Category Archives: Computer

Computer, IOT / Domoticz, Photography

Bluetooth Macro Keyboard for Photo Management

Arduino Bluetooth Photo view marco keyboard
  • Cursor pad on the left
  • 1 till 5 (see below)
  • star + 1-5, rates 1 till 5 stars
  • outline star – removes rating
  • bookmark + 1-5, color marks image
  • Triangle – start slideshow
  • zoom-in, rotate CCW, reset zoom, rotate CW, zoom-out
  • previous image, open image, fullscreen, exit fullscreen to manager and next image

I’ve used a esp32 with 18650 battery holder.

I still have to 3d print a case 🙂

Code:

#include <BleConnectionStatus.h>
#include <BleKeyboard.h>
#include <KeyboardOutputCallbacks.h>

#define DEBUG 0micro joystick
#define STAR 16
#define FLAG 17
#define COL1 18
#define COL2 19
#define COL3 21
#define COL4 22
#define COL5 23
#define COL6 25
#define ROW1 26
#define ROW2 27
#define ROW3 32
#define ROW4 33

int flagstate = 0;
int starstate = 0;
int row1state = 0;
int row2state = 0;
int row3state = 0;
int row4state = 0;
int col1state = 0;
int col2state = 0;
int col3state = 0;
int col4state = 0;
int col5state = 0;
int col6state = 0;

int colstate = 1;

BleKeyboard bleKeyboard;

void setup() {
#ifdef DEBUG
  Serial.begin(9600);
#endif
  bleKeyboard.begin();
  pinMode(STAR, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(FLAG, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(ROW1, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(ROW2, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(ROW3, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(ROW4, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(COL1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(COL2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(COL3, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(COL4, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(COL5, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(COL6, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
#ifdef DEBUG
  Serial.print("Colstate : ");
  Serial.print(colstate);
  Serial.print('\n');
#endif

  if (colstate == 1) {
    digitalWrite(COL1, LOW);
    digitalWrite(COL2, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL3, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL4, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL5, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL6, HIGH);
  }
  if (colstate == 2) {
    digitalWrite(COL1, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL2, LOW);
    digitalWrite(COL3, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL4, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL5, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL6, HIGH);
  }
  if (colstate == 3) {
    digitalWrite(COL1, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL2, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL3, LOW);
    digitalWrite(COL4, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL5, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL6, HIGH);
  }
  if (colstate == 4) {
    digitalWrite(COL1, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL2, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL3, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL4, LOW);
    digitalWrite(COL5, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL6, HIGH);
  }
  if (colstate == 5) {
    digitalWrite(COL1, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL2, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL3, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL4, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL5, LOW);
    digitalWrite(COL6, HIGH);
  }
  if (colstate == 6) {
    digitalWrite(COL1, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL2, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL3, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL4, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL5, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(COL6, LOW);
  }
  delay (100);
  flagstate = digitalRead(FLAG);
  starstate = digitalRead(STAR);
  row1state = digitalRead(ROW1);
  row2state = digitalRead(ROW2);
  row3state = digitalRead(ROW3);
  row4state = digitalRead(ROW4);
#ifdef DEBUG
  Serial.print("Rowstates : ");
  Serial.print(row1state);
  Serial.print(row2state);
  Serial.print(row3state);
  Serial.print(row4state);
  Serial.print('\n');
#endif
  // ROW1 = UP,DOWN,LEFT,RIGHT
  if (bleKeyboard.isConnected() && colstate == 1) {
    // UP
#ifdef DEBUG
    Serial.print("Up Pressed ");
    Serial.print('\n');
#endif

    if (row1state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_UP_ARROW);
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // DOWN
    if (row2state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_DOWN_ARROW);
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // LEFT
    if (row3state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_ARROW);
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // RIGHT
    if (row4state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_RIGHT_ARROW);
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
  }
  // ROW2 = (1),(star),ZOOMIN,PREVIOUS
  if (bleKeyboard.isConnected() && colstate == 2) {
    // 1 - star
    if (row1state == 0 && starstate == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_CTRL);
      bleKeyboard.press('1');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // 1 - flag
    if (row1state == 0 && flagstate == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_ALT);
      bleKeyboard.press('1');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // NO ROWSTATE2

    // zoom in
    if (row3state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press('+');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // PREVIOUS
    if (row4state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_CTRL);
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_ARROW);
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
  }
  // ROW3 = (2),unstar,CCWrotate,open
  if (bleKeyboard.isConnected() && colstate == 3) {
    // 2 - star
    if (row1state == 0 && starstate == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_CTRL);
      bleKeyboard.press('2');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // 2 - flag
    if (row1state == 0 && flagstate == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_ALT);
      bleKeyboard.press('2');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // unstar
    if (row2state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_CTRL);
      bleKeyboard.press('0');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // CCW rotate
    if (row3state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_CTRL);
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_ALT);
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_ARROW);
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // open
    if (row4state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_RETURN);
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
  }

  // ROW4 = (3),(flag),zoom,fullscreen
  if (bleKeyboard.isConnected() && colstate == 4) {
    // 3 - star
    if (row1state == 0 && starstate == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_CTRL);
      bleKeyboard.press('3');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // 3 - flag
    if (row1state == 0 && flagstate == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_ALT);
      bleKeyboard.press('3');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // NO ROWSTATE2

    // zoom reset
    if (row3state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press('*');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // fullscreen
    if (row4state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press('f');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
  }

  // ROW5 = (4),unflag,CWrotate,exit
  if (bleKeyboard.isConnected() && colstate == 5) {
    // 4 - star
    if (row1state == 0 && starstate == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_CTRL);
      bleKeyboard.press('4');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // 4 - flag
    if (row1state == 0 && flagstate == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_ALT);
      bleKeyboard.press('4');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // unflag
    if (row2state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_ALT);
      bleKeyboard.press('0');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // CW rotate
    if (row3state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_CTRL);
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_ALT);
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_RIGHT_ARROW);
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // exit
    if (row4state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_ESC);
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
  }

  // ROW6 = (5),slideshow,zoomout,next
  if (bleKeyboard.isConnected() && colstate == 6) {
    // 5 - star
    if (row1state == 0 && starstate == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_CTRL);
      bleKeyboard.press('5');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // 5 - flag
    if (row1state == 0 && flagstate == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_ALT);
      bleKeyboard.press('5');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // slideshow
    if (row2state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_ESC);
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_CTRL);
      bleKeyboard.press('s');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // zoom out
    if (row3state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press('-');
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
    // next
    if (row4state == 0) {
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_LEFT_CTRL);
      bleKeyboard.press(KEY_RIGHT_ARROW);
      delay (100);
      bleKeyboard.releaseAll();
    }
  }
  colstate++;
  if (colstate == 7) {
    colstate = 1;
  }
}
Keyboard layout
3dprinting, Computer, IOT / Domoticz

Hex Dimmer

Control a dimmer using a hex wireless box.

Parts

  • Wemos Mini
  • MPU6050 – Gyroscope Module
  • 10k Resistor
  • TP4056 – Battery Charger Module
  • Mini Battery
  • Wireless Charger

Put the box flat on the table to switch off.
When you put it on one side, it will controll your lights brightness.
20,40,60,80 and 100%, just by rotating and putting it down on its sides.

3D printed case

Schematics (without the wireless charging part)

Wireless part

Node-Red Controll part (source below)

Nice to have’s :
Arduino-sleep mode, wakeup with a movement sensor.

Arduino Code

#include <Wire.h>
//#include <SPI.h>
#include <PubSubClient.h>
//#include <string.h>
//#include <stdio.h>
#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>

// Wifi settings
const char* ssid = "xxxxxx";
const char* password = "xxxxxxxxxx";
const char* mqtt_server = "10.1.0.17";

// I2C address of the MPU-6050 - 0x68 or 0x69 if AD0 is pulled HIGH
const int MPU = 0x68;
int16_t AcX, AcY, AcZ, GyX, GyY, GyZ;
float gForceX, gForceY, gForceZ, rotX, rotY, rotZ;

// Wifi MAC address
byte mac[]= {  0xDE, 0xED, 0xBA, 0xFE, 0xFE, 0xED };

WiFiClient espClient;
IPAddress ip;
PubSubClient mqttClient(espClient);

// IP address of your MQTT server
const char* server = "10.1.0.17";
//const char* outTopic = "test/";
//const char* server = "iot.eclipse.org";

void dataReceiver(){
  Wire.beginTransmission(MPU);
  Wire.write(0x3B);  // starting with register 0x3B (ACCEL_XOUT_H)
  Wire.endTransmission(false);
  Wire.requestFrom(MPU,14,true);  // request a total of 14 registers
  AcX = Wire.read()<<8|Wire.read();  // 0x3B (ACCEL_XOUT_H) & 0x3C (ACCEL_XOUT_L)     
  AcY = Wire.read()<<8|Wire.read();  // 0x3D (ACCEL_YOUT_H) & 0x3E (ACCEL_YOUT_L)
  AcZ = Wire.read()<<8|Wire.read();  // 0x3F (ACCEL_ZOUT_H) & 0x40 (ACCEL_ZOUT_L)
  GyX = Wire.read()<<8|Wire.read();  // 0x43 (GYRO_XOUT_H) & 0x44 (GYRO_XOUT_L)
  GyY = Wire.read()<<8|Wire.read();  // 0x45 (GYRO_YOUT_H) & 0x46 (GYRO_YOUT_L)
  GyZ = Wire.read()<<8|Wire.read();  // 0x47 (GYRO_ZOUT_H) & 0x48 (GYRO_ZOUT_L)
  processData();
}

void processData(){
  gForceX = AcX / 16384.0;
  gForceY = AcY / 16384.0; 
  gForceZ = AcZ / 16384.0;
  
  rotX = GyX / 131.0;
  rotY = GyY / 131.0; 
  rotZ = GyZ / 131.0;
}

void debugFunction(int16_t AcX, int16_t AcY, int16_t AcZ, int16_t GyX, int16_t GyY, int16_t GyZ){
  // Print the MPU values to the serial monitor
  Serial.print("Accelerometer: ");
  Serial.print("X="); Serial.print(gForceX);
  Serial.print("|Y="); Serial.print(gForceY);
  Serial.print("|Z="); Serial.println(gForceZ);  
  Serial.print("Gyroscope:");
  Serial.print("X="); Serial.print(rotX);
  Serial.print("|Y="); Serial.print(rotY);
  Serial.print("|Z="); Serial.println(rotZ);
}

void reconnect() {
  // Loop until we're reconnected
  while (!mqttClient.connected()) {
    Serial.print("Attempting MQTT connection...");
    // Attempt to connect
    if (mqttClient.connect("arduinoClient")){
      Serial.println("connected");
    } 
    else {
      Serial.print("failed, rc=");
      Serial.print(mqttClient.state());
      Serial.println(" try again in 5 seconds");
//      Wait 5 seconds before retrying
      delay(1000);
    }
  }
}

void setup(){
  Serial.begin(9600);

    setup_wifi();
  
  Wire.begin(0,2);
  Wire.beginTransmission(MPU);
  Wire.write(0x6B);  // PWR_MGMT_1 register
  Wire.write(0);     // set to zero (wakes up the MPU-6050)
  Wire.endTransmission(true);

  mqttClient.setServer(server, 1883);
  
//  Ethernet.begin(mac);
//  ip = Ethernet.localIP();
  
  Serial.println(ip);  
  Serial.println(server);
  //delay(1500);
}

char* init(float val){
  
  char buff[100];

  for (int i = 0; i < 100; i++) {
      dtostrf(val, 4, 2, buff);  //4 is mininum width, 6 is precision
  }
   return buff;

}

void setup_wifi() {

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

  WiFi.begin(ssid, password);

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

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

void dataAcc(){

  char mpu6050X[100]= "";   
  strcat(mpu6050X,init(gForceX));

  char mpu6050Y[100]= "";   
  strcat(mpu6050Y,init(gForceY));

  char mpu6050Z[100]= "";   
  strcat(mpu6050Z,init(gForceZ));

  // accelerometer - "topic, mpu6050"
  mqttClient.publish("AcX/", mpu6050X);
  mqttClient.publish("AcY/", mpu6050Y);
  mqttClient.publish("AcZ/", mpu6050Z);
//  mqttClient.publish(outTopic, "text to send via mqtt");
}


void dataGy(){

  char mpu6050X[100]= "";
  strcat(mpu6050X,init(rotX));

  char mpu6050Y[100]= "";
  strcat(mpu6050Y,init(rotY));

  char mpu6050Z[100]= "";
  strcat(mpu6050Z,init(rotZ));
  
  // gyroscope - "topic, mpu6050"
  mqttClient.publish("GyX/", mpu6050X);
  mqttClient.publish("GyY/", mpu6050Y);
  mqttClient.publish("GyZ/", mpu6050Z);
//  mqttClient.publish(outTopic, "text to send via mqtt");
}

void loop(){
  dataReceiver();
  debugFunction(AcX,AcY,AcZ,GyX,GyY,GyZ);

  if (!mqttClient.connected()) {
    reconnect();
  }

  mqttClient.loop(); 

  dataAcc();
  dataGy();

  delay(2000);
}

Nodered Flow

[
    {
        "id": "7550958a.b29dec",
        "type": "mqtt in",
        "z": "a0126a6a.9c70b8",
        "name": "",
        "topic": "hex/x",
        "qos": "2",
        "broker": "8c74c5f6.9a7a48",
        "x": 270,
        "y": 100,
        "wires": [
            [
                "d251dd79.5700d"
            ]
        ]
    },
    {
        "id": "e84b0a1.18096f8",
        "type": "mqtt in",
        "z": "a0126a6a.9c70b8",
        "name": "",
        "topic": "hex/y",
        "qos": "2",
        "broker": "8c74c5f6.9a7a48",
        "x": 270,
        "y": 180,
        "wires": [
            [
                "9c27bc8f.b62dd"
            ]
        ]
    },
    {
        "id": "6a1a0d8d.b3e754",
        "type": "mqtt in",
        "z": "a0126a6a.9c70b8",
        "name": "",
        "topic": "hex/z",
        "qos": "2",
        "broker": "8c74c5f6.9a7a48",
        "x": 270,
        "y": 260,
        "wires": [
            []
        ]
    },
    {
        "id": "2d2a911a.6af3fe",
        "type": "ui_gauge",
        "z": "a0126a6a.9c70b8",
        "name": "",
        "group": "d43a9f25.6c874",
        "order": 23,
        "width": 0,
        "height": 0,
        "gtype": "gage",
        "title": "gauge",
        "label": "units",
        "format": "{{value}}",
        "min": "0",
        "max": "100",
        "colors": [
            "#00b500",
            "#e6e600",
            "#ca3838"
        ],
        "seg1": "",
        "seg2": "",
        "x": 1010,
        "y": 120,
        "wires": []
    },
    {
        "id": "d251dd79.5700d",
        "type": "function",
        "z": "a0126a6a.9c70b8",
        "name": "Get level from box",
        "func": "var my=msg.payload;\nmsg.payload = {};\nif (my == 0.85){\n    msg.payload=20;\n    return msg;\n}\nelse if (my == 0.86){\n    msg.payload=20;\n    return msg;\n}\nelse if (my == 0.87){\n    msg.payload=20;\n    return msg;\n}\n\nelse if (my == 0.03){\n    msg.payload=40;\n    return msg;\n}\nelse if (my == 0.02){\n    msg.payload=40;\n    return msg;\n}\n\nelse if (my == 3.17){\n    msg.payload=60;\n    return msg;\n}\nelse if (my == 3.18){\n    msg.payload=60;\n    return msg;\n}\n\nelse if (my == 0.04){\n    msg.payload=80;\n    return msg;\n}\nelse if (my == 0.05){\n    msg.payload=80;\n    return msg;\n}\n\nelse if (my == 3.95){\n    msg.payload=100;\n    return msg;\n}\nelse if (my == 3.96){\n    msg.payload=100;\n    return msg;\n}\nelse {\n    return msg;\n    \n}\n",
        "outputs": 1,
        "noerr": 0,
        "x": 510,
        "y": 120,
        "wires": [
            [
                "ecd746cc.fce348",
                "8721e902.45d8b8",
                "39c8f1ac.86affe"
            ]
        ]
    },
    {
        "id": "39c8f1ac.86affe",
        "type": "function",
        "z": "a0126a6a.9c70b8",
        "name": "Set Living spots level (idx 5)",
        "func": "var level = Number(msg.payload);\nmsg.payload = {};\nmsg.payload.idx = 5;\nmsg.payload.switchcmd = (\"Set Level\");\nmsg.payload.command = \"switchlight\";\nmsg.payload.level = level;\nreturn msg;  ",
        "outputs": 1,
        "noerr": 0,
        "x": 820,
        "y": 260,
        "wires": [
            [
                "bc0d6507.1d7748"
            ]
        ]
    },
    {
        "id": "bc0d6507.1d7748",
        "type": "mqtt out",
        "z": "a0126a6a.9c70b8",
        "name": "",
        "topic": "domoticz/in",
        "qos": "",
        "retain": "",
        "broker": "8c74c5f6.9a7a48",
        "x": 1080,
        "y": 260,
        "wires": []
    },
    {
        "id": "9c27bc8f.b62dd",
        "type": "function",
        "z": "a0126a6a.9c70b8",
        "name": "Flat or standing up",
        "func": "var mya=msg.payload;\nmsg.payload = {};\nif (mya < -3.80){\n    flow.set(\"levely\",1);\n    msg.payload  = \"plat\";\n        }\nelse {\n    flow.set(\"levely\",2);\n    msg.payload  = \"rechtop\";\n}\nreturn msg;",
        "outputs": 1,
        "noerr": 0,
        "x": 450,
        "y": 200,
        "wires": [
            [
                "ecd746cc.fce348"
            ]
        ]
    },
    {
        "id": "ecd746cc.fce348",
        "type": "debug",
        "z": "a0126a6a.9c70b8",
        "name": "",
        "active": true,
        "tosidebar": true,
        "console": false,
        "tostatus": false,
        "complete": "false",
        "x": 640,
        "y": 340,
        "wires": []
    },
    {
        "id": "8721e902.45d8b8",
        "type": "function",
        "z": "a0126a6a.9c70b8",
        "name": "Gate for level ",
        "func": "\nvar x = msg.payload;\ny = flow.get(msg.payload);\nvar y = flow.get('levely') || 0;\n\nif (y == 1){\n    msg.payload = {};\n        msg.payload = 0;\n} else {\n    msg.payload = x;\n}\n\nreturn msg;",
        "outputs": 1,
        "noerr": 0,
        "x": 810,
        "y": 120,
        "wires": [
            [
                "2d2a911a.6af3fe",
                "da72437e.88376"
            ]
        ]
    },
    {
        "id": "da72437e.88376",
        "type": "debug",
        "z": "a0126a6a.9c70b8",
        "name": "",
        "active": true,
        "tosidebar": true,
        "console": false,
        "tostatus": false,
        "complete": "false",
        "x": 890,
        "y": 200,
        "wires": []
    },
    {
        "id": "8c74c5f6.9a7a48",
        "type": "mqtt-broker",
        "z": "",
        "name": "10.1.0.17",
        "broker": "10.1.0.17",
        "port": "1883",
        "clientid": "",
        "usetls": false,
        "compatmode": true,
        "keepalive": "15",
        "cleansession": true,
        "birthTopic": "",
        "birthQos": "0",
        "birthPayload": "",
        "closeTopic": "",
        "closePayload": "",
        "willTopic": "",
        "willQos": "0",
        "willPayload": ""
    },
    {
        "id": "d43a9f25.6c874",
        "type": "ui_group",
        "z": "",
        "name": "Control",
        "tab": "739541e2.18396",
        "order": 1,
        "disp": true,
        "width": "6",
        "collapse": false
    },
    {
        "id": "739541e2.18396",
        "type": "ui_tab",
        "z": "",
        "name": "7inch",
        "icon": "dashboard",
        "order": 1,
        "disabled": false,
        "hidden": false
    }
]
3dprinting, Computer, IOT / Domoticz

Mattermost Mqtt Flag Integration

UPDATE 20231020 – Via USB Serial (also schematic for below integration)
https://www.henriaanstoot.nl/2023/10/20/thunderbird-mail-notification-flag-via-usb/

Using a servo which is MQTT controlled, and a slash command in Mattermost, i can be notified by friends and colleages.

Flag, and monitor-stand are 3D printed.

ESP is a simple wemos mini.

Note the slash command, M5 stick flow is unrelated!

3dprinting, Computer

Laser pointer web controlled

Coline sometimes plays games with her sisters online using my streaming server. (Due to Covid)

Some games are difficult because you have to point to a location on the table. So i came up with a laser pointer solution.

With my 3D printed tower
Streaming using OBS and a Nikon camera

The idea is: Send a url to the players with a streaming camera, you see the game on your screen but you can click on a location on the screen to move a laser pointer to that location.

Below is a proof of concept using the Lasercut worldmap on the wall and a website with a worldmap.

Laser pointer module

Cork worldmap
Image on website

Code to place on the ESP:

This will connect to the MQTT broker and listens for messages on the servo/pan and tilt topic.

#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <PubSubClient.h>
#include <Servo.h> 
Servo pan; 
Servo tilt;

const char* ssid = "MYSSI";                
const char* password = "MYWIFIPASS";
const char* mqtt_server = "IPMQTTBROKER";
const char* topic_pan = "servo/pan";
const char* topic_tilt = "servo/tilt";
 
WiFiClient espClient;
PubSubClient client(espClient);
long lastMsg = 0;
char msg[50];
int value = 0;

void setup() {
  pan.attach(D5);
  tilt.attach(D6);
  setup_wifi();
  client.setServer(mqtt_server, 1883);
  client.setCallback(callback);
}

void setup_wifi() {
  delay(5);
  WiFi.begin(ssid, password);

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

void callback(char* topic, byte* payload, unsigned int length) {
 String string;
 for (int i = 0; i < length; i++) {
 string+=((char)payload[i]); 
 }
 int pos = string.toInt(); 
 if ( strcmp(topic, topic_pan) == 0 ) {
 pan.write(pos); 
 }
 if ( strcmp(topic, topic_tilt) == 0 ) {
 tilt.write(pos); 
 }
 delay(15); 
}

void reconnect() {
  while (!client.connected()) {
    if (client.connect("ESP8266Client")) {
      client.subscribe(topic_pan); 
      client.subscribe(topic_tilt); 
    } else {
      delay(5000);
    }
  }
}
void loop() {   
  if (!client.connected()) {
    reconnect();
  }
  client.loop();
  delay(100);
}

Website PHP code:

This has some calibration code to get coordinates lined-up

<?Php
$foo_x=$_POST['foo_x'];
$foo_y=$_POST['foo_y'];
echo "X=$foo_x, Y=$foo_y ";
$x=160 - round($foo_x/30);
$y=38 - round($foo_y/100);

system('/usr/bin/mosquitto_pub -h 10.1.0.17 -t servo/pan -m "' . $x . '"');
system('/usr/bin/mosquitto_pub -h 10.1.0.17 -t servo/tilt -m "' . $y . '"');
?>
<form action='' method=post>
<input type="image" alt=' Finding coordinates of an image' src="worldmap.jpg"
name="foo" style=cursor:crosshair;/>
</form>

POC

Computer

Broken or slow laptop? Screen still works?

Leave a comment

Remove the screen and check its connector.

Maybe you can buy a controller board in china for cheap.
I took apart a EEEpc with a nice little screen.

I looked for HSD100IFW1-A00 1024-600 controller.
And ordered a
Driver Board for 10.1 “HSD100IFW1-A00/HSD100IFW1-A04 / HSD100IFW1 Lcd Composite + Tv(RF) + Usb + Vga + Hdmi-Compatibel 1024 × 600 Controller Board

It was only around 20 euro’s.

Connector part
Controller with scavenged screen
Computer, Movies

Kodi movies and metadata

UPDATE: 20220307

I’m using Kodi for a long time now, but never was really satisfied with the results of automatically scraping metadata.

Movie names had to be just right, and changing some metadata was hard.

A while ago i made a NFO generator for own movies, digitized 8mm material, mobile movies etc.

So for movies/tv shows i started using Tinymediamanager for metadata management. You have more controll over your NFO files.
Don’t forget to add media sources to Kodi, selecting the ‘local NFO scraper’ option.

I’m using TVDB scraper in TMM, and trakt to mark seen.
But that way i’m missing IMDB top 250.

Fix:

  • Scrape metadata for selected movies
  • Choose IMDB as the Metadata scraper
  • Remember to DESELECT ALL metadata options with the exceptions of Rating , to keep your existing metadata.
TinyMediaManager Scraper page

UPDATE:
Problems with premiered date/release date showing up as movie date in kodi? Here is my fix.

find . -type f -name '*.nfo' -print -exec sed -i -e '/<premiered>/d' {} \;
Computer

Rubber duck debugging, Pair Programming and more

Why “rubber ducking’’? While an undergraduate at Imperial College in London, Dave did a lot of work with a research assistant named Greg Pugh, one of the best developers Dave has known. For several months Greg carried around a small yellow rubber duck, which he’d place on his terminal while coding. ( From “The Pragmatic programmer” page 95)

Why rubber ducking?

A very simple but particularly useful technique for finding the cause of a problem is simply to explain it to someone else or even a object. Explain out loud (or in your mind to the duck) what each line of code is doing.
Often while doing so, you will see the problem.

Why Pair Programming?

It is no secret, i like working on a problem alone. Let me do my ‘thing’. But i like the idea of Pair Programming, why?

  • Differences in thinking, gives alternative solutions
  • 4 eyes principle, typo’s will be seen
  • When working with a novice:
    • Teaches the new guy
    • Give the other space to ask stupid questions, maybe they are NOT!
  • The knowledge of the new code is now known to > 1 person!

Art, Computer, Photography

Wacom tablet doesn’t behave

Changed some code controlling my wacom drawing tablet.
I use this one to draw Art, diagrams and touch up photo’s.

When using multiple screens, i had the problem it would stretch the draw area over multiple screens, streching the ratio. Or it took the work screen to work on.

#!/bin/bash
# using xinput here, check post about two mouses/keyboards on one machine

# Use xrandr to check names check 
MONITOR="DP-1"
PAD_NAME='Wacom BambooFun 6x8 Pad pad'

#undo
xsetwacom --set "$PAD_NAME" Button 1 "key +ctrl +z -z -ctrl" 
xsetwacom --set "$PAD_NAME" Button 2 "key e"
xsetwacom --set "$PAD_NAME" Button 3 "key h"

ID_STYLUS=`xinput | grep "Pen stylus" | cut -f 2 | cut -c 4-5`
xinput map-to-output $ID_STYLUS $MONITOR
ID_STYLUS_2=`xinput | grep "Pen eraser" | cut -f 2 | cut -c 4-5`
xinput map-to-output $ID_STYLUS_2 $MONITOR

exit 0

Most of the times i use Krita and Gimp.

Computer

Mikrotik

Switches and access-points

Today i got my RB4011 ! Wooot!

Total tally

  • MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN – Lab
  • MikroTik RB2011UiAS-RM – Office
  • MikroTik hAP AC2 – Studio
  • MikroTik CRS109-8G-1S-2HnD-IN – Attic
  • MikroTik RB4011iGS+5HacQ2HnD-IN – Livingroom
  • NEW (2022-04-02) crs125-24g-1s-in (2022-04-02)

To replace .. 4 SLM2008 and a TPLink switch 🙂

How much fun is this! .. A display on a switch!

I’ll be posting something about connecting an arduino to the serial console using a tcp server later.

Mikrotiks are all you can eat .. And there is a lot of functionality. One of the main features (besides being switches and routers)

  • Openvpn server
  • DIY display connect
  • Proxy
  • Today Vincent mentioned Mqtt plugin (2022-apr-6)
  • https://help.mikrotik.com/docs/display/ROS/Packet+Sniffer sounds interesting also

Installing extra packages

  • Download correct package zip from ( https://mikrotik.com/download )
  • Extract and use file upload
  • Reboot your mikrotik