Brainwarp - Program entry panel

Description

The Brainwarp program entry panel and its instruction set are being developed for my IO project. This method of data entry removes the need for a keyboard or the use of the toggle switch panel for entering program instructions. The panel will have a matrix of at least 15 entry pads with each pad measuring 3 by 3 inches. This method will be useful for the very young for learning shapes and colors as each instruction tile can be customized.

Details

The Brainwarp program entry panel is constructed with 15 instruction entry pads each measuring about 3 by 3 inches and arranged in a 5 by 3 pattern. Each pad will have 4 leds mounted above that will indicate what instruction card has been placed on the pad. The pads act as EPROM in that they are wired and read as program memory.

The Brainwarp instruction set is very RISC. It is based on Brainf*ck or BF with some major changes. BF was intended to have 30,000 pointer cells where as Brainwarp will initially have 15. The small number is in keeping with the 4 bit system. This can be expanded later if desired. The data input and output for BF is ASCII where as Brainwarp is decimal / binary.

Project Logs

Collapse

A major re-design - February 28, 2018
Dr. Cockroach • 02/28/2018 at 18:53 • 9 comments

Well, the Brainwarp panel using magnetic placed instruction cards has hit a major snag. The card contacts do not make contact as consistently as I need so a re-do is needed.

I have come up with a back-plane with edge card connectors that will be used for the instruction cards. All while still using cardboard and paper fastener construction. Lots of hot melt glue is used for this build...

Here
Well, here is the finished Back-plane with 16 four bit ROM slots. Next is to wire up some more ROM cards and the address logic board and it's all set.

Here is the basic layout for the ROM logic board. The ROM back plane will mount above.
April 30, 2017 - All eight instructions lit up
Dr. Cockroach • 04/30/2017 at 08:00 • 7 comments

Getting the panel wired up more and more. The panel read logic will be next for this build.
However, the temperature required to operate this panel might be too much for the person programming it ;-)
April 21, 2017 - Instruction Card revised and the Instruction Set
Dr. Cockroach • 04/21/2017 at 19:49 • 0 comments

I have found out that after several cards were constructed that the cards were too stiff and warped out of shape enough to not give me a correct read every time. I have gone back to a simple design that gives a view of what is going on with the circuit and the magnet serves as both a graphic presentation of the instruction but also serves as a grip for placing and removing the card from the reader panel. I still need to wire the rest of the panel.
The Instruction set reading left to right , top bottom
code - instruction
1 - Subtract one from the current cell value
2 - Add one to the current cell value
3 - Move pointer back one position
4 - Move pointer forward one position
5 - Begin while loop
6 - Return loop until current cell = zero
7 - Input value to current cell
8 - Output value from current cell
All cell values are set to zero at the start of a program run.
April 15, 2017 - Cardware construction of the instruction card
Dr. Cockroach • 04/15/2017 at 19:04 • 2 comments

This is the latest version that uses the #Cardware method of enclosing the instruction card. I also have found some ceramic magnets that have greater holding pressure and this results in a solid contact.
This card is wired for code 5 - Move pointer right one position
April 14, 2017 - Improved card to pad contact
Dr. Cockroach • 04/15/2017 at 00:26 • 0 comments

I was using some very weak magnets from the local big box store to provide the holding power needed to keep the card is contact with the reader pad. The first version was not making anywhere near 100 percent correct contact and it was decided to rearrange the contacts and use one set of central magnets. I found some ceramic magnets that provide the holding pressure needed and with the new contact layout, I now have a 100 percent correct contact rate. The photos below illustrate how the card and pad are constructed.
The foil pads are kept in place using the brass fastener tabs as hooks. The wiring is simple enough. One contact is +5 volts and the other contacts are the binary outputs to the test leds in this case. The magnet for the reader pad is hot glued to the bottom and in the center
When the instruction card is placed onto the reader pad, the magnets hold the card in place and the brass contacts make solid contact with the foil pads. A cover with the needed graphics will be added to the instruction card.
April 12, 2017 - Brainwarp Entry Panel Mock-up
Dr. Cockroach • 04/12/2017 at 23:58 • 0 comments