Author Topic: General Discussion  (Read 84839 times)

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Offline Happybobjr

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Re: Let's build our own calculator!
« Reply #150 on: August 06, 2010, 04:30:09 pm »
Backlight:  letter to nintendo.. yes or no?  haven't sent yet

did code for size reduction

Code: [Select]
Hello, my name is James and a group of my friends are developing a calculator the succeeds in all spots others have failed.  While brainstorming I cam up with an idea for a back-light for the calculator. (specifically one that is manually turned on and off)

One of the members of our group had the brilliant idea of using a back-light like your Gameboy Advance SP (big fan by the way).  Doing a little research got me nowhere so I came here to ask about how you made your back-light.

Could you inform us on the specifics of how the back light is made, or where to buy something similar.
« Last Edit: August 06, 2010, 04:30:36 pm by happybobjr »
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Re: Let's build our own calculator!
« Reply #151 on: August 06, 2010, 04:31:06 pm »
umm... imo no.  Someone suggested getting one with a backlight built in, which seems like a much better plan.

On a completly unrelated note: Page 11!

Offline alberthrocks

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Re: Let's build our own calculator!
« Reply #152 on: August 06, 2010, 04:32:31 pm »
They would probably say no. Nintendo's a lot more eviler than TI. :P (Especially with the Wii)
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Offline Happybobjr

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Re: Let's build our own calculator!
« Reply #153 on: August 06, 2010, 04:39:03 pm »
ok.. but the sp is old :P

now for the wi-fi and internet browser >:D
« Last Edit: August 06, 2010, 04:41:03 pm by happybobjr »
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Offline TIfanx1999

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Re: Let's build our own calculator!
« Reply #154 on: August 06, 2010, 04:47:27 pm »
I'd like to suggest a micro SD or an SD card slot for the EZ80, and perhaps an Micro USB as well. Personally, I think an OS written to take advantage of the EZ80 would fare much better than porting Knight OS. I also think having 256 colors and at least a 320X240 resolution would be nice. On an unrelated note, this topic has really exploded hasn't it?

Offline jnesselr

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Re: Let's build our own calculator!
« Reply #155 on: August 06, 2010, 04:48:20 pm »
Quite.  I'm setting up the wiki as fast as I can.

Offline Happybobjr

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Re: Let's build our own calculator!
« Reply #156 on: August 06, 2010, 04:48:33 pm »
I'd like to suggest a micro SD or an SD card slot for the EZ80, and perhaps an Micro USB as well. Personally, I think an OS written to take advantage of the EZ80 would fare much better than porting Knight OS. I also think having 256 colors and at least a 320X240 resolution would be nice. On an unrelated note, this topic has really exploded hasn't it?

because its a good idea :D

i refrsh that page every 10 min
« Last Edit: August 06, 2010, 04:49:02 pm by happybobjr »
School: East Central High School
 
Axe: 1.0.0
TI-84 +SE  ||| OS: 2.53 MP (patched) ||| Version: "M"
TI-Nspire    |||  Lent out, and never returned
____________________________________________________________

Offline alberthrocks

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Re: Let's build our own calculator!
« Reply #157 on: August 06, 2010, 04:50:08 pm »
Yes indeed. :P

I'd like to keep this colorless. It's unlikely that the Z80 could handle intense colors. Also, this is competing against the TI-8x, which has a colorless screen, making it more familiar to the buyer.
Don't worry - the ARM calc will definitely have a full color screen :)
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C______c: 0% done (Doing planning and trying to not forget it :P)
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AtomBot v3.0: 0% done (Planning stage, may do a litmus test of developer wants in the future)
IdeaFrenzy: 0% done (Planning and trying to not forget it :P)
wxWabbitemu: 40% done (NEED MOAR FEATURES :P)

Calculator Projects:
M__ C_____ (an A____ _____ clone): 0% done (Need to figure out physics and Axe)
C2I: 0% done (planning, checking the demand for it, and dreaming :P)

Offline matthias1992

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Re: Let's build our own calculator!
« Reply #158 on: August 06, 2010, 04:57:52 pm »
Hmm I am a little worried about the devboards, is that just for testing or is that actually going to be in the calc cause $179 is a little expensive don't you think, and that's even without the case, buttons and LCD! I don't think there is a market for $250+ calcs...
Not to offend but I am doubting if that will work...I was thinking about manually made PCB's altough it takes far more time, it is far less expensive. maybe we could clone a Begle..ehr something mX?

Edit: I think the eZ80 could handle colors but we want this to be the cheap alternative to the ARM right? so I think greyscale would be better, 16 lvl or more would be fine
« Last Edit: August 06, 2010, 04:59:09 pm by matthias1992 »
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Offline fb39ca4

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Re: Let's build our own calculator!
« Reply #159 on: August 06, 2010, 04:59:17 pm »
This looks like a great project. I can't wait to see the results.

This topic has really exploded-158 posts in less than 24 hours.

Offline alberthrocks

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Re: Let's build our own calculator!
« Reply #160 on: August 06, 2010, 05:00:07 pm »
Dev boards are always high priced, since companies want some profit for giving people tools to create products.
Of course, the FINAL product will be way cheaper.

There were actually $1000+ dev boards for nearly the same stuff as the BeagleBoard, but the product itself is much cheaper.
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Activity remains limited due to busyness from school et al. Sorry! :( Feel free to PM, email, or if you know me well enough, FB me if you have a question/concern. :)

Don't expect me to be online 24/7 until summer. Contact me via FB if you feel it's urgent.


Proud member of ClrHome!

Spoiler For "My Projects! :D":
Projects:

Computer/Web/IRC Projects:
C______c: 0% done (Doing planning and trying to not forget it :P)
A_____m: 40% done (Need to develop a sophisticated process queue, and a pretty web GUI)
AtomBot v3.0: 0% done (Planning stage, may do a litmus test of developer wants in the future)
IdeaFrenzy: 0% done (Planning and trying to not forget it :P)
wxWabbitemu: 40% done (NEED MOAR FEATURES :P)

Calculator Projects:
M__ C_____ (an A____ _____ clone): 0% done (Need to figure out physics and Axe)
C2I: 0% done (planning, checking the demand for it, and dreaming :P)

Offline nemo

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Re: Let's build our own calculator!
« Reply #161 on: August 06, 2010, 05:01:05 pm »
i think 256 color spectrum is unnecessary. remember, this is just a calculator. what would you use 256 different colors for? i'm thinking that using a byte, you can use 4 bits for intensity and the other 4 bits for color specification. that way you get 16 colors at 16 different shadings.

i really don't have any expertise in this field though, so maybe what i just said isn't possible. regardless, i'm thinking 8 or 16 colors would work.


Offline calc84maniac

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Re: Let's build our own calculator!
« Reply #162 on: August 06, 2010, 05:02:47 pm »
i think 256 color spectrum is unnecessary. remember, this is just a calculator. what would you use 256 different colors for? i'm thinking that using a byte, you can use 4 bits for intensity and the other 4 bits for color specification. that way you get 16 colors at 16 different shadings.

i really don't have any expertise in this field though, so maybe what i just said isn't possible. regardless, i'm thinking 8 or 16 colors would work.
That is 256 colors, just so you know ;)
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Offline TIfanx1999

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Re: Let's build our own calculator!
« Reply #163 on: August 06, 2010, 05:02:57 pm »
Oh, I almost forgot. I really like the idea of having some sort of backlight with different settings as well.

Offline nemo

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Re: Let's build our own calculator!
« Reply #164 on: August 06, 2010, 05:03:48 pm »
i think 256 color spectrum is unnecessary. remember, this is just a calculator. what would you use 256 different colors for? i'm thinking that using a byte, you can use 4 bits for intensity and the other 4 bits for color specification. that way you get 16 colors at 16 different shadings.

i really don't have any expertise in this field though, so maybe what i just said isn't possible. regardless, i'm thinking 8 or 16 colors would work.
That is 256 colors, just so you know ;)
only 16 unique  ;)