Calculator with a single control knob instead of numeric keys

Thread Starter

Karenzee

Joined Mar 6, 2015
47
Hi,


i would like to add a single control knob to one those scientific calculator with graphics .

turning the knob would replace the numeric keys (a push button could be added to change the keys) and possibly play with the graphics.

This would be similar to "circuit bending".

If you have any ideas or suggestions let me know.

Thanks!
 

Sensacell

Joined Jun 19, 2012
3,432
Use an MCU to simulate pressing the buttons on the keypad, based on your "clever" algorithm.

Most keypads are row-and-column affairs, not too hard to hack into that and simulate button pressing
 

Sensacell

Joined Jun 19, 2012
3,432
The model is mostly irrelevant, if you can successfully interface to a row/column scanned matrix keyboard, you can do it with anything that has one- calculator, microwave, cellphone, etc.

The point is you will need to write some fancy code to translate the "knob" input to perform a meaningful sequence of key inputs.
If you know the sequence of key presses you need, you can automate that, but it's not "circuit bending" - it's rigorous logical programming.
 

spinnaker

Joined Oct 29, 2009
7,830
Two stepper motors moving a solenoid on an X and Y axis similar to a CNC machine. It would be slow and expensive to build but a really cool project.

Or if you can get solenoids small enough you could build an array to press the keys. Fast but still expensive and still a cool project.
 

spinnaker

Joined Oct 29, 2009
7,830
The model is mostly irrelevant, if you can successfully interface to a row/column scanned matrix keyboard, you can do it with anything that has one- calculator, microwave, cellphone, etc.

The point is you will need to write some fancy code to translate the "knob" input to perform a meaningful sequence of key inputs.
If you know the sequence of key presses you need, you can automate that, but it's not "circuit bending" - it's rigorous logical programming.

A n old desktop model would likely make things easier.
 
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