Help me reprogram the chip inside my flashlight! :P

[MrJoeyJoeJoe]

Hey guys!
I need help! I'm always up for fixing things and am sick of my headlight torch's programming: you have to push the button once, twice, three times to turn on all of the LEDs and then a fourth and fifth time to turn off!
I recently bought a USB multi microchip reader/writer and thought I know, I'll reprogram it so it's just one click to turn on, one click to turn off. How hard can it be? 

I am now in a world of pain.





Unfortunately it appears to be a blob microchip with what appears to be 7 pins...
I've tried to connect the pins to the USB device in some sort of coherent fashion and am about to install a flasher program like Dave used in his video on USB chip readers, but I'm wondering if it's even possible to code this sort of thing? I was hoping for some kind of language, but it looks like it's all F's and numbers?

Is it even possible to 'free code' something like this?

All ideas are welcome,
Thanks, Joe!

[ataradov]

I don't understand. How can you connect an unknown MCU to the programmer? What even makes you think it is an MCU?  Most of those multi-press cheap flashlights use fixed functions LED drivers. There is nothing to reprogram.

[ataradov]

It may be easier to just bypass the chip and wire a fixed switch.

[AndyC_772]

Personally I wouldn't even bother trying to find out what that blob is or how it might be reprogrammed. I'd just design a new PCB the same shape and size with a PIC on it and use that; companies like JLC are so stupidly cheap it's a no-brainer, IMHO.

[Gyro]

I don't understand. How can you connect an unknown MCU to the programmer? What even makes you think it is an MCU?  Most of those multi-press cheap flashlights use fixed functions LED drivers. There is nothing to reprogram.

It may be easier to just bypass the chip and wire a fixed switch.

Actually, most of those torches do have a micro driving the FET. They do the PWM dimming, SOS flashing etc. It allows different products to be differentiated by different numbers of 'modes' - and importantly, things like low battery shut-off. Some of them are PIC based, some ATtiny, probably clones, and doubtless others, something cheap and Chinese. Blobbed dies are the bottom of the pile though.

There's a website somewhere where modders have various public domain firmware variants - it's referenced on the forum somewhere. Simply bypassing the chip is going to rob it of things like battery shut-off and dimming though - they don't last long at maximum current.

I agree with the Andy's advice. I can't see the OP being able to identify what the controller is - even the SOIC versions are normally sanded and need identifying from their pinout.

P.S. It might even be possible to isolate the blob and air-wire a micro onto the existing PCB.

[MrJoeyJoeJoe]

It may be easier to just bypass the chip and wire a fixed switch.

Thanks a lot for your replies!
It certainly WOULD be easier just to wire on a new on/off switch. But I'm really curious about the code that goes on inside these home appliances, and would love to have the ability/ knowledge to manipulate them!

[MrJoeyJoeJoe]

I don't understand. How can you connect an unknown MCU to the programmer? What even makes you think it is an MCU?  Most of those multi-press cheap flashlights use fixed functions LED drivers. There is nothing to reprogram.

It may be easier to just bypass the chip and wire a fixed switch.

Actually, most of those torches do have a micro driving the FET. They do the PWM dimming, SOS flashing etc. It allows different products to be differentiated by different numbers of 'modes' - and importantly, things like low battery shut-off. Some of them are PIC based, some ATtiny, probably clones, and doubtless others, something cheap and Chinese. Blobbed dies are the bottom of the pile though.

There's a website somewhere where modders have various public domain firmware variants - it's referenced on the forum somewhere. Simply bypassing the chip is going to rob it of things like battery shut-off and dimming though - they don't last long at maximum current.

I agree with the Andy's advice. I can't see the OP being able to identify what the controller is - even the SOIC versions are normally sanded and need identifying from their pinout.

P.S. It might even be possible to isolate the blob and air-wire a micro onto the existing PCB.

Awesome advice, regarding replacing the blob for an identifiable micro! And then flash a public domain firmware onto that, no?
What should I google, to find that?? 

[perieanuo]

atarodov is right, just the switch + current regulator for your led, you're ok

[shakalnokturn]

It sounds like a lot of trouble for a bit of light but yes those multi-mode cycles are annoying.
The only decent headlight I've found so far is a aluminium body "Boruit" branded one from AliExpress.
It has a IR proximity sensor that I never use and simple on/off switch that when held will make the lamp go through a dimming cycle to set a default brightness on release.

If you can't get to talk to your white blob it looks like a good from scratch learning project for i.e. a PIC10F222.

[amyk]

ataradov is right, there's basically 0 chance it's going to be a reprogrammable MCU, and even if it's an MCU it's going to be mask ROM with that sort of packaging and production volume.

Put another way, a manufacturer is going to choose a mask ROM before going with COB.

[Habropoda]

Budget Light Forum has lots of info on DIY and modding flashlights including firmware, code examples and schematics:
https://budgetlightforum.com/forum/otherled/mods

[Gyro]

That was the site. 


P.S. Infray torches (well at least the ones I've bought) come back on in the same mode if you hold the button down to turn them off.

[AndyC_772]

Awesome advice, regarding replacing the blob for an identifiable micro! And then flash a public domain firmware onto that, no?
What should I google, to find that?? 

Try "complete beginner guide programming PIC in C".

This will be an exercise in programming, not finding some pre-existing code for that specific combination of light + replacement processor.

[MrJoeyJoeJoe]

Thanks a lot guys, I'll check out that other forum!