The WalrusLink Project

u/TheMachine02 September 20, 2016, 08:36:37 AM

Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on September 06, 2016, 04:30:22 AM
Being able to control our computer, especially an emulator, with a calculator would be nice. I just hope that the TI-84+ doesn't get discontinued, because it would suck if no calculator that is still in production was supported. But I understand the difficulty of implementing USB support >.<

I does already exist in fact : https://www.omnimaga.org/the-axe-parser-project/usbpad8x-usb-keyboard-axiom/
You can control your computer with an axe program :p

u/DarkestEx September 20, 2016, 10:04:47 AM

Quote from: p2 on September 20, 2016, 07:43:23 AM
I guess we should first focus on getting it up an runnign on a 84+
MAYBE we could try adding some more models later, we'll se ^^
@DarkestEx: Using the SD memory trick, do you think we could later add compatibility in an update? Or would entirely new hardware be required?

It's simply not possible.

u/Dream of Omnimaga September 20, 2016, 07:48:46 PM

What is the SD memory trick anyway?

u/DarkestEx September 20, 2016, 07:50:22 PM

Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on September 20, 2016, 07:48:46 PM
What is the SD memory trick anyway?

Being able to software upgrade from sd card

u/Dream of Omnimaga September 20, 2016, 07:51:16 PM

But none of the TI calcs have a SD card port.

u/DarkestEx September 20, 2016, 07:52:27 PM

Quote from: DJ Omnimaga on September 20, 2016, 07:51:16 PM
But none of the TI calcs have a SD card port.

Of course not. The walruslink adds one

u/Dream of Omnimaga September 20, 2016, 07:54:18 PM

Oh right true, what was I thinking lol?

In any case, for a larger audience the WalrusLink needs to not require way too much hardware modding, especially soldering, for the user once it's completed, since some people tend to be scared of soldering or suck at it. Something cool about the Nspire connector that some community member did years ago was that it could be plugged into the Nspire dock port without opening the calc case.

u/p2 September 20, 2016, 07:56:06 PM

we got a buit-in SD card on which teh entire software is saved. So whenever we decide to update something you dont need to buy a new WalrusLink, just take out teh sd card and replace the old files

u/Dream of Omnimaga September 20, 2016, 08:26:32 PM

Yeah I meant to implement the WalrusLink in the calc in the first place.

That said, not having to buy a new one every time already helps

u/Mario AR. June 16, 2017, 12:28:25 AM

Hi

Just got a PS/2 keyboard working on a TI-83. It was kinda easy, since there are already libraries for PS/2 input and TICL.
I thoug: the old an unused Scroll Lock can be used to switch between normal and tokenized input. NumLock can be used to enable a special input for asm programs.

I think the best solution for the hardware that requires few soldering skills is this:

All I had to do was solder 4 jumper wires. It can be easily connected and disconnected to the Arduino. The same for the stereo jack.

u/Dream of Omnimaga June 17, 2017, 02:22:24 PM

Heya Mario AR and welcome here.

I wonder if PS/2 keyboards and mice are still widely available for sale? IIRC Staples charge $70 for an USB-PS/2 adapter

u/SopaXorzTaker June 17, 2017, 03:45:17 PM

Implement the ESP8266 interface that'd add WiFi!
Now would that be even more great with crude on-calc web browsers and stuff?

u/Mario AR. June 17, 2017, 08:30:43 PM

Forgot to mention, I used an USB keyboard, with an adapter.
$70 for an adapter? Thats insane! I got mine for less than $1.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/MOSUNX-Futural-Digital-Hot-Selling-1PCS-USB-Female-to-PS2-PS-2-Male-Adapter-Converter-keyboard/32804618151.html

Most cheap USB keyboards work with these.

u/c4ooo June 17, 2017, 09:09:48 PM

Quote from: SopaXorzTaker on June 17, 2017, 03:45:17 PM
Implement the ESP8266 interface that'd add WiFi!
Now would that be even more great with crude on-calc web browsers and stuff?

What would be really cool is streaming your PC screen to your calc O.o

u/p2 June 22, 2017, 12:03:58 AM

that should be possible, but mind that the entire downscaling would have to be done on the PC's side since the calc would lack the processing power. So we'd end up with a blurred image whene u could see almost nothing of any GUIs and stuff, abd it would be a mere slave, non-functional without the right software on the computer (just like that good old irc program for the 83+)