Hacking calculators
Archiver
Posts: 46,084
I am very much a novice to all of this, but I have a question. Is it
possible to hack a cheap pocket calculator and reprogram it to
do something else?
I'm trying to make a calculator size device that, when you press a
button, will display a random number. I could make one with kits,
etc., at some expense, but I am wondering if a $5 calculator may
have some of the parts I already need.
Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
possible to hack a cheap pocket calculator and reprogram it to
do something else?
I'm trying to make a calculator size device that, when you press a
button, will display a random number. I could make one with kits,
etc., at some expense, but I am wondering if a $5 calculator may
have some of the parts I already need.
Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Comments
scoreboard, but if I could hook up a calculators to create counters
(home/visitor score and period) then that would help greatly. I'd want to
take another calculator and create a countdown timer with which I could set,
reset, start and stop the clock.
Jarrod.
Original Message
From: <westinn29@y...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 7:40 PM
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Hacking calculators
> I am very much a novice to all of this, but I have a question. Is it
> possible to hack a cheap pocket calculator and reprogram it to
> do something else?
>
> I'm trying to make a calculator size device that, when you press a
> button, will display a random number. I could make one with kits,
> etc., at some expense, but I am wondering if a $5 calculator may
> have some of the parts I already need.
>
> Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
>
>
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
Body of the message will be ignored.
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>
> I am very much a novice to all of this, but I have a question. Is it
> possible to hack a cheap pocket calculator and reprogram it to
> do something else?
>
> I'm trying to make a calculator size device that, when you press a
> button, will display a random number. I could make one with kits,
> etc., at some expense, but I am wondering if a $5 calculator may
> have some of the parts I already need.
Why did you post to the Stamps group for this?? Go to Ebay and
buy yourself a cheap used Scientific Calc with a random number
feature. Then press the [noparse][[/noparse]RND] key when you recieve it...
presto! you now have a calculator sized device that will
produce random numbers when you press a key...
Michael Burr
chip where the program has been burned into the chip and the chip is
then covered with a poxy.
--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "westinn29 <westinn29@y...>"
<westinn29@y...> wrote:
> I am very much a novice to all of this, but I have a question. Is
it
> possible to hack a cheap pocket calculator and reprogram it to
> do something else?
>
> I'm trying to make a calculator size device that, when you press a
> button, will display a random number. I could make one with kits,
> etc., at some expense, but I am wondering if a $5 calculator may
> have some of the parts I already need.
>
> Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
surface mount and there is no provision made for programming the chips etc.
Reverse engineering these things would be 1000 times harder than just making
your own on perfboard.
Original Message
From: "SportsAnnouncing.com" <dj@s...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 4:57 PM
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Hacking calculators
> I too have been wondering about this. I would like to create a personal
> scoreboard, but if I could hook up a calculators to create counters
> (home/visitor score and period) then that would help greatly. I'd want to
> take another calculator and create a countdown timer with which I could
set,
> reset, start and stop the clock.
>
> Jarrod.
>
Original Message
> From: <westinn29@y...>
> To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 7:40 PM
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Hacking calculators
>
>
> > I am very much a novice to all of this, but I have a question. Is it
> > possible to hack a cheap pocket calculator and reprogram it to
> > do something else?
> >
> > I'm trying to make a calculator size device that, when you press a
> > button, will display a random number. I could make one with kits,
> > etc., at some expense, but I am wondering if a $5 calculator may
> > have some of the parts I already need.
> >
> > Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
and
> Body of the message will be ignored.
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
Body of the message will be ignored.
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
commercially viable product for role-playing gamers that is
cheap and has a number of buttons to produce random results
like different sides dice (4 sided, 6 sided, etc.).
--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Michael Burr
<mburr@b...> wrote:
> westinn29 wrote:
>
> > I am very much a novice to all of this, but I have a question. Is
it
> > possible to hack a cheap pocket calculator and reprogram it
to
> > do something else?
> >
> > I'm trying to make a calculator size device that, when you
press a
> > button, will display a random number. I could make one with
kits,
> > etc., at some expense, but I am wondering if a $5 calculator
may
> > have some of the parts I already need.
>
> Why did you post to the Stamps group for this?? Go to Ebay
and
> buy yourself a cheap used Scientific Calc with a random
number
> feature. Then press the [noparse][[/noparse]RND] key when you recieve it...
> presto! you now have a calculator sized device that will
> produce random numbers when you press a key...
>
> Michael Burr
to know as much as I can before I hire someone to do this).
Could the chip be removed and replaced with a custom
programmed chip, so that the other hardware of the calculator
(LCD, keypad, casing) could be used?
--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "dirt939 <stamp@d...>"
<stamp@d...> wrote:
> You cannot reprogram a calculator. Most calculators have a
single
> chip where the program has been burned into the chip and the
chip is
> then covered with a poxy.
>
> --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "westinn29
<westinn29@y...>"
> <westinn29@y...> wrote:
> > I am very much a novice to all of this, but I have a question. Is
> it
> > possible to hack a cheap pocket calculator and reprogram it
to
> > do something else?
> >
> > I'm trying to make a calculator size device that, when you
press a
> > button, will display a random number. I could make one with
kits,
> > etc., at some expense, but I am wondering if a $5 calculator
may
> > have some of the parts I already need.
> >
> > Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
> I too have been wondering about this. I would like to create a personal
> scoreboard, but if I could hook up a calculators to create counters
> (home/visitor score and period) then that would help greatly. I'd want to
> take another calculator and create a countdown timer with which I could set,
> reset, start and stop the clock.
This can all be easily done on an HP48-SX calculator which you
can buy used on Ebay for about $40... less than the cost of a stamp.
--
Our government it seems has got a new plan...
Seize and search the private records of every man.
No warrants, no judges, no due process required,
With "Homeland Security" the 4th Amendment's retired.
"Total Information Awareness" the project is called,
Oh would our forefathers be aghast and appalled!
http://geocities.com/totalinformationawareness/
from kits, for about $90. I'm trying to come up with an economical
way to produce a commercially viable product, however.
I am approaching engineering companies and getting quotes
from them, but I want to explore the idea of producing them on a
smaller scale as well.
Thanks for your advice!
--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Pat M <pmeloy@s...>
wrote:
> If you open up one of the pocket calculators you'll see
everything is
> surface mount and there is no provision made for
programming the chips etc.
> Reverse engineering these things would be 1000 times harder
than just making
> your own on perfboard.
>
>
Original Message
> From: "SportsAnnouncing.com" <dj@s...>
> To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 4:57 PM
> Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Hacking calculators
>
>
> > I too have been wondering about this. I would like to create a
personal
> > scoreboard, but if I could hook up a calculators to create
counters
> > (home/visitor score and period) then that would help greatly.
I'd want to
> > take another calculator and create a countdown timer with
which I could
> set,
> > reset, start and stop the clock.
> >
> > Jarrod.
> >
Original Message
> > From: <westinn29@y...>
> > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
> > Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 7:40 PM
> > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Hacking calculators
> >
> >
> > > I am very much a novice to all of this, but I have a question.
Is it
> > > possible to hack a cheap pocket calculator and reprogram
it to
> > > do something else?
> > >
> > > I'm trying to make a calculator size device that, when you
press a
> > > button, will display a random number. I could make one
with kits,
> > > etc., at some expense, but I am wondering if a $5 calculator
may
> > > have some of the parts I already need.
> > >
> > > Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in
the Subject
> and
> > Body of the message will be ignored.
> > >
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in
the Subject and
> Body of the message will be ignored.
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
> Well, I guess I should give more detail. I want to make a
> commercially viable product for role-playing gamers that is
> cheap and has a number of buttons to produce random results
> like different sides dice (4 sided, 6 sided, etc.).
Well, once again, this is easily accomplished with an
inexpensive used HP48 available on Ebay for about $40. You
might be better off just writing software for the 48' and sell
it shareware as a product.
If you are determined to build hardware for this you'll probably
find this months Nut's N Volts' intresting - an article titled
"Build the High Roller Pic-Based Electronic Dice". An
interesting article... but it's still lost on me why anyone
would spend so much time and effort when the same functionality
can be accomplished with a few lines of code on an inexpensive
programmable calculator.
Michael Burr
second if you want to do some 'market research' buy a bunch of
different calculators and see how they are made. you may get lucky
and find one with a PIC that is exposed. ie: replacelable.
another possibility is that you can then find a manufacturer that
will sell you a wholesale lot for cheap without the pic,
in my opnion, the labor on re-working a unit is too high to be
considdered.
Dave
--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "westinn29 <westinn29@y...>"
<westinn29@y...> wrote:
> Okay, this is probably a stupid question, but bear with me (I want
> to know as much as I can before I hire someone to do this).
> Could the chip be removed and replaced with a custom
> programmed chip, so that the other hardware of the calculator
> (LCD, keypad, casing) could be used?
>
>
>
> --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "dirt939 <stamp@d...>"
> <stamp@d...> wrote:
> > You cannot reprogram a calculator. Most calculators have a
> single
> > chip where the program has been burned into the chip and the
> chip is
> > then covered with a poxy.
> >
> > --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "westinn29
> <westinn29@y...>"
> > <westinn29@y...> wrote:
> > > I am very much a novice to all of this, but I have a question.
Is
> > it
> > > possible to hack a cheap pocket calculator and reprogram it
> to
> > > do something else?
> > >
> > > I'm trying to make a calculator size device that, when you
> press a
> > > button, will display a random number. I could make one with
> kits,
> > > etc., at some expense, but I am wondering if a $5 calculator
> may
> > > have some of the parts I already need.
> > >
> > > Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
these are all one time programmable ones, using obscure or unknown
MCU's, thus you could never re-program them if you could.
You can use one of the programmable calculators and program them
to perform this function.
But you can save your self a lot of hassle:
http://www.hobbytron.net/vk3400.html this kit is pretty neat, works good
too.
http://www.hobbytron.net/gamesub.html
http://www.outpost.com/product/2578461/
http://www.velleman.be/kits/k3400.htm
Here is one that uses a PIC MCU
http://electronickits.com/kit/complete/game/ck903.htm
http://www.electronic-kits-and-projects.com/kit-files/3xxx/3069.pdf
http://www.gatewayelex.com/kits9.htm
https://www1117.verio-web.com/grayma/catalog/146.htm
http://www.alltronics.com/kits.htm
ad infintum....
Lots of hits via www.google.com using "electronic dice kit"
Original Message
From: westinn29 <westinn29@y...> [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=qEkxPqiLMzt1Jgi7gZ5w6xQeeoO-c1Gm8fROlBtLWASx25-NAJ2dkt2NruOXEvuQ4wqmbteiDbchr193Fg4]westinn29@y...[/url
Sent: Friday, January 17, 2003 2:57 PM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Hacking calculators
Well, I guess I should give more detail. I want to make a
commercially viable product for role-playing gamers that is
cheap and has a number of buttons to produce random results
like different sides dice (4 sided, 6 sided, etc.).
--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Michael Burr
<mburr@b...> wrote:
> westinn29 wrote:
>
> > I am very much a novice to all of this, but I have a question. Is
it
> > possible to hack a cheap pocket calculator and reprogram it
to
> > do something else?
> >
> > I'm trying to make a calculator size device that, when you
press a
> > button, will display a random number. I could make one with
kits,
> > etc., at some expense, but I am wondering if a $5 calculator
may
> > have some of the parts I already need.
>
> Why did you post to the Stamps group for this?? Go to Ebay
and
> buy yourself a cheap used Scientific Calc with a random
number
> feature. Then press the [noparse][[/noparse]RND] key when you recieve it...
> presto! you now have a calculator sized device that will
> produce random numbers when you press a key...
>
> Michael Burr
To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
Body of the message will be ignored.
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
and a case and buttons.
no doubt that you could not re-program them but you could replace
them if you find one that you could removed the chip.
Dave
--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "Earl Bollinger"
<earlwbollinger@a...> wrote:
> Calculators nowadays use the cheapest MCU they can get.
> these are all one time programmable ones, using obscure or unknown
> MCU's, thus you could never re-program them if you could.
> You can use one of the programmable calculators and program them
> to perform this function.
> But you can save your self a lot of hassle:
> http://www.hobbytron.net/vk3400.html this kit is pretty neat, works
good
> too.
> http://www.hobbytron.net/gamesub.html
> http://www.outpost.com/product/2578461/
> http://www.velleman.be/kits/k3400.htm
>
> Here is one that uses a PIC MCU
> http://electronickits.com/kit/complete/game/ck903.htm
> http://www.electronic-kits-and-projects.com/kit-files/3xxx/3069.pdf
>
> http://www.gatewayelex.com/kits9.htm
> https://www1117.verio-web.com/grayma/catalog/146.htm
>
> http://www.alltronics.com/kits.htm
> ad infintum....
> Lots of hits via www.google.com using "electronic dice kit"
>
>
>
>
>
>
Original Message
> From: westinn29 <westinn29@y...> [noparse][[/noparse]mailto:westinn29@y...]
> Sent: Friday, January 17, 2003 2:57 PM
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Hacking calculators
>
>
> Well, I guess I should give more detail. I want to make a
> commercially viable product for role-playing gamers that is
> cheap and has a number of buttons to produce random results
> like different sides dice (4 sided, 6 sided, etc.).
>
> --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Michael Burr
> <mburr@b...> wrote:
> > westinn29 wrote:
> >
> > > I am very much a novice to all of this, but I have a question.
Is
> it
> > > possible to hack a cheap pocket calculator and reprogram it
> to
> > > do something else?
> > >
> > > I'm trying to make a calculator size device that, when you
> press a
> > > button, will display a random number. I could make one with
> kits,
> > > etc., at some expense, but I am wondering if a $5 calculator
> may
> > > have some of the parts I already need.
> >
> > Why did you post to the Stamps group for this?? Go to Ebay
> and
> > buy yourself a cheap used Scientific Calc with a random
> number
> > feature. Then press the [noparse][[/noparse]RND] key when you recieve it...
> > presto! you now have a calculator sized device that will
> > produce random numbers when you press a key...
> >
> > Michael Burr
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the
Subject and
> Body of the message will be ignored.
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
economically feasible for the marketplace as a whole.
in selling an electronic product, you will have to
worry about compliance certifications and the like for
this "new" product. it is much easier to start with a
clean design. as part of the business plan to develop
and manufacture the product, you will have to figure
on how to spread this cost over several production
builds.
just thought i'd throw my thoughts into the mix.
kevin
--- "westinn29 <westinn29@y...>"
<westinn29@y...> wrote:
> Okay, this is probably a stupid question, but bear
> with me (I want
> to know as much as I can before I hire someone to do
> this).
> Could the chip be removed and replaced with a custom
>
> programmed chip, so that the other hardware of the
> calculator
> (LCD, keypad, casing) could be used?
>
>
>
> --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "dirt939
> <stamp@d...>"
> <stamp@d...> wrote:
> > You cannot reprogram a calculator. Most
> calculators have a
> single
> > chip where the program has been burned into the
> chip and the
> chip is
> > then covered with a poxy.
> >
> > --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "westinn29
> <westinn29@y...>"
> > <westinn29@y...> wrote:
> > > I am very much a novice to all of this, but I
> have a question. Is
> > it
> > > possible to hack a cheap pocket calculator and
> reprogram it
> to
> > > do something else?
> > >
> > > I'm trying to make a calculator size device
> that, when you
> press a
> > > button, will display a random number. I could
> make one with
> kits,
> > > etc., at some expense, but I am wondering if a
> $5 calculator
> may
> > > have some of the parts I already need.
> > >
> > > Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> from the same email address that you subscribed.
> Text in the Subject and Body of the message will be
> ignored.
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
__________________________________________________
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calculator can come after you legally if you market a hacked version,
and 2) UL will never approve it, which limits your market.
Dennis
Original Message
From: kevin asato [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=LbxFmu_p_4gXnrwwPbjfvhz_bsxlF0mLAq2ffPYW7On5EleNrAhzjdKAFtjXMpPWzvhb7GQ-BpCTzQ]kc6pob@y...[/url
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2003 9:57 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Hacking calculators
while yes it can be done for your own use, it is not economically
feasible for the marketplace as a whole. in selling an electronic
product, you will have to worry about compliance certifications and the
like for this "new" product. it is much easier to start with a clean
design. as part of the business plan to develop and manufacture the
product, you will have to figure on how to spread this cost over several
production builds.
just thought i'd throw my thoughts into the mix.
kevin
not have the same threshold as 110Volt.
there may be 'no controling legal authority'
another thing, is that you can find lots of houses that will
manufacture the whole thing for you. probably even a far east
company will do it.
but you need to look at the numbers. if the origional poster wanted
to hack calculators, then the limit was how many he could do. not
enought to be a blip on the radar. but enough to keep him busy.
Dave
--- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, kevin asato <kc6pob@y...> wrote:
> while yes it can be done for your own use, it is not
> economically feasible for the marketplace as a whole.
> in selling an electronic product, you will have to
> worry about compliance certifications and the like for
> this "new" product. it is much easier to start with a
> clean design. as part of the business plan to develop
> and manufacture the product, you will have to figure
> on how to spread this cost over several production
> builds.
>
> just thought i'd throw my thoughts into the mix.
>
> kevin
> --- "westinn29 <westinn29@y...>"
> <westinn29@y...> wrote:
> > Okay, this is probably a stupid question, but bear
> > with me (I want
> > to know as much as I can before I hire someone to do
> > this).
> > Could the chip be removed and replaced with a custom
> >
> > programmed chip, so that the other hardware of the
> > calculator
> > (LCD, keypad, casing) could be used?
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "dirt939
> > <stamp@d...>"
> > <stamp@d...> wrote:
> > > You cannot reprogram a calculator. Most
> > calculators have a
> > single
> > > chip where the program has been burned into the
> > chip and the
> > chip is
> > > then covered with a poxy.
> > >
> > > --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, "westinn29
> > <westinn29@y...>"
> > > <westinn29@y...> wrote:
> > > > I am very much a novice to all of this, but I
> > have a question. Is
> > > it
> > > > possible to hack a cheap pocket calculator and
> > reprogram it
> > to
> > > > do something else?
> > > >
> > > > I'm trying to make a calculator size device
> > that, when you
> > press a
> > > > button, will display a random number. I could
> > make one with
> > kits,
> > > > etc., at some expense, but I am wondering if a
> > $5 calculator
> > may
> > > > have some of the parts I already need.
> > > >
> > > > Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
> >
> >
> > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > from the same email address that you subscribed.
> > Text in the Subject and Body of the message will be
> > ignored.
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
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<westinn29@y...> wrote:
> Yeah, I gathered from the Parallax site that I could
> make one
> from kits, for about $90. I'm trying to come up with
> an economical
> way to produce a commercially viable product,
> however.
>
> I am approaching engineering companies and getting
> quotes
> from them, but I want to explore the idea of
> producing them on a
> smaller scale as well.
>
> Thanks for your advice!
>
Well:
Nobody mention the Popular Electronics (yes I'm
that old :-) article from quit a few years back.
It used your basic four function calculator. BUT,
it had to do constant math. I.E., after you entered
a formual (0 + 1) then hit the = sign the calculator
would display a cumulative sum =1,=2,=3,=4,=5,... .
The circuit used a simple combinational digital
logic to pre-load the calculator. So you wired up
some gates/transistors as switches to Press this key
sequence.
CE # clear calculator enters 0 in display
+ # start equation
1 # end start up
= # clock /event / timer circuit you decide
So for $2 worth of IC's and a $70 calculator (70's
prices
[noparse][[/noparse]now $.50 IC's and $5 calculator]) You could
have a counter/timer module.
The main idea is to wire transistors as switches
across the buttons, have some logic (IC's/Stamp) to
control these switches in an algorithmic way.
It's a do-able your science fair project.
Production I don't think so...
Use your creativity,
Dave La Rosa
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