metronome/pico-cp/README.md
Me Here 111da49b5a PM_K-1 CircuitPython: fix MemoryError + red/blue swap (from on-board test)
On hardware the app rendered, beeped and took input, then died with MemoryError at
the text Bitmap alloc — the two ~37KB base64 font strings stayed pinned in RAM. Move
the fonts to small binary files read at boot (font_m.bin / font_l.bin), drop the
base64 + binascii, and gc.collect() before each text bitmap. code.py 56KB -> 20KB and
RAM use drops ~37KB+. Also: cyan rendered as yellow (R/B swapped) -> MADCTL 0x40 -> 0x48.
Bundle + README updated to include the font blobs. (LED still needs the neopixel lib.)

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-05-28 21:30:03 -05:00

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# PM_K1 "Kit" — CircuitPython edition (USB drive + editor)
The **CircuitPython** firmware for the 52Pi EP0172 Pico kit. Unlike the MicroPython version
(`../pico/main.py`), this makes the Pico mount as a **USB drive (`CIRCUITPY`)** that carries the
firmware and your tracks — so you can edit on the web and reprogram it without Thonny. It runs the
same programstring language as <https://metronome.varasys.io>.
> **Status: experimental, phase 1.** This drives the screen/touch/joystick/buzzer and reads your
> grooves from `programs.json`. The editor's oneclick "Save to device" and USBMIDI audiotocomputer
> are landing in later phases. The simpler **MicroPython** firmware (`../pico/main.py`) remains the
> rocksolid fallback — and the Pico can't be bricked (BOOTSEL → drag a MicroPython `.uf2` back).
## Install
1. **Flash CircuitPython:** hold **BOOTSEL**, plug in, and drop the CircuitPython `.uf2` for your board
onto the `RPIRP2` drive (<https://circuitpython.org/board/raspberry_pi_pico/> — or the Pico 2 / W
build). It reboots and a **`CIRCUITPY`** drive appears.
2. **Copy everything from the bundle** onto `CIRCUITPY` (draganddrop — it's a normal drive now):
- `code.py` (this firmware — runs on boot)
- `programs.json` (your grooves)
- `font_m.bin`, `font_l.bin` (the antialiased fonts — kept as files to save RAM)
3. It starts immediately. Editing `programs.json` (or resaving it from the editor) makes CircuitPython
**autoreload** with the new tracks.
## Controls (same as the MicroPython build)
- **Touch:** onscreen `◀◀ / ▶ / ▶▶` (prev · play/stop · next) and ` / TAP / +`.
- **Joystick:** up/down = tempo, left/right = previous/next groove.
- **Button A (GP15)** play/stop · **Button B (GP14)** tap tempo.
- **RGB LED** flashes each beat; **buzzer** clicks (accent/normal/ghost).
## programs.json
```json
{ "title": "PolyMeter",
"programs": [ { "name": "Four on the floor", "prog": "t120;kick:4;snare:4=.x.x;hatClosed:4/2" } ] }
```
Each `prog` is a program string from the web editor. Add/replace entries and save — the device reloads.
## Calibration (flip flags at the top of `code.py`)
- **Red/blue swapped:** flip `MADCTL` between `0x48` (default) and `0x40`.
- **Colours look negative:** toggle `INVERT_COLORS`.
- **Taps land wrong:** set `TOUCH_DEBUG = True`, watch the serial output, then set
`TOUCH_SWAP_XY` / `TOUCH_INVERT_X` / `TOUCH_INVERT_Y`.
- **Joystick reversed:** toggle `JOY_INVERT_X` / `JOY_INVERT_Y`.
- **Screen blank / garbled:** the panel lot may differ; drop `SPI_BAUD`, and if it's a 240×320 ILI9341
instead of the 320×480 ST7796, the init/size need changing (this targets the 320×480 you have).
- **No RGB LED:** the WS2812 needs the `neopixel` library on `CIRCUITPY/lib` (`circup install neopixel`)
— everything else works without it.
If `code.py` ever errors, CircuitPython prints the traceback **on the screen and over USB serial**
copy that to me and I'll fix it.
The fonts are the same baked antialiased blobs as the MicroPython build (see `../pico/gen_font.py`).