Hackers Reverse-Engineer IKEA Kortlinje LED Matrix Clock
RevSpace has posted initial findings on the IKEA Kortlinje, while VIPnytt has begun a custom firmware on GitHub. The $20 clock's display is Driven by three VK1640 controllers.
Hackers have begun reverse-engineering the IKEA Kortlinje, a DIY-friendly LED matrix clock. The Netherlands-based hackerspace RevSpace published a post detailing its initial findings, and developer VIPnytt has started a custom firmware project on GitHub, according to hackaday.com.
The Kortlinje's display is Driven by three VK1640 LED controllers. Inside the device, the internal board contains those three LED drivers, an unmarked microcontroller paired with a 32.768 kHz watch crystal, and an unidentified chip.
To gain access to the I2C bus and the LED drivers, the unmarked microcontroller can be desoldered and replaced with a custom one, according to the published findings.
Launched as a digital clock that costs around 20 dollars, the Kortlinje also includes a hygrometer and thermometer, making it a candidate for hardware tinkering beyond its original function.
Quick answers
What hardware does the IKEA Kortlinje use?
The device's internal board contains three VK1640 LED drivers, an unmarked microcontroller with a 32.768 kHz watch crystal, and an unidentified chip.
How can the IKEA Kortlinje be hacked?
According to RevSpace's findings, the unmarked microcontroller can be desoldered and replaced with a custom one to gain access to the I2C bus and LED drivers.
Is there custom firmware for the IKEA Kortlinje?
Yes. VIPnytt published the beginnings of a custom firmware for the clock on GitHub.