Introduction: Tactile Kindle Remote Control (without Jailbreak)

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Tipping incessantly with your finger on your Kindle screen (or on any other ebook reader) is really ennoying, isn't it?...

Today, there are few available options:

  • No Amazon remote control available... BOO
  • Old kindle version (with hard buttons) allow to hack some wires inside the Kindle and to remote 2 switches.
    It requires to "open" the shell... BOO
  • Newer versions don't allow such straight hack.
    More elaborated workaround are yet possible:
    - but it requires to jailbreak the Kindle... BOO
    - to use a smartphone in conjunction of the Kindle... BOO

    It's too complicated!

Here is a solution which is

  • cheap,
  • simple,
  • working in any position,
  • DIY mechanical approach :-)
  • hence compatible with any touch screen ebook reader (Kindle, Globo, tablet, smartphone...)

Step 1: Shopping List <10€

here is the shopping list of the required items:

  • 2x micro 5V DC actuators (solenoïd) 1€ each

  • 1 remote control 2€

  • "touch screen stylus" 0,30 €/2pcs

  • Battery 9V

  • Breadboard module power supply (Mb102) 0,7€
    to convert 9V to 5V

  • Transistor TIP120
  • Resistor 6K42
  • Diode 1N4007
  • material to build a small box


Optional: you can purchase or build a flexible arm "lazy bed"

Optional: you can purchase or build foot pedals

Step 2: Principles

    Steps:

    1. Pressing the remote control's button send an order to the receiver
    2. The receiver has a dedicated logical pin for each buttons of the Remote Control Unit.
      When button A is pressed on the Remote Control Unit, the pin A shifts from 0 to 1 (5V)
    3. This shift triggers the actuator via a transistor. The transistor is protected from high voltage solenoïd's kick back by a "flyback" diode.

    Technical data:

    Solenoïd actuator

    The solenoïd has a stroke of about 2.5mm and we'll use a lever to increase the distance.

    The force's strength is about 250g (2.5 N): that will be more than needed. Minimal force to activate the tactile screen of Paper White is : xxx

    The lever will reduce the force to an unharful level.

    A smooth end will be used to preserve the tactile screen.

    Step 3: Electronic Design

    Dimensionning:

    • Transistor

    Solenoïd needs a 350 mA current

    The remote control decoder (PT2272) can only source or sink 1 to 2mA at 5V

    so I need a transistor with a 500 to 1000 Hfe gain.
    Therefore, it will be a "Darlington" NPN Power Transistor (known for its high gain) like TIP120 or TIP140

    • The resistor should be 6.34K ohms (with safety factor).

    For calculus, refer to this website: http://www.ermicro.com/blog/?p=423

    or here in french: http://www.sonelec-musique.com/electronique_theorie_relais.html

    • Diode: it has to block several hundreds of volt.

    A 1N4007 will do the job without doubt.

    Attachments

    Step 4: Schematic:

    Step 5: Building the Box

    You can choose among different options:

    1. mod an existing box
    2. build it from wood
    3. build it from metal sheets
    4. build it from thermoplastic sheets (acrylic, PVC...)

    Step 6: Actuators and Levers

    Tip end from a "touch screen stylus"

    Mechanical design - on going, sorry

    Step 7: Optional Flexible Arm

    Optional: you can purchase or build a flexible arm "lazy bed"

    Beware to buy a strong enough arm to support the weight of the whole thing (kindle + box + battery).

    Technical data:
    Kindle Paper White

    • weight: 210 grams
    • with hard cover: 300 gr

    Step 8: Optional: Pedal Button

    You may want to use a wired device instead of wireless remote control unit

    in this case, you could use your feets instead of your hands to "flip" the pages

    You can build or buy some foot pedals like this

    single pedal 2,6€

    http://fr.aliexpress.com/item/F98-Acrylic-Tattoo-M...

    double pedal metal 31€ Shpping included

    http://fr.aliexpress.com/item/FREE-SHIPPING-Gray-N...

    Step 9: Links