallax forum all the way from the very beginning, from your first thoughts of making this thing until today's almost compleating. And you have got a lot of advices from Members of Parallax forums too.
I see no problems with posting a compleated post here.
Comments
Here are a couple of thoughts intended to help generate ideas for you. (If you haven't thought of them already.)
Whether you choose the V-Stamp or another serial text-to-speech module, such as the Emic, you could store words, phrases, sentences (and more) as data statements in your microprocessor program. Your program could then send them out to the speech module depending on buttons pressed or other types of sensors you might like to use to trigger speech. You could associate text per many individual buttons/sensors, or you could use a display and set your program up so that you could scroll through the text choices to choose one, then send it with one button. It's all very versatile and up to you. What you want to do for your brother in this project is not too difficult and will be fun to put together.
All the best to you and thank you for passing it on to your brother,
Tim
...hmmmmmmm, a possible future product for some eager Parallaxian?
(not me, too busy elsewhere)
DJ
Even my layman's investigations indicate that such a project would be straightforward using one, maybe two APR 9600s or one of those fabulous V-Stamp chips. It could easily be push button driven using a BS2p40 (more I/O).
--Bill
Thanks to a little--well, ok; A LOT--of help from forum folks, my Talking Thing is progressing nicely. In fact, I have two of them going. One is AP-16+ based. It plays a named file upon button press. I'm using an SX48 and can devote 31 pins to buttons. I am going to experiment with 74HC165 chips and see if I can expand it to 96 buttons.
The other one is based on an APR 9600 chip. I have it breadboarded except for ONE resistor! It is a 10 ohm resistor which I do not have. I wonder if I could use something in place of it to see if my breadboarded circuit works? Here's the Sumron schematic if you have time to look and give me some guidance. Scroll down to page 3. It is R12, bottom right.
I've also attached a picture of my APR 9600 efforts.
--Bill
Do you have any pots you can set at 10ohms and drop in there? A crazy solution would be to solder ten 100ohm resistors in parallel.
Thank you for the explanation. I do have some pots. I will test with one of them. I have some 10 ohm resistors (and other stuff!) in the mail as of a few seconds ago.
--Bill
The APR 9600 Talking Thing works well. It will be the first Talking Thing to get an enclosure. I figured out how to make the LM386 circuit work . . . use the right pins. It helps. A lot.
I am now working on a dual APR 9600 device. This will give me 16 messages, each 8 seconds long. Eventually, I will do a Stamp- or SX- or Prop-driven APR 9600. A microcontrolled APR 9600 expands the possibilities of the Talking Thing.
My other Talking Thing is a Robot Workshop SX48 Module/EFX-TEK AP-16+ combination. The AP-16+ works EXACTLY as advertised. It is dirt-simple to use. It will definitely get an enclosure, but I need to develop and explore more of its potential.
I got a lot of help from folks on this forum; WBA Consulting gave me a bag o'stuff which generated a lot of ideas and provided some parts for one of these projects; Bean sent me an EMIC Text to Speech unit; Dave James suggested the great APR 9600 chip; Zoot and SXlee patiently helped me with SX/B code for the AP-16+ and A LOT of other forum folks pitched in. JonnyMac gave me a tremendous amount of AP-16+ help. He also got me over one of those dismal_stupid obstacles I experience more often than others.
All this help reduced the time it took me to get to the working prototype stage using two different products, both of with will become real, live Talking Things. I don't know how much longer before I get the first one in an enclosure, but it shouldn't be long . . . and that is a good thing.
--Bill
It is very gratifing to see the support of numerous people manifest into a solution for you (warn fuzzies all around).
I like the name Talking Thing. Once all the details have been debugged, serously consider offering it to others in similar situations? That would be very cool.
DJ
I have successfully breadboarded three versions of the "Talking Thing." Basically, I worked out the use of the TDA7052 vs the LM386. The project must go from a breadboard to a prototype board. This is where I am having issues.
I tried to do this using 30awg wire. I SUSPECT that is too small for some connectivity, such as +5vdc to the APR9600 and TDA7052 and ground and the speaker connections. A pdf of the simple circuit is attached. (It shows use of the LM386, though. I have switched to the TDA7052.)
The actual implementation will be physically on two boards, with the "upper" board serving to mount only the pushbuttons, speaker, slide switch and an LED. The normally open push buttons function well in the circuit when I use long 30awg wire.
Do you have a moment to give me some hints that will help transistion this project from breadboard to something I can stick in a box?
Thanks!
02-14-11_APR9600_Schematic-a.pdf
--Bill
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102846
C.W.
Thanks for catching my dumb-off so quickly!
I am using a Jameco protoboard and enclosure. I'll cut the protoboard down to fit the enclosure. One of the things I need to know is if in looking at the schematic one can determine what gauge wire I need to use. The pushbuttons work fine with the long 30 gauge wire. But, I am thinking that the speaker and +5 and ground connections should be heavier gauge wire.
Opinions?
--Bill
I would likely use #22 or #24 for power and ground to the chips and for the speaker.
I would use solid wire for anything point to point on the board and stranded for the speaker and any other off-board connections just help prevent breaking them off in the future.
C.W.
'
There's a little calculator on this site that might be of help to your question.
'
http://www.electrician2.com/calculators/wireocpd_ver_1.html
'
If we had WiFi , You wouldn't need this or the wires.
'
Hope this helps.
'
P.S. I would use SOW multi conductor or ATW if using individual wires. Not THHN(too stiff)
Thanks for the calculator. I bookmarked it.
I decided to forego using 30 gauge. Everything is either 22 guage or component leads.
--Bill
I joined in '06 looking for a WiFi module. Before long, I had the opportunity to suggest one as a product. Discussion followed. Discussion followed. More discussion followed. All the disussion that followed was interesting, informative, and very positive. Then more discussion followed.
I sure have learned a lot following discussions and vice versa. Still waiting on WiFi, though.
When it DOES arrive, I have many projects in mind. Foremost is a robot that offloads all computational and data storage and grinding heavy lifting tasks to a PC. The onboard microcontrollers will perform tactical tasks and low level management; sensors--such as Ping--will be handled and results reported to the PC for incorporation in the decision making process.
I could have gone some other WiFi way earlier, but the Parallax support infrastructure adds at least two layers of quality to every product they sell. I'm glad I waited and waited and . . .
--Bill
Instead of using a protoboard. You can use ExpressPCB program to layout your PC board. Jonnymac had pointed me to this software. This software is free to download. I use this software to draw my schematics and do my PCB board layouts and it is easy to use. What it does for you, is provide an neat PC board.
After you, layout your board the why you want it. You send it off to the expresspcb.com and they will make you an board for you to put your components on and it takes them 2-3 days to mail it to you after you place your order.
I actually HAVE ExpressPCB installed! When I used it in the past, I never thought about having boards made; it didn't interest me at the time. If I make very many of these things, that will change!
Thanks!
--Bill
Saying you used the ExpressPCB but never actually had boards made..
Does it mean you did draw the layout but never did anything more with the projects?
I see your schematics would be a nice project for the ExpressPCB, in my own projects I use to draw the layout on this program too and then develope the whole thing all by myself. That is not too difficult, in fact quite easy. The only boring task is to drill all them small holes. For one or two boards thats ok but for several it would be easiest to let them make the boards for you for a handfull of dollars.
For information on making your own boards, google around or just ask someone here in the forums.
Good luck with your project, I'm very glad to see you make something that really is a useful thing.
An update . . .
Breadboarding the Talking Thing taught me a lot. Moving from breadboard to prototype board environment suitable for an enclosure was difficult due to overlooking a SINGLE bad solder connection! (Power to the APR 9600.
Here are pictures of the Talking Thing to date. This version will be on two boards. The lower one contains all the electronics and the upper (still in progress; shown in the third picture) serves as a mount for pushbuttons, switches, speaker (to be mounted from below), microphone and an LED.
--Bill
'
I see you've been to RadioShack.
'
Nice little lay out.
'
Don't you wish they made a tiny little DLOR meter to test solider joints?
'
Keep us posted when you get it all in the box.
Wonder when I should start a thread in the "Projects" section? Maybe when I get the upper board finished and connected?
There is--or was--an actual Parallax part in this project: The original audio amp was an LM386, which I had leftover from What's a Microcontroller or Stampworks, I think. PARALLAX PART, anyway!
The audio amp is now a TDA 7052, as recommended by many (not quite "countless") forum members.
--Bill
'
I'm not sure that you have enough Parallax stuff in your project to start a completed projects post. The LM386 is just a generic part, Not made by Parallax..
'
But since its made for the Handicap, Parallax might consider this as a Public Service and let it fly?
'
I think it would really go over easier if it used a Stamp or a Prop in the circuit some were.
Like a SD card reader or a USB thumb drive to retrieve a vocal library.
'
I'm just looking at the Parallax forum rules.
'
The Parallax projects.
I would start it now,And see if they kick it to the curb or not.
I see no problems with posting a compleated post here.
The Talking Thing is finished. It would have been sooner, thanks to your help, but "stuff" happened.
Here's a little video and a couple of images.
http://www.billcnkc.com/Robotics/04-27-11_Talking_Thing.MOV
--Bill
Robert
DJ
You did a nice job and I am glad you got it working.