While attending Bornhack 2024 in Danmark, I came up with the below fun ideas.
Using Python and OpenCV, I made some funny webcam hacks.
Note: My laptop webcam is very bad, a better webcam should give you a more stable result.
First, a virtual workspace flipper. Just using my head movement to flip through my virtual desktops. (Turning left and right)
Next, an image viewer. Using your head movement up, down, left and right to control the image. Note : this is not the same movement as above. This won’t use rotation of your head!
Although there are bad hackers (black hat), the term hacker is being used to describe people who are using technology alternative or even hack food and drinks. Create something new or improve. Mostly using computers, but think of it in a broad way. Programming, 3D designing or printing. Learning new things.
We (me and my girlfriend) went with Bigred (and his girlfriend) and Tyrone. Both good old friends.
With Bigred I made a mini C64 Badge in the last few months. With Tyrone I started coding 6502 Machine Language again. (Planning to release a demo at X2025)
Old badges I boughtExplaining my compile pipeline to TyroneSoldering bus manipulatorCampsite
Stuff I did there:
Programming demo parts (Sprite multiplexing, Music Sync)
Made some demo graphics
Programmed some shaders
Circuit Python hacking on the Badges, no new one this year 🙁
Soldering my Bus Manipulator
Python to generate SIN tables (acme output) !byte $CA,$FE,$BA,$BE
Coding 101 with Tyrone (Acme pipeline, Git and MircoPython on his MCH badge)
Drank too much
Slept too short
Removing gallons of rain water from Tyrone’s tent.
Mini shader in GLSL language
After a week of hacking, we went for a short holiday in Denmark.
Visiting Viking Museums, Old cosy towns, WWII bunkers, the Beach and more. Driving back to the Netherlands, we visited the only surviving VII-C U-boat in the world. (Same as I 3D printed for the Uboot game)
The lone surviving example, U-995, is on display at the Laboe Naval Memorial located in Laboe, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Recordplayer model by kriswillcode, but heavily remixed
Record player is going to be re-printed at a higher quality.
Put a printed image on the player, and it plays the album
Move the arm, and the next track will be played
Press upper white button, and the music will pause/resume
Press lower button … ??? Don’t know yet
Updated python client (see previous posts)
import paho.mqtt.client as mqtt
import urllib.request
from time import sleep
def on_connect(client, userdata, flags, rc): # The callback for when the client connects to the broker
print("Connected with result code {0}".format(str(rc)))
client.subscribe("spotify/rfid/idlms")
client.subscribe("spotify/rfid/but1")
client.subscribe("spotify/rfid/but2")
client.subscribe("spotify/rfid/arm")
def on_message(client, userdata, msg): # The callback for when a PUBLISH message is received from the server.
print("Message received-> " + msg.topic + " " + str(msg.payload)) # Print a received msg
if msg.topic == "spotify/rfid/idlms":
urllib.request.urlopen("http://LMS-SERVER-IP:9000/anyurl?p0=playlistcontrol&p1=album_id:" + msg.payload.decode() + "&p2=cmd:load&player=00:04:20:16:d9:04")
if msg.topic == "spotify/rfid/but1":
urllib.request.urlopen("http://LMS-SERVER-IP:9000/anyurl?p0=pause&player=00:04:20:16:d9:04")
sleep(1)
if msg.topic == "spotify/rfid/but2":
urllib.request.urlopen("http://LMS-SERVER-IP:9000/anyurl?p0=pause&pt=1&player=00:04:20:16:d9:04")
sleep(1)
if msg.topic == "spotify/rfid/arm":
urllib.request.urlopen("http://LMS-SERVER-IP:9000/status.html?p0=button&p1=jump_fwd&player=00:04:20:16:d9:04")
sleep(1)
client = mqtt.Client("lmsclient") # Create instance of client with client ID “digi_mqtt_test”
client.on_connect = on_connect # Define callback function for successful connection
client.on_message = on_message # Define callback function for receipt of a message
client.connect('MQTTSERVER', 1883)
client.loop_forever() # Start daemon
Wemos INO file
#include <Arduino.h>
#include <SPI.h>
#include <MFRC522.h>
#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <WiFiClient.h>
#include <PubSubClient.h>
#define SS_PIN 15
#define RST_PIN 0
const int buttonPin1 = D1;
const int buttonPin2 = D2;
int buttonState1 = 0;
int buttonState2 = 0;
MFRC522 mfrc522(SS_PIN, RST_PIN);
MFRC522::StatusCode status; //variable to get card status
byte buffer[18]; //data transfer buffer (16+2 bytes data+CRC)
byte size = sizeof(buffer);
uint8_t pageAddr = 0x06; //In this example we will write/read 16 bytes (page 6,7,8 and 9).
//Ultraligth mem = 16 pages. 4 bytes per page.
//Pages 0 to 4 are for special functions.
unsigned long cardId = 0;
WiFiClient net;
PubSubClient client(net);
const char* mqtt_server = "MQTTBROKER";
const char* ssid = "MYSSID";
const char* password = "MYWIFIPASWORD";
String topicStr = "";
byte buffer2[8];
boolean Rflag=false;
int r_len;
char payload[5];
byte value[5];
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
pinMode(buttonPin1, INPUT_PULLUP);
pinMode(buttonPin2, INPUT_PULLUP );
SPI.begin();
mfrc522.PCD_Init();
WiFi.mode(WIFI_AP_STA);
WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
client.setServer(mqtt_server, 1883);
delay(100);
client.setCallback(callback);
delay(100);
client.subscribe("spotify/rfid/in/#");
}
void reconnect() {
while (WiFi.waitForConnectResult() != WL_CONNECTED) {
}
while (!client.connected()) {
String clientId = "rfid-";
clientId += String(random(0xffff), HEX);
if (!client.connect(clientId.c_str(), "rfidclient", "...")) {
delay(5000);
}
}
client.subscribe("spotify/rfid/in/#");
}
void callback(char* topic, byte* payload, unsigned int length) {
Serial.print(F("Called"));
Rflag=true; //will use in main loop
r_len=length; //will use in main loop
int j=0;
for (j;j<length;j++) {
buffer2[j]=payload[j];
//Serial.print((char)payload[j]);
}
if (r_len < 3) {
Rflag=false;
Serial.print(F("Set false"));
}
buffer2[j]='\0'; //terminate string
}
void loop() {
if (!client.connected()) {
reconnect();
}
buttonState1 = digitalRead(buttonPin1);
//Serial.print(buttonState1);
if (buttonState1 == 0 ) {
client.publish("spotify/rfid/but1", "0");
}
buttonState2 = digitalRead(buttonPin2);
//Serial.println(buttonState2);
if (buttonState2 == 0 ) {
client.publish("spotify/rfid/but2", "0");
}
int reading = analogRead(0);
//Serial.println(reading);
if (reading > 500 ) {
client.publish("spotify/rfid/arm", "0");
}
client.loop();
if (!mfrc522.PICC_IsNewCardPresent()) {
return;
}
if (!mfrc522.PICC_ReadCardSerial()) {
return;
}
if (Rflag) {
for (int i=0; i < 4; i++) {
//data is writen in blocks of 4 bytes (4 bytes per page)
status = (MFRC522::StatusCode) mfrc522.MIFARE_Ultralight_Write(pageAddr+i, &buffer2[i*4], 4);
if (status != MFRC522::STATUS_OK) {
return;
}
}
Rflag=false;
}
cardId = getCardId();
char buffer3[10];
sprintf(buffer3, "%lu", cardId);
client.publish("spotify/rfid/id", buffer3);
status = (MFRC522::StatusCode) mfrc522.MIFARE_Read(pageAddr, buffer, &size);
if (status != MFRC522::STATUS_OK) {
Serial.println(F("MIFARE_Read() failed: (R)"));
Serial.println(mfrc522.GetStatusCodeName(status));
return;
}
Serial.println(F("Read data: "));
for (byte i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
Serial.write(buffer[i]);
buffer2[i]=buffer[i];
}
client.publish("spotify/rfid/idlms", buffer,5);
delay(1000);
mfrc522.PICC_HaltA();
}
unsigned long getCardId() {
byte readCard[4];
for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
readCard[i] = mfrc522.uid.uidByte[i];
}
return (unsigned long)readCard[0] << 24
| (unsigned long)readCard[1] << 16
| (unsigned long)readCard[2] << 8
| (unsigned long)readCard[3];
}
I’ve connected the rotary encoder directly to the zero. Although many websites state that you need pull-up resistors, there is no need. Just use the internal pull-up resistors in the Pi.
Example code
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM) # Use BCM mode
GPIO.setup(self.24, GPIO.IN, pull_up_down=GPIO.PUD_UP)
GPIO.setup(self.25, GPIO.IN, pull_up_down=GPIO.PUD_UP)
NOTE: Between 24 and 25 is a GND connection
Besides USB HID below XT, C64 and Amiga connectors will be emulated
Testing the first keyboard. It is the 8085-SDK hex matrix keyboard.
It is running on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2, without X server. So the images are displayed using the framebuffer. Also the touch data is read using evdev and the raw devices.
Todo:
HID part
Add a rotary button for the selection of the different Keyboard Layouts
Improvement keyboard matrix calculation to find out which key is being pressed.
Code to control AT/PS2 computers directly using GPIO pins
Add a controller to use Raw controlling of matrix pins ( 6502 C64 hardware for example )
import select
from math import floor
import sys
slot = 0
keysname=[["F","E","D","C","vect-int","reset"],
["B","A","9","8","GO","Single-Step"],
["7","6","5","4","Exam-reg","Subst-mem"],
["3","2","1","0","Exec","Next"],
]
keysnames=[["F","E","D","C","vect-int","reset"],
["B","A","L","H","GO","Single-Step"],
["PCL","PCH","SPL","SPH","Exam-reg","Subst-mem"],
["3","2","1","0",".",","],
]
for path in evdev.list_devices():
device = evdev.InputDevice(path)
if evdev.ecodes.EV_ABS in device.capabilities():
break
else:
sys.stderr.write('Failed to find the touchscreen.\n')
sys.exit(1)
while True:
r, w, x = select.select([device.fd], [], [])
id_ = -1
x = y = 0
for event in device.read():
if event.code == event.value == 0:
if id_ != -1:
yy = floor(( x - 600 ) / 700)
xx = floor(( y - 1377 ) / 226)
if yy < 4 and yy >=0 and xx < 6 and xx >= 00:
if slot == 1:
print(keysnames[yy][xx])
else:
print(keysname[yy][xx])
elif event.code == ABS_MT_TRACKING_ID:
id_ = event.value
elif event.code == ABS_MT_SLOT:
slot = event.value
elif event.code == ABS_MT_POSITION_X:
x = event.value
elif event.code == ABS_MT_POSITION_Y:
y = event.value
I came up with a simple matrix calculation
Pressing the 4 corner keys gave me x and y. I took averages for min and max reading. I don’t need pixel-perfect reading, and I noticed values between 960 and 3080 vertically. We want 960 – 3080 into 4 blocks, but the middle should start @ 960.
So 3080/3 = about 700 700 / 2 = 350 block 1 starts 350 sooner than 960 is ~ 600 Upper key y coords = 600-> + 700 Next is 1300 -> + 700 converting to whole numbers using floor gives me: floor(( y – 600 ) / 700) NOTE: My x and y are rotated
Example using coordinates 1600, 1600 floor(( 1600 – 600 ) / 700) = floor(1,4…) = 1st row (from row 0,1,2,3)
I’ve been busy programming Python and NodeRed for a client. But these are the things I’ve done in the last days.
C64 Assembly: Breaking borders, using sprites and multicolor font intro.
It does not look impressive, but I’ve learned a lot. Found a new way (for me) to open borders and change border colours on predefined raster lines. Sources will be posted.
KiCad tutorial, posted on YT also because I could not find many resources about the subject online. Maybe it’s helpful
Video editing using Kdenlive.
Edit: Even faster, use Netlabels, no need to join pins. Press L (uppercase) select pin 1, name 1. Press and hold insert until all pins named. Copy paste socket 5 times and goto your PCB tab.
This movie is about creating a backplane for a 6502 SBC I’m building. It is real-time and below 4 minutes.
Multi Keyboard
My small multitouch screen came in. This is for my previously mentioned multi-computer case.
It is going to show multiple keyboard layouts for different systems. (See previous posts about this)
Waveshare display, Raspberry Zero as HID device, using USB and pin emulated keyboards. (c64 matrix, AT (DIN) keyboard, ps2 keyboard)
Some example screens
Vic-20
Photo-realistic
Petscii C64
Another C64
I’m also going to make a layout like the keyboards on my 8085
Niccolò (or Nicolò) Paganini. October 1782 – 27 May 1840) was an Italian violinist and composer. He was the most celebrated violin virtuoso of his time, and left his mark as one of the pillars of modern violin technique. His 24 Caprices for Solo Violin Op. 1 are among the best known of his compositions and have served as an inspiration for many prominent composers.
I love listening to Paganini. The man was a beast. Extreme technical, a pop star in his time. But also because of that, he was seen as a demon.
Like the master bagpipers Stuart Liddell or the late Gordon Duncan.
Listening to Paganini’s caprices was wonderful.
A capriccio or caprice (sometimes plural: caprices, capri or, in Italian, capricci), is a piece of music, usually fairly free in form and of a lively character. The typical capriccio is one that is fast, intense, and often virtuosic in nature.
My top selection :
1,4,5,3
Why difficult?
Because of the advanced techniques, including parallel octaves, rapid interval shifts, extremely fast scales and arpeggios (including minor scales), left-hand pizzicato, high positions, and fast string crossings. Additionally, it features many double stops, such as thirds and tenths.
An arpeggio is a type of broken chord in which the notes that compose a chord are individually sounded in a progressive rising or descending order.
Pizzicato is a playing technique that involves plucking the strings of a string instrument.
Double stops are a fundamental technique in which two notes are played simultaneously on a stringed instrument. In the context of the violin, this entails using the bow to sound two adjacent strings at the same time.
On another note:
I finally got hold of the last missing Audio CD from Martyn Bennett! I was looking for this for ages!
"If something is worth doing, it's worth overdoing."