Hi,

As I’ve discussed in a few other threads on the forums, I’m working on a HyperFlash32 cart as a replacement for the FlashBoy+.

HyperFlash32 will contain a 32Mbit Flash (enough for the full HF ROM), 32k x 8 nvSRAM (no save battery required), and a new faster 32bit ARM microcontroller (MCU) running at 32MHz, on board SD card slot, and USB port for control using your PC. ROM files are placed on the SD card and programmed to the flash memory using the MCU, with automatic padding. A simple PC based interface will be used to control the programming steps much like my VB programmer. The on board MCU and SD card slot arrangement was chosen to make programming as fast as possible and provide a single integrated programmer and cart solution. The ARM MCU will also have a bootloader to allow future firmware upgrades as functionality is added. It will also have the features of my VB programmer like SRAM save functionality to save your game progress.

Schematics are done and I’m ready to go to layout so I’m taking preorders to help get it across the finish line. You can read more about it here, as well as place your preorder if you’re so interested: http://www.mellottsvrpage.com/index.php/hyperflash32/

Thanks,
Kevin

Hawwwww snap. I have a flashboy so I didn’t think I needed this. But that e-ink. VERY cool idea. power up the cart through USB, select the ROM you want using inputs and a display, self-flash. Hnnngggggg.

I’ll be able to buy one in a couple of days, hopefully they’re still available lol. Let me know if you want help with the soldering.

Have you considered something like this to power the display when the cart isn’t plugged in to USB?

https://www.powerstream.com/thin-lithium-ion.htm

OR

https://www.mouser.com/new/Murata/murata-dmh-supercaps/

As long as there’s _some_ room in the case you could add either of these. You could charge it with USB or even siphon some power off of the VB while the game is running to keep the battery or supercapacitor topped off. Unless people are sitting around flipping through screens all day without ever playing a game, there might just be enough power in one of these to operate the e-ink and game switching function the way most people would use them. When the power’s about to be exhausted, have it switch to a screen that says “plug in USB to charge”.

I would of recommended QI wireless charging but then buttons wouldn’t be accessible.
I’m ok without a battery since you can plug into just about anything including smart phones to share power.

Schwanck wrote:
I would of recommended QI wireless charging but then buttons wouldn’t be accessible.
I’m ok without a battery since you can plug into just about anything including smart phones to share power.

I did consider this previously. I’ve worked inductive charging into several designs in the past.

samson7point1 wrote:
Have you considered something like this to power the display when the cart isn’t plugged in to USB?

https://www.powerstream.com/thin-lithium-ion.htm

OR

https://www.mouser.com/new/Murata/murata-dmh-supercaps/

As long as there’s _some_ room in the case you could add either of these. You could charge it with USB or even siphon some power off of the VB while the game is running to keep the battery or supercapacitor topped off. Unless people are sitting around flipping through screens all day without ever playing a game, there might just be enough power in one of these to operate the e-ink and game switching function the way most people would use them. When the power’s about to be exhausted, have it switch to a screen that says “plug in USB to charge”.

Good ideas. Not sure I can increase the BOM cost any further. It’s all ready too high. USB cable will probably have to be the solution for now.

Good ideas. Not sure I can increase the BOM cost any further. It’s all ready too high. USB cable will probably have to be the solution for now.

Absolutely understand. You just put a call out for alternative ideas for powering the cart outside the VB and I thought those might be feasible. I would LOVE to see the cart be able to power itself through a couple dozen game switches and recharge through the VB while it’s in use. That would make it more self-contained and mass-market friendly. It might be worth plunking the charging circuit and battery into the BOM just to see what the impact would be for sure. However scope creep has a way of killing these things, so I think the design is fine as it is.

Personally I have one of these:
https://www.totallypromotional.com/square-power-bank.html

It’s not much larger than a VB cart so I’ll probably keep it with a short USB cable next to my VB so I can switch games without having to fuss with a PC or wall socket.

samson7point1 wrote:

Good ideas. Not sure I can increase the BOM cost any further. It’s all ready too high. USB cable will probably have to be the solution for now.

Absolutely understand. You just put a call out for alternative ideas for powering the cart outside the VB and I thought those might be feasible. I would LOVE to see the cart be able to power itself through a couple dozen game switches and recharge through the VB while it’s in use. That would make it more self-contained and mass-market friendly. It might be worth plunking the charging circuit and battery into the BOM just to see what the impact would be for sure. However scope creep has a way of killing these things, so I think the design is fine as it is.

Personally I have one of these:
https://www.totallypromotional.com/square-power-bank.html

It’s not much larger than a VB cart so I’ll probably keep it with a short USB cable next to my VB so I can switch games without having to fuss with a PC or wall socket.

Yes I did. Thanks!

Aww I missed it. All sold out. Glad it’s doing so well!

Splain wrote:
Aww I missed it. All sold out. Glad it’s doing so well!

I just added a couple more to stock but that will be it until after the first build.

Orders for the test PCBs just went it. These are to check the mechanical assembly and the bonding of the ePaper display into the FR4 cover.

It will take about 2 weeks for me to have them in house.

Thank you for all the updates on the project Kevin, excited to see how both E-Paper color-displays look and curious to see their varying speeds. Can’t wait!

If we were to load padded roms on this, would it work faster or does it still go through all the steps? If there is even a noticeable difference

Appreciate the update!

Schwanck wrote:
If we were to load padded roms on this, would it work faster or does it still go through all the steps? If there is even a noticeable difference

Doubt you could tell the difference. The load from the SD card would be faster if not padded, most likely. The programming and loop time will all be the same.

It seems like things are moving quickly. If all goes well, what’s the ETA for actually holding one of these in my hot little hands?

samson7point1 wrote:
It seems like things are moving quickly. If all goes well, what’s the ETA for actually holding one of these in my hot little hands?

Shipping is still on track to start in March. Once hardware comes in I still have to develop some of the firmware and do testing.

Is there a timeline for sending the donor carts? I didn’t remember seeing specifics when I placed my order, but I could have missed it.

ScreamingNarwhal wrote:
Is there a timeline for sending the donor carts? I didn’t remember seeing specifics when I placed my order, but I could have missed it.

Send them soon as you’re ready. I’ve received most of them already.
Not many people ordered that option.

Are both options sold out now? I got a VB for Christmas and am looking to buy one. I have a donor I can spare too.

malick[ai] wrote:
Are both options sold out now? I got a VB for Christmas and am looking to buy one. I have a donor I can spare too.

Yes all sold out. There should be a second batch in around April or May timeframe.