FOR YOUR PIPER COMPUTER KIT
PIPER SOFTWARE
The unique blend of physical building and virtual play that makes the Piper Computer Kit such a powerful STEAM learning experience is stored on the microSD card which is inserted into the Raspberry Pi microcomputer. The card includes the most current Raspberry Pi OS (including Minecraft:Pi Edition, Scratch, Mathematica, and more), Piper StoryMode, and PiperCode.
DO YOU NEED AN UPDATE?
If your Piper software version is v2.7.0, v2.7.1, or 2.8.2, you already have the most recent version of Piper and do not require an update. Differences between the versions are for compatibility with new Raspberry Pi models; they do not include new features. We will update this page regularly with the release of any new features in the future. We recommend using the manual instructions below to reflash your SD card if you have any issues with the software.
GO TO SETTINGS
FINDING YOUR SOFTWARE VERSION
To find your software version, either look in the top right (or top left in earlier versions) of the home screen or click on the settings icon. The version number is listed on the bottom left corner.
RECOMMENDED
UPDATE MANUALLY
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
Laptop or Desktop Computer with SD card reader/USB port
MicroSD Card Adapter (or microSD USB adapter)
Piper MicroSD Card (preloaded in Raspberry Pi)
STEP 1: DETERMINE WHICH SOFTWARE VERSION YOU NEED
To determine which SD card version you will need, you will need to evaluate two components of your Piper Computer Kit.
RASPBERRY PI MODEL
Versions of the Piper Computer Kit have included various models of the Raspberry Pi microcomputer as shown below. Learn more about each by clicking on the icons.
*Note: All Piper Computer Kits require Raspberry Pi 3 or higher. Raspberry Pi 1s are not compatible with our software.
CONTROLLER OR NO?
The "controller" in the text of the game refers to the FIVE movement buttons you first build in the levels of Piper StoryMode. In Piper Computer Kit V1 and V2, the controller included a wooden overlay over the breadboard. Since the Piper Computer Kit V3, we removed the overlay, with corresponding changes in the software.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHANGE
The purpose of the wooden overlay in Piper Computer Kit V1 and V2 was to guide the wiring of the five buttons. With the wood overlay, there was no ambiguity regarding where the wires or buttons were plugged into the breadboard.
However, we found that because of the overlay, kids were not actively thinking about where the wires had to plug in to complete the circuit. Namely, as there are parallel rails along the bottom of the breadboard, the wires MUST be plugged into the same rail as the button (see green wiring).
To encourage, more critical thinking regarding this important aspect of circuitry, we removed the wooden overlay over the controller in Piper Computer Kit V3 and V4.
Piper Computer Kit V2 Controller (With Overlay)
Piper Computer Kit V3 Controller (No Overlay)
To ensure that this was also clear in the game play, the software was modified to v2.7.1 which removes the wooden overlay from the hardware builds when clicking on the crafting table.
Note: The video graphics are NOT changed, so you may see wooden covers in the autoplayed videos but not in the hardware building workspace.
v2.7.0 Rendering
v2.7.1 Rendering
Ultimately, this change has allowed learners to learn how the breadboard works through trial and error early in the Piper StoryMode process so they can build circuits more seamlessly later on.
UPDATED VERSION GUIDE
Version 2.7.0
For Piper Computer Kit V1 and V2 with Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+
Includes all StoryMode + PiperCode levels with controller overlay
Version 2.7.1
For Piper Computer Kit V3 and V4 with the Raspberry Pi Model A+ or B+
Includes all StoryMode + PiperCode levels, without wooden overlay
Version 2.8.2
For Piper Computer Kit V4 with the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B+
Includes all StoryMode + PiperCode levels, without wooden overlay, upgraded to Buster (RPi OS) for RPi4 compatibility with corrections to PiperCode HAL, SPI pins, and audio settings.
STEP 2: DOWNLOAD SD CARD IMAGE FOR YOUR PIPER COMPUTER KIT
STEP 3: WRITE IMAGE TO SD CARD
Follow the instructions from Raspberry Pi on how to burn the SD card image to the microSD card, selecting the file downloaded above as the OS you would like to write onto the SD card.
*Note: The first time you boot your Piper kit with your newly-updated card, it will reboot several times before finally launching the Piper software. You might see some unfamiliar things happen during the reboots, but don't worry, that's just your kit getting everything setup to work with your new software! In some rare cases, the Piper intro video ends on a black screen which doesn't automatically get dismissed. If this happens to you, simply click your mouse button to proceed to the main menu.
USING WIFI TO UPDATE
UPDATE
OVER-THE-AIR
Currently, the over-the-air updater can ONLY update to 2.7.0 and requires a 16 GB SD card. This update functionality is only intended to be used for Piper Computer Kit V1 and V2. Check your Piper Computer Kit version as above and follow these instructions if you have V2.0.2-V2.4.4.
v2.0.2
WiFi button in 2.0.2
Once the Piper kit is connected to the internet there should be a prompt to update. If this appears, click “Ok” to start the update. If the update message does not appear, click the update button at the top left of the main menu.
If a message appears saying the Piper kit is already up to date, make sure the Piper kit is connected to the internet and then restart the kit.
Update message in 2.0.2
Once this update is complete, the piper application will restart and will have been updated to version 2.2.1. To finish updating to the latest software, proceed to the section of this guide for version 2.2.1.
v2.2.0
WiFi button in 2.2.0
Once the Piper kit is connected to the internet there should be a prompt to update. If this appears, click “Ok” to start the update. If the update message does not appear, click the update button at the top left of the main menu.
The update should take 5-10 minutes. If a message appears saying the Piper kit is already up to date, make sure the Piper kit is connected to the internet and then restart the kit.
Update message in 2.2.0
Once this update is complete, the Piper application will restart and will have been updated to version 2.2.1. To finish updating to the latest software, proceed to the section of this guide for version 2.2.1.
v2.2.1
IMPORTANT: Completing the update to the latest Piper software requires an upgrade of the operating system of the Raspberry Pi. This update takes between one and two hours depending on internet speed, and may render the SD card unusable if an error occurs. In addition, this process requires free disk space and is only recommended for 16GB SD cards. Please email hi@playpiper.com or visit www.PlayPiper.com and use the live chat option for support if there are any issues with the update process.
Before starting this operating system update, please make sure the battery is fully charged and the Piper kit can be left uninterrupted with an internet connection for up to two hours.
On startup of the Piper software, an update prompt should appear. Pressing “Ok” will open a warning box with instructions about the upgrade.
Warning message in 2.2.1
If you are prepared to begin the operating system upgrade, press the “Ok” button on the warning message. This will open an upgrade progress bar which will give an estimate on the percentage completion of the upgrade.
Update progress screen in 2.2.1
If the upgrade takes significantly longer than two hours or if the progress bar seems to reset or get stuck at a given percentage, there was likely an error in the upgrade process. Try unplugging the Raspberry Pi, waiting at least 10 seconds, plugging the Raspberry Pi back in and restarting the upgrade process.
Once the upgrade is complete your Piper kit will restart, and when the Piper software launches you will be prompted to finish the update by installing the latest software version. If you need to recharge your battery, press the “Shutdown” button to shut down the Raspberry Pi. Once your battery is fully charged, you can safely continue your update by rebooting your Pi.
Once this final update is finished, your Raspberry Pi will reboot once more. On the next startup, check the version number and make sure it starts with “2.4”. Congratulations, you are now up to date with the latest Piper software!
There may be a slight delay when pressing the “Play” button on the main menu for the first time after updating, but this will only happen once. If you encounter any issues with the update process, please visit https://playpiper.com/getsupport for support.
v2.3.4-v2.4.4
First, ensure the Piper kit is connected to the internet. The WiFi menu can be accessed from the main menu; this will display a list of available networks to connect to. Once the Piper kit is connected to the internet there should be a prompt to update, if this appears click the “Ok” button to start the update. If the update message does not appear, click the update button at the top left of the main menu, it should take 5-10 minutes.
If a message appears saying the Piper kit is already up to date, make sure the Piper kit is connected to the internet and then restart the kit.
*DISCLAIMER* the loading bar could appear it is 'stuck' at 50%, but rest assured, the update is still occurring. When your Piper is done updating, your display will show some "boot up" messages and will restart.***
Once this final update is finished, your Raspberry Pi will reboot once more. On the next startup, check the version number and make sure it starts with “2.6”.
For further updates, you will have to use the manual process.
FOR BULK UPDATING
For school groups with have large numbers of SD cards which require updates, we do offer services to update manually. We will require you to physically mail the SD cards to our address at 1234 Indiana St, San Francisco, CA 94107. For more information regarding this service, contact us. Shipping and handling fees will apply.
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