This week on the Adafruit Learning System, we published only one new guide. However, we have been hard at work developing a useful new feature to Adafruit. Check out the end of this blog post for a sneak peek at the upcoming My Adafruit page.
Favorite New Guide
This weeks favorite new guide shows you how to scan QR codes with CircuitPython
CircuitPython 7 adds the
qriomodule, which can decode QR codes from images grabbed with compatible cameras like the OV2640. (What is a QR code?)These demos are designed to work with the Espressif Kaluga development kit, which comes with a compatible camera, can connect via WiFi to Adafruit IO, and has plenty of RAM to store the images for analysis.
This guide includes three demos:
- Scan To REPL: Each scanned and decoded barcode is printed in the REPL, so you can see it in mu or other compatible software
- Scan To USB HID: Each scanned and decoded barcode is typed into the connected host computer using a virtual keyboard
- Scan To Adafruit IO: Each scanned and decoded barcode is sent to Adafruit IO, where you can view it on a dashboard or connect it to triggers.
Additionally, each demo uses the Kaluga’s LCD screen to show the live image in greyscale as well as the last scanned code.
For the Scan To Web demo, we’ve made sure the code works with the free version of Adafruit IO, so give it a try even if you haven’t subscribed to IO+ yet.
ALS Deep Cut
With so many guides on the Adafruit Learning System, some amazing guides of years past get buried and lost. ALS Deep Cuts brings these guides back up to the surface. This week’s guide is from back in 2016.
Add motion triggered sound and light effects to any prop with Circuit Playground
Want to upgrade your prop sword/battle axe/light saber/magic wand with motion reactive light animation and sound effects? You can do just that with this simple project! All you’ll need is a Circuit Playground or Circuit Playground Express, a battery pack, and zip ties to attach it all to any prop or toyOr, you can go a bit further and fabricate your own wand with embedded Circuit Playground from scratch using a 3D printer. This more advanced build will require a LiPoly battery and JST switch cable, plus a LiPoly charger, and the use of a 3D printer.
Sneak Peek: My Adafruit
Check this out! We have been tossing around the idea of having a dedicated page that is curated for each customer for years now, and have finally begun development. On your My Adafruit page, you will have quick links to the related product guides to your recent purchases, see anytime an author you follow publishes a new guide, or see when a guide for one of your favorite boards gets updated. We also plan on tying into YouTube so you can see when new videos are available, or when we are broadcasting live!
We will start with the basics and slowly add features over time. We will eventually allow you to turn on and off features so you can make your My Adafruit page only show what you are interested in. We are still in the very early part of the development process, so be sure to follow my future ALS Weekly Updates.
