Recommendations of boards

Issues (in order of difficulty):

1. Identify main board for the Media box unit

The board should:

  • be compatible with USB host shield, or be able to act as a USB host - Due is the only board for the latter option
  • be able to appear as a native keyboard (32U4 or SAMD microprocessor boards) - Leonardo, Esplora, Zero, Due and MKR Family
  • be compatible with HX711 (or similar) load sensor modules
  • work with RFID module
  • not break the bank as there are going to be a number of Media boxes per setting
  • be as small as possible as space is at premium at some of the settings

Key deliverable here is fast process where Media box should:

  • using a barcode scanner scan a barcode on CD/DVD case
  • for each scanned product - read load sensor to count number of discs (Q) placed onto Media box disc holder - discs weigh 16g each so it should be achievable
  • write barcode and Q onto NFC sticker attached to the Media box
  • via Keyboard.write() pass barcode to laptop/pc where EPOS system runs
  • update crystal display at each stage until scanning is complete

2. Identify main board for the Main unit.

Here a fairly standard board should be sufficient such as UNO - may be Due as speed is more crucial for the Main unit. Main unit carries out a 10 or so step process to archive discs without cases. These steps involve reading NFC data, activating steppers/servos and updating crystal display - so nothing out of ordinary.

I started on (1) but got stuck in implementation of software USB keyboard simulation using V-USB. Another option was to go through amending bootloader program as explained in HID Project, but it seemed too much to go through for a novice like me.