====== Digital Splitflap Number Screen ======

This project is meant to give a base for further development of a simple screen that just shows a number. This can be used to show customers which one is next. It does not rely on any other third-party services.

===== Idea =====

A screen hangs somewhere prominent in a room. It has some sort of small computer attached running software to drive the display. A worker has a small controller that connects to the display (or rather the computer). With the controller, he can control the number displayed.

===== Solution =====

{{ https://raw.githubusercontent.com/SirSundays/Simple-Digital-Number-Screen/main/media/InAction.gif?400|InAction}}

The GIF shows not the latest version. The clock is disabled by default and I removed all the letters so the split-flap is only going through all the numbers.

==== Screen ====

I choose a 27-inch 1080p monitor that was under 200€. The only things really of interest were the size and good viewing angles.

==== Computer ====

As a computer, I choose the (now new) Raspberry Pi Zero 2. It definitely has enough horsepower to run a little application to display numbers. 
It also runs the {{https://raspap.com/|RaspAP}} software. Which makes the Raspberry Pi a small router. It is a bit overkill but works flawlessly. It just creates a WiFi Hotspot for the controller to connect to. So it is independent of other hardware.

==== Number display software ====

I choose to write my own little software for that. More information can be found here: {{https://github.com/SirSundays/Simple-Digital-Number-Screen/tree/main/frontend%2Bserver|Link to the Readme}}
The software is autostarted by the Raspberry. This article by Lucas Vogel helped with some best practices:
https://lucas-vogel.de/blog/perfect-electron/

==== Controller ====

{{ https://raw.githubusercontent.com/SirSundays/Simple-Digital-Number-Screen/main/media/ControllerDisplay01.jpg?400|Controller}}

The controller consists of an ESP8266 with a battery, a rotary encoder, and a small display. All together in a 3d-printed housing. More information can be found here:
{{https://github.com/SirSundays/Simple-Digital-Number-Screen/tree/main/controller|Link to the Readme}}

===== Github =====

The whole documentation can be found in this GitHub Repository:
https://github.com/SirSundays/Simple-Digital-Number-Screen