Kutluhan Aktar
Published © CC BY

Marvel and DC Weekly New Comics Release List Tracker

Display comics release lists of this, next, and previous weeks via Nano 33 IoT and this amazing πŸ•· PCB playing Spider-Man theme song :)

AdvancedFull instructions provided3 hours2,961
Marvel and DC Weekly New Comics Release List Tracker

Things used in this project

Hardware components

PCBWay Custom PCB
PCBWay Custom PCB
×1
Arduino Nano 33 IoT
Arduino Nano 33 IoT
×1
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+
Raspberry Pi 3B+ or 4
×1
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
Raspberry Pi 3B+ or 4
×1
SparkFun Nokia 5110 Screen
×1
Buzzer
Buzzer
×1
Rotary potentiometer (generic)
Rotary potentiometer (generic)
×1
Potentiometer Knob
×1
RGB Diffused Common Cathode
RGB Diffused Common Cathode
×1
Solar Cockroach Vibrating Disc Motor
Brown Dog Gadgets Solar Cockroach Vibrating Disc Motor
Vibration Motor
×1
6x6 Pushbutton
×5
Resistor 1k ohm
Resistor 1k ohm
×5
DC Power Connector, Jack
DC Power Connector, Jack
×1

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE
Arduino IDE
KiCad
KiCad
Visual Studio 2017
Microsoft Visual Studio 2017

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Soldering iron (generic)
Soldering iron (generic)
Solder Wire, Lead Free
Solder Wire, Lead Free

Story

Read more

Custom parts and enclosures

Gerber Files

Fabrication Files

New Comics Releases (web application)

spiderman.c

batman.c

daredevil.c

marvel.c

superman.c

Schematics

PCB_1

PCB_2

PCB_3

PCB_4

PCB_5

PCB_6

Code

Weeky_New_Comics_Release_List_Tracker.ino

Arduino
         /////////////////////////////////////////////  
        //    Marvel and DC Weekly New Comics      //
       //         Release List Tracker            //
      //           -----------------             //
     //          (Arduino Nano 33 IoT)          //           
    //             by Kutluhan Aktar           // 
   //                                         //
  /////////////////////////////////////////////

// Display comics release lists of this, next, and previous weeks via this amazing  PCB playing Spider-Man theme song and Nano 33 IoT.
// 
//
// For more information:
// https://www.theamplituhedron.com/projects/Marvel-and-DC-Weekly-New-Comics-Release-List-Tracker/
//
//
// Connections
// Arduino Nano 33 IoT :           
//                                Nokia 5110 Screen
// D2  --------------------------- SCK (Clk)
// D3  --------------------------- MOSI (Din) 
// D4  --------------------------- DC 
// D5  --------------------------- RST
// D6  --------------------------- CS (CE)
//                                Rotary Potentiometer
// A0  --------------------------- S
//                                Button (Right)
// A1  --------------------------- S
//                                Button (Left)
// A2  --------------------------- S
//                                Button (OK)
// A3  --------------------------- S
//                                Button (Up)
// A6  --------------------------- S
//                                Button (Down)
// A7  --------------------------- S
//                                RGB LEB (RCGB)
// D12 --------------------------- R
// D11 --------------------------- G
// D10 --------------------------- B
//                                Buzzer
// D8  --------------------------- +
//                                Vibration Motor
// D9  --------------------------- +


// Include required libraries:
#include <SPI.h>
#include <WiFiNINA.h>
#include <LCD5110_Graph.h>
#include "pitches.h"

char ssid[] = "<_SSID_>";        // your network SSID (name)
char pass[] = "<_PASSWORD_>";    // your network password (use for WPA, or use as key for WEP)
int keyIndex = 0;                // your network key Index number (needed only for WEP)
int status = WL_IDLE_STATUS;

// Enter the IPAddress of your Raspberry Pi.
IPAddress server(192, 168, 1, 20);

// Initialize the Ethernet client library
WiFiClient client; /* WiFiSSLClient client; */

// Define screen settings.
LCD5110 myGLCD(2,3,4,5,6);

extern uint8_t SmallFont[];
// Define the graphics:
extern uint8_t spiderman[];
extern uint8_t batman[];
extern uint8_t daredevil[];
extern uint8_t marvel[];
extern uint8_t superman[];

// Define controls:
#define pot A0
#define right A1
#define left A2
#define OK A3
#define up A6
#define down A7

// Define RGB LED pins.
#define redPin 12
#define greenPin 11
#define bluePin 10

// Define the buzzer pin.
#define buzzer 8

// Define the vibration motor pin.
#define vib_motor 9

// Define menu options:
volatile boolean this_week = false;
volatile boolean next_week = false;
volatile boolean previous_week = false;
volatile boolean graphics = false;
volatile boolean activated = false;

// Define the data holders:
int _pot, _right, _left, _OK, _up, _down, selected = 0, x = 0;
String comics_list, _date;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  
  // Control pin settings:
  pinMode(right, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(left, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(OK, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(up, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(down, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(redPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(bluePin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(greenPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(vib_motor, OUTPUT);
  
  // Initiate screen.
  myGLCD.InitLCD();
  myGLCD.setFont(SmallFont);

  // Check for the WiFi module:
  if (WiFi.status() == WL_NO_MODULE) { myGLCD.print("Connection Failed!", 0, 8); myGLCD.update(); while (true); }
  // Attempt to connect to the Wifi network:
  while (status != WL_CONNECTED) {
    myGLCD.print("Waiting...", 0, 8);
    myGLCD.print("Attempting to", 0, 16);
    myGLCD.print("connect to", 0, 24);
    myGLCD.print("WiFi !!!", 0, 32);
    myGLCD.update();
    // Connect to WPA/WPA2 network. Change this line if using open or WEP network:
    status = WiFi.begin(ssid, pass);
    // Wait 10 seconds for connection:
    delay(10000);
  }

  // Verify connection on the Nokia 5110 Screen.
  myGLCD.clrScr();
  myGLCD.print("Connected to", 0, 8);
  myGLCD.print("WiFi!!!", 0, 16);
  myGLCD.update();
  delay(2000);
  myGLCD.clrScr();
  myGLCD.update();
}

void loop() {
  read_controls();
  change_menu_options();
  interface();

  if(this_week == true){
    do{
      myGLCD.invertText(true);
      myGLCD.print("A. This Week", 0, 16);
      myGLCD.invertText(false);
      myGLCD.update();
      adjustColor(255, 0, 255);
      delay(100);
      if(_OK == false){
        myGLCD.clrScr();
        myGLCD.update();
        activated = true;
        // Play the Spider-Man Theme Song:
        myGLCD.print("Playing...", CENTER, 16);
        myGLCD.update();
        play_Melody();
        myGLCD.clrScr();
        myGLCD.update();
        // Get the requested list from the web application:
        make_a_get_request("/New_Comics_Releases/?q=this");
        myGLCD.clrScr();
        myGLCD.update();
        while(activated == true){
          read_controls();
          myGLCD.print("This Week:", 0, 0);
          myGLCD.print(_date, CENTER, 16);
          scrolling_text(comics_list, 32);
          // Exit.
          if(_up == false || _down == false){ activated = false; x = 0; _date = ""; comics_list = ""; myGLCD.clrScr(); myGLCD.update(); }         
        }
      }
    }while(this_week == false);
  }
  
  if(next_week == true){
    do{
      myGLCD.invertText(true);
      myGLCD.print("B. Next Week", 0, 24);
      myGLCD.invertText(false);
      myGLCD.update();
      adjustColor(0, 255, 255);
      delay(100);
      if(_OK == false){
        myGLCD.clrScr();
        myGLCD.update();
        activated = true;
        // Play the Spider-Man Theme Song:
        myGLCD.print("Playing...", CENTER, 16);
        myGLCD.update();
        play_Melody();
        myGLCD.clrScr();
        myGLCD.update();
        // Get the requested list from the web application:
        make_a_get_request("/New_Comics_Releases/?q=next");
        myGLCD.clrScr();
        myGLCD.update();
        while(activated == true){
          read_controls();
          myGLCD.print("Next Week:", 0, 0);
          myGLCD.print(_date, CENTER, 16);
          scrolling_text(comics_list, 32);
          // Exit.
          if(_up == false || _down == false){ activated = false; x = 0; _date = ""; comics_list = ""; myGLCD.clrScr(); myGLCD.update(); }          
        }
      }
    }while(next_week == false);
  }

  if(previous_week == true){
    do{
      myGLCD.invertText(true);
      myGLCD.print("C. Previously", 0, 32);
      myGLCD.invertText(false);
      myGLCD.update();
      adjustColor(255, 255, 0);
      delay(100);
      if(_OK == false){
        myGLCD.clrScr();
        myGLCD.update();
        activated = true;
        // Play the Spider-Man Theme Song:
        myGLCD.print("Playing...", CENTER, 16);
        myGLCD.update();
        play_Melody();
        myGLCD.clrScr();
        myGLCD.update();
        // Get the requested list from the web application:
        make_a_get_request("/New_Comics_Releases/?q=previous");
        myGLCD.clrScr();
        myGLCD.update();
        while(activated == true){
          read_controls();
          myGLCD.print("Previous Week:", 0, 0);
          myGLCD.print(_date, CENTER, 16);
          scrolling_text(comics_list, 32);
          // Exit.
          if(_up == false || _down == false){ activated = false; x = 0; _date = ""; comics_list = ""; myGLCD.clrScr(); myGLCD.update(); }          
        }
      }
    }while(previous_week == false);
  }
  
  if(graphics == true){
    do{
      myGLCD.invertText(true);
      myGLCD.print("D. Graphics", 0, 40);
      myGLCD.invertText(false);
      myGLCD.update();
      adjustColor(0, 255, 0);
      delay(100);
      if(_OK == false){
        myGLCD.clrScr();
        myGLCD.update();
        activated = true;
        while(activated == true){
          read_controls();
          // Define picture queue:
          int pic = map(_pot, 100, 950, 1, 10);
          if(pic == 1) myGLCD.drawBitmap(20,0,spiderman,40,40);
          if(pic == 2) myGLCD.clrScr();
          if(pic == 3) myGLCD.drawBitmap(10,0,batman,60,32);
          if(pic == 4) myGLCD.clrScr();
          if(pic == 5) myGLCD.drawBitmap(2,0,daredevil,80,40);
          if(pic == 6) myGLCD.clrScr();
          if(pic == 7) myGLCD.drawBitmap(12,0,marvel,60,33);
          if(pic == 8) myGLCD.clrScr();
          if(pic == 9) myGLCD.drawBitmap(12,0,superman,60,60);
          if(pic == 10) myGLCD.clrScr();
          myGLCD.update();
          // Exit.
          if(_up == false || _down == false){ activated = false; myGLCD.clrScr(); myGLCD.update(); } 
        }
      }
    }while(graphics == false);
  }
  
}

void read_controls(){
  _pot = analogRead(pot);
  _right = digitalRead(right);
  _left = digitalRead(left);
  _OK = digitalRead(OK);
  _up = digitalRead(up);
  _down = digitalRead(down);  
}

void interface(){
   // Define options.
   myGLCD.print("Get Comics:", 0, 0);
   myGLCD.print("A. This Week", 0, 16);
   myGLCD.print("B. Next Week", 0, 24);
   myGLCD.print("C. Previously", 0, 32);
   myGLCD.print("D. Graphics", 0, 40);
   myGLCD.update();
}

void change_menu_options(){
  // Increase or decrease the option number using Up and Down buttons.
  if(_up == false) { selected++; digitalWrite(vib_motor, HIGH); }
  if(_down == false) { selected--; digitalWrite(vib_motor, HIGH); }
  if(selected < 0) selected = 4;
  if(selected > 4) selected = 1;
  delay(100);
  digitalWrite(vib_motor, LOW);
  // Depending on the selected option number, change boolean status.
  switch(selected){
    case 1:
      this_week = true;
      next_week = false;
      previous_week = false;
      graphics = false;
    break;
    case 2:     
      this_week = false;
      next_week = true;
      previous_week = false;
      graphics = false;
    break;
    case 3:
      this_week = false;
      next_week = false;
      previous_week = true;
      graphics = false;
    break;
    case 4:
      this_week = false;
      next_week = false;
      previous_week = false;
      graphics = true;
    break;
  }
}

void make_a_get_request(String application){
  // Connect to the web application named New_Comics_Releases. Change '80' with '443' if you are using SSL connection.
  if(client.connect(server, 80)){
    // If successful:
    myGLCD.print("Connected to", 0, 8);
    myGLCD.print("the server!!!", 0, 16);
    myGLCD.update();
    // Make an HTTP Get request:
    client.println("GET " + application + " HTTP/1.1");
    client.println("Host: 192.168.1.22");
    client.println("Connection: close");
    client.println();
  }else{
    myGLCD.print("Connection", 0, 8);
    myGLCD.print("Error!!!", 0, 16);
    myGLCD.update();
  }
  delay(2000); // Wait 2 seconds after connection...
  // If there are incoming bytes available, get the response from the web application.
  String response = "";
  while (client.available()) { char c = client.read(); response += c; }
  if(response != "" && response.endsWith("%")){
    // Split the response string by a pre-defined delimiter in a simple way. '%'(percentage) is defined as the delimiter in this project.
    int delimiter_1, delimiter_2, delimiter_3;
    delimiter_1 = response.indexOf("%");
    delimiter_2 = response.indexOf("%", delimiter_1 + 1);
    delimiter_3 = response.indexOf("%", delimiter_2 + 1);
    // Glean information as substrings.
    comics_list = response.substring(delimiter_1 + 1, delimiter_2);
    _date = response.substring(delimiter_2 + 1, delimiter_3);
  }
}

void play_Melody(){
  // Notes in the melody:
  int melody[] = {
    NOTE_C4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_FS4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_C4, NOTE_C4,
    NOTE_DS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_GS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_FS4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_C4,
    NOTE_F4, NOTE_GS4, NOTE_C5, NOTE_B4, NOTE_B4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_C4,
    NOTE_DS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_FS4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_C4, NOTE_GS4, NOTE_G4,
    NOTE_G4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_C4,
    NOTE_C4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_FS4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_C4, NOTE_C4,
    NOTE_DS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_GS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_FS4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_C4,
    NOTE_F4, NOTE_GS4, NOTE_C5, NOTE_B4, NOTE_B4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_C4,
    NOTE_DS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_FS4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_C4, NOTE_GS4, NOTE_G4,
    NOTE_G4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_C4,
    NOTE_G4, NOTE_GS4, NOTE_AS4, NOTE_GS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_DS4,
    NOTE_F4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_D4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_GS4, NOTE_AS4,
    NOTE_GS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_G4,
    NOTE_C4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_FS4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_C4, NOTE_C4,
    NOTE_DS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_GS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_FS4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_C4,
    NOTE_F4, NOTE_GS4, NOTE_C5, NOTE_B4, NOTE_B4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_C4,
    NOTE_DS4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_FS4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_C4, NOTE_GS4, NOTE_G4,
    NOTE_G4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_C4,
    NOTE_G4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_C4, NOTE_G4,
    NOTE_F4, NOTE_DS4, NOTE_F4, NOTE_G4, NOTE_D5
  };
  // Note durations: 4 = quarter note, 8 = eighth note, etc.:
  int noteDurations[] = {
    6, 8, 2, 6, 8, 2, 6,
    8, 6, 8, 8, 6, 6, 2,
    6, 8, 2, 6, 8, 2, 6,
    8, 2, 6, 8, 2, 6, 1,
    8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 1,
    6, 8, 2, 6, 8, 2, 6,
    8, 6, 8, 8, 6, 6, 2,
    6, 8, 2, 6, 8, 2, 6,
    8, 2, 6, 8, 2, 6, 1,
    8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 1,
    6, 8, 2, 6, 2, 6, 8,
    2, 6, 8, 2, 6, 8, 2,
    6, 2, 6, 8, 2, 6, 8, 1,
    6, 8, 2, 6, 8, 2, 6,
    8, 6, 8, 8, 6, 6, 2,
    6, 8, 2, 6, 8, 2, 6,
    8, 2, 6, 8, 2, 6, 1,
    8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 1,
    8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 1, 6,
    6, 8, 6, 6, 1
  };
  // Calculate the length of the melody array:
  int len = sizeof(melody) / sizeof(melody[0]);
  // Play the melody using the given notes and durations:  
  for (int thisNote = 0; thisNote < len; thisNote++) {
    // To calculate the note duration, take one second divided by the note type.
    // e.g. quarter note = 1000 / 4, eighth note = 1000 / 8, etc.
    int noteDuration = 1000 / noteDurations[thisNote];
    tone(buzzer, melody[thisNote], noteDuration);
    // To distinguish the notes, set a minimum time between them.
    // The note's duration + 30% seems to work well:
    int pauseBetweenNotes = noteDuration * 1.30;
    delay(pauseBetweenNotes);
    // Stop the tone playing:
    noTone(buzzer);
  }
}

void scrolling_text(String text, int y){
  int len = text.length();
  // Scroll text using Right and Left buttons.
  if(_right == false) x++;
  if(_left == false) x--;
  if(x>84) x = 84;
  if(x<=-(len*6)) x = -(len*6);
  // Print.
  myGLCD.print(text, x, y);
  myGLCD.update();
  //delay(25);
}

void adjustColor(int red, int green, int blue){
 analogWrite(redPin, red);
 analogWrite(greenPin, green);
 analogWrite(bluePin, blue);
}

index.php (web application)

PHP
<?php

// Define the 'comics' class to print requested comics release lists:
class comics{
	
	public function get_this_week_releases(){
		// Get this week's released comics list from the Shortboxed comics API.
		$new_comics = json_decode(file_get_contents("https://api.shortboxed.com/comics/v1/new"));
		// Print new comics from selected publishers.
		$date;
		echo "%";
		foreach($new_comics->comics as $comic){
			if($comic->publisher == "MARVEL COMICS" || $comic->publisher == "DC COMICS" /*|| $comic->publisher == "IMAGE COMICS"*/){
				echo $comic->publisher.", ".$comic->title." **** ";	
				$date = $comic->release_date;
			}
		}
		echo "%".$date."%";
	}
	
	public function get_previous_week_releases(){
		// Get previous week's released comics list from the Shortboxed comics API.
		$previous_comics = json_decode(file_get_contents("https://api.shortboxed.com/comics/v1/previous"));
		// Print comics from selected publishers.
		$date;
		echo "%";
		foreach($previous_comics->comics as $comic){
			if($comic->publisher == "MARVEL COMICS" || $comic->publisher == "DC COMICS" /*|| $comic->publisher == "IMAGE COMICS"*/){
				echo $comic->publisher.", ".$comic->title." **** ";	
				$date = $comic->release_date;
			}
		}
		echo "%".$date."%";
	}
	
	public function get_next_week_releases(){
		// Get next week's comics list from the Shortboxed comics API.
		$next_comics = json_decode(file_get_contents("https://api.shortboxed.com/comics/v1/future"));
		// Print comics from selected publishers.
		$date;
		echo "%";
		foreach($next_comics->comics as $comic){
			if($comic->publisher == "MARVEL COMICS" || $comic->publisher == "DC COMICS" /*|| $comic->publisher == "IMAGE COMICS"*/){
				echo $comic->publisher.", ".$comic->title." **** ";	
				$date = $comic->release_date;
			}
		}
		echo "%".$date."%";
	}
}

// Define a new object for the 'comics' class:
$releases = new comics();
// Print the requested comics release list by the device - this week, previous week, or next week.
if(isset($_GET["q"]) && $_GET["q"] != ""){
	if ($_GET["q"] == "this") $releases->get_this_week_releases();
	if ($_GET["q"] == "previous") $releases->get_previous_week_releases();
	if ($_GET["q"] == "next") $releases->get_next_week_releases();
}

?>

pitches.h

Arduino
/*************************************************

 * Public Constants

 *************************************************/

#define NOTE_B0  31
#define NOTE_C1  33
#define NOTE_CS1 35
#define NOTE_D1  37
#define NOTE_DS1 39
#define NOTE_E1  41
#define NOTE_F1  44
#define NOTE_FS1 46
#define NOTE_G1  49
#define NOTE_GS1 52
#define NOTE_A1  55
#define NOTE_AS1 58
#define NOTE_B1  62
#define NOTE_C2  65
#define NOTE_CS2 69
#define NOTE_D2  73
#define NOTE_DS2 78
#define NOTE_E2  82
#define NOTE_F2  87
#define NOTE_FS2 93
#define NOTE_G2  98
#define NOTE_GS2 104
#define NOTE_A2  110
#define NOTE_AS2 117
#define NOTE_B2  123
#define NOTE_C3  131
#define NOTE_CS3 139
#define NOTE_D3  147
#define NOTE_DS3 156
#define NOTE_E3  165
#define NOTE_F3  175
#define NOTE_FS3 185
#define NOTE_G3  196
#define NOTE_GS3 208
#define NOTE_A3  220
#define NOTE_AS3 233
#define NOTE_B3  247
#define NOTE_C4  262
#define NOTE_CS4 277
#define NOTE_D4  294
#define NOTE_DS4 311
#define NOTE_E4  330
#define NOTE_F4  349
#define NOTE_FS4 370
#define NOTE_G4  392
#define NOTE_GS4 415
#define NOTE_A4  440
#define NOTE_AS4 466
#define NOTE_B4  494
#define NOTE_C5  523
#define NOTE_CS5 554
#define NOTE_D5  587
#define NOTE_DS5 622
#define NOTE_E5  659
#define NOTE_F5  698
#define NOTE_FS5 740
#define NOTE_G5  784
#define NOTE_GS5 831
#define NOTE_A5  880
#define NOTE_AS5 932
#define NOTE_B5  988
#define NOTE_C6  1047
#define NOTE_CS6 1109
#define NOTE_D6  1175
#define NOTE_DS6 1245
#define NOTE_E6  1319
#define NOTE_F6  1397
#define NOTE_FS6 1480
#define NOTE_G6  1568
#define NOTE_GS6 1661
#define NOTE_A6  1760
#define NOTE_AS6 1865
#define NOTE_B6  1976
#define NOTE_C7  2093
#define NOTE_CS7 2217
#define NOTE_D7  2349
#define NOTE_DS7 2489
#define NOTE_E7  2637
#define NOTE_F7  2794
#define NOTE_FS7 2960
#define NOTE_G7  3136
#define NOTE_GS7 3322
#define NOTE_A7  3520
#define NOTE_AS7 3729
#define NOTE_B7  3951
#define NOTE_C8  4186
#define NOTE_CS8 4435
#define NOTE_D8  4699
#define NOTE_DS8 4978

Credits

Kutluhan Aktar

Kutluhan Aktar

82 projects β€’ 307 followers
AI & Full-Stack Developer | @EdgeImpulse | @Particle | Maker | Independent Researcher

Comments