Enable sound output

Hekto · 07-25-2013, 04:02 PM

Hi!

I´m using my Mini as a GPS gliding computer and it would be great to have sound output for warnings etc.
Since there is no headphone jack or speaker, my idea is to connect a USB sound card. Could you estimate what to do to get that working? Do you think it´s possible?

Regards,
Pascal

PeterT · 07-25-2013, 04:50 PM

I kind of doubt it's possible. Remember that the Kobo's act as a USB device; NOT as a USB host, and that a USB card would need a HOST.

yoq · 07-25-2013, 05:22 PM

The Kobo's processor supports acting as a USB Host (or OTG host), so with a new kernel (or at least a module) and a small hardware hack, it seem possible to me. I don't have a Mini and I haven't traced the circuit on my Glo but I suspect you'll have to modify a few PCB traces around the USB connector to get the Kobo acting as a supply for connected devices.

Some pointers:
Datasheet: IMX50CEC.pdf
Reference Manual: IMX50RM.pdf
System Development Guide: IMX50SDG.pdf
If you need anything on their linux driver implementation, download IMX50_1104_LINUXDOCS_BUNDLE but you'll need an account there.

Hekto · 07-25-2013, 05:38 PM

Hi,

As far as I know, these kernel changes have already been done. (http://vimeo.com/68476162) I´ll have to check where that´s documented.
It should not be a problem to use externally power the usb sound card, so that no hardware changes are necessary.

Regards,
Pascal

TechniSol · 07-25-2013, 07:05 PM

Or you might even build a circuit to hang off the status LED circuit. It's been demonstrated user control of the LED is possible. Of course, you'd probably be limited to simply buzzing a piezo transducer or the like, though I imagine it to be far easier.

If you can use the USB port or find the SPI port why not use an ATMEL AVR set up for USB to drive an ISD1700 series ChipCorder and then you can have custom sound, or even full voice messages with minimal hardware/power draw? I designed an AVR based programmer for the ISD1700 series a while back and they're simple to record and playback from with minimal circuitry and even offer simple resistor programmable sampling frequencies.

07-25-2013, 04:02 PM	#1
Hekto Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2013 Device: Kobo Mini	Enable sound output Hi! I´m using my Mini as a GPS gliding computer and it would be great to have sound output for warnings etc. Since there is no headphone jack or speaker, my idea is to connect a USB sound card. Could you estimate what to do to get that working? Do you think it´s possible? Regards, Pascal

07-25-2013, 05:22 PM	#3
yoq Developer Posts: 77 Karma: 206176 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Europe Device: Kobo Glo	The Kobo's processor supports acting as a USB Host (or OTG host), so with a new kernel (or at least a module) and a small hardware hack, it seem possible to me. I don't have a Mini and I haven't traced the circuit on my Glo but I suspect you'll have to modify a few PCB traces around the USB connector to get the Kobo acting as a supply for connected devices. Some pointers: Datasheet: IMX50CEC.pdf Reference Manual: IMX50RM.pdf System Development Guide: IMX50SDG.pdf If you need anything on their linux driver implementation, download IMX50_1104_LINUXDOCS_BUNDLE but you'll need an account there. Last edited by yoq; 07-25-2013 at 05:43 PM.

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07-25-2013, 04:50 PM	#2
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,616 Karma: 74358024 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	I kind of doubt it's possible. Remember that the Kobo's act as a USB device; NOT as a USB host, and that a USB card would need a HOST.

07-25-2013, 05:38 PM	#4
Hekto Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2013 Device: Kobo Mini	Hi, As far as I know, these kernel changes have already been done. (http://vimeo.com/68476162) I´ll have to check where that´s documented. It should not be a problem to use externally power the usb sound card, so that no hardware changes are necessary. Regards, Pascal

07-25-2013, 07:05 PM	#5
TechniSol GranPohbah-Fezzes r cool! Posts: 1,056 Karma: 3151024 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Nook STRs, Kobo Touch, Kobo Glo	Or you might even build a circuit to hang off the status LED circuit. It's been demonstrated user control of the LED is possible. Of course, you'd probably be limited to simply buzzing a piezo transducer or the like, though I imagine it to be far easier. If you can use the USB port or find the SPI port why not use an ATMEL AVR set up for USB to drive an ISD1700 series ChipCorder and then you can have custom sound, or even full voice messages with minimal hardware/power draw? I designed an AVR based programmer for the ISD1700 series a while back and they're simple to record and playback from with minimal circuitry and even offer simple resistor programmable sampling frequencies.

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