Joystick + pushbutton + LEDs = simple PropBOE add-on

Ken Gracey · 2012-12-10 09:41

Hey all,

People in the office are continually cobbling together XBees, joysticks and other items to make a remote user interface. The kinds of contraptions they're controlling include Quadrovers, small robots, wireless electric skateboards, and pan/tilt systems. Once in a while we see remote interfaces to our own manufacturing equipment. To help these people along with their projects we built a small joystick add-on board with the following features:

Analog or digital joystick
Potentiometer with nice knob and 1/4" knockouts
(2) panel-mount LEDs
Anodized black AL6061 mounting plate
Compatible with any Parallax 3"x4" board (Propeller Board of Education, Prop Proto Board, Board of Education)

It's impossible to satisfy everybody with a full set of features, but we've tried to come up with the right mix of devices to be useful in a number of simple applications. Customers can still drill out more holes for anything they want to add. This is not a quadcopter controller - there are already better options for that kind of project such as this KickStarter success http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1757054094/xbee-handheld-controller?ref=category.

We haven't decided whether or not we'd offer these as a product. We're interested in your feedback first. Creating a product involves a different level of commitment [as many of you know!] in regards to material management, documentation, part numbers, pictures, etc. Although we're in the business of making products like this, we want our commitment to be coupled with sales! What we need to know from you:

Product name? There are two versions - analog and digital.
Price? Here's the problem. You can always get a small wireless controller from a video game for twenty bucks, but that's less than the Bill of Materials cost for something like this product (those are made in the millions, ours is made in batches of 100). This is more of an open, basic design with a techie look and feel, maybe appealing to people who simply prefer this style. The cost is at least $39-49, retail. Yeah, that's expensive!

We can make these available for purchase on the forums if you are interested. Since they're not a stocked item here I'll need to figure out how to sell them. Maybe you can just make a charitable donation of fifty bucks to your favorite place and that'll suffice. I'll come back with more details on this point shortly. I have four digital and eight analog.

For now, we're looking for any kind of feedback you may want to provide. And I'll send these two units to Phil Pilgrim to get an object written. Should be a snap, but a pile of "snaps" can be become a big load of work around here.

Thanks all!

Ken Gracey

John Abshier · 2012-12-10 09:58

For names I will go with synonyms of joy: bliss and charm. The modules look very well made and professional. I would buy one of the analogs.

John Abshier

mindrobots · 2012-12-10 10:10

I like them since they look like "professional hobbyist" or small run manufacturing items rather than hacked and re-purposed game controllers.

Since there are obvious customization and feature add opportunities, I'm not sure if a kit as shown would be something I'd purchase but being able to purchase the known and documented joysticks (digital and analog) would be a big help to making something like these on your own. The PhiPi code would also be a big help and priceless value-add.

Too bad you guys have to cobble thing like this while at the office. Today, I just got to scrub a new database table to match it up with the spreadsheet it's replacing....yeah, I'll color everybody at Parallax green with envy on that one!!

john_s · 2012-12-11 08:37

Ken,

Perhaps just a link to consider in respect to design aspects for buttons, layout and such...

http://www.wired.com/design/2012/12/arduino-esplora/

Kye · 2012-12-11 09:05

Those look very cool.

GordonMcComb · 2012-12-11 09:28

Ken, Though not the same product category -- yours is more for higher-end customized projects -- the new Arduino Esplora offers an interesting alternative for those wanting a generalized controller. I can see something similar with a Prop on it, and maybe the next step up with a socket for XBee, possibly on the bottom, along with better mounting for a serial LCD.

http://arduino.cc/esplora

Like the Leonardo, the USB can act as a HID, so the controller mimics a USB keyboard or mouse. Maybe Ari would like to look at this for potential new product?

-- Gordon

Ken Gracey · 2012-12-11 09:36

Here's how you can get one if you are interested. I have seven (7) digital and three (3) analog versions.

- make a $50 donation to a charity of your choice
- post a copy of your receipt here, even if just a cut/paste from your e-mail that excludes any private information
- specify your desired model, analog or digital
- PM me your shipping address

Thanks,

Ken Gracey

SRLM · 2012-12-11 11:20

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Hi Ken, I would like a digital model. Thanks for this opportunity.

John Abshier · 2012-12-11 12:01

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I would like an analog.

John Abshier

Ken Gracey · 2012-12-11 12:26

@John and Cody: got your requests covered. Shipping today UPS Ground.

Ken

skylight · 2012-12-11 13:24

Being very modular looking they feel like they could slot into an application so I propose a name of SLOTin controller.

Ken Gracey · 2012-12-12 13:28

Two analog, and six digital yet to be claimed.

rogersyd · 2012-12-12 14:03

Whoo hoo! Ill take an analog one please. Awesome promotion. GO PARALLAX!

pjv · 2012-12-12 14:04

Hello Ken;

Would one of each be possible ?

I support a doctor who takes a team of about 100 medical staff, all at their own time and cost from western Canada to a remote village in Ecuador where they do free hip/knee replacements as well as dental and eye work for people there who have noting and very little hope. They have been doing this for over 10 years now, and we are fortunate to be able to support that cause.

Cheers,

Peter (pjv)

Dear Dr. Greidanus;

Following your letter requesting contributions in funding your annual charity medical mission to Ecuador, I am pleased to advise the we will donate $x,xxx.xx to the cause.

A cheque for that amount will be forwarded to the EMAS foundation today.

Thank you for letting us help the less fortunate in the world.

Cheers,

Peter Van der Zee

Willowglen Systems Inc.

Ken Gracey · 2012-12-12 14:38

@rogersyd: got the PM and will dispatch your analog joystick today to the far NE reaches of the USA.
@pjv: yes, of course. Charity of your choice is always appropriate! I trust you've made the contribution and I'll send you one of each today.

All: we're down to digital-only models. Shall we build 20 more of each?

And we'd love to improve the product based on all of your feedback.

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2012-12-12 15:01

Hey Ken,

What are the chances we could twist your arm into a Quickstart sized version of this product as well?

Jeff

Ken Gracey · 2012-12-12 15:04

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) wrote: »

Hey Ken,

What are the chances we could twist your arm into a Quickstart sized version of this product as well?

Jeff

Jeff, the design requires some hardware (A/D or R/C circuit) for the joystick. And probably a resistor or two for the pushbuttons and LEDs. If it were a direct QuickStart plug-in then it'd need some support electronics. What exactly do you propose? We could make it into a little PCB (or you could, too) without the metal plate. Maybe you should make it in this way. The cost of the joysticks are presently too high at $28 and we need to drop that to about $18 or so. I could give you a BOM.

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2012-12-12 15:22

I'm game!

If you guys could tool the metal plate, I'm willing to do the PCB. I'm picturing something small that would plug into the top of the quickstart without hampering a board sitting between. (Like the Human Interface Board)

Jeff

Ken Gracey · 2012-12-12 15:40

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) wrote: »

I'm game!

If you guys could tool the metal plate, I'm willing to do the PCB. I'm picturing something small that would plug into the top of the quickstart without hampering a board sitting between. (Like the Human Interface Board)

Jeff

Of course we can do this. Could be a PropellerPowered XCLUSIVE!

xanadu · 2012-12-12 16:02

Name, ProtoStick Analog, ProtoStick Digital.

Price, no idea what it costs to make but the lower the better

Also, I like the open design a lot, but it would make me wish there were a plastic back-plate for under the board. If the back-plate was deep enough to allow the 'sticky bumps' to remain on the board, and or wires under protoboards, that would be great. Maybe you can put some touch resistive buttons back there too.

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2012-12-12 16:33

Not quite the same feel, but I'll bet we could get the price down with something like this..

http://www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/txtSearch/joystick/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/581/Default.aspx

Jeff

varnon · 2012-12-12 16:53

Its not a product I need at the moment, but I just wanted to say that I love the parallax staff/customer interaction in this thread/in these forums. It makes me really happy I started developing on the propeller.

Ken Gracey · 2012-12-12 18:02

varnon wrote: »

Its not a product I need at the moment, but I just wanted to say that I love the parallax staff/customer interaction in this thread/in these forums. It makes me really happy I started developing on the propeller.

Well, thanks varnon. This business is about so much more than the technology itself. We're also thankful for the community [every single day] and feel very fortunate to have the opportunities we do at Parallax. Really takes the "work" out of what most people have named work, making us look forward to each week as much as a weekend.

There are a bunch of people on these forums who will go way out of their way to help Parallax, too. The unofficial P2 documentation project, GCC, and all of the many OBEX contributions are examples.

Ken Gracey · 2012-12-12 18:05

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) wrote: »

Not quite the same feel, but I'll bet we could get the price down with something like this..

http://www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/txtSearch/joystick/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/581/Default.aspx

Jeff

Indeed, then you need only a friendly little PCB. We source those in China and I have a whole bunch of them at Parallax.

Tell you what - I'll make you a DEAL. Let's make a DEAL, shall we Jeff? I'll send you the 100+ units I have with their caps for free. You'll make a little QuickStart add-on that supports the joystick, an XBee socket, and maybe a button/dial onto your specially-designed PCB. The joystick is identical than the one we sell in the link you provided, except it has a pushbutton on the downward pressure.

This way, we both win. You get a new product with the key part that's hard [as heck] to find in China, and I get these things out of my office! Propeller customers get another PropellerPowered add-on board made by a fine company with lower overhead than Parallax. Everybody wins!

And yes, we can get more of them - no problem.

Do we have a deal?

P.S. Like I told you the other day - I'm sitting on more surprises, spare parts, and neat stuff than I'll have time for in this lifetime! It'd be great to see productivity spring from the ashes of my office for once!

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2012-12-12 19:13

Xbee huh?

You know I just happen to have an Quickstart Xbee add-on design already generated here that should easily be modified to fit that joystick. I'll be you guys even have the Diptrace library for that part somewhere around Parallax. YOU'VE GOT A DEAL... This board shall be ready for public review by the end of the weekend.

Jeff

Ken Gracey · 2012-12-12 22:02

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) wrote: »

YOU'VE GOT A DEAL... This board shall be ready for public review by the end of the weekend.

Jeff

I'll ask Jim to overnight you the joysticks so you can work productively over the weekend. I'm sure the PCB will be easier to design with parts in hand.

Ken

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) · 2012-12-12 22:39

@Ken, Would you mind adding one #27800 for prototyping purposes?

@All, How flexible would you guys like to have this? Easy to re-configure with places to jumper wires like PropBOE or hard configured I/O? (Attached is a quick drop-in layout.. Will add a couple tact switch positions, leds, caps, and resistors.)

Edit: I'm also thinking Serial Bluetooth connection in the center of the Xbee just for those would would prefer to go that direction.

Jeff

pjv · 2012-12-14 17:01

Hello Ken;

The two joystick kits just arrived, and they look great.

I want to thank you so much for offering these to the forum members, and letting me benefit from your generosity....... shipping to Canada included!

Well done !

Cheers,

Peter (pjv)

NWCCTV · 2012-12-14 20:38

Oldbitcollector (Jeff) wrote: »

@Ken, Would you mind adding one #27800 for prototyping purposes?

Edit: I'm also thinking Serial Bluetooth connection in the center of the Xbee just for those would would prefer to go that direction.

Jeff

I think BT would be great.

NWCCTV · 2012-12-14 20:46

john_s wrote: »

Ken,

Perhaps just a link to consider in respect to design aspects for buttons, layout and such...

http://www.wired.com/design/2012/12/arduino-esplora/

That IS quite a unique design!!! Ken Put something like this together for the BOE boards (Both verions) and all your other boards. I would definately buy a bunch and I am pretty sure most others would also!!!!

skylight · 2012-12-15 07:44

How about a large round weighted knob mounted on a panel on the side controlling an encoder plugged into the breadboard?

Joystick + pushbutton + LEDs = simple PropBOE add-on

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