#pi-zero

Bluetooth Connection:  We have always planned to have Wheatley will be controlled by buttons on the Portal Gun. Originally we’d intended to install a Wiimote in the portal gun along with the Pi-Zero. We have tested connecting and controlling the Pi with a Wiimote. However, this would require two concurrent Bluetooth connections to the Pi in Wheatley. We have redesigned this to have a thumb-stick and buttons connected directly to the Pi-Zero in the portal gun. Thus, only one Bluetooth connection to worry about. In effect, we’re building a custom remote control using the Pi-Zero that communicates to Wheatley over a Bluetooth connection.

We found a great Pi-Hat from Ada-Fruit that makes attaching a thumb-stick and multiple switch inputs. This is their Arcade bonnet that allows a joystick, 7 switches, and a speaker to be easily connected to the Pi/Pi-Zero. With a bit of luck (and time) our Portal Gun will also make the proper firing sounds!

We have the Pi-Zero sending commands to Wheatley over Bluetooth and then echoing the command/menu option on a small led screen that will be installed on portal gun. The following photo shows the menu item:   “Ani” – Animation submenu….  “W Pick Me Up”  which is one of the animation scripts.

We also spent a lot of time working on writing the software to handle error conditions on Bluetooth correctly along with a “heartbeat” between the Pi and Pi-Zero to determine if a disconnect occurs. Even more time was sorting out how to make the receive functions “non-blocking”… ie the receive does not stop and wait for data. It checks to see if data from the Pi-Zero has come in and if not it allows the program to work on other items.

Bluetooth is good for 30 – 50 feet.  Thus we need everything to behave properly when one walks away from Wheatley and have it reconnect when you return.

Finally getting back to my pi-top. Cyberdeck inspired, dockable, 5" tablet. The rough fit worked and everything turned on. Just a little more soldering and I'll be ready for gluing and sanding.

My handheld Pi is almost done. Just a few final touches left. I have to do some custom stickers, install a little software, and maybe another coat of paint.

I've got Android dev installed, foe the built-in ESP8266. I use a lot of these in my projects, so it's fun to have a pocket system to code on.

I also have movies, music and emulators.

So, LSDJ is high on the list.

I'm ordering some SIM GSM modules. Ideally I'll be able to plug them into the ESP, and use that to make calls.