Touch-screen + RGB LED Project

[Nicko51]

Hi everyone,

I'm a newcomer on the forum and beginner on Raspberry Pi

I just got an "old" Raspberry Pi, first version apparently (if I understood correctly because 1 strawberry is displayed on start).

I have a small project that I would like to know the feasibility:

First, I would like to connect this Raspberry Pi to a touch screen.
This touch screen would allow to change configuration by a touch on the screen. The screen would indicate the active configuration (via a different image to be displayed depending on the active configuration). Until then, this should not be a problem.
Also, and this is where I wonder if it is feasible and what I should use, each configuration should control the color of 10 independent RGB LEDs (because of different colors). That would make 10 signals RGB to send in addition to the signal to the screen.

So, in your opinion, is it feasible please?
If yes, which equipment should be used? Maybe you've seen a similar project before? With a Python source code inside?

Thank you for your help!

[Nicko51]

Anyone?

[mlepage]

For touch screen, you can use something like https://www.adafruit.com/product/1770.
There are others that are bigger or smaller. You want the "PiTFT" ones (not the others that work with Arduino etc.). It will plug onto the Pi like a HAT, you'll install the display software (or use the provide OS image), and it will "just work" for display.

It has touch input, but to use it from the Pi, I'm not as sure. You may need a separate small board for the Pi (since it lacks analog inputs); I've only used the touchscreen input with Arduino (which has analog inputs). There's lots of material on this display though, so just do a little reading to find out how to do it.

For RGB LEDs, you can easily control them from Python. However, I think each needs power, ground, and three GPIO pins. While the power and ground can be shared, you'll likely run out of GPIO pins, particularly on the first Raspberry Pi (which can otherwise do this project fine, if it had enough pins).

You may wish to try a RGB LED strip of some kind. Search on adafruit for something called "neopixel" there are lots to choose from, you may find one which matches what you need. Then GPIO pins shouldn't be an issue, as it'll likely use some commands to talk to it with fewer pins.