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LED Matrix Link, Wedding, Twitter, and WiFly
I just wanted to make a quick post about the LED Matrix Display project. This past week I received a WiFly Shield from Sparkfun.com. This will allow more flexibility at the wedding as I am not sure how I am going to setup Internet access. The most difficult part of the WiFly shield was getting a working library to compile on the Arduino Due as it is a new microcontroller and the Arduino IDE 1.5.2 is still in beta. LED Matrix Links, Arduino Due and SFE WiFly Shield After trying the Sparkfun library and not being able to compile, I commented on someone with the same issue. After talking back and forth he had a forked library that ended up working. The great people …
BeagleBone Black packs 1GHz ARM CPU, 512MB RAM for just $45
Just got an email this morning from Newark that you can -order the BeagleBone Black. Great new price and improved hardware. By the time I checked it said 0 available, but it looks like you can still checkout. Hopefully I can get one this summer. Here is the info posted by Engadget: The BeagleBone might be just the piece of hardware for the DIY set itching to boot Linux in 10 seconds, but the freshly unveiled BeagleBone Black packs an even greater punch — and the same speedy start times — at just half the price of its predecessor. The $45 credit card-sized package totes a 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor, 3D graphics accelerator, a pair of PRU 32-bit RISC CPUs, 2GB of built-in storage …
LED Matrix Master Fundraiser on Tindie
LED Matrix Master You can support the fundraiser here: https://tindie.com/products/FriedCircuits/led-matrix-master/ Over the next two weeks we will be running a fundraiser to “kick start” the LED Matrix Master. If successful, the PCBs will be ordered and it should be about 3-4 weeks to start shipping. Thanks for your support. Each fundraiser you support helps build FriedCircuits and fuels development of new products. We have a few more designs in the works including entry into the home automation field. If there are any ideas you would like to see, feel free to contact us. The LED Matrix Master is a microcontroller (Arduino compatible Atmega328p) in the same form factor as the LED Matrix Link. After programming you can easily mate it with …
LED Matrix, Wedding and Twitter – Updated
The main driving force to develop the LED Matrix Link was to display messages at my wedding in May. The idea was to have guests be able to send messages to it during the reception. I decided to use Twitter since most people use it and there are plenty of code examples to get me started. Good thing I have a Ethernet shield I got on clearance at Radio Shack, perfect project to put it to use. I am not sure this will be the final design since I have to figure out the best way to get Internet at the reception. Scrolling text from Twitter on Arduino MegaEthernet Shield When I started writing the code I only had two LED Matrix Links to play …
LED Matrix Link: Last day of fundraiser
Today is the last day to get in on the LED Matrix Link. You can get yours on Tindie: https://www.tindie.com/shops/FriedCircuits/led-matrix-link/ If you are unable to get one today, they will be in stock in about 2-3 weeks. After the fundraiser you can sign up to be notified on the Tindie product page.
MAX7219 and eBay fakes
I have been receiving feedback that I can use eBay suppliers to lower my price on the MAX7219. I had previously considered that option, but after some research I have found that a lot of people are receiving counterfeits on eBay. While some counterfeits may work, their reliability is questionable and that would make my product unreliable. I do not believe that it is “good business” to support businesses and companies which pirate technology and sell it as if it were legitimate. I sincerely hope everyone understands why I am skeptical about using an unknown supplier for parts. Here is a good forum post about coming across the fake variety: http://www.picaxeforum.co.uk/showthread.php?22481-Real-or-fake The more units I can sell initially will increase my …
LED Matrix Link on Tindie
The LED Matrix Link is now on Tindie. You can find it here: https://www.tindie.com/shops/FriedCircuits/led-matrix-link/
LED Matrix Link: Prototype
Update: I have listed the LED Matrix Link on Tindie as a fundraiser to get this started. You can support it here: https://www.tindie.com/shops/FriedCircuits/led-matrix-link/ This prototype stems from another projectproduct to be that I haven’t posted about except for this sneak peak: Project Sneak Peak. I noticed that most LED Matrix drivers on the market use shift registers to give a microcontroller the ability to control more LEDs than would be possible. Last year I came across the MAX7219 from Maxim Integrated. This cool little IC does all the work for you to drive a LED Matrix or LED Segment display. It uses a variation of the SPI protocol and can be daisy chained. The other cool feature is you only need 1 resistor to set …
USB Tester and Sick of Beige
From the beginning I designed the USB Tester to use the Dangerous Prototype Sick of Beige (SOB) standard PCB sizes. 50x31mm being the smallest rectangle and most ideal for the USB Tester. One of these reasons was that in doing so it would fit their standard acrylic cases which can be found at Seeedstudio.com for $3. After waiting many days, my order has come in and I can show you one way you can use the case. When you order the enclosure it comes with the following: 4x Long Screws 4x Short Screws 4x Tall Stand offs 4x Short Stand offs 2x 50x31mm Acrylic cut with mounting holes I found what worked is to use one acrylic sheet, all eight hex stand offs and the four long …