PYPRCA - Python Programmable Calculator (computer)

Description

Universal programmable device (computer) in pocket calculator style

Is prefect for learning programming and improve build/soldering skills.

Minimum parts make it ideal for learn to solder.

Some SMD parts are little harder to place for beginners but is possible
make semi populated boards ....

There is numerical block for better native enter numbers
and QWERTY block for write programs

Instead of searching 2nd,3th colorful symbols on chaotic ABCD keyboard you can type SIN,COS etc.... on well known QWERTY keyboard

Your formulas are send to REPL for execution

Details

It is not only calculator, it is complete
standalone python computer with python firmware
and multiple selectable apps on startup.

Hardware features:

write and execute scripts on device
Optimized for circuitpython
some hardware GPIO Uart RX/TX or I2C SDA/SCL
SD card storage
beeper
interactive REPL
IPS 2.8" COLOR LCD
49+1 tactile soft press keyboard in matrix 7x7
no 3D prints = durable PCB enclosure

Working software features:

Boot menu
Text Editor
Photoframe
Turtle graphics programming
Plot graph
play mp3
Retro computer emulation on separated firmwares
already working emulation ZX128, ZX48, ZX81, C64, Atari800

TODO software features:

text/ebook viewer
longer text editor

STEM Learning:

What you can learn on this board?

assembly and soldering skills, you need just solder one Raspberry pi PICO module and 50 switches, display soldering need some skills but I selected one with low count wires
circuitpython or micropython
Arduino programming
C programming
QWERTY keyboard matrix reading
complex input/output HID processing read keyboard data,
create and display graphics
save and processing files
work with I2C sensors or process GPS data
RTC clock and alarms
With Raspberry Pi PICO W play with WiFi and bluetooth
Testing if is possible to use ESP32s3 on pico pinout compatible module
power management, sleep, wake by alarm, wake on receive

Production and marketing plans:

Hardware is very simple and easy to solder by hand, low active component count make it very attractive as learn to solder kit.
Plan is produce partially assembled kits with already soldered display, and DIY soldering switches.
Why TH tactile switches? because is very important to precise align with front cover plate and this can be little hard with hand.

Raspberry Pi PICO Advantages:

Unbrickable ROM bootloader
Drang&drop initial setup
Easy soldering
integrated power supply
onboard USB connector
testpoints for connect USB-A for as USB host
effective buck/boost powering
use Pico W with wireless without changes
Waveshare alternative Rp2040plus have lion charging + USB-C and double flash memory
Circuitpython with libraries for almost everything with tutorials and examples

SWOT analysis

Strengths:

no competition with working pocket computer
compact encapsulated design
QWERTY keyboard, much user friendly than ABCD
officially supported Raspberry Pi PICO standard unmodified circuitpython
extremely simple just one easy solder module and buttons, cheap and low component count
low power consumption
native circuitpython apps, no monster OS behind
multiple apps on device and boot menu
GPIO for external sensors readings etc in school lab.
large 2.8"" all angles views IPS color graphics display 320x240

Weaknesses:

no community, no users
my programming knowledge is limited (I quickly learning)
display soldering need little more skills (semi-assembled kit may can help)

Opportunities:

with good manufacturing plan it ca be very good education toy

Threats:

I haven't caught competition in this segment, but if it appears with good marketing and a production plan may kill this simple idea
as everywhere, the main competition are touch screens and mobile phones

PYPRCA vs Numworsk

Files

CircuitPythonDemoFiles.zip

x-zip-compressed - 267.71 kB - 04/24/2023 at 21:50

Download

Components

1 × Raspberry Pi PICO

1 × 2.8" IPS LCD HC28010-D https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004662221931.html

50 × DTS-63K Switches and Relays / Switches

1 × Piezo SMD

1 × BSS123 Discrete Semiconductors / Diode-Transistor Modules

Project Logs

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Short video presentation

bobricius • 04/25/2023 at 10:01 • 0 comments

Build your pocket computer ....

bobricius • 04/24/2023 at 21:44 • 0 comments

All required parts and some optional...

For full device you need also bottom cover and and side plates (currently under design)

Example: Quadratic equation solver

bobricius • 04/14/2023 at 09:10 • 0 comments

Type script in editor ....

And there is result ...

Look inside

bobricius • 04/14/2023 at 09:02 • 0 comments

The is almost nothing, some parts for speaker and backlight control, Raspberry pi PICO, 2.8 IPS LCD and bag of buttons ...

SD card is optional, currently not used

PCB layout finished and ordered

bobricius • 04/01/2023 at 22:19 • 0 comments

Build Instructions

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Solder PICO module

At first solder Raspberry PICO (or compatible) module, try apply power.

Install Circuitpython firmware

Download Circuit python firmware directly from https://circuitpython.org/board/raspberry_pi_pico/

connect to PC
hold BOOT button and shortly press RESET
free BOOT button
you can found new DISK drive on your computer
drag&drop downloaded file with uf2 extension

Solder LCD and related SMD parts

Align LCD small corner columns to holes and solder FLEX cable

Solder parts in BACKLIGHT section

Discussions

fdufnews wrote 04/27/2023 at 13:02

You say that "the main competition are touch screens and mobile phones"

The shop you bought you display at has a variant of the display with the touchscreen option TFT HC28010-DCT it is a little more expensive but not too much. Didn't you consider using this one?

I think there is a mistake in the BOM DTS-64K seems to not exist.

There are DTS-644 or DTS-648 but these one have a square button not a round one.

7mm ones with a round button are DTS-63K

http://www.dip.com.tw/en/en-product-information/en-switch004/item/download/2504_1f511f4f5b826e90b17b1a41bfb6a3ce

Are you sure? yes | no

bobricius wrote 04/27/2023 at 13:10

yes but in this case it need create touch "only" device, I not see sense to make hybrid touch and physical buttons. I watched on, currently I have no connector for this touch part and I have no touch driver, anyway I still love physical buttons devices, Also I want keep retro computer emulation. I will think about create touch only handheld. I am still confused with this touch and internet depended devices (smartphones phones) an I hear 10x per day (Do you have our app ????)

Are you sure? yes | no

bobricius wrote 04/27/2023 at 13:13

yes, typo, you have true it is DTS-63K

Are you sure? yes | no

alihamzagilitoo wrote 04/24/2023 at 23:05

Need help 😭 😭

Are you sure? yes | no

fdufnews wrote 04/27/2023 at 12:45

Maybe you can elaborate on this.

Are you sure? yes | no

alihamzagilitoo wrote 05/03/2023 at 23:50

Plzzz hacke teenpatti because many money invest on this game...so I am notal

Are you sure? yes | no

fdufnews wrote 04/24/2023 at 22:26

Really interesting project.

Eager to see where it goes and maybe to make one.

Are you sure? yes | no

John Hind wrote 04/19/2023 at 11:18

Adafruit have reverse-mount tactile switches which would allow this to be built on a single PCB (switch legends on the front of the board with switches soldered to the back).

Are you sure? yes | no

bobricius wrote 04/19/2023 at 11:37

interesting idea, but I am afraid if there is enough space for wiring and also som doubts if hard press not cut switch from board and last if exist with 1N switch force.

Are you sure? yes | no

John Hind wrote 04/19/2023 at 17:28

With standard PCB thickness, the switch actuator sinks flush with the PCB surface before bottoming out in the switch, so no stress on the solder pads. You can still have tracks on both sides so long as all the components fit on one side. Gives a cool techno look with tracks showing faintly under the switch legends! Some thought needed to make the display sit at the right level though.

Are you sure? yes | no

M. Bindhammer wrote 04/17/2023 at 16:49

Does it support conjugate complex solutions for equations of the second to the fourth degree?

Are you sure? yes | no

bobricius wrote 04/18/2023 at 06:13

no, currently it is only combination of text editor and internal python exec(), eval() functions + math library

Are you sure? yes | no

zyndram wrote 04/13/2023 at 17:43

why python? why not ruby, mruby, haskell etc ;-)

( and please add network, for example irda )

Are you sure? yes | no

John Hind wrote 04/19/2023 at 11:12

Does say it can use PICO-W which means WiFi and Bluetooth LE. Also I2C will allow use of the huge range of low-cost STEMMA and Qwiic breakouts for sensors (though a STEMMA-QT connector would be nice!)

Are you sure? yes | no

zyndram wrote 05/14/2023 at 07:01

network must be interoperating, for any os, any medium, irda is very simple and working. Many BT version, zee etc is not flexible

Are you sure? yes | no

PYPRCA - Python Programmable Calculator (computer)

Description

Details

Files

CircuitPythonDemoFiles.zip

Components

Project Logs

Collapse

Short video presentation

Build your pocket computer ....

Example: Quadratic equation solver

Look inside

PCB layout finished and ordered

Build Instructions

Collapse

Discussions

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PYPRCA - Python Programmable Calculator (computer)

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