📤 WEEK 9: OUTPUT DEVICES

Actuators, displays, and systems that respond to the world.

Output Device Integration

This week focused on controlling output devices and actuators using microcontroller boards. Explored thermal printing, multi-device coordination, and real-time feedback systems.

Note: For this output devices assignment, I am featuring the thermal printer (NuPrint 210) that I scavenged from the MIT mailroom and have integrated into my final project. This thermal printer serves as my primary output device, allowing text and imagery to be printed in real-time through microcontroller control.

Documentation & Media

Thermal printer integration, output control, and device communication

connecting the pi to the proprietary PCB on the thermal printer
connecting the pi to the proprietary PCB on the thermal printer
Testing output
Testing output
Testing output
Testing output

Control Code

Thermal printer control implementation

def print_thermal(text, image_path=None):
    """Control thermal printer output"""
    # Initialize printer connection
    printer.begin()
    
    # Print text with thermal control
    printer.println(text)
    
    # Print image if provided
    if image_path:
        img = Image.open(image_path)
        printer.printImage(img, LargeRender=True)
    
    # Feed and cut paper
    printer.feed(1)
    printer.println("")
    
    return True

# Device selection and output coordination
def select_output_device(device_type):
    """Route output to appropriate device"""
    devices = {
        'thermal': print_thermal,
        'display': display_text,
        'led': control_led
    }
    return devices.get(device_type)
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