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www.RomanBlack.com

[ Software ] [ Designs ] [ Robot/CNC ] [ Math ] [ Cool ] [ Products ] [ Electronics ] [ Other ] [ History ] [ Hippyware License ]
Last Updated 8th Feb 2008



Am I good or evil? As all things are nothing,
I think of myself as something akin to a Jedi,
remaining outside the circle of affection
and closer tuned to "the force",
ruled by Honour and dominated by none.


News!

April 2004 to Feb 2008. Made some changes and added some new items I wrote from 2004 to now. How time flies. Most of this page is now updated, things with icon are either totally new here or major re-writes. My original pages are basically the same with some minor re-writes and cosmetic improvements.
Most of my work on this page is Hippyware unless marked Copyright or otherwise.


Software

Feb 2008 - new version 2.0! SuperFind 2.0 (for Windows) A super-fast file finder program, SuperFind is a very handy tool to find any file or quantity of files on your PC instantly.

HexCon 1.0 (for Windows) A programmers helper, HexCon is a small fast tool to convert between Decimal-Hex-Binary. It can also display PC keyboard codes.

ToMetric 1.0 (for Dos) A fast and accurate imperial-metric converter for Gerber files, ToMetric is suitable for CAD and PCB Gerber files.

Feb 2008 - new version 2.0! BTc PICsound One-bit sound recording/playback on a PIC One of my best works, this is PC software that displays a 8-bit mono sound file (.WAV file) and ENCODES it into a 1-bit bitstream! The bitstream can be played back very simply on any PIC or other micro with one digital output pin and one resistor and capacitor (RC network). Now updated to v2.0 BTc Encoder will resample .WAV frequency and playback rates, also has improved support for different .WAV formats.

EE-Draw 1.0 for Dos EEDraw is software that lets you draw circuit diagrams, flowcharts etc with the mouse, but the picture is actually made of TEXT symbols and can be saved as a normal text file! This is ideal for adding diagrams inside your text emails and allows the use of diagrams on mailing lists where attachments are not allowed.

Feb 2008. A Binary Clock for Windows! Here is a working binary clock that runs under Windows and uses my Black-Standard for easy-readable binary clocks. I have also provided my source code for Borland C++ Builder in case you want to make your own Windows binary clock.

Feb 2008. A Random Number Generator This is Windows software to generate 1mbyte of pure random data and/or generate a sequence of random numbers to your spec. It generates random data using my algorithm seen here; Black RNG Engine.


Copyrighted Designs

(Nothing Here Yet)


Robot / CNC

Measuring Stepper Motors Apparatus that can be quickly put together to measure the torque and phase angle of stepper motors.

Feb 2008. Good CNC Designs I have found Here are a few examples of well-designed CNC setups, some commercial, some Home CNC. I have commented on the designs.


Algorithm - Math - Theory

Zero-error 1 second timer algorithm for PIC Based on Bresenham's algorithm, my implementation will generate a 1 second (or other) timer period from ANY frequency crystal or ANY frequency interrupt. An obvious use is to add a one-second clock pulse to an existing design that has an "imperfect" crystal like 4MHz etc. PIC source code supplied.

The BTc 1-bit sound encoding algorithm and variants. A re-write of my BTc Binary Time Constant sound encoding/compression algorithm first released in 2001/2002.

The ELK Theory - Totally unbreakable encryption. This is my ELK Theory, Excessive Length Keyword - a simple method of encrypting data in a way that is absolutely unbreakable if the data is intercepted.

Feb 2008. "The Black-Standard" for binary clocks. This is my standard for easily viewable binary clocks. An adaptation of pure binary display in hours/quarters/minutes in a form more easily utilised as a practical clock display.

Feb 2008. "The Black RNG Engine" An algorithm I developed to generate pure entropic data (random numbers) for use in encryption and probability (predictive) systems.


Cool things I have made

Feb 2008. Click HERE to see them... Here are some pictures and brief descriptions of stuff I have made.
- RC Servo tester - Precision temp-controlled Hotplate -


Products for Sale!

Feb 2008. Kits to build Black Standard Binary Clocks! I have a limited number of kits available for sale to binary clock enthusiasts. Get in quick!


Electronics

LiniStepper - stepper motor microstep driver board Based on a microstep driver I created for my own use, this is now an open-source project; circuit, PCB and full PIC software. A very high performance stepper motor driver at a great price.

High efficiency 2-transistor SMPS Black regulator A cheap simple circuit that can replace 3-pin voltage regulators (like the 7805) and gives SMPS efficiency. Can be used as a high-efficiency 12v to 5v converter or 24v to 12v converter.

Feb 2008. Make a OCXO (xtal oven) for $1 Using just one transistor and a cheap NTC thermistor this little circuit keeps a crystal at a regulated temperature so it can be used to drive a high accuracy real-time clock.

DC Motor Encoder - measures motor speed This one-transistor design can provide a simple speed signal from any cheap DC motor by sensing the commutator ripple as the motor turns.

DC Motor Over-Current Sensor This cheap reliable one-transistor circuit activates a digital output and LED when the Motor (or other device) draws current that exceeds the (adjustable) limit.

12-key Keypad to PIC using just 3 pins! Needs only 7 resistors, 3 caps and some PIC code and allows connection of a telephone style 12-key keypad to a PIC with only 3 PIC pins needed. Ideal for making a remote control with the cheapest PICs.

$10 Eprom Eraser - simple 4watt fluoro tube driver Suitable for any 4 watt (5") fluorescent tube and 240v AC mains, this is a very cheap and simple way to light up the tube.

Self (power) switch a PIC or other micro This is a really cheap and SIMPLE way to turn ON a PIC or other micro with one button push, then the PIC can turn itself OFF when the task is completed and in the off state the circuit uses NO POWER. Ideal for battery operated gizmos like remotes etc.

Simple +5v to +13v converter A simple 2 transistor circuit generates +13.3v from a +5v supply. Useful for hobby PIC programmers that need +13v for MCLR Vp. May also be useful to drive old memory chips that need +5v and +12v supplies.

2-Speed clock for PIC or other micro This idea allows a PIC or other micro to switch between 2 clock speeds using one of it's digital output pins. The PIC runs at a very low speed to conserve power and instantly speeds up when needed to perform tasks.


Other People's Work

PCBTemp 1.0 (for Windows) This handy freeware calculator from UltraCAD www.ultracad.com allows you to calc the temp of a PCB track for a given current, and I show you a way to calculate and create low-ohms resistors by using tracks on the PCB itself.

Unit Converter (for Windows) This handy freeware calculator from QuadLock www.quadlock.com converts between most common standards. Need to convert oz/in to kg/cm? Or convert between calories-hp-joules-watts? Great little program.


About Me

Feb 2008 (coming soon)... My Resume / Skills / About me... Who the hell is Roman Black??


Hippyware License;

  • Use my software or info for free if you like, even corporate
  • Pay me $10 (or more) if you choose
  • Please get my permission before publishing or reproducing any of my work
  • Please respect a decent Copyright ethic and mention me if you use my work
  • Be excellent to each other!


    The problem with works of great vision
    is that they run the risk
    of being seen as gobbledygook
    by those without equal vision.


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