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Calculator Community => Other Calculators => Topic started by: Spyro543 on August 21, 2011, 03:09:18 pm

Title: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: Spyro543 on August 21, 2011, 03:09:18 pm
Some people here might remember Project DreamCalc, right? Well, I never wanted it to die, in fact, I want to keep working on it.

I lost my notebook, so I lost all my ideas and concepts, so I have to start over on that.  :banghead:

Question:
I would want some help from you guys: What is a good, small screen for BeagleBoard-xM? and what about the keyboard? It would have to have graphing calculator keys, and it would have to be able to plug into a BeagleBoard-xM.

I also have a poll question.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: annoyingcalc on August 21, 2011, 03:11:54 pm
ti-84 shape ti-92 is an odd shape and big
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: runeazn on August 21, 2011, 09:00:21 pm
http://www.watterott.com/en/FriendlyARM-Micro2440-SDK-35-LCD-1GB

hm that would be nice as it already includes a screen :)

btw why didnt you go pandaboard? its 20$ more.. for a dual core and a better gpu..
and it has a ti omap proc :P for the ti juiciness


btw the problem i see is where the heck are you going to get your keyboard and housing from?
and what OS is it going to run ?
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: willrandship on August 21, 2011, 09:11:17 pm
I like the 92 shape better, myself. Looks like I'm alone :P

You know, if you lower the hardware a bit, it makes it harder to make software but significantly cheaper to build. Example: An atmel Xmega Xplain, a full dev board (think arduino) costs only $30. However, it has better guts than a titanium (on par with a Mega in RAM) and 128 kb of ram. Throw in your own flash chip or an SD host, and you've got a really powerful calc. By the way, the Xmega is 99% AVR-code compatible. Just an xmega chip is only $5 or $6!

Oh, and it can go up to 128 mhz! 32 mhz by default though.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: Spyro543 on August 21, 2011, 09:12:35 pm
FriendlyARM looks cool, but how much is it in US dollars?

Quote from: runeazn
btw the problem i see is where the heck are you going to get your keyboard and housing from?
Wow, I don't know.
Quote from: runeazn
and what OS is it going to run ?
Something Linux, small, and lightweight. I will have to write my own GUI and drivers.

EDIT: ninja'd and what? Can I see some links, willrandship?
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: runeazn on August 21, 2011, 09:14:03 pm
found cheaper edition, http://cgi.ebay.de/Samsung-S3C2440-ARM9-Board-3-5-TFT-LCD-Touch-Screen-/390071894744?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ad218c2d8#ht_3085wt_1139
ebay.
if you want 1GB memory itll cost 20$ more
http://cgi.ebay.de/1G-NAND-mini2440-S3C2440-ARM9-Board-3-5-LCD-FRIENDLYARM-/320583793422?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa4487b0e#ht_3282wt_905
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on August 21, 2011, 10:51:45 pm
TI-92 would be fine as long as it doesn't have a QWERTY/AZERTY/DVORAK keyboard, so it gets accepted in tests. Also it would have to be smaller than a 92, maybe more like a DS, so it fits in a pocket. Else, 84+ format would be fine.

Nice to see this revived. I am personally looking forward for this, although I can't help much since I'm technology-illiterate.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: willrandship on August 22, 2011, 12:42:56 am
Here's a link to the Xmega Xplain. Keep in mind the Xplain does not expose nearly all of the I/O pins you could have. It was designed to be an easy replacement for the chip that goes in an arduino mega.

http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools_card.asp?tool_id=4506 (http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools_card.asp?tool_id=4506)

Edit: Sorry, that was the page for the Xmega Line. Here's the Xplain page.

http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools_card.asp?tool_id=17168&category_id=163&family_id=607&subfamily_id=1965 (http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools_card.asp?tool_id=17168&category_id=163&family_id=607&subfamily_id=1965)
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: Spyro543 on August 22, 2011, 09:44:51 am
Ok, so I found out graph paper is not the best thing to use for mockups :P.

Hold on guys, a mockup should be coming soon...
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: imo_inx on August 22, 2011, 09:56:52 am
Glad to see you starting it again. You should make a Web Converger(OS) version of it.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on August 23, 2011, 05:21:59 pm
I would like to see a mockup soon. Just a tiny idea of how it might look like.

But yeah trust me, if you go for a 92+ design, make it smaller. THe 92+ was so bulky it made the Nspire Clickpad/Touchpad models look tiny. :P I personally like to carry my calc in my pockets if I bring it somewhere, to not have to carry a bag or something with me.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: Spyro543 on August 23, 2011, 05:24:04 pm
So a clamshell design?
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on August 23, 2011, 05:26:12 pm
I don't know what is a clamshell ???
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: Spyro543 on August 23, 2011, 05:27:04 pm
DS-style, opens like a clam shell
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on August 23, 2011, 05:34:11 pm
Ah ok thanks for the info. Yeah like a DS, but no dual screen lol.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: Spyro543 on August 23, 2011, 05:39:01 pm
Making a clamshell design lets me make a bigger screen and keyboard and have it still fit in the pocket. :)
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: willrandship on August 23, 2011, 06:11:35 pm
Yeah, the 92's shape was great, but too big. It would have been perfect if it had been just the qwerty area, without the sidebar, and a little smaller screen.

A clamshell would be pretty sweet. Maybe you could see if you could buy openPandora cases, and use those! That would be the perfect shape and size, then throw in your own board.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: runeazn on August 23, 2011, 06:18:47 pm
yeah add a qwerty keyboard as the custom calculator isnt allowed for any exams anyway :P
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: willrandship on August 23, 2011, 06:49:31 pm
Actually it would be allowed on exams as long as it fulfilled their requirements. The ACT's, at least, is an exclusion-based list, not an inclusion-based one, meaning that while it does list examples that are allowed, it has general requirements that you can apply to any calculator to determine whether it's allowed.

The only requirements:
Non-CAS
It can't be marketed as a PDA or computer, so no laptops or tablets.
No communication Devices, i.e. cell phones, and no bluetooth/Wifi.

Sound must be able to be turned off if present.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on August 23, 2011, 07:03:27 pm
Yeah true, it just must not have a keyboard like qwerty, azerty, etc. It should be ABCDEF
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: runeazn on August 23, 2011, 07:05:10 pm
Quote from: willrandship on August 23, 2011, 06:49:31 pm
Actually it would be allowed on exams as long as it fulfilled their requirements. The ACT's, at least, is an exclusion-based list, not an inclusion-based one, meaning that while it does list examples that are allowed, it has general requirements that you can apply to any calculator to determine whether it's allowed.

The only requirements:
Non-CAS
It can't be marketed as a PDA or computer, so no laptops or tablets.
No communication Devices, i.e. cell phones, and no bluetooth/Wifi.

Sound must be able to be turned off if present.

oh well we in holland use a inclusion list so only those listed devices are allowed, seems rules differ in a other part of the world :)
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: willrandship on August 23, 2011, 07:09:39 pm
Well, I suppose licensing it to those committees that do require it would be essential for the calculator to be popular in those areas.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: yunhua98 on August 23, 2011, 09:07:47 pm
I vote clamshell. ;)

EDIT:  like this: (http://images10.newegg.com/ProductImageCompressAll200/44-103-039-01.jpg) but longer, more like a square.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: willrandship on August 23, 2011, 11:33:59 pm
Also, the Dpad must be located on a top corner.

Better yet: Two D-Pads! one on each corner! The excuse could be that one is the arithmetic functions! Games would be so much more epic with that! :P
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: JosJuice on August 24, 2011, 10:10:38 am
The requirements for tests are probably more strict that what they want to tell you. If you look at their restrictions (CAS, wireless communication, things that make noise, etc.), those things have been implemented in some calculators. They don't list restrictions that don't apply to any existing calcs since the average user doesn't need to do that. For example, the things that are now called animated flipbooks on the Prizm were originally going to be called movies, but that was apparently not allowed, so Casio had to change it. Making a calc without knowing all of the hidden requirements might be very hard if you want it to be accepted at tests.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: runeazn on August 24, 2011, 04:54:01 pm
I don't know if you will be able to fit the board in a clamshell very well,
worth the try though,
I would gone the standard look, the 84+/nspire etc.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: Spyro543 on August 24, 2011, 04:56:41 pm
What I would have problems with is getting wires through the hinge.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: runeazn on August 24, 2011, 04:58:11 pm
exactly

the screen caable is very wide...
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: willrandship on August 24, 2011, 10:56:25 pm
not if you section it and bind the sections together. You can get a 2.5 inch ribbon cable down to a 1/4 inch dia. cable that way. I've seen it inside the gateway profile computers, so they can fit their IDE cables all over the place.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: Spyro543 on August 26, 2011, 06:33:50 am
Still wondering what screen I should use...
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: willrandship on August 26, 2011, 07:32:06 pm
Hmm...first thing I want to say is that I vote for a reflective screen (ala GBA non-SP and the calcs) and a frontlight if you want it. Transmissives are horrible outside, which is a big factor for calcs. If you want to spring for a transflective (both transmissive and reflective, gives benefits for outdoors while able to have an even backlight) that's fine, but I don't see a need to myself.

Other than that, if it's clamshell you could get away with a widescreen, ala the V200 :D That'd be sweet!

Edit: Ooh, maybe we could go OLED? depends on the pricing I guess.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on August 26, 2011, 10:37:47 pm
In any case, try to stick to 16:9, 4:3 or 3:2 for screen ratio.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: flyingfisch on August 26, 2011, 11:22:29 pm
Hey spyro, have you seen uberspire's project paradise?

I think it is too much computer and not enough calc...there's a certain charm in keeping it a calc, you kno what I mean?
But anyway, I think it should have emulators of all the major calcs, and it should allow people to program in Python, lua, and OpenGL. You'de get some really good games with OpenGL support.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: yunhua98 on August 27, 2011, 01:16:40 pm
I like the idea of two keypads.  :D

I suggest having one for arrow keys on the top right, and on the top left, something like this:

Code: [Select]
    ^
    +
< x   รท >
    -
    V

It disguises the real need for two keypads.  ;D  (FPSs.  ;))
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: Spyro543 on August 27, 2011, 01:17:16 pm
Ok, looks nice. :)
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: willrandship on August 27, 2011, 06:12:15 pm
@FlyingFisch you would need something as powerful as the paradise to emulate the nspire or the prizm x.x the 89 takes significantly less, but still quite a bit.

Emulating the 84+ is pretty easy for pretty much any hardware you get nowadays that isn't microcontroller level. However, it would be illegal to sell the calc with ROMs. Theoretically, though, we could make one emulating a 3rd party OS, like KnightOS or GlassOS, and with a 3rd party boot code, avoiding the copyright issue.

Also, the reflective screen thing....If you want color, go transmissive, or the price gets a lot higher.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: fb39ca4 on August 27, 2011, 06:59:26 pm
Yeah, Nspire emulation is a bit much, you would probably need a 1ghz processor for that, based on the 10x rule of thumb. Prizm is more doable if the goal is full speed emulation at the stock clocks on it.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: flyingfisch on August 27, 2011, 07:27:33 pm
Good idea. also, I wasn't thinking about emulating the calcs themselves, just making it read TI BASIC and Casio BASIC and all the add-ins that go with them. The add-ins might be too much, though, come to think of it.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: Spyro543 on August 27, 2011, 07:38:37 pm
TI and Casio basic would be cool on this.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: runeazn on August 27, 2011, 07:40:07 pm
If you aint going to sell it who will notice ;)
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: Spyro543 on August 27, 2011, 07:41:38 pm
Time to make a Dream-Basic interpreter!
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: runeazn on August 27, 2011, 07:43:03 pm
I think you might better first decide on the hardware before doing the software.

a psp screen ??
http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8335

i really dont know what for connector you have,
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: LincolnB on August 27, 2011, 07:47:14 pm
Or (or perhaps 'and), a faster, better version of basic or an implementation of python/some similar interpreted language...:)
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: mrmprog on August 27, 2011, 07:55:27 pm
If we are still on the topic of shape, I think it should definitely have two D pads.
Title: Re: Project DreamCalc Revived
Post by: willrandship on November 25, 2011, 03:48:04 am
You could base it around the raspberry pi. Nice and cheap, runs standard linux, has USB, what more could you ask for?

It will also be very programmable. :D