Expansion module

I'm starting to think about an expansion module for Gamebuino... which extra features you would like to have?

Edit: which list:
- L/R buttons
- Wireless (radio)
- RGB LEDs on the edge of the acrylic case to change the whole Gamebuino color (as the PCB is white). It could pulse red when you're about to die for example.
- Vibration motor
- 16 extra GPIO using an I2C extander (but some of them will be used to be the CS pin of SPI devices)
- 32kB of extra RAM, but it won't be directly addressable :(
- Extra screen, something like a 128x32px oled screen, so it will fit above the current screen without making a (fragile) excrescence. Could be used to display stats, text or a minimap.
- 3 axis accelerometer
- analog Joystick

just a few, more power to create

analog stick (for the 3D games)
accelerometer
I/O expander
wireless (rf/ir/bluetooth)

a wireless module would be nice, any type (ir, bluetooth, wifi), so long as it's compact

ir wil be very very cheap and easy to do also very power efficient but has line of sight issues
all the radio ones need more juice so better have an extra battery for them maybe?

also how crazy is it to have PS/2 port or a full keypad (for text adventures)

A wireless module or Light detection module (to activate the backlight automatically)!

uhm light sensor is already there dude and it also is already doing the backlight thing
read the manual...

L/R buttons (already planned as far as I know)
Extra RAM (MOAR stuff!)
Second screen (Maybe even a color screen!)

I wanted to see you ideas before I suggest mine. Here they are:
- L/R buttons
- Wireless (radio)
- RGB LEDs on the edge of the acrylic case to change the whole Gamebuino color (as the PCB is white). It could pulse red when you're about to die for example.
- Vibration motor
- 16 extra GPIO using an I2C extander (but some of them will be used to be the CS pin of SPI devices)
- 32kB of extra RAM, but it won't be directly addressable :(
- Extra screen, something like a 128x32px oled screen, so it will fit above the current screen without making a (fragile) excrescence. Could be used to display stats, text or a minimap.
- 3 axis accelerometer
- analog Joystick

...most of your ideas were already on my check list, that's a good thing.

I should be able to fit all that on a small PCB that would be plugged on top of the Gamebuino. It should be about the same thickness than the Gamebuino so it will fit nicely.

adekto wrote:analog stick (for the 3D games)

I don't really see how you would add a analog pad on top of your Gamebuino? You want to have an analog joystick instead of the L/R button ? That's a weird location.

adekto wrote:also how crazy is it to have PS/2 port or a full keypad (for text adventures)

That sounds really specific I'm not sure a lot of people would use it... and nowadays keyboards are USB, not PS/2 :P

Skyrunner65 wrote:A wireless module or Light detection module (to activate the backlight automatically)!

Did you even watch the trailer ?!

Oh yeah, I guess you're right.

wel sure everythings usb these days but that means u need a host device that supports the interfacing

for the analog stick i was more thinking of on the side similar to those extra stick on n3ds

also 2nd screen can be fun, may want to use some sort of hinges
oh what about a second speaker for stereo

is it me or is the gamebuino expansion looking allot like a nds?

Was a headphone jack/audio out mentioned as an expansion too?

On my own I can´t think of much as an expansion before I actually try the gamebuino.
The extra memory sounds like a nice thing.

It's not really possible to add a headphone jack on the module because the sound output is not connected to the extension ports, sorry. But it's not really complicated to solder a headphone jack yourself directly on the sound output.

I will put the module on top of the Gamebuino, so that's not really possible to add a joystick there :/

I figured out a neat way to add a joystick... *suspens*
I ordered all the parts to make a prototype of the expansion board, so I'll be able to work on it if I have some free time (or if I want to take a break).

great to hear, cant wait

Good news: rev2 of the PCB will have a connector on the right to be able to easily add a headphone jack module.
Bad news: the first batch of 20 PCB won't have it :(

il take a one of your hands than, i dont mind for the jack

rodot wrote:Good news: rev2 of the PCB will have a connector on the right to be able to easily add a headphone jack module.
Bad news: the first batch of 20 PCB won't have it :(

Hype! :mrgreen:

rodot wrote:It's not really possible to add a headphone jack on the module because the sound output is not connected to the extension ports, sorry. But it's not really complicated to solder a headphone jack yourself directly on the sound output.

I will put the module on top of the Gamebuino, so that's not really possible to add a joystick there :/

expansion.png

You could do it, but it would need a ribbon cable going around to where you wanted to put the buttons/joystick.

A fancier option would be a set of l/r buttons that replace the whole backplate and give you some extra buttons at the bottom on either side of the charging/flashing jack. it'd be screwed in, so it shouldn't move too much.

The L/R buttons are going to be directly on the module, why would they need a ribbon cable? I'm not sure we talk about the same thing.

rodot wrote:The L/R buttons are going to be directly on the module, why would they need a ribbon cable? I'm not sure we talk about the same thing.

I was referring to sticking a joystick on it. or more buttons then just L/R. You'd have to connect to the I2C connector, then the fact it's attached with a cable would let you put it where you want it. If you just want to hook up an l/R buttons, putting them on the module itself would work fine.

I know that I am kind of jumping the gun since not many people even have their gamebuinos yet, but about how much would this cost? Also when would it be available

I have no idea yet :/ I didn't even had time to make a breadboard prototype for now. I just received the components.

I didn't expect you to be able to answer yet, just keep me informed if you can because this expansion sounds really promising.
Ps: If I were in your shoes I wouldn't have even ordered the parts for it yet. I would probably have gotten too distracted. You are obviously better at multi-tasking than me. lol

Perhaps you could add support for common modules in the library or a side-library that comes with the main library.
Such common modules could be Infared, headphone jack, L/R Buttons, and the Vibr- Umm, Rumble Pack.
Just a thought. :)

He took popular ideas for modules, and said he might add them later integrated or not, so expect libraries too!

Skyrunner65 wrote:Perhaps you could add support for common modules in the library or a side-library that comes with the main library.
Such common modules could be Infared, headphone jack, L/R Buttons, and the Vibr- Umm, Rumble Pack.
Just a thought. :)

I merged the topic you created with this one. You knew this topic as you already posted here, I wonder why you even asked the question? Please think twice before you post Skyrunner65, it's not the first time.

Just a though for wireless type.. Bluetooth and WiFi are cool, but I think IR might be suitable for something as small as a gamebuino, and better suited for things with the same DIY aspect. IR also has an advantage for size, because unlike RF based coms like WiFi, IR can be driven right from a spare pin on an arduino / gamebuino. I suppose everything else between the game and IR LED would be software driven. Actually, can you even control an LED straight form the I2C ports on the gamebuino? Does anyone have an example for this?

Montiey wrote:Actually, can you even control an LED straight form the I2C ports on the gamebuino? Does anyone have an example for this?

Sure! Just take the regular blink example in the IDE and change "int led = 13;" to A4 for the DA pin or A5 for the CLK pin.

Cool! is there some sort of map I could look at to see all the names (like you said; A4, A5) of all the pins available for software controlled output?

There is a link to the schematics on the Hardware page ;)

Is it possible to use a plastic component to place the analog stick near by the "C" button ?
This stick can be very useful in many games...

Else, a wireless module will be helpful to enable multiplayer, online scores, play with players of the entire world, save progress online etc. etc. ;)
A bluetooth module is less helpful because it "just" permit to play with players which are in a very limited area... In the same room for example.

What is the cost of these three modules ? If the price is too high, it's futile... I don't want to see the price of the Gameboid pass from 35 $ to 75 $ just to have a stick and a wireless controller ! But if you've continued to develop this idea, I suppose the price is not really a problem ?

For wireless communication you could experiment around with an ESP8266, the thing is that you'd have to write custom slave I2C code for it :/

rodot wrote:I'm starting to think about an expansion module for Gamebuino... which extra features you would like to have?

Edit: which list:
- L/R buttons

Seems it's already decided.

- Wireless (radio)

Wirelessness would be great, I was going to suggest that.

- RGB LEDs on the edge of the acrylic case to change the whole Gamebuino color (as the PCB is white). It could pulse red when you're about to die for example.

Sounds cool while not too costly.

- Vibration motor

No thanks!

- 16 extra GPIO using an I2C extander (but some of them will be used to be the CS pin of SPI devices)

Extra GPIO sounds cool, I could use that to trigger events in my modular synth!

- 32kB of extra RAM, but it won't be directly addressable :(

I don't know what directly addressable means, extra RAM sounded sweet.

- Extra screen, something like a 128x32px oled screen, so it will fit above the current screen without making a (fragile) excrescence. Could be used to display stats, text or a minimap.

Dunno.

- 3 axis accelerometer
- analog Joystick

Why not but I'm not sure they would be that useful.

Being able to connect to other players through the Internet would be great.

Old topic brought back to life

If your still considering an expansion pack I'd live to see tilt sensors on the gamebuino... Could bring a whole new level to the games we create

You're digging deep with this topic...
You can easily add an ADXL345 accelerometer to your Gamebuino on the I2C ports:

Yes but selling it as an official expansion brings all the glory of tilt control to everyone who can afford the expansion pack