CalSci

CalSci

CalSci is a programmable scientific calculator made for engineers. Made for Engineers by Engineers.

Calculator App

Graph App, showing the graph of y=x*sin(x)

But CalSci is not limited to calculations and plotting graphs.

CalSci have GPIO pins on top, which you can use to connect to sensors and take readings from them.

GPIO Pins, for connecting sensors

Ultrasonic Sensor App, showing distance from the wall

DHT11 App, showing temperature and humidity

Programs in CalSci are like apps in your phone.

Menu of Installed Apps, these apps are installed by the user

Similarly you have an App Menu on phone

Just like mobile phone apps you can download apps on CalSci made for certain task from our online app store.

CalSci App Store, through browser you can download apps on CalSci

You can install tens of apps in CalSci from our appstore for various sensors and mathematical operations.

CalSci is equipped with wifi which you can use to connect to internet and run online applications like this Mymolecule search app:

Mymolecule App, showing the Chemical formula of sugar

But what if the app which you want does not exist in our appstore?

We have a proper SDK in python which you can use to make your own apps in python.

CalSci SDK in Python

The SDK includes a set of modules required for building an app and a simulator upon which you can first test the app before uploading it in your CalSci. The SDK can be downloaded as a python package or via VS Code Extension Marketplace.

Modules required for building apps in CalSci

CalSci Simulator, under development

You can change the configuration of your CalSci from the Settings App.

Settings App, showing various configurations

Like Backlight, Dark Mode, wifi connection, auto sleep and can check the battery status as well.

Backlight Turned OFF

Dark Mode turned ON

Wifi App scanning nearby networks

Auto Sleep App

Battery Status App

If you want to make your own App you can see the example below:

add_2_nums: this app will take 2 numbers as inputs, add them and will show you the result.

add_2_nums App

add_2_nums App, adding 2 numbers and showing the result

code :

add_2_nums.py

from data_modules.object_handler import keypad_state_manager

def add_2_nums():
   form.input_list={"inp_0": " ", "inp_1": " "}
   form.form_list = ["addition", "1st num", "inp_0", "2nd num", "inp_1"]
   form.update()
   display.clear_display()
   form_refresh.refresh()

   while True:
       inp = typer.start_typing()
       if inp == "back":
           app.set_app_name("installed_apps")
           app.set_group_name("root")
           break
      
       elif inp == "ok":
           try:
               num1=form.inp_list()["inp_0"]      
               num2=form.inp_list()["inp_1"]
               nums_sum=" = "+str(float(num1)+float(num2))
               form.form_list.append(nums_sum)
               form.update()
               form.update_buffer("nav_u")
               form_refresh.refresh()
           except:
               form.form_list.append(" = error")
               form.update()
               form.update_buffer("nav_u")
               form_refresh.refresh()
          
       elif inp == "alpha" or inp == "beta":
           keypad_state_manager(x=inp)
           form.update_buffer("")

       elif inp not in ["alpha", "beta", "ok"]:
           form.update_buffer(inp)
       form_refresh.refresh(state=nav.current_state())

Explanation:

from data_modules.object_handler import keypad_state_manager

Importing keypad_state_manager, its responsible for changing the state of the keypad into alpha and beta mode.

def add_2_nums():
   form.input_list={"inp_0": " ", "inp_1": " "}
   form.form_list = ["addition", "1st num", "inp_0", "2nd num", "inp_1"]
   form.update()
   display.clear_display()
   form_refresh.refresh()

Defining the app main function name add_2_nums.

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Initializing form buffer,

Form.input_list — this is a dictionary which is used to store data provided by the user in the input field in a form

The keys of the dictionary need to be in the format of “inp_0”, “inp_1”, “inp_2”, …

The values need to be a space or some other character/string

Form.form_list — this is a list where you define the labels and the input fields which are going to be shown on the display in the exact same order as you mention here.

If any item in form.form_list is “inp_0”, “inp_1”, … then it is considered as an input field and an input field appears on the display.

If the item is not an input field, then it is considered as a label, which is shown only as a text item on the screen.

form.update() — after you change the input_list and form_list you need to update the form which resets every other parameter like your cursor position in the screen, etc.

display.clear_display() — it clears the display

form_refresh.refresh() — it projects all the data in the form to the display and your app becomes visible.

   while True:
       inp = typer.start_typing()

while True: — The app loop, it will keep the app running forever until you exit from the app

typer.star_typing() — start listening to keyboard events and returns the key pressed

       if inp == "back":
           app.set_app_name("installed_apps")
           app.set_group_name("root")
           break

If inp == “back”: — the event handler started, this conditional statement will execute if the user presses back button in the keypad

app.set_app_name(“installed_apps”) — setting the name of the app which needs to be open next

app.set_group_name(“root”) — setting the group name in which the app is present which needs to be open next

Break — you exit from this app and the app which you set in the above 2 lines will run next

       elif inp == "ok":
           try:
               num1=form.inp_list()["inp_0"]      
               num2=form.inp_list()["inp_1"]
               nums_sum=" = "+str(float(num1)+float(num2))
               form.form_list.append(nums_sum)
               form.update()
               form.update_buffer("nav_u")
               form_refresh.refresh()
           except:
               form.form_list.append(" = error")
               form.update()
               form.update_buffer("nav_u")
               form_refresh.refresh()

This action is performed when the user hits ok in the keypad

form.inp_list() — this function gives out the entire dictionary of the inputs which are being given be the user in the input field.

form.form_list.append(nums_sum) — inserting nums_sum item in the end of the form_list

form.update_buffer(“nav_u”) — this function is used to give commands to the form and “nav_u” means giving command of pressing up button in the keypad to the form app

Before giving this command the form.update() function was called which resets the cursor and all other parameters.

So after doing “nav_u” from the top line the user will reach the last line of the form app where we just appended the result.

Then form_refresh.refresh() which shown the all the stuff on the display

If some error comes here then the except block will be executed

       elif inp == "alpha" or inp == "beta":
           keypad_state_manager(x=inp)
           form.update_buffer("")


       elif inp not in ["alpha", "beta", "ok"]:
           form.update_buffer(inp)
       form_refresh.refresh(state=nav.current_state())

The event handling for changing the state of the keypad and general keypad inputs like navigation, entering text and all.

This code needs to be present at the end of every form application which helps in changing the keypad state and doing all the internal navigation in the form app.

to learn more visit www.calsci.io

Thank You

Shoubhik Saha

Project Lead at CalSci

4th Year Student

Btech, Department of Mechanical Engineering

National Institute of Technology Agartala

Contact: hellosobik@gmail.com