All posts by fash

TM1637 7 Segment Module (with mqtt )

These tiny modules use a Clock and Data signal.
The rest of the pins are for 3.3V and Gnd.

There are many libraries you can choose from, i’ve tried several.
For now, i ended up with this one.

Another promising one is https://github.com/AKJ7/TM1637
Another one i’ve tested https://github.com/bxparks/AceSegment

Now i have to add Wifi and Mqtt so it can remotely controlled.

Connected like this

Code with Wifi/Mqtt

#include <Arduino.h>
#include <TM1637Display.h>
#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <PubSubClient.h>

const char* ssid = "MYSSID";
const char* password = "MYSSIDPASS";
const char* mqtt_server = "MQTT-SERVER-IP";
 
const int CLK = D6; //Set the CLK pin connection to the display
const int DIO = D5; //Set the DIO pin connection to the display
 
int numCounter = 0;
int mydata = 0;
 
// The amount of time (in milliseconds) between tests
#define TEST_DELAY   2000

const uint8_t SEG_DONE[] = {
  SEG_B | SEG_C | SEG_D | SEG_E | SEG_G,           // d
  SEG_A | SEG_B | SEG_C | SEG_D | SEG_E | SEG_F,   // O
  SEG_C | SEG_E | SEG_G,                           // n
  SEG_A | SEG_D | SEG_E | SEG_F | SEG_G            // E
  };

TM1637Display display(CLK, DIO);

WiFiClient espClient;
PubSubClient client(espClient);
unsigned long lastMsg = 0;
#define MSG_BUFFER_SIZE  (50)
char msg[MSG_BUFFER_SIZE];
int value = 0;


void setup()
{
 display.setBrightness(0x0a); //set the diplay to maximum brightness
  Serial.begin(115200);
  setup_wifi();
  client.setServer(mqtt_server, 1883);
  client.setCallback(callback);
}


void setup_wifi() {

  delay(10);
  // We start by connecting to a WiFi network
  Serial.println();
  Serial.print("Connecting to ");
  Serial.println(ssid);

  WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);
  WiFi.begin(ssid, password);

  while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
    delay(500);
    Serial.print(".");
  }

  client.setServer(mqtt_server, 1883);
  client.setCallback(callback);


  randomSeed(micros());

  Serial.println("");
  Serial.println("WiFi connected");
  Serial.println("IP address: ");
  Serial.println(WiFi.localIP());
}



void callback(char* topic, byte* payload, unsigned int length) {
  char buffer[4];
  Serial.print("Message arrived [");
  Serial.print(topic);
  Serial.print("] ");
  for (int i = 0; i < length; i++) {
    Serial.print((char)payload[i]);
    buffer[i] = int(payload[i]);
  }
  Serial.println();
//  mydata=int(payload[0])+int(payload[1]*10);
int  n;
n = atoi(buffer);

  display.showNumberDec(n); //Display the numCounter value;


}




void reconnect() {
  // Loop until we're reconnected
  while (!client.connected()) {
    Serial.print("Attempting MQTT connection...");
    // Create a random client ID
    String clientId = "ESP8266Client-";
    clientId += String(random(0xffff), HEX);
    // Attempt to connect
    if (client.connect(clientId.c_str())) {
      Serial.println("connected");
      // Once connected, publish an announcement...
      client.publish("escape/seg1ping", "seg1alive");
      // ... and resubscribe
      client.subscribe("escape/seg1data");
    } else {
      Serial.print("failed, rc=");
      Serial.print(client.state());
      Serial.println(" try again in 5 seconds");
      // Wait 5 seconds before retrying
      delay(5000);
    }
  }
}

void loop() {

  if (!client.connected()) {
    reconnect();
  }
  client.loop();

  unsigned long now = millis();
  if (now - lastMsg > 2000) {
    lastMsg = now;
    ++value;
    snprintf (msg, MSG_BUFFER_SIZE, "seg1alive #%ld", value);
    Serial.print("Publish message: ");
    Serial.println(msg);
    client.publish("escape/seg1ping", msg);
  }
}

Connect the wires puzzle

As part of my internet based escape room.

I took the idea from the Keep-talking-and-nobody-explodes game.

When starting up, is gets the configuration from a Mqtt Topic.
So i can create a different setup over the internet.

The result is also send back via MQTT.

(example play, all players are on different locations)

  • Player 1 figures out the wires.
  • Player 2 connects the wires.
  • Player 3 sees the result (correct or not) and next puzzle opens up for Player 3

I used a wire with a line. Multiple colors for jacks and sockets.
It’s also possible to connect a jack to a jack.
Loads of possibilities.

Todo:

Wifi and Mqtt part
Debounce software or hardware

Bella Ciao on Concertina

In post below i posted the score for Bella Ciao
https://www.henriaanstoot.nl/2022/12/09/generating-pdfs-from-abc-files-to-include-in-tunebooks/

Here is a quick ‘n dirty recording (sound a little distorted)

Edited with Kdenlive

I’ve imported the score as an image.
Drag a transform effect on the image.
Move the image to the bottom of the screen.
Add a keyframe.
Move to the end of the movie, add another keyframe.
Adjust the Y position to 0
Set opacity to a nice position and render

Winter cocktail

I love making cocktails for the ladies. Its cold outside, so here is my take on the Chocolate Amnesia Cocktail.

(Some make this with ice, this is a heated version)

  • 2 Part cream. ( Just Cream, not whipped, i don’t like that)
  • 4 Parts Chocolate Milk
  • 2 Parts Kahlúa Liqueur
  • 1 Part Vodka

Mix and heat in a (sauce) pan .. enjoy

Arduino Concertina

Lets try to make a Electronic Concertina

UPDATE:
https://www.henriaanstoot.nl/2023/01/10/arduino-concertina-poc/
https://www.henriaanstoot.nl/2023/01/17/arduino-concertina-poc-2/

First design

So we need some pushbuttons … at least 14 .. for the most simple tunes.
A sensor for push and pull.
A buzzer or better yet .. a jack for earphones.
Arduino with enough pins to connect a keyboard matrix.
When using a keyboard matrix only single keypresses are detected.
So we cant do chords!

Raspberry Zero with display

I’ve installed a headless Raspbian on a Pi Zero with a 2×16 Chars lcd display. As part of the Escape Room over the internet

Using the raspberry imager:
I’ve set the username/password and ssh access in this tool.
For wifi access i’ve placed below file on the SDcard in /boot
(You can do this in the tool, but i want to make this dynamic when connected at a remote site.)
file: wpa_supplicant.conf

country=NL
update_config=1
ctrl_interface=/var/run/wpa_supplicant

network={
 scan_ssid=1
 ssid="MYSSID"
 psk="MYSSIDPASS"
}

ssh into the RPi

sudo raspi-config
Interface options and enable I2C

sudo apt-get install python3-smbus

wget https://gist.githubusercontent.com/DenisFromHR/cc863375a6e19dce359d/raw/36b82e787450d127f5019a40e0a55b08bd43435a/RPi_I2C_driver.py
and 
wget https://gist.githubusercontent.com/DenisFromHR/cc863375a6e19dce359d/raw/36b82e787450d127f5019a40e0a55b08bd43435a/examples.py

For python3 edit the example and put at the top

# requires RPi_I2C_driver.py
import RPi_I2C_driver
from time import *
unichr = chr

Run with 
python3 examples.py
lcd display with i2c backpack
I2C backpack

Below is a mockup session.

Next todo:

  • Add more hardware (like buttons) to the RPI
  • Configure an Accesspoint on this Rpi for other devices to connect to
  • Install a local Mqtt broker, which connects secure to my internet facing broker
Setup example

Started on a mobile over the internet Escape room experiment

I’ve been working on some modular gadgets which can be combined to make a complete puzzle.

I like games like Keep-talking-and-nobody-dies. (Which is a computer game, but you have to play it with multiple persons and a physical “manual” Great fun!)
https://keeptalkinggame.com/

And i like real escape rooms.
There are some puzzle “rooms” you can buy in the game store, it is okay but many are for single use only.

I’ve been following some people on youtube, i saw some great ideas but not a remote over the internet using physical knobs and switches.

This is a RFID reader with an old Amico Esp8266 Arduino. It sends RFID information to the MQTT broker

Some other tools ‘n knobs .. and stuff

I want to use Adhoc Wifi and a Mqtt/Nodered setup which uses a mqtt over the internet to get people (and their knobs) connected

I already got a lot of test schematics

Left part of the “connect the wires puzzle” right a solenoid electrical lock)

Schematic for the MQTT enabled RFID module

ESP8266 <-> RC522
D8            SDA
D5            SCK
D7           MOSI
D6           MISO
GND           GND
D1            RST
3V3           3V3
 

Code

Below will write the RFID id to “rfid/id” and resets this when you remove the tag to “rfid/id = 0”

#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <WiFiClient.h>
#include <PubSubClient.h>
#include <MFRC522.h>

#define SS_PIN D8
#define RST_PIN D1

MFRC522 mfrc522(SS_PIN, RST_PIN);
unsigned long cardId = 0;

WiFiClient net;
PubSubClient client(net);

const char* mqtt_server = "MQTTBROKER";
const char* ssid = "MYSSID";
const char* password = "MYWIFIPASSWD";

void setup() {
  SPI.begin();
  mfrc522.PCD_Init();

  WiFi.mode(WIFI_AP_STA);
  WiFi.begin(ssid, password);

  client.setServer(mqtt_server, 1883);
}

void reconnect() {
  while (WiFi.waitForConnectResult() != WL_CONNECTED) {
    WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
  }

  while (!client.connected()) {
    String clientId = "NodeMCUClient-";
    clientId += String(random(0xffff), HEX);

    if (!client.connect(clientId.c_str(), "rfidclient", "...")) {
      delay(5000);
    }
  }
}

void loop() {
  reconnect();

  if (!mfrc522.PICC_IsNewCardPresent()) {
    return;
  }

  if (!mfrc522.PICC_ReadCardSerial()) {
    return;
  }

  cardId = getCardId();

  char buffer[10];
  sprintf(buffer, "%lu", cardId);
  client.publish("rfid/id", buffer);

  uint8_t control = 0x00;

  do {
    control = 0;
    for (int i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
      if (!mfrc522.PICC_IsNewCardPresent()) {
        if (mfrc522.PICC_ReadCardSerial()) {
          control |= 0x16;
        }

        if (mfrc522.PICC_ReadCardSerial()) {
          control |= 0x16;
        }
        control += 0x1;
      }
      control += 0x4;
    }

    delay(0);
  } while (control == 13 || control == 14);

  reconnect();
  client.publish("rfid/id", "0");
  delay(500);

  mfrc522.PICC_HaltA();
  mfrc522.PCD_StopCrypto1();
}

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];
}

Schematics used for the Solenoid lock

Software is a mqtt example from the internet which toggles a PIN on the arduino.

Serial link between MSDos and Linux troubles

In post https://www.henriaanstoot.nl/2022/11/25/disk-troubles-or-missing-old-skool-hardware/ i mentioned the serial connectors i’ve bought to connect the Laser XT to my Workstation to transfer files.

The null modem i’ve made is like mentioned on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Null_modem

I’ve used the loopback handshaking using 3 wires. ( Only using a DB25 and a DB9 on the other end )

So i configured the Linux side as follows.

I’ve tried two usb to serial converters.

Both when trying on windows 10 are not supported any more

Dec 14 17:34:40 zspot kernel: [ 1082.299607] usb 1-4: pl2303 converter now attached to ttyUSB0

sudo stty -F /dev/ttyUSB0 9600

Then i start dosbox.
To enable a com port i have to enter:

serial1=directserial realport:ttyUSB0

Starting Norton Commander and selecting COM1

After a few seconds i got this ..

What else is there to check?
At least i’ve still got the Flux Engine!

Locate and delete file copies

A simple script to locate files and select which to delete.
Uses md5sum to compare
(just be sure locatedb is up to date!)

./locatemd5 VID_20130926_211302.mp4
1 : 125a65e830c1f3654714daa0f8a41699  /tank/Backup/Nae Bother Drive/Movies/VID_20130926_211302.mp4
2 : 125a65e830c1f3654714daa0f8a41699  /tank/Backup/rclonegdrive/Nae Bother Drive/Movies/VID_20130926_211302.mp4
3 : 125a65e830c1f3654714daa0f8a41699  /tank/Private/Henri/_All online drives/Google Drive Henri/Nae Bother Drive/Movies/VID_20130926_211302.mp4
4 : 125a65e830c1f3654714daa0f8a41699  /tank/Private/gfx/Gsm/GSM Henri/nexus/2013/20130926/VID_20130926_211302.mp4
5 : 125a65e830c1f3654714daa0f8a41699  /tank/Private/Work Directory/Sorted/movies/own/VID_20130926_211302.mp4
6 : 82cd340b2b54d3ef65a02c8f31b04970  /tank/Private/www/cutshort/VID_20130926_211302.mp4
---------- which to delete ---------------
1 2 3 5
delete 1 /tank/Backup/Nae Bother Drive/Movies/VID_20130926_211302.mp4
rm: remove regular file '/tank/Backup/Nae Bother Drive/Movies/VID_20130926_211302.mp4'? y
delete 2 /tank/Backup/rclonegdrive/Nae Bother Drive/Movies/VID_20130926_211302.mp4
rm: remove regular file '/tank/Backup/rclonegdrive/Nae Bother Drive/Movies/VID_20130926_211302.mp4'? y
delete 3 /tank/Private/Henri/_All online drives/Google Drive Henri/Nae Bother Drive/Movies/VID_20130926_211302.mp4
rm: remove regular file '/tank/Private/Henri/_All online drives/Google Drive Henri/Nae Bother Drive/Movies/VID_20130926_211302.mp4'? y
delete 5 /tank/Private/Work Directory/Sorted/movies/own/VID_20130926_211302.mp4
rm: remove regular file '/tank/Private/Work Directory/Sorted/movies/own/VID_20130926_211302.mp4'? y

Bash Script

#!/bin/bash
# below gets array from subshell
shopt -s lastpipe

nr=1
locate "$1" | while read file ; do
        md5sum=$(md5sum "$file")
        echo  "$nr : $md5sum"
        myArray[$nr]="$file"
        (( nr++ ))
done
echo  "---------- which to delete ---------------"
read numbers
for f in $numbers ; do
 echo "delete $f ${myArray[$f]}"
 rm -i "${myArray[$f]}"
done

Magic Mirror no more .. lets reuse the display

I never look in the mirror, so why do i need one?
The mirror foil was already ugly in the corners.
There were bumps.
Never finished a proper interface

This one was made using a touch screen, so there are always fingerprints you could see

I’m going to use the display for an in-house small Escape Room idea i have.

Only the time part still worked, but i could not find the right cables for the touch part. The buttons displayed are meaningless anyway 🙂
Just a mockup

Mirror part was done using a Safety/One way mirror foil.
Cut a part as large as you screen, spray a little water and stick it on.

At some point i displayed Dashticz on there.
Apparently i started playing with a magic mirror setup in 2015, according some timestamps of code on my fileserver.