The different tests I did and the bad results from the (usually good and reliable) OCR software threw me back quite a bit. Both options are sufficiently small and don't need too much power (allowing an overall longer use time for the TextEye before the battery needs to be recharged). For the tests, I want to compare the results without additional lighting with the results using the Bright Pi board from Pi-Supply as well as the results using the.

I also plan to test if the basic imaging results can be improved by using additional LED lighting or not (since normal, low power LEDs don't reach as far as a camera flash or a high power LED). I still need to to additional testing for the camera and lighting setup in order to decide which of the two Raspberry Pi camera modules - the normal or the 'NoIR'-one - is better for this application. In order to connect this, I got some 90-degree JST connector which I'll try to fit on the amplifier board - so that the speaker can be easily connected (or disconnected for repairs or replacement). It's a much better match for the amplifier board, and the enclosure should also add some necessary acoustical space for better volume and sound (which I would have had to add as part of the enclosure design with the other speaker).

led soundmeters), so far these don't add anything that would make them a better choice for this project - so I'm currently sticking with the Adafruit I2S 3W Class D Amplifier Breakout that uses the MAX98357A chip.įor the speaker, I'm currently switching from the simple, wire-connected flat metal speaker to the mono enclosed speaker (3W, 4 Ohm) from Adafruit. The configuration is pretty much the same on all boards, but as for the additional funcionality (e.g. The Raspberry Pi Zero has not only seen the additional camera connector, but is now available with additional bluetooth and WiFi capabilities - not really necessary for this project, but still a nice addition.įor the sound output, there are now some new soundboards which can be used with all Raspberry Pi boards, but have a form factor that's a nice match for the Pi Zero.

Since I started the project last year, a few new hardware options have become available.

So what's the current status of the TextEye? New hardware options I'll try to get back to posting more regularly in the upcoming months. Sorry you all had to wait this long for an update.

Raspberry pi camera fritzing