IoT and Vacuum Technology

IoT + : Something

Think about something unique with IoT

Need something unique to create new idea/innovation.
IT can't be useful without things.

Not many hacker people image the vacuum technology as a seed of new idea

Talking about 10^-6 pa enclosure from 0.5"sq up to 5"x7" glass box

Sensing devices

Trial stage 1

Advantages? Benefits?

No air influence: Ultra high sensivity G sensor,

A micro mirror driven by electric field: the response of movement could be improved significantly.

The reliability also be improved due to less interference of  gas inside ,

Traffic Signal Programming Kit for Kids

 

Traffic Signal Light Programming Kit for Kids

Kid's computer "Ichigojam" BASIC Programming 

Purpose

Open the first step for age 9-12 kids to learn programming.

Encourage kids to learn fundamental programming knowledge with lighting LEDs as a traffic light.

Use fundamental commands to control LEDs.

 

 

9yr old kids understood the following commands and program flow;

OUT

WAIT

GOTO

--------------------

Wiring

IchigoJam board and LEDs

OUT1   LED (Green) via a resister to set the current.

OUT2  LED (Yellow) via a resister to set the current.

OUT3  LED (Red) via resister to set the current.

Each resister should be adjusted to set the LED current.

Normally 5 to 10mAea.

Programming Commands

Some hints

Stage 1:

Kids understand how OUT commands work

 

10 OUT1,1           'Light Green ON

20 WAIT 600       'wait approx 10sec.

30 OUT1,0           'Light Green OFF

Stage 2 :

Kids understand how INPUT command works

Change the signal light duration / timing

Input the each LED time from keyboard

 

10 INPUT"GREEN",G

20 INPUT"YELLOW",Y

30 INPUT"RED",R

 

WAIT G*60 

Stage 3

Kids can use to simpify the program flow

FOR NEXT

IF THEN ELSE

 

 

 Reference

 

Additional;Display Monitor

CU20027-Y1A Spec data (PDF)

UART interface, Just wire  TX to SI

Send ASCII character code to indicate.

 

Display Module/CU20027-Y1A  shows the light duration

 

 

Traffic Signal Light fixture by 3D printer

 

Interesting VFD Hacking Video EEVblog #717

Found an interesting Youtube Video.

It looks 1980's old type VFD  moduled by Bubcock/US.

And it 's driven by Arduino 30years after its production date!

He explains how it works.

EEVblog #717 - How To Hack Vacuum Fluorescent Displays

Easy use :VFD Module 2 x 20 Character Display UART Interface

 

Got a VFD Module

CU20027-Y1A    Easy way to use by UART

  

1. Use a VFD

The best possible readability needed  for the application.

The reliability is another important factor considering factory use.

I used an ASCII VFD Module. It has 5x8 dot font and 2x20 character position.

       Simple interface and command to control preferred

 

2. Easy  to display text messages

I wanted the minium design time for hard and soft works  I used minimum commands.

 

This module has so many functions but I need only a simple text indication.

I used only simple ASCII commands.

I tried not to use  the code library and other support softwares.

 

1) Power supply

I used a 5V 0.5A power supply . 200-300mA current flow observed in operation.

Wiring : Two wires, 5V to VCC, 0V to GND(common)

 

2) Data

UART (Asynhronous Serial)  38.4Kbps (Default) or 19.2Kbps (Jumper 0 short)

I ignored "BUSY" signal to reduce the wires.

Wiring : Only two wires, SIN and GND(common) are used to nterface to the host.

 



3. How it looks

It's so bright. A plastic color filter is recommended to get a better contrast.

Green,Blue,Gray colors can be used. The photos are my favorite colors.

 

CU20027-Y1A VFD Module with a" Rose" acrylic panel

 

UCU20027-Y1A VFD Module  with a "Neutral" acrylic panel

 4. Programming

1) ASCII control code

Just send a Home Position "0Bh" at the initial setting.

It clears the screen and sets the cursor position in the left top.

I don't use the cursor indication so I sent "14h".

 

2) Character code and font

Straightforwardly,send ASCII text code to indicate the text you want.

 

3) Other commands

There are so many useful functions but maybe I use some unique commands;

"Font magnification" :1F 28 67 40 xy

Enlarge the font 2x or 4x .

 

"Individual Character Brightness Level Setting" : 1F 28 67 50 d1 d2 d3

Brightness of each chaaracter can be set by 8 levels.

 

References;

See the maker's support web for the details.

Display Module CU-Y series

https://youtu.be/PEz_awzx7LI