Editing Flaschen Taschen

{{LED}}
{{blackbox}} [[File:Flaschentable.jpg|right|150px]]

You are standing at the '''Flaschen Taschen''', a glowing display wall showing animated artwork on a grid of LED lit bottles in a grid of black crates.

Its blinking lights are reflected in the gleaming adjacent [[Noise Square Table]], forming the fabled "FlaschenTable".
You see instructions on how to send graphics to the Flaschen Taschen remotely.

'''EXITS:''' [[Hackitorium]], [[Shop]]
{{cursorboxend}}

[[File:Flaschentable.jpg|right|thumb|500px|The iconic [[Noise Square Table|FlascheNoiseSquareTable]] super-duo]]
[[File:Noisebridge_Logo_FlaschenTaschen.jpg|500px]]

===What's the project?===
[[Image:Award Winning FlaschenTaschen.jpg|right|500px|thumb|The Makerfaire Editor's Choice Award-winning Flaschen Taschen]]

The Award Winning Flaschen Taschen is a 10’ by 9’ (3m x 2.75m) video display made out of clear glass bottles, milk crates, RGB LED strings (with a total of 1575 LEDs), and a controller board. Each bottle is capped with a single addressable RGB LED. The bottoms of the bottles act as lenses for the emitted light. The project has a German name as homage to c-base’s [http://matelight.rocks/ Mate-Light] project. After seeing Mate-Light at Chaos Communication Congress, we were inspired to build a similar project at Noisebridge to present at the 2016 Maker Faire.

Another inspirational build is the [http://www.zuloark.com/muro-de-botellas/ Muro de botellas] project.

Our goal was to have it completed for [http://makerfaire.com/bay-area/ Maker Faire 2016] to be shown as part of our booth and we were two weeks ahead of schedule. After the MakerFaire, the display will be permanently installed within Noisebridge and possibly made available for events.

Our code and hardware that drives up to 16 LED strips from a Raspberry Pi is on [https://github.com/hzeller/flaschen-taschen Flaschen-Taschen github]. We only need 9 strips in this project, one for each crate column. The update rate is up to 160fps!

[[File:ft-pi-breakout.jpg|200px|The breakout board, driving up to 16 SPI LED strips.]]

Here is the first view of the completed project

[[File:FlaschenTaschen-2016-05-06.jpg|500px|thumb|Showing the Plasma written By [[User:Carl|Carl]] - Find the code for this demo here https://github.com/cgorringe/ft-demos]]


[[File:ft-back-of-the-crates.jpg|500px|Back of the crates|right|thumb|Backstage view of the crates that power it.]]



=== Network protocol and Utilities to send content ===

The network protocol is quite simple: essentially send a PPM picture (P6) in a UDP packet to ft.noise:1337.

For instance, try the following all in the comfort of you shell (in bash, to be precise, that conveniently provides the /dev/udp pseudo-path):

  bash$ jpegtopnm myimage.jpg | stdbuf -o64k pnmscale -xysize 45 35 > /dev/udp/ft.noise/1337

Flaschen Taschen accepts a footer that defines an offset in x,y space as well as a layer z index. To write images which cover the default demo visualization, you can send a higher -index by appending this footer after your sends. We still need to make sure to send everything in one packet, so on the shell this is a bit awkward as we first have to store the full content temporarily in a file. For instance, to position the image at (x=0 y=0, z=5):

  bash$ ( jpegtopnm myimage.jpg | pnmscale -xysize 45 35; echo "0 0 5" ) > /tmp/tmp-out ; cat /tmp/tmp-out > /dev/udp/ft.noise/1337

There are [https://github.com/hzeller/flaschen-taschen/tree/master/client#flaschen-taschen-clients utilities in the repository] to send and scroll arbitrary images (including animated gifs), videos or text, so the above, sending an image to layer 5, would be as simple as:
  
  bash:flaschen-taschen/client$ ./send-image -l5 myimage.jpg

There is a C++ and Python client library that you can use right away to send images to Flaschen Taschen including a couple of examples.
It is simple to write your own client in any language that supports networking (See [https://github.com/hzeller/flaschen-taschen/blob/master/doc/protocols.md#protocols protocols section] in documentation). There is also a Node.js module flaschenode in the npm registry (https://www.npmjs.com/package/flaschenode). Or you can clone it from github or help hack on it if somehow you have node working but don't like npm (https://github.com/mpmckenna8/flashenode).

'''See all the details here:''' https://github.com/hzeller/flaschen-taschen

===FlaschenToy===

One of the examples in the  [https://github.com/hzeller/flaschen-taschen Flaschen Taschen github] is FlaschenToy.

This is a Flask app that sends the contents of a WebGL canvas to the Flaschen Taschen. The web page takes [http://nehe.gamedev.net/article/glsl_an_introduction/25007/ GLSL]  code from a text area input, and displays it on the Flaschen Taschen using the the [https://www.shadertoy.com/howto ShaderToy] conventions. 

It is currently hosted on [https://noisebridge.noise noisebridge] you can try it at: http://noisebridge.noise/FlaschenToy  

I've not added it to the to the startup scripts, so if that site is dead you can restart on by running ''sudo run.sh'' in ~/github/flaschen-taschen/examples-api-use/flask (you'll need to be logged in as noisebridge and have the admin password)

Try pasting some of the shaders from the ShaderToy page: https://www.shadertoy.com/browse into the text area

Most examples will just work. E.g. this meta ball example:
https://www.shadertoy.com/view/Mss3WN

The code is currently in my fork of the project (will get merged into main page in the future):
https://github.com/griffin2000/flaschen-taschen

=== List of Devices at Noisebridge running the Flaschen Taschen Protocol ===

* [[ft.noise | FlaschenTaschen]] - Host: [[network#LAN - 10.20.0.0/22 | ft.noise]]
* [[ftkleine.noise | Kleine FlaschenTaschen]] - Host: [[network#LAN - 10.20.0.0/22 | ftkleine.noise]]
* Library bookshelves - Host: [[network#LAN - 10.20.0.0/22| bookcase.noise]]
* [[Noise_Square_Table|Noise Square table]] - Host: [[network#LAN - 10.20.0.0/22 | square.noise]]

===Current Mechanical Design Documentation===

This .PDF file is the current drawing set. Please take a look.

https://noisebridge.net/images/8/8c/2016_0518_FlaschenTaschen_Sheet1-0_AsBuilt_Noisebridge.pdf

[[File:2016 0518 FlaschenTaschen Sheet1-0 AsBuilt Noisebridge.jpg|1024px]]

===Rough Take-down Procedure===

Flaschen Taschen takedown and setup notes: (does not include electronics)
2016-06-13  draft by [[user:jarrod|Jarrod]]

! Take pictures of how things are setup for reference!

! Take care to collect all the parts as you disassemble, there are many parts and some are small, but important!

*1_Remove all power cables from rear. Make note of how they are run to the power supplies

*2_Disconnect all data connections, remember there are typically two per crate. Take a photo of how they are routed to the breakout board on the raspberry pi.
NOTE: The crates have an orientation. Remember this. Take a photo

*3_Remove the 2” green tie down strap. This is tricky there are two metal latches in line with the handles that need to be pulled in tandem to release the ratchet. While pulling on the latches it may be necessary to add tension to the tie down to get it to release, since we do not tighten it very much during install.

*4_The wooden vertical supports are connected to four of the top crates by a wood screw
Remove these screws. The supports are kind of floppy and are really only meant to be supportive in a direction parallel to the face of the display
During setup any forward or backward lean of the display can be adjusted slightly by screwing these supports back on to the top crates at a distance that pushes them forward or pulls them backward

*5_Once the cables and supports are disconnected the RELEASABLE cable ties can be removed from the crates. Please do not cut the ties, as you will need them to set the display back up

*6_Stack the crates in stacks of 4. This is a good height to move with a hand truck. Make sure that the power jacks and date cables are not hanging over the edges of each crate before another crate is placed on top of it, so as to not damage the wires and connectors.

NOTE: The bottom row of crates do not have bottles with LEDs, so as to provide a space for the hardware and lift the display of the floor for improved visibility.

NOTE: The two end crates have 2x4 supports in them. The others have plywood. The assembly is not symmetrical, but each crate has at least one support. Together they are almost exactly as long as the base. These also get zip tied together, but they are harder to tie.

*7_Stack up the base crates. These are also good for holding all the hardware, zip ties, bolts (in a bag), and cables for transport.

*8_Remove the vertical supports from the base by unscrewing them. (iirc: this is done with a 7/16” wrench/socket.) Have someone hold the vertical supports while unscrewing. Keep all parts and set aside. NOTE how those washers are used. It is important that bolts not be able to rip through the wood.

*9_Flip the base over. There are three bolts in the center that hold it together. Remove these.

Congratulations, You have now turned the Flaschen Taschen into parts for shipping.

The setup procedure is essentially the reverse of this. Just remember:

*A_Bring tools. Wrenches for the bolts, a screwdriver for the tops of the vertical supports, and a ladder.

*B_The crates have an orientation. At the forward edge (display side) of each crate there is Velcro. The hook side should be on the top and the loop side should be on the bottom. This is typical for all crates except the base which only have the hook side Velcro on the top.

*C_Do not tighten the tie down very much. Its purpose is merely to squeeze the crates together so they can’t move individually. The zip ties do most of the work

*D_Try to align the forward faces of the crates as best as possible, but realize that it will never come out perfect. If a column is going out of vertical the crates above can be installed a little fore or aft of the face of the display to make up for it.

*E_People have already sent images of genitalia to be displayed on the screen, so get over it.

=== hacking ===

the blinky RGB LED's are driven by a [[WS2801]] chip, that uses a clock (green) and data (white) line, that are operated similarly to APA102's, but are not identical in practice.

custom code's by teh'x taht served as table ornamite for Mitch's interview of C.M. past 10th anniversary at NB.

µPython running on a ESP8266 driving random overflow noise on a milk crate of 5x5 RGB's.

<pre>
# 2 CM w/<3

import time
from machine import Pin
from apa102 import APA102

clock = Pin(14, Pin.OUT) # set GPIO14 to output to drive the clock
data = Pin(13, Pin.OUT) # set GPIO13 to output to drive the data

apa = APA102(clock, data, 25)

def randomByte():
        return int.from_bytes(uos.urandom(1), 'little')

def randomPixel():
        return [randomByte(), randomByte(), randomByte(), 31]

def loop():
        while True:
                for j in range(25):
                        apa[j] = randomPixel()
                        apa.write()
                        time.sleep_ms(round(randomByte()/10))

loop()
</pre>

== Web interface ==

If you are at Noisebridge at 272 Capp and on our wireless, you can go to http://led-square:4444/ and use the code examples at https://github.com/noisebridge/ft-web to mess with the LED display(s)! Thanks to dana for getting this running again!


== Flaschen Taschen on a Raspberry Pi ==
Build and run FT on a Pi.

=== Preparing SD Card ===
Use Raspberry Pi imager to install OS and create a username of noisebridge to log into the Pi.

=== Building FT ===

<pre>
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install g++ make
sudo apt-get install libgraphicsmagick++-dev
sudo apt-get install libavcodec-dev libavformat-dev libswscale-dev libavutil-dev

mdir GitHub
mkdir noisebridge
cd noisebridge

git clone https://github.com/noisebridge/flaschen-taschen.git
cd flaschen-taschen/server
make
mkdir -p ~/bin
cp ft-server ~/bin/
</pre>

<pre>
cd ~/GitHub
mkdir cgorringe
cd cgorringe
git clone https://github.com/cgorringe/ft-demos.git
cd ft-demos
git submodule update --init --recursive
make
cp black ~/bin
cp blur ~/bin
cp fractal ~/bin
cp hack ~/bin
cp kbd2midi ~/bin
cp life ~/bin
cp lines ~/bin
cp matrix ~/bin
cp maze ~/bin
cp midi ~/bin
cp nb-logo ~/bin
cp plasma ~/bin
cp quilt ~/bin
cp random-dots ~/bin
cp sierpinski ~/bin
cp sierpinski_rain.py ~/bin
cp simple-animation ~/bin
cp simple-example ~/bin
cp words ~/bin
cd ft/client
make send-text send-image
cp send-text ~/bin/
cp send-image ~/bin/
</pre>

There are problems with the build for send-video as it is using API which has since been deprecated and removed from the library. The code will need to be revised.

=== Configuring FT ===

<pre>
sudo vim /etc/systemd/system/ft-server.service
sudo systemctl daemon-reload sudo systemctl enable ft-server.service
sudo systemctl start ft-server.service
ps aux | grep ft-server | grep -v grep
</pre>

/etc/systemd/system/ft-server.service:

<pre> 
[Unit]
Description=Flaschen Taschen Server
After=network.target

[Service]
ExecStart=/home/noisebridge/bin/ft-server -D 160x96 --layer-timeout 15
WorkingDirectory=/home/noisebridge/ft
Restart=always
User=noisebridge

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
</pre>

Start:
  sudo systemctl start ft-server.service

Status:
  sudo systemctl status ft-server.service

View logs: 
  journalctl -u ft-server.service

=== Create Backup Image ===

<pre>diskutil list</pre>

<pre>dd if=/dev/rdiskX of=/path/to/backup.img bs=1m</pre>

Run '''backup.sh''' to create a backup image.