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Development => Hardware => Topic started by: DarkestEx on June 23, 2015, 10:00:25 PM

Title: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: DarkestEx on June 23, 2015, 10:00:25 PM
Heya guys!

A few weeks ago I was working on another of my old projects, which actually got me into electronics. It was a build from the Ben Heck Show.
I started with electronics for building this project, but back then I wasn't able to make it, but now this is not a problem anymore.
The project is to build a small, BASIC computer with an ATMega328p or similar and a 4x20 LCD and a XBox 360 Chatpad.
The programming and the breadboard part is done. There's only one program bug to fix and still needs to be rewired onto a PCB and put into a nice case.
Because I don't have a PIC programmer, I had to write my own Chatpad driver based of the work from another person's reverse engineering.

Here is a picture for you:
(http://www.element14.com/community/servlet/JiveServlet/showImage/2-147842-220809/IMG_20150422_205143459.jpg)
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: Snektron on June 23, 2015, 10:01:19 PM
Whoa that looks cool! I should do more electronics too <_<
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: alexgt on June 24, 2015, 12:00:08 AM
Looks awesome O.O, I used to watch the ben heck show...

I want to get into electronics and stuff put the reason I program is because I can do it on the go with my calc :) but you cant do electronics on the go :(
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on July 01, 2015, 12:49:48 PM
I like it, so far :D. Can you display animations or even do demos on the screen at a fast enough speed?
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: p4nix on July 01, 2015, 01:10:19 PM
I think he uses a text only screen, if I'm right.
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: DarkestEx on July 01, 2015, 01:30:37 PM
Yes, I can only display text and possibly a 20x16px graphic on the screen.
In theory I could just connect one of my graphic LCD's for a 128x64px image.
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: Unicorn on July 01, 2015, 01:58:59 PM
Cool!

So you can have multiple screens?
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: DarkestEx on July 01, 2015, 02:03:58 PM
Quote from: Unicorn on July 01, 2015, 01:58:59 PM
Cool!

So you can have multiple screens?
Yeah, that would certainly be possible :)
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on July 02, 2015, 04:57:45 PM
Quote from: DarkestEx on July 01, 2015, 01:30:37 PM
Yes, I can only display text and possibly a 20x16px graphic on the screen.
In theory I could just connect one of my graphic LCD's for a 128x64px image.

20x16 DOOM clone? :P
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: alexgt on July 02, 2015, 05:09:07 PM
I would be DOOMED trying to do that. Almost as bad as Nagoji 4x3 :P
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: Snektron on July 02, 2015, 06:50:47 PM
I wanna try building a smartwatch some time :P Maybe you can try that too
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: alexgt on July 02, 2015, 06:52:53 PM
That reminds me I just got this (http://www.target.com/p/men-s-casio-calculator-watch-black-ca56-1/-/A-14150050?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=14150050&CPNG=Jewelry&kpid=14150050&LID=18pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=14150050&kpid=14150050&gclid=CICBgIWPvcYCFYY9gQods8kAuw)
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: Unicorn on July 02, 2015, 09:06:42 PM
Nice! :)
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: p4nix on July 03, 2015, 06:50:10 PM
Is it possible to build a reasonably flat wearable computer using those components? I mean forearm-mounted? Would be quite interesting. I don't know how big the keyboard and contoller are about, but I always hate those displays because they are way too big imo.

EDIT: schematics would be cool if they are not exactly Ben Heck's, otherwise I'll check them.
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: DarkestEx on July 03, 2015, 06:55:39 PM
Quote from: p4nix on July 03, 2015, 06:50:10 PM
Is it possible to build a reasonably flat wearable computer using those components? I mean forearm-mounted? Would be quite interesting. I don't know how big the keyboard and contoller are about, but I always hate those displays because they are way too big imo.

EDIT: schematics would be cool if they are not exactly Ben Heck's, otherwise I'll check them.
Well, if one would go all smd and use an OLED instead of a LCD it could absoltely work.
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: p4nix on July 03, 2015, 07:08:52 PM
If you are ready soldering and stuff, you should definitely send pictures from different views, that'd be very kind  ;D
Because making a smartwatch based on this idea would be a very cool project!

EDIT:
accumulators are also not flat :c
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: DarkestEx on July 03, 2015, 07:18:39 PM
Quote from: p4nix on July 03, 2015, 07:08:52 PM
If you are ready soldering and stuff, you should definitely send pictures from different views, that'd be very kind  ;D
Because making a smartwatch based on this idea would be a very cool project!

EDIT:
accumulators are also not flat :c
I will do! :)
Its still an awesome idea.
One day we could look into it.
Title: Re: Tiny Basic Microcomputer / Calculator
Post by: Dream of Omnimaga on July 08, 2015, 03:47:11 AM
Quote from: alexgt on July 02, 2015, 06:52:53 PM
That reminds me I just got this (http://www.target.com/p/men-s-casio-calculator-watch-black-ca56-1/-/A-14150050?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=14150050&CPNG=Jewelry&kpid=14150050&LID=18pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=14150050&kpid=14150050&gclid=CICBgIWPvcYCFYY9gQods8kAuw)
Wow they still make those? I thought that they stopped doing them in the 90's.
Quote from: p4nix on July 03, 2015, 06:50:10 PM
Is it possible to build a reasonably flat wearable computer using those components? I mean forearm-mounted? Would be quite interesting. I don't know how big the keyboard and contoller are about, but I always hate those displays because they are way too big imo.

EDIT: schematics would be cool if they are not exactly Ben Heck's, otherwise I'll check them.
YEah I am curious about this too, because most community/home-made electronics tend to be much larger than new technology. I wonder if someone here could manage to find and assemble something small enough to be wearable, even if lower-end in terms of specs?