Category Archives: IOT / Domoticz

Mini DF MP3 player with MQTT control

Resistor is 1K, speaker is 4 ohm

I’ve got the DFPlayer with the GD3200B instead of the better YX5200, but it works.

As part of my game, so MQTT controlled.

First sound is low in volume.

Code

I’m using Soft Serial

// based on code from: 
// https://github.com/Makuna/DFMiniMp3/blob/master/examples/PlayMp3/PlayMp3.ino
// above example has no wifi/mqtt and is missing the SoftSerial include line
#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <PubSubClient.h>
#include <WiFiClient.h>
#include <DFMiniMp3.h>
#include "SoftwareSerial.h"
#include <Ethernet.h>

#define wifi_ssid "SSID"
#define wifi_password "SSIDPASS"
#define mqtt_server "MQTTSERVER"
#define mqtt_port 1883

WiFiClient espClient;
EthernetClient ethClient;
PubSubClient mqtt(espClient);

class Mp3Notify; 

SoftwareSerial secondarySerial(D6, D5); // RX, TX
typedef DFMiniMp3<SoftwareSerial, Mp3Notify> DfMp3;
DfMp3 dfmp3(secondarySerial);

class Mp3Notify
{
public:
  static void PrintlnSourceAction(DfMp3_PlaySources source, const char* action)
  {
    if (source & DfMp3_PlaySources_Sd) 
    {
        Serial.print("SD Card, ");
    }
    if (source & DfMp3_PlaySources_Usb) 
    {
        Serial.print("USB Disk, ");
    }
    if (source & DfMp3_PlaySources_Flash) 
    {
        Serial.print("Flash, ");
    }
    Serial.println(action);
  }
  static void OnError([[maybe_unused]] DfMp3& mp3, uint16_t errorCode)
  {
    // see DfMp3_Error for code meaning
    Serial.println();
    Serial.print("Com Error ");
    Serial.println(errorCode);
  }
  static void OnPlayFinished([[maybe_unused]] DfMp3& mp3, [[maybe_unused]] DfMp3_PlaySources source, uint16_t track)
  {
    Serial.print("Play finished for #");
    Serial.println(track);  

    // start next track
    track += 1;
    // this example will just start back over with 1 after track 3
    if (track > 3) 
    {
      track = 1;
    }
    dfmp3.playMp3FolderTrack(track);  // sd:/mp3/0001.mp3, sd:/mp3/0002.mp3, sd:/mp3/0003.mp3
  }
  static void OnPlaySourceOnline([[maybe_unused]] DfMp3& mp3, DfMp3_PlaySources source)
  {
    PrintlnSourceAction(source, "online");
  }
  static void OnPlaySourceInserted([[maybe_unused]] DfMp3& mp3, DfMp3_PlaySources source)
  {
    PrintlnSourceAction(source, "inserted");
  }
  static void OnPlaySourceRemoved([[maybe_unused]] DfMp3& mp3, DfMp3_PlaySources source)
  {
    PrintlnSourceAction(source, "removed");
  }
};

void setup_wifi() {
  delay(10);
  WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);
  WiFi.begin(wifi_ssid, wifi_password);
  while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
    delay(500);
  }
}

void setup() 
{
  setup_wifi();
  mqtt.setServer(mqtt_server, mqtt_port);
  mqtt.setCallback(callback);
  Serial.begin(115200);
  Serial.println("initializing...");

  WiFiClient espClient;
  PubSubClient mqtt(espClient);

  mqtt.setClient(espClient);
  mqtt.setServer(mqtt_server, 1883);
    
  mqtt.setCallback(callback);
  mqtt.subscribe("escape/soundin");
  
  dfmp3.begin();

  uint16_t volume = dfmp3.getVolume();
  Serial.print("volume ");
  Serial.println(volume);
  dfmp3.setVolume(24);
  
  uint16_t count = dfmp3.getTotalTrackCount(DfMp3_PlaySource_Sd);
  Serial.print("files ");
  Serial.println(count);
  
  Serial.println("starting...");

  // start the first track playing
  // dfmp3.playMp3FolderTrack(1);  // sd:/mp3/0001.mp3
}

void reconnect() {
  // Loop until we're reconnected
  while (!mqtt.connected()) {
    // Create a random client ID
    String clientId = "ESP8266Client-";
    clientId += String(random(0xffff), HEX);
    // Attempt to connect
    if (mqtt.connect(clientId.c_str())) {
      // Once connected, publish an announcement...
      mqtt.publish("escape", "sound connected");
      // ... and resubscribe
      mqtt.subscribe("escape/soundin");
    } else {
      // Wait 5 seconds before retrying
      delay(5000);
    }
  }
}


void callback(char* topic, byte* payload, unsigned int length) {
    //  digitalWrite(led, HIGH);

    String topicStr = topic;
      byte value = atoi((char*)payload);
dfmp3.playMp3FolderTrack(value);  // sd:/mp3/0001.mp3
  Serial.println(value);
}

void waitMilliseconds(uint16_t msWait)
{
  uint32_t start = millis();

  while ((millis() - start) < msWait)
  {
    dfmp3.loop(); 
    delay(1);
  }
}

void loop() 
{
  
  if (!mqtt.connected()) {
    reconnect();
  }
    mqtt.loop();
  waitMilliseconds(100);
}

Wemos with Keypad, led and 7 segment display using MQTT

Warning, read the notes!

There are several caveats.

  • I was needing ALL GPIO pins, even RX/TX ( see trick below)
    When doing so, you can’t use serialprint.
    Do NOT enable, your sketch won’t work!
  • Don’t use pullup on D8, you can’t upload to the wemos if you do that
  • Due to library conflicts in keypad.h, DON’T change the order in the source. You will end up with compile errors!
  • The keypad has a weird pinout, but there are similar keypads with alternative layouts. Measure this using a multimeter.
  • The pull-up resistors will help fighting ghost key presses!
  • I2C needs D1/D2

To use RX/TX as GPIO pins you need to do the following:

//Define pins
  int led = 1; //tx
  int col = 3; //rx

// Change to function mode 3
// see https://www.esp8266.com/wiki/doku.php?id=esp8266_gpio_pin_allocations
  pinMode(1, FUNCTION_3);
  pinMode(3, FUNCTION_3);
 
// Revert to normal mode
// pinMode(1, FUNCTION0);

// Define mode input/output
// i'm using led to control the led so thats an output
// I'm using col for the keypad column scanner, that's an input
  pinMode(led, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(col, INPUT);

Complete code

The (*) clears input
The (#) sends the pin code using MQTT

Sending a 0 or 1 to escape/keypadin topic will toggle the led

#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <PubSubClient.h>
#include <WiFiClient.h>
// Do not change order!
#include "Keypad.h"
#include <TM1637Display.h>
#include <Ethernet.h>

#define wifi_ssid "SSID"
#define wifi_password "SSIDPASS"
#define mqtt_server "MQTTSERVER"
#define mqtt_port 1883

#define MSG_BUFFER_SIZE  (50)
char msg[MSG_BUFFER_SIZE];
int value = 0;

const byte ROWS = 4; //four rows
const byte COLS = 3; //four columns

int led = 1; //tx
int col = 3; //rx

#define CLK D1
#define DIO D2
#define TEST_DELAY   2000
TM1637Display display(CLK, DIO);

char keys[ROWS][COLS] = {
  {'1', '2', '3'},
  {'4', '5', '6'},
  {'7', '8', '9'},
  {'*', '0', '#'}
};
byte rowPins[ROWS] = {D3, D5 , D6 , D7 };
byte colPins[COLS] = {D4 , col, D8 };

Keypad keypad = Keypad(makeKeymap(keys), rowPins, colPins, ROWS, COLS);
int keyNum = 0;
WiFiClient espClient;
EthernetClient ethClient;

PubSubClient mqtt(espClient);

void setup_wifi() {
  delay(10);
  WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);
  WiFi.begin(wifi_ssid, wifi_password);
  while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
    delay(500);
  }
}


void setup() {
  setup_wifi();
  mqtt.setServer(mqtt_server, mqtt_port);
  mqtt.setCallback(callback);
  
  pinMode(1, FUNCTION_3);
  pinMode(3, FUNCTION_3);
  pinMode(led, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(col, INPUT);
  // using above? .. then disable serial!
  // Serial.begin(9600);
display.showNumberDec(0, true);
delay(TEST_DELAY);
WiFiClient espClient;
PubSubClient mqtt(espClient);

 mqtt.setClient(espClient);
 mqtt.setServer(mqtt_server, 1883);
    
mqtt.setCallback(callback);
mqtt.subscribe("escape/keypadin");

}

void callback(char* topic, byte* payload, unsigned int length) {
    //  digitalWrite(led, HIGH);

    String topicStr = topic;
      byte value = atoi((char*)payload);
       if (value == 1){
    digitalWrite(led, HIGH);

 }else if (value == 0){
    digitalWrite(led, LOW);
 }
    

}

void reconnect() {
  while (!mqtt.connected()) {
    // Create a random client ID
    String clientId = "ESP8266Client-";
    clientId += String(random(0xffff), HEX);
    if (mqtt.connect(clientId.c_str())) {
      mqtt.publish("outTopic", "hello world");
      mqtt.subscribe("escape/keypadin");
    } else {
      delay(5000);
    }
  }
}



void loop() {

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

  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:
  char key = keypad.getKey();

  if (key) {

    if(key=='*'){
      keyNum = 0;
    } else if (key=='#'){
         ++value;
  snprintf (msg, MSG_BUFFER_SIZE, "#%1d", keyNum);
        mqtt.publish("escape/keypad", msg);
    }
    
       else{
      if(keyNum<=999){
        keyNum = (keyNum*10) + (int(key)-48);
      }
    }
    
    //  Serial.println(key);
    display.setBrightness(0x0f);

    uint8_t data[] = { 0x0, 0x0, 0x0, 0x0 };
    display.setSegments(data);

    display.setSegments(data);
    display.showNumberDec(keyNum);

  }

}

Shelly Devices

I love shellies, easy to implement and hacker friendly.

MQTT out of the box.
Curl in and out – you can switch it on/off using curl, but it can send a http command also.
I’ve used this with Domoticz and Home Assistant.
It has a webinterface, with timers, and there is also a client for Android/Iphone
You’ve got some own gpio pins to your disposal and the unit is flash-able!

curl -X POST https://shellydevice/device/relay/control -d "channel=IDHERE&turn=on&id=ID&auth_key=AUTH"

The device is not isolated from the mains. To flash it, the mains must be disconnected.

SHELLY 1

I use this for simple on/off switches around the house.
Using it with a physical switch and MQTT (Nodered)

SHELLY 2 PM

Same as above but this one has a build in power meter

SHELLY DIMMER

Generic dimmer

Dimmer with low voltage rotary encoder!
https://www.instructables.com/Shelly-Dimmer-Wall-Switch-With-Rotary-Knob-and-Hom/

SHELLY RGBW2

A RGBW / 4 Channel controller
You can connect RGB strips, but also dimmable white strips in 4 channels. 12V or 24V.
NOTE! : There is a common 12V connection, and GND will be controlled!

SHELLY PLUG S

I love these small wall plugs, i’ve used these also to find power consuming devices around the house.

For example, i made a nodered flow, to see if the washing machines are running or not.

SHELLY BUTTON

This became my all purpose alarm thinghy

SHELLY DOORSENSOR

A door sensor WITH temperature and light sensor build in!

Home Assistant example

SHELLY WATER SENSOR

This one lays below our washing machine

SHELLY SMOKE ALARM

(Preordered)

SHELLY PM4

A four channel power measure/switch for your fuse box


GENERIC SHELLY STUFF
A smart doorbell schematic i found

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5756154
Very nice .. printable cases for your shellies!

Servo’s Rotary encoders, Node-red and Mqtt

Multiple rotary encoders are controlling a servo based lock. 3 players have to work together to open the lock.

Secure MQTT rotary encoder (Can be used over the internet)
Servo based lock
Lock Mockup
Node red test logic

Arduino Rotary button (mqtt)

#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <WiFiClientSecure.h>
#include <time.h>
#include <PubSubClient.h>

#define encoderCLK 5   //D1
#define encoderDT 4    //D2
int servoAngle = 0;
int crntCLK;
int prvsCLK;
String myString;
char ang[50];

#ifndef SECRET
const char ssid[] = "MYSSID";
const char pass[] = "MSSIDPASS";

#define HOSTNAME "rotary1"

const char MQTT_HOST[] = "securemqttserver";
const int MQTT_PORT = 8883;
const char MQTT_USER[] = "user"; // leave blank if no credentials used
const char MQTT_PASS[] = "pass"; // leave blank if no credentials used

const char MQTT_SUB_TOPIC[] = "escape/" HOSTNAME "/in";
const char MQTT_PUB_TOPIC[] = "escape/" HOSTNAME "/out";
const char MQTT_PUB_TOPIC_angle[] = "escape/" HOSTNAME "/angle";

#ifdef CHECK_CA_ROOT
static const char digicert[] PROGMEM = R"EOF(
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
MIIFtTCCA52gAwIBAgIUXEEQRLHhYox8a95YiAYX/wQ/XeMwDQYJKoZIhvcNAQEN
----8< snip snap
CyLjTT2rtllw==
-----END CERTIFICATE-----
)EOF";
    #endif

    #ifdef CHECK_PUB_KEY
    // Extracted by: openssl x509 -pubkey -noout -in ca.crt
    static const char pubkey[] PROGMEM = R"KEY(
    -----BEGIN PUBLIC KEY-----
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    xxxxxxxx
    -----END PUBLIC KEY-----
    )KEY";
    #endif

    #ifdef CHECK_FINGERPRINT
	// Extracted by: openssl x509 -fingerprint -in ca.crt
    static const char fp[] PROGMEM = "AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF:00:11:22:33:44:55:66:77:88:99:AA:BB:CC:DD";
    #endif
#endif

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////

#if (defined(CHECK_PUB_KEY) and defined(CHECK_CA_ROOT)) or (defined(CHECK_PUB_KEY) and defined(CHECK_FINGERPRINT)) or (defined(CHECK_FINGERPRINT) and defined(CHECK_CA_ROOT)) or (defined(CHECK_PUB_KEY) and defined(CHECK_CA_ROOT) and defined(CHECK_FINGERPRINT))
  #error "cant have both CHECK_CA_ROOT and CHECK_PUB_KEY enabled"
#endif

BearSSL::WiFiClientSecure net;
PubSubClient client(net);

time_t now;
unsigned long lastMillis = 0;

void mqtt_connect()
{
  while (!client.connected()) {
    Serial.print("Time: ");
    Serial.print(ctime(&now));
    Serial.print("MQTT connecting ... ");
    if (client.connect(HOSTNAME, MQTT_USER, MQTT_PASS)) {
      Serial.println("connected.");
      client.subscribe(MQTT_SUB_TOPIC);
    } else {
      Serial.print("failed, status code =");
      Serial.print(client.state());
      Serial.println(". Try again in 5 seconds.");
      /* Wait 5 seconds before retrying */
      delay(5000);
    }
  }
}

void receivedCallback(char* topic, byte* payload, unsigned int length) {
  Serial.print("Received [");
  Serial.print(topic);
  Serial.print("]: ");
  for (int i = 0; i < length; i++) {
    Serial.print((char)payload[i]);
  }
}

void setup()
{
  pinMode (encoderCLK,INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode (encoderDT,INPUT_PULLUP);
  prvsCLK = digitalRead(encoderCLK);
  Serial.begin(115200);
  Serial.println();
  Serial.println();
  Serial.print("Attempting to connect to SSID: ");
  Serial.print(ssid);
  WiFi.hostname(HOSTNAME);
  WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);
  WiFi.begin(ssid, pass);
  while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED)
  {
    Serial.print(".");
    delay(1000);
  }
  Serial.println("connected!");

  Serial.print("Setting time using SNTP");
  configTime(1 * 3600, 0, "pool.ntp.org", "time.nist.gov");
  now = time(nullptr);
  while (now < 1510592825) {
    delay(500);
    Serial.print(".");
    now = time(nullptr);
  }
  Serial.println("done!");
  struct tm timeinfo;
  gmtime_r(&now, &timeinfo);
  Serial.print("Current time: ");
  Serial.print(asctime(&timeinfo));

  #ifdef CHECK_CA_ROOT
    BearSSL::X509List cert(digicert);
    net.setTrustAnchors(&cert);
  #endif
  #ifdef CHECK_PUB_KEY
    BearSSL::PublicKey key(pubkey);
    net.setKnownKey(&key);
  #endif
  #ifdef CHECK_FINGERPRINT
    net.setFingerprint(fp);
  #endif
  #if (!defined(CHECK_PUB_KEY) and !defined(CHECK_CA_ROOT) and !defined(CHECK_FINGERPRINT))
    net.setInsecure();
  #endif

  client.setServer(MQTT_HOST, MQTT_PORT);
  client.setCallback(receivedCallback);
  mqtt_connect();
}

void loop()
{
   crntCLK = digitalRead(encoderCLK);

 if (crntCLK != prvsCLK){
      // If the encoderDT state is different than the encoderCLK state then the rotary encoder is rotating counterclockwise
        if (digitalRead(encoderDT) != crntCLK) {
          servoAngle ++;

        }
        else {
          servoAngle --;
         }
         Serial.println(servoAngle);
          String myString = String(servoAngle);
          myString.toCharArray(ang, myString.length() + 1);
          client.publish(MQTT_PUB_TOPIC_angle, ang, false);
 }
  prvsCLK = crntCLK; 
  
  now = time(nullptr);
  if (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED)
  {
    Serial.print("Checking wifi");
    while (WiFi.waitForConnectResult() != WL_CONNECTED)
    {
      WiFi.begin(ssid, pass);
      Serial.print(".");
      delay(10);
    }
    Serial.println("connected");
  }
  else
  {
    if (!client.connected())
    {
      mqtt_connect();
    }
    else
    {
      client.loop();
    }
  }

  if (millis() - lastMillis > 5000) {
    lastMillis = millis();
    client.publish(MQTT_PUB_TOPIC, ctime(&now), false);
  }
}

Arduino 3 servos using mqtt

#include <ESP8266WiFi.h>
#include <PubSubClient.h>
#include <Servo.h> 
Servo lock1; 
Servo lock2;
Servo lock3;

const char* ssid = "MYSSID";                // WiFi SSID
const char* password = "MYSSIDPASS";        // WiFi Password
const char* mqtt_server = "MQTTSERVER";  // IP Broker MQTT
const char* topic_lock1 = "escape/servo/lock1";
const char* topic_lock2 = "escape/servo/lock2";
const char* topic_lock3 = "escape/servo/lock3";
 
WiFiClient espClient;
PubSubClient client(espClient);
long lastMsg = 0;
char msg[50];
int value = 0;

void setup() {

  Serial.begin(115200);
  lock1.attach(D1);
  lock2.attach(D2);
  lock3.attach(D3);
  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.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 callback(char* topic, byte* payload, unsigned int length) {
 String string;
 Serial.print("Message arrived [");
 Serial.print(topic);
 Serial.print("] ");
 for (int i = 0; i < length; i++) {
 string+=((char)payload[i]); 
 }
 Serial.print(string);
 Serial.print(" toInt ");
 int pos = string.toInt(); 
 Serial.println(pos);

 
 if ( strcmp(topic, topic_lock1) == 0 ) {
 Serial.print("lock1 ");
 Serial.println(pos);
 lock1.write(pos); 
 }
 if ( strcmp(topic, topic_lock2) == 0 ) {
 Serial.print("lock2 ");
 Serial.println(pos);
 lock2.write(pos); 
 }
 if ( strcmp(topic, topic_lock3) == 0 ) {
 Serial.print("lock3 ");
 Serial.println(pos);
 lock3.write(pos); 
 }
 
 delay(15); 
}

void reconnect() {
  // Loop until we're reconnected
  while (!client.connected()) {
    Serial.print("Attempting MQTT connection...");
    // Attempt to connect
    if (client.connect("ESP8266servolocks")) {
      Serial.println("connected");
      client.subscribe(topic_lock1); 
      client.subscribe(topic_lock2); 
      client.subscribe(topic_lock3); 
    } 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();
  delay(100);
}

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

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.