Print Page - Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator

Calculator Community => Other Calc-Related Projects and Ideas => Topic started by: Spyro543 on June 24, 2011, 05:12:15 pm

Title: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: Spyro543 on June 24, 2011, 05:12:15 pm

Spoiler For original post:

Now look at this BeagleBoard xM. These will be the specs for my graphing calculator:
(http://beagleboard.org/static/images/2708776217_9f660db58d_o_d.png)
It would be nice for a graphing calc, but is this a calculator or a laptop? I think this board would be better for the DreamPad instead of the DreamCalc...

Title: Re: Project DreamPad - A total reboot - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: XVicarious on June 24, 2011, 05:13:36 pm

Okay...
USB functionality is a must, as is WiFi, how else are you going to connect it to the computer?

Title: Re: Project DreamPad - A total reboot - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on June 24, 2011, 05:19:56 pm

It would be nice to see this revived. About wi-fi would it eat batteries a lot, though? A teacher mode is a must, though, because if it has wi-fi or a CAS, for example, it needs to be disablable, to not end up with the calc banned from classes. Also no qwerty/dvorak/azerty keyboard, that way it is allowed on tests.

For screen resolutions, I do not know much about those, but a standard 320x240, 320x200 would fit my needs well.

Title: Re: Project DreamPad - A total reboot - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: Spyro543 on June 24, 2011, 05:37:22 pm

If you look, your ideas are up on my first post. :D

Title: Re: Project DreamPad - A total reboot - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: XVicarious on June 24, 2011, 05:40:10 pm

Screen: color
Wifi: I wouldn't say no yet, or have an option to turn it on and off. My old laptop had a physical switch to toggle wifi
USB: Mass storage, yes... Easiest route. Linking software would have to be written. If hte OS is based on Linux, then have the device mount only the home folder when you connect it to the computer.
Processor: I'd use an ARM, which one I don't know but mobile devices use ARM like 90% of the time (NDS, iPod, Nspire)
Keyboard: ALPHA would be fine, but if you could add support for a USB keyboard that would be great
Sound: Thru headphones

Title: Re: Project DreamPad - A total reboot - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: Spyro543 on June 24, 2011, 06:00:30 pm

Thanks for everyone's help! (No really, it helps! ;D) Now I think I should start thinking of the keyboard design and maybe some mockups. :D

Title: Re: Project DreamPad - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: JosJuice on June 25, 2011, 04:10:23 am

I would prefer a 320x240 screen over a 320x200 one - 320x240 is a very common resolution, and that makes it easy to (for example) port images and programs to it. (Plus, I don't like widescreen :P)
Wi-Fi would be awesome to have, but I'm not sure if it will be allowed on tests if it's built in, even if you can turn it off... Those tests can be quite restricted. For example, one doesn't allow calcs with IR communication even if you block the IR port.
Accessing USB drives (and keyboard/mouse?) from the calc would be nice.

Title: Re: Project DreamPad - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: Spyro543 on June 25, 2011, 08:57:38 am

Would it be too early to make a mockup? I already have some ideas for the keyboard layout!

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: Munchor on June 26, 2011, 06:42:31 am

I was so excited about a portable programming device (DreamPad), a graphing calculator is ok, but I still dream of a "DreamPad" :)

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: Spyro543 on June 26, 2011, 09:07:25 am

Wow, I might just make a DreamPad for programming...Although I want to make a standard tablet computer running UNR2D 10.10.

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: Scipi on June 26, 2011, 01:15:00 pm

Quote from: Spyro543 on June 24, 2011, 05:12:15 pm

Backlight: Yes or no?
Navigation type: Arrow keys or some other way (touchpad...trackball...)
Battery type: AA or AAA and/or rechargeable?

Backlight: YES! I would like to be able to program without having to turn on the lights. :P

Navigation type: Arrow keys.

Batteries:AA & Rechargeable. Save money in the long run. And AA are more common. :P

And portable programming device. ~~You stole my idea!~~ I can't believe someone is actually making this! ;D This reminds me of Uber GFX. :P

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: ruler501 on June 26, 2011, 02:33:35 pm

Quote from: HOMER-16 on June 26, 2011, 01:15:00 pm

Quote from: Spyro543 on June 24, 2011, 05:12:15 pm
Backlight: Yes or no?
Navigation type: Arrow keys or some other way (touchpad...trackball...)
Battery type: AA or AAA and/or rechargeable?

Backlight: YES! I would like to be able to program without having to turn on the lights. :P

Navigation type: Arrow keys.

Batteries:AA & Rechargeable. Save money in the long run. And AA are more common. :P

And portable programming device. ~~You stole my idea!~~ I can't believe someone is actually making this! ;D This reminds me of Uber GFX. :P

BackLight: Most definitely, but it lso needs o work in sunlight if thats possible.

Navigation. I like trackball or touchpad

Batteries:AA(more available and rechargeable(money saver)

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: alberthrocks on June 26, 2011, 02:36:15 pm

I recall seeing that... the beagleboard! :D (xM version, that is!)
Good luck! :D This is very likely to become the "OTARM" (you can name it differently of course) - we had the exact same ideas in mind, just not much progress. ;)

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on June 26, 2011, 02:44:02 pm

Backlight: Yes, with the ability to change its brightness like on the Casio Prizm.
Navigation type: Arrow keys. Touchscreen would be nice if it doesn't ban the calculator from tests.
Battery type: Preferably rechargeable via USB

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: ruler501 on June 26, 2011, 02:49:51 pm

Quote from: DJ_O on June 26, 2011, 02:44:02 pm

Battery type: Preferably rechargeable via USB

Definitely rechargeable by usb

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: alberthrocks on June 26, 2011, 03:00:32 pm

Oops, looks like I forgot to vote! :P

Backlight: definitely.
Navigation: Arrow keys. Yes, they are old, but they work. A suggestion though is to make the keypresses a little less noisier.
Battery type: AA batteries - they're all over the place, and are the least expensive. Rechargeable via USB if the AA batteries are chargeable.

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: fb39ca4 on June 26, 2011, 05:23:42 pm

I'm voting the same way as alberthrocks.

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: Spyro543 on June 26, 2011, 06:08:59 pm

This project is on hold for as long as it takes me to learn C and how to completely customize the GUI of Linux (TinyCore) to make it work for a graphing calculator. Help would be appreciated. :) More details later.

EDIT - OK I HATE SUGARCOATING THINGS. This project is dead.

EDIT2 - Contacted uberspire, maybe he could help me.

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: Scipi on June 26, 2011, 07:50:42 pm

:(
I hope it will come back later on. If it's still of any interest for you you should try to talk to Uber Spire for the Linux stuff.

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: Spyro543 on June 26, 2011, 08:20:29 pm

Quote from: HOMER-16 on June 26, 2011, 07:50:42 pm

:(
I hope it will come back later on. If it's still of any interest for you you should try to talk to Uber Spire for the Linux stuff.

I'll contact him. Thanks! :)

EDIT: Sent him an email. Hope to get a response.

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: Spyro543 on June 27, 2011, 10:57:39 am

I'm going to need some help. What buttons/functions should be on the keypad, and what functions should just be accessible through menus?

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: ruler501 on June 27, 2011, 11:12:59 am

I'm leaning towards the same functions as the 84(I love that keypad setup) thi sis a graphing calculator right?

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: Spyro543 on June 27, 2011, 12:44:27 pm

I like the clamshell design, but I think the 84+ shape is the best bet.
Still, what should I have accessible through 1 or 2 button presses, and what should I have accessible through menus?

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: fb39ca4 on June 27, 2011, 02:05:11 pm

The clamshell design looks cool, but it is harder to make reliable, and more expensive to make, so I agree with your decision.

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: Spyro543 on June 28, 2011, 05:49:40 pm

I think I'll go with Voyager 200 shape (but no QWERTY keyboard).

And I got a reply from uberspire, he doesn't think he can help me much, but he did give me a nice list of things to know to make a Linux OS for a graphing calculator.

Quote from: uberspire

1) Get comfortable and learn how to use Linux. Have a strong understanding of how things are organized or how they work under Linux.
2) Learn C. If you don't have much experience with programming, learning C might seem difficult. There are lots of free tutorials if you Google "C programming tutorials". A good book ($20 used): http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Language-2nd-Brian-Kernighan/dp/0131103628/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309227849&sr=8-1
3) After learning C, learn how to build a GCC toolchain. I'm assuming that you're trying to use a ARM processor, right? You'll need to build a GCC toolchain that'll compile for ARM targets.
4) Learn about ARM architecture, or at least have a strong basic understanding of microprocessors and how computers work internally.
5) Have an understanding of electronics and hardware. You said you want to modify the TinyCore to work with graphing calculator buttons. What you'll need to modify is the kernel. More specifically the drivers bundled with kernel. You might even have to write some drivers yourself, it'll depend on the hardware. A strong understanding of the hardware and electronics will be necessary to write the missing pieces of code to make the Linux kernel work on your hardware.

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: Spyro543 on June 29, 2011, 05:33:10 pm

I'm thinking about the hardware and stuff...a VERY simple prototype (something like a screen (maybe), arrow keys, and an enter button) could be coming up in a month, or later, so please be patient! :)

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: ben_g on June 29, 2011, 05:47:54 pm

Maybe you can first try a hardware emulator (if you find one that is compatible with all of the microships you are going to use). There are some freeware emulators, but I think the best ones aren't free (only the legal versions of them, actually ;) ), but they should cost less than buying all of the hardware anyway, so that might be the best choice. An extra avantage is of cource that an emulator can be reset, while when you break real hardware, you'll have to buy new.

A friend of mine knows a great emulator. I'll ask him if you want. (might take a while. I haven't seen him IRL for almost a year, so I'll have to send an email)

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: Spyro543 on June 30, 2011, 03:26:16 pm

I kinda like Logisim for small projects, but this is much bigger.

Title: Re: Project DreamCalc - Making a graphing calculator
Post by: Spyro543 on July 13, 2011, 04:50:05 pm

Ok, so I think I might need to work on the hardware, and just boot a system first, before making an OS...