PyPortal WFH Busy Sounds Simulator

Hand holding PyPortal Titano development board with SAMD51, ESP32 Wifi, and 3.5" touchscreen TFT display.

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The PyPortal does have a built-in speaker but it's fairly small. It may be easier for people to "overhear" your notifications if you plug in a bigger external speaker.

Luckily the PyPortal contains a plug-in adapter for just that!

If you do want to use the external speaker you must cut a small jumper connection on the board in order to prevent the built-in speaker from playing in addition to the external one.

Plug the PyPortal into your computer with a known good USB cable (not a tint charge only cable). The PyPortal will appear to your computer as a flash drive named CIRCUITPY.

Download the project files with the Download Project Bundle button below. Unzip the file and copy/paste the code.py and other project files to your CIRCUITPY drive using File Explorer or Finder (depending on your operating system).

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Drive Structure

After copying the files, your drive should look like the listing below. It can contain other files as well, but must contain these at a minimum:

Code

The program code is shown below:

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# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2020 Tim C, written for Adafruit Industries
#
# SPDX-License-Identifier: Unlicense
"""
PyPortal implementation of Busy Simulator notification sound looper.
"""
import time
import board
import displayio
import adafruit_touchscreen
from adafruit_displayio_layout.layouts.grid_layout import GridLayout
from adafruit_displayio_layout.widgets.icon_widget import IconWidget
from audiocore import WaveFile
from audioio import AudioOut

# How many seconds to wait between playing samples
# Lower time means it will play faster
WAIT_TIME = 3.0

# List that will hold indexes of notification samples to play
LOOP = []

# last time that we played a sample
LAST_PLAY_TIME = 0

CUR_LOOP_INDEX = 0

# touch events must have at least this long between them
COOLDOWN_TIME = 0.25  # seconds

# last time that the display was touched
# used for debouncing and cooldown enforcement
LAST_PRESS_TIME = -1

# Was any icon touched last iteration.
# Used for debouncing.
WAS_TOUCHED = False


def next_index():
    """
    return the next index in the LOOP that should get played
    """
    if CUR_LOOP_INDEX + 1 >= len(LOOP):
        return 0

    return CUR_LOOP_INDEX + 1


# list of icons to show
# each entry is a tuple containing:
# (Icon Label, Icon BMP image file, Notification sample wav file
_icons = [
    ("Outlook", "icons/outlook.bmp", "sounds/outlook.wav"),
    ("Phone", "icons/phone.bmp", "sounds/phone.wav"),
    ("Skype", "icons/skype.bmp", "sounds/skype.wav"),
    ("Teams", "icons/teams.bmp", "sounds/teams.wav"),
    ("Discord", "icons/discord.bmp", "sounds/discord.wav"),
    ("Apple Mail", "icons/applemail.bmp", "sounds/applemail.wav"),
    ("iMessage", "icons/imessage.bmp", "sounds/imessage.wav"),
    ("Slack", "icons/slack.bmp", "sounds/slack.wav"),
    ("G Calendar", "icons/gcal.bmp", "sounds/RE.wav"),
    ("G Chat", "icons/gchat.bmp", "sounds/gchat.wav"),
    ("Stop", "icons/stop.bmp", ""),
]

# Make the display context.
display = board.DISPLAY
main_group = displayio.Group()
display.show(main_group)

# Touchscreen initialization
ts = adafruit_touchscreen.Touchscreen(
    board.TOUCH_XL,
    board.TOUCH_XR,
    board.TOUCH_YD,
    board.TOUCH_YU,
    calibration=((5200, 59000), (5800, 57000)),
    size=(display.width, display.height),
)

# Setup the file as the bitmap data source
bg_bitmap = displayio.OnDiskBitmap("busysim_background.bmp")

# Create a TileGrid to hold the bitmap
bg_tile_grid = displayio.TileGrid(
    bg_bitmap,
    pixel_shader=getattr(bg_bitmap, "pixel_shader", displayio.ColorConverter()),
)

# add it to the group that is showing
main_group.append(bg_tile_grid)

# grid to hold the icons
layout = GridLayout(
    x=0,
    y=0,
    width=320,
    height=240,
    grid_size=(4, 3),
    cell_padding=20,
)

# initialize the icons in the grid
for i, icon in enumerate(_icons):
    icon_widget = IconWidget(
        icon[0],
        icon[1],
        x=0,
        y=0,
        on_disk=True,
        transparent_index=0,
        label_background=0x888888,
    )

    layout.add_content(icon_widget, grid_position=(i % 4, i // 4), cell_size=(1, 1))

# add the grid to the group showing on the display
main_group.append(layout)


def check_for_touch(_now):
    """
    Check the touchscreen and do any actions necessary if an
    icon has been touched. Applies debouncing and cool down
    enforcement to filter out unneeded touch events.

    :param int _now: The current time in seconds. Used for cool down enforcement
    """
    # pylint: disable=global-statement, too-many-nested-blocks, consider-using-enumerate
    global CUR_LOOP_INDEX
    global LOOP
    global LAST_PRESS_TIME
    global WAS_TOUCHED

    # read the touch data
    touch_point = ts.touch_point

    # if anything is touched
    if touch_point:
        # if the touch just began. We ignore further events until
        # after the touch has been lifted
        if not WAS_TOUCHED:

            # set the variable so we know to ignore future events until
            # touch is released
            WAS_TOUCHED = True

            # if it has been long enough time since previous touch event
            if _now - LAST_PRESS_TIME > COOLDOWN_TIME:

                LAST_PRESS_TIME = time.monotonic()

                # loop over the icons
                for _ in range(len(_icons)):
                    # lookup current icon in the grid layout
                    cur_icon = layout.get_cell((_ % 4, _ // 4))

                    # check if it's being touched
                    if cur_icon.contains(touch_point):
                        print("icon {} touched".format(_))

                        # if it's the stop icon
                        if _icons[_][0] == "Stop":

                            # empty out the loop
                            LOOP = []

                            # set current index back to 0
                            CUR_LOOP_INDEX = 0

                        else:  # any other icon
                            # insert the touched icons sample index into the loop
                            LOOP.insert(CUR_LOOP_INDEX, _)

                        # print(LOOP)

                        # break out of the for loop.
                        # if current icon is being touched then no others can be
                        break

    # nothing is touched
    else:
        # set variable back to false for debouncing
        WAS_TOUCHED = False


# main loop
while True:
    # store current time in variable for cool down enforcement
    _now = time.monotonic()

    # check for and process touch events
    check_for_touch(_now)

    # if it's time to play a sample
    if LAST_PLAY_TIME + WAIT_TIME <= _now:
        # print("time to play")

        # if there are any samples in the loop
        if len(LOOP) > 0:

            # open the sample wav file
            with open(_icons[LOOP[CUR_LOOP_INDEX]][2], "rb") as wave_file:
                print("playing: {}".format(_icons[LOOP[CUR_LOOP_INDEX]][2]))

                # initialize audio output pin
                audio = AudioOut(board.AUDIO_OUT)

                # initialize WaveFile object
                wave = WaveFile(wave_file)

                # play it
                audio.play(wave)

                # while it's still playing
                while audio.playing:
                    # update time variable
                    _now = time.monotonic()

                    # check for and process touch events
                    check_for_touch(_now)

                # after done playing. deinit audio output
                audio.deinit()

                # increment index counter
                CUR_LOOP_INDEX = next_index()

        # update variable for last time we attempted to play sample
        LAST_PLAY_TIME = _now

# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2020 Tim C, written for Adafruit Industries
#
# SPDX-License-Identifier: Unlicense
"""
PyPortal implementation of Busy Simulator notification sound looper.
"""
import time
import board
import displayio
import adafruit_touchscreen
from adafruit_displayio_layout.layouts.grid_layout import GridLayout
from adafruit_displayio_layout.widgets.icon_widget import IconWidget
from audiocore import WaveFile
from audioio import AudioOut

# How many seconds to wait between playing samples
# Lower time means it will play faster
WAIT_TIME = 3.0

# List that will hold indexes of notification samples to play
LOOP = []

# last time that we played a sample
LAST_PLAY_TIME = 0

CUR_LOOP_INDEX = 0

# touch events must have at least this long between them
COOLDOWN_TIME = 0.25  # seconds

# last time that the display was touched
# used for debouncing and cooldown enforcement
LAST_PRESS_TIME = -1

# Was any icon touched last iteration.
# Used for debouncing.
WAS_TOUCHED = False


def next_index():
    """
    return the next index in the LOOP that should get played
    """
    if CUR_LOOP_INDEX + 1 >= len(LOOP):
        return 0

    return CUR_LOOP_INDEX + 1


# list of icons to show
# each entry is a tuple containing:
# (Icon Label, Icon BMP image file, Notification sample wav file
_icons = [
    ("Outlook", "icons/outlook.bmp", "sounds/outlook.wav"),
    ("Phone", "icons/phone.bmp", "sounds/phone.wav"),
    ("Skype", "icons/skype.bmp", "sounds/skype.wav"),
    ("Teams", "icons/teams.bmp", "sounds/teams.wav"),
    ("Discord", "icons/discord.bmp", "sounds/discord.wav"),
    ("Apple Mail", "icons/applemail.bmp", "sounds/applemail.wav"),
    ("iMessage", "icons/imessage.bmp", "sounds/imessage.wav"),
    ("Slack", "icons/slack.bmp", "sounds/slack.wav"),
    ("G Calendar", "icons/gcal.bmp", "sounds/RE.wav"),
    ("G Chat", "icons/gchat.bmp", "sounds/gchat.wav"),
    ("Stop", "icons/stop.bmp", ""),
]

# Make the display context.
display = board.DISPLAY
main_group = displayio.Group()
display.show(main_group)

# Touchscreen initialization
ts = adafruit_touchscreen.Touchscreen(
    board.TOUCH_XL,
    board.TOUCH_XR,
    board.TOUCH_YD,
    board.TOUCH_YU,
    calibration=((5200, 59000), (5800, 57000)),
    size=(display.width, display.height),
)

# Setup the file as the bitmap data source
bg_bitmap = displayio.OnDiskBitmap("busysim_background.bmp")

# Create a TileGrid to hold the bitmap
bg_tile_grid = displayio.TileGrid(
    bg_bitmap,
    pixel_shader=getattr(bg_bitmap, "pixel_shader", displayio.ColorConverter()),
)

# add it to the group that is showing
main_group.append(bg_tile_grid)

# grid to hold the icons
layout = GridLayout(
    x=0,
    y=0,
    width=320,
    height=240,
    grid_size=(4, 3),
    cell_padding=20,
)

# initialize the icons in the grid
for i, icon in enumerate(_icons):
    icon_widget = IconWidget(
        icon[0],
        icon[1],
        x=0,
        y=0,
        on_disk=True,
        transparent_index=0,
        label_background=0x888888,
    )

    layout.add_content(icon_widget, grid_position=(i % 4, i // 4), cell_size=(1, 1))

# add the grid to the group showing on the display
main_group.append(layout)


def check_for_touch(_now):
    """
    Check the touchscreen and do any actions necessary if an
    icon has been touched. Applies debouncing and cool down
    enforcement to filter out unneeded touch events.

    :param int _now: The current time in seconds. Used for cool down enforcement
    """
    # pylint: disable=global-statement, too-many-nested-blocks, consider-using-enumerate
    global CUR_LOOP_INDEX
    global LOOP
    global LAST_PRESS_TIME
    global WAS_TOUCHED

    # read the touch data
    touch_point = ts.touch_point

    # if anything is touched
    if touch_point:
        # if the touch just began. We ignore further events until
        # after the touch has been lifted
        if not WAS_TOUCHED:

            # set the variable so we know to ignore future events until
            # touch is released
            WAS_TOUCHED = True

            # if it has been long enough time since previous touch event
            if _now - LAST_PRESS_TIME > COOLDOWN_TIME:

                LAST_PRESS_TIME = time.monotonic()

                # loop over the icons
                for _ in range(len(_icons)):
                    # lookup current icon in the grid layout
                    cur_icon = layout.get_cell((_ % 4, _ // 4))

                    # check if it's being touched
                    if cur_icon.contains(touch_point):
                        print("icon {} touched".format(_))

                        # if it's the stop icon
                        if _icons[_][0] == "Stop":

                            # empty out the loop
                            LOOP = []

                            # set current index back to 0
                            CUR_LOOP_INDEX = 0

                        else:  # any other icon
                            # insert the touched icons sample index into the loop
                            LOOP.insert(CUR_LOOP_INDEX, _)

                        # print(LOOP)

                        # break out of the for loop.
                        # if current icon is being touched then no others can be
                        break

    # nothing is touched
    else:
        # set variable back to false for debouncing
        WAS_TOUCHED = False


# main loop
while True:
    # store current time in variable for cool down enforcement
    _now = time.monotonic()

    # check for and process touch events
    check_for_touch(_now)

    # if it's time to play a sample
    if LAST_PLAY_TIME + WAIT_TIME <= _now:
        # print("time to play")

        # if there are any samples in the loop
        if len(LOOP) > 0:

            # open the sample wav file
            with open(_icons[LOOP[CUR_LOOP_INDEX]][2], "rb") as wave_file:
                print("playing: {}".format(_icons[LOOP[CUR_LOOP_INDEX]][2]))

                # initialize audio output pin
                audio = AudioOut(board.AUDIO_OUT)

                # initialize WaveFile object
                wave = WaveFile(wave_file)

                # play it
                audio.play(wave)

                # while it's still playing
                while audio.playing:
                    # update time variable
                    _now = time.monotonic()

                    # check for and process touch events
                    check_for_touch(_now)

                # after done playing. deinit audio output
                audio.deinit()

                # increment index counter
                CUR_LOOP_INDEX = next_index()

        # update variable for last time we attempted to play sample
        LAST_PLAY_TIME = _now

Configuration Variable

You can update the WAIT_TIME variable to a different value if you want. This variable represents the amount of time in seconds between each notification sample playback. Lower times means it will play faster, higher times means it will play slower. The default is 3.0, but feel free to experiment with different times.

WAIT_TIME = 3.0

WAIT_TIME = 3.0

Program Variables

These variables are used for various things in the program, they aren't intended for you to change them during the normal operation. The program will update their value when necessary.

# List that will hold indexes of notification samples to play
LOOP = []

# last time that we played a sample
LAST_PLAY_TIME = 0

# current index that we are on
CUR_LOOP_INDEX = 0

# touch events must have at least this long between them
COOLDOWN_TIME = 0.25  # seconds

# last time that the display was touched
# used for debouncing and cooldown enforcement
LAST_PRESS_TIME = -1

# Was any icon touched last iteration.
# Used for debouncing.
WAS_TOUCHED = False

# List that will hold indexes of notification samples to play
LOOP = []

# last time that we played a sample
LAST_PLAY_TIME = 0

# current index that we are on
CUR_LOOP_INDEX = 0

# touch events must have at least this long between them
COOLDOWN_TIME = 0.25  # seconds

# last time that the display was touched
# used for debouncing and cooldown enforcement
LAST_PRESS_TIME = -1

# Was any icon touched last iteration.
# Used for debouncing.
WAS_TOUCHED = False

Icons List

This list holds tuples that represent each icon that will be shown on the screen. The tuples contain the string label, the bmp image file to show, and the wave audio file to play. If you wanted to re-purpose this project as a looping soundboard with other sounds, you could change the values here.

# list of icons to show
# each entry is a tuple containing:
# (Icon Label, Icon BMP image file, Notification sample wav file
_icons = [
    ("Outlook", "icons/outlook.bmp", "sounds/outlook.wav"),
    ("Phone", "icons/phone.bmp", "sounds/phone.wav"),
    ("Skype", "icons/skype.bmp", "sounds/skype.wav"),
    ("Teams", "icons/teams.bmp", "sounds/teams.wav"),
    ("Discord", "icons/discord.bmp", "sounds/discord.wav"),
    ("Apple Mail", "icons/applemail.bmp", "sounds/applemail.wav"),
    ("iMessage", "icons/imessage.bmp", "sounds/imessage.wav"),
    ("Slack", "icons/slack.bmp", "sounds/slack.wav"),
    ("G Calendar", "icons/gcal.bmp", "sounds/RE.wav"),
    ("G Chat", "icons/gchat.bmp", "sounds/gchat.wav"),
    ("Stop", "icons/stop.bmp", ""),
]

# list of icons to show
# each entry is a tuple containing:
# (Icon Label, Icon BMP image file, Notification sample wav file
_icons = [
    ("Outlook", "icons/outlook.bmp", "sounds/outlook.wav"),
    ("Phone", "icons/phone.bmp", "sounds/phone.wav"),
    ("Skype", "icons/skype.bmp", "sounds/skype.wav"),
    ("Teams", "icons/teams.bmp", "sounds/teams.wav"),
    ("Discord", "icons/discord.bmp", "sounds/discord.wav"),
    ("Apple Mail", "icons/applemail.bmp", "sounds/applemail.wav"),
    ("iMessage", "icons/imessage.bmp", "sounds/imessage.wav"),
    ("Slack", "icons/slack.bmp", "sounds/slack.wav"),
    ("G Calendar", "icons/gcal.bmp", "sounds/RE.wav"),
    ("G Chat", "icons/gchat.bmp", "sounds/gchat.wav"),
    ("Stop", "icons/stop.bmp", ""),
]

Helper Functions

The program contains two helper functions:

next_index() - This function will return the next valid index for a notification sample in the LOOP list. If the current index is the last available one, then it will wrap back around to 0.

check_for_touch(_now) - This function accepts a parameter whose value will be the current time as fetched from time.monotonic(). It will check the touch screen to see if there are any touch events on icons currently, and take the appropriate action if there are. The time is used to enforce a cool-down behavior so it will not register several touch events rapidly. This will get called during the main loop, and during time that an audio sample is playing.

User Interface

The GUI is created with displayio. It uses a GridLayout object loaded up with IconWidgets from a for loop that references the above icons list.

# grid to hold the icons
layout = GridLayout(
    x=0,
    y=0,
    width=320,
    height=240,
    grid_size=(4, 3),
    cell_padding=20,
)

# initialize the icons in the grid
for i, icon in enumerate(_icons):
    icon_widget = IconWidget(
        icon[0],
        icon[1],
        x=0,
        y=0,
        on_disk=True,
        transparent_index=0,
        label_background=0x888888,
    )

# grid to hold the icons
layout = GridLayout(
    x=0,
    y=0,
    width=320,
    height=240,
    grid_size=(4, 3),
    cell_padding=20,
)

# initialize the icons in the grid
for i, icon in enumerate(_icons):
    icon_widget = IconWidget(
        icon[0],
        icon[1],
        x=0,
        y=0,
        on_disk=True,
        transparent_index=0,
        label_background=0x888888,
    )

Main Loop

The main loop contains two high level actions:

1) Check if the user has touched any icons. If they touch a notification icon, the index for the one they touched gets added to the LOOP list. If they touch the stop icon, the LOOP list is emptied and the CUR_LOOP_INDEX reset to 0.

2) Check the current time, if the WAIT_TIME has passed then load and play the current sample from the LOOP list. Set the index to the next one for next time. During the time that a sample is being played there is an internal loop that will carry out action 1, so that touch events during the sample playback get handled appropriately.

Further Detail

The source code is thoroughly commented to explain what the statements are doing. You can read through the code and comments to gain a deeper understanding of how it functions or modify parts of it to suit your needs.

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