An open-source firmware port for the IKEA Kortlinje LED display alarm clock.
This project is built upon the architecture of the Frekvens framework. With the hardware interface and communication protocols fully solved, core subsystems, graphics pipelines, and connectivity modules are being incrementally ported over to bring up the custom firmware.
Note
Early Access: An initial hardware modding guide is available for makers. However, the firmware remains in an active development stage.
| Subsystem | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Audio | Operational | Alarm-clock with repeating timers and snooze functionality available. |
| Buttons | Operational | All buttons are mapped to available functionality. |
| Display | Operational | Fully solved driver with 8-step brightness control. |
| Networking | Work in Progress | Framework initialized; local HTTP, REST, and MQTT control APIs are not yet exposed. |
| Power | Experimental | Sleep and USB-restore wake logic implemented. Dual-rail battery backup and USB operation supported. |
| Sensors | Operational | Temperature and humidity live readings are piped to the display. Ambient light sensor is operational. |
| Web UI | Work in Progress | Functional with live display-preview, pending tighter device integration. |
| Build Environment | Work in Progress | Python build automation initialized, integration and configuration options pending. |
The firmware currently includes the following standalone render modes switchable via on-device buttons:
- Clock: Displays the current time in hours and minutes.
- Date: Displays the current month and day of the month.
- Equalizer: Autonomous simulated spectrum visualizer.
- Humidity: Displays live ambient humidity telemetry from the onboard sensor.
- Ping-pong: Autonomous, self-playing demo animation.
- Snake: Autonomous, self-playing demo animation.
- Temperature: Displays live ambient temperature telemetry from the onboard sensor.
- Text Ticker: Horizontal scrolling marquee displaying text.
- Weekday: Displays the current day of the week.
- Modding Documentation: Step-by-step disassembly and wiring instructions are documented in the Wiki.
- Power Requirements: Designed for 5V USB-C operation with support for low-power battery standby (2× AAA).
- Firmware Build: Built with PlatformIO targeting RP2350 Arduino framework environments.
- Hardware Modifications: Requires opening the enclosure, isolating stock MCU lines, and soldering connections to the VK1640 clock/data buses, button ladder, buzzer driver, and sensor lines.