Multi-function PyPortal information display #PyPortal #CircuitPython @hobby_robotics

The Aspiring Roboticist blog details a multi-functional information display using the Adafruit PyPortal Internet of Things programmable display programmed in CircuitPython.

Adafruit’s PyPortal is a pretty powerful little device. One of its main functions are to grab and display data from internet APIs, but it can also easily log data to the cloud using Adafruit IO, has a couple built in sensors, and can be used to play games and perform other functions. Per Adafruit’s overview page, “the PyPortal uses an ATMEL (Microchip) ATSAMD51J20, and an Espressif ESP32 Wi-Fi coprocessor with TLS/SSL (secure web) support built-in. PyPortal has a 3.2″ 320 x 240 color TFT with resistive touch screen. PyPortal includes: speaker, light sensor, temperature sensor, NeoPixel, microSD card slot, 8MB flash, plug-in ports for I2C, and 2 analog/digital pins.”

There are a lot of examples of single-function applications available, such as weatherair qualityevent count-down clock, and even how many astronauts are currently in space, along with their names. What I wanted to do was to have the device cycle through multiple applications. I ended up coding it to provide

  • The day, date, and time (inspired by how cruise ship’s change out a piece of carpet every day in the elevators to tell you what day of the week it is),
  • The current local weather,
  • The latest “shower thought” post from the shower thoughts subreddit, and
  • The current value and change from the previous day for the S&P 500.

The code is posted to GitHub here.

See the project details here.


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