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Project Patchouli: Open-source electromagnetic drawing tablet hardware (patchouli.readthedocs.io)

461 points by ffin · 287 days ago · 49 comments on HN

Article summary

Project Patchouli is an open-source electromagnetic drawing tablet hardware implementation that aims to provide a comprehensive documentation of EMR technology. The project includes a coil array, an RF front end, and digital signal processing algorithms, and is compatible with most commercial pens from different vendors. The project's goal is to offer an ultra-low-latency pen input experience for customized hardware projects. The project is sponsored by the NLnet Foundation NGI Zero Core Fund and is licensed under various open-source licenses.

Main themes

  • Open-source hardware
  • Electromagnetic drawing tablets
  • EMR technology
  • Reverse engineering
  • Electronics education
  • Hardware development

What commenters say

  • The project is a great example of open-source innovation and has the potential to disrupt the commercial drawing tablet market.
  • Learning electronics can be done through hands-on experience and reverse engineering, rather than just through textbooks and formal education.
  • Some commenters believe that the project's use of EMR technology may be encumbered by patents, while others argue that key patents have expired.
  • The project's implementation of a 3D mouse could be a potential area of interest, but may also be limited by latency issues and feature limitations.
  • Using a drawing tablet can be a useful tool for work, particularly for sketching ideas and understanding complex concepts before implementing them in code.
  • Some users have found success in using drawing tablets as a replacement for traditional input devices, such as mice and trackballs, due to their comfort and accuracy.
  • The discontinuation of support for older devices by companies like Wacom can be a problem for users, who may need to seek alternative solutions or downgrade to older drivers.
  • The project's documentation and implementation can serve as a valuable resource for those looking to learn about electronics and hardware development.