PicoCalc MicroPython

A MicroPython firmware and script collection for the Clockwork Pi PicoCalc handheld device, powered by the Raspberry Pi Pico 2W. With this you can:

• Drive the 320×320 LCD display
• Read the membrane keyboard
• Browse a simple VF-terminal interface
• Run SD-card scripts (synth, sample player, tests…)
• Flash a ready-to-use UF2 image

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📂 Repository Structure

MicroPython/
├── boot.py                     ← main boot script
├── Client_Code/                ← BLE client applications
│   ├── PicoCalc_Client_BLE.py  ← BLE client for PicoCalc
│   └── picocalc_client_config.json ← client configuration
├── firmware/                   ← prebuilt UF2 firmware images
│   └── picocalc_micropython_pico2w.uf2
├── modules/                    ← custom MicroPython modules
│   ├── checksd.py             ← SD card verification
│   ├── colorer.py             ← syntax highlighting
│   ├── default_style.py       ← default color schemes
│   ├── enhanced_sd.py         ← enhanced SD operations
│   ├── flush.py               ← module flushing utilities
│   ├── highlighter.py         ← code highlighting
│   ├── mkdir.py               ← directory creation
│   ├── picocalc.py            ← main PicoCalc module
│   ├── picocalc_system.py     ← system utilities
│   ├── py_run.py              ← script execution
│   ├── pye.py                 ← text editor
│   ├── sdcard.py              ← SD card operations
│   └── vt.py                  ← terminal emulation
├── pico_sdk_import.cmake       ← CMake SDK import
├── picocalcdisplay/            ← display driver & graphics
│   ├── font6x8e500.h
│   ├── micropython.cmake
│   ├── micropython.mk
│   ├── picocalcdisplay.c
│   └── picocalcdisplay.h
├── sd/
│   └── py_scripts/             ← application scripts
│       ├── FoxHunt_competition.py ← ARDF competition scanner
│       ├── FoxHunt_lite.py     ← lightweight fox hunting
│       ├── NetworkTools.py     ← unified network tools launcher
│       ├── PicoBLE.py          ← Bluetooth Low Energy tools
│       ├── ProxiScan_3.0.py    ← advanced proximity scanner
│       ├── ProxiScan_compact.py ← compact proximity scanner
│       ├── README.md           ← py_scripts documentation
│       ├── WiFiManager.py      ← WiFi connection management
│       ├── archive/            ← archived script versions
│       │   ├── ProxiScan_v1.py
│       │   ├── ProxiScan_v2.py
│       │   ├── README.md
│       │   └── WiFiManager_classic.py
│       ├── brad.py             ← utility functions
│       ├── flush_menu.py       ← menu system utilities
│       ├── picocalc_ollama.py  ← Ollama LLM integration
│       ├── sd_chk.py           ← SD card health checker
│       ├── sim.py              ← device simulator
│       ├── start_ollama.sh     ← Ollama server startup
│       ├── synth.py            ← advanced synthesizer
│       └── tetris.py           ← Tetris game with sound
├── sd_chk.py                   ← SD check utility
├── vtterminal/                 ← VT100 terminal emulator
│   ├── font6x8.h
│   ├── micropython.cmake
│   ├── micropython.mk
│   ├── vtterminal.c
│   └── vtterminal.h
└── README.md                   ← you are here

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⚙️ Installation

1. Enter BOOTSEL mode & flash UF2

1. Power off your PicoCalc (unplug USB).
2. Press and hold the BOOTSEL button on the Pico 2W module.
3. While holding, connect the PicoCalc to your computer via USB.
4. Release BOOTSEL once you see a new removable drive named RPI-RP2.
5. On that drive, drag and drop MicroPython-PicoCalc-Pico2W.uf2 from the firmware/ folder.
   • You can find the latest build at MicroPython/firmware/MicroPython-PicoCalc-Pico2W.uf2.
6. The PicoCalc will reboot automatically and appear as a MicroPython REPL over USB.

Troubleshooting:

• If you don’t see RPI-RP2, ensure you’re holding the correct BOOTSEL button on the Pico 2W.
• On Windows, install the Raspberry Pi UF2 driver if needed.

2. Copy Modules & Scripts

1. Format an SD card to FAT32 and insert it into the PicoCalc’s SD slot.
2. On the Pico’s REPL (via Thonny or another serial terminal), create /modules/ and /sd/py_scripts/ folders if they don’t exist (On the PicoCalc):

   import os
   os.mkdir('modules') if 'modules' not in os.listdir() else None
   os.mount(sdcard, '/sd')   # if not auto-mounted
   os.mkdir('/sd/py_scripts') if 'py_scripts' not in os.listdir('/sd') else None

3. Using Thonny’s File → Upload or your OS file explorer:
   • Copy everything in modules/ (e.g. picocalcdisplay/, pico_keyboard.py) into the Pico’s /modules/ directory.
   • Copy sd/py_scripts/ into the SD card’s /sd/py_scripts/ folder.

3. Boot & Run

• Power cycle the PicoCalc (Turn off then remove micro usb then plug in and power on).
• A menu from boot.py will appear on the 320×320 screen:
  1. Simulator (sim.py)
  2. Synth engine (synth.py)
  3. Test routines (test_script.py)
     R: Reload menu F: Flush & reload modules X: Exit to REPL

Press the corresponding key on the membrane keyboard to launch your script.

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🚀 Usage

• Menu Navigation:

  • 1: Run the simulator (py_scripts/sim.py)
  • 2: Run the synth engine (py_scripts/synth.py)
  • 3: Run test routines (py_scripts/test_script.py)
  • R: Reload the menu
  • F: Flush & reload all modules
  • X: Exit to the REPL

• Writing Your Own Scripts
  Drop additional .py files into /sd/py_scripts/. They’ll automatically show up in the menu.

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🙏 Credits

This project builds on and incorporates code from the PicoCalc-micropython-driver by zenodante, notably:

• The 320×320 LCD display driver
• The membrane keyboard scanning logic
• The prebuilt UF2–style MicroPython image

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🛠️ Dependencies

• MicroPython for RP2350 (tested with Raspberry Pi Pico 2W, MicroPython v1.19.1)
• Clockwork Pi PicoCalc hardware (320×320 LCD, membrane keyboard, SD-card slot)

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📄 License

This project is released under the MIT License. Feel free to use, modify, and distribute!

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✉️ Contact

For questions or feedback, open an issue find me on:

• IG: [https://www.instagram.com/lofifren/]
• YT: [https://www.youtube.com/@lofifren]

Tip: After flashing the UF2, make sure the SD-card is properly seated and formatted FAT32. Enjoy tinkering!