4D SYSTEMS FORUM

Notes for use with Ardunio

tycon — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:50:26 GMT

Hello,
I thought there might be a few people out there trying to connect to the micro drive with the Arduino. If you are doing this you will most likely be using software serial since there is only one UART on the 168. I just got it working and wanted to give a few pointers on some issues I had while doing this.

-Use the newsoftserial library. It is much better than the original one. It can be found here http://arduiniana.org/libraries/NewSoftSerial/

- Make sure your Arduino is outputting 3.3 volts on the digital pins not 5. I suggest the Seeduino, which allows you to change from 3.3 to 5 volts with the flick of a switch.

-Be sure you are using myserial.print(U, BYTE); and define U as int U = 0x55;. There are so many print options which print in different forms (HEX, BYTE, CHAR) it can get confusing.

I wrote a short test program to connect to the goldelox over software serial. You can find it here: http://tyconpowered.com/blog/index.php?show=&post=483

Forum: micro-DRIVE

uLCD-32032-P1T issue

amurray — Thur, 19 Nov 2009 18:37:18 GMT

I have a uLCD-32032-P1T that was purchased with 13 others. This display when powered up does not accept new pmmc programming or any other programming. The screen display is solid white when power is applied through the uSB-CE5.

One other display from the same order accept's new pmmc programming and can be programmed with 4DGL Workshop. However the display seems to randomly reset and does not return to the splash screen. When trying to be accessed with Serial Commander, the Serial Commander shows the U and the ack and hangs midway through the V response and a the device is not responding popup appears.

The remainder of the units accept pmmc and 4DGL programming properly. Is there anything I can do to get these two into proper operation?

Forum: micro-LCD

Supplying power to the display module

greem — Thur, 19 Nov 2009 16:54:00 GMT

I have an OLED-32028-P1T-SGC, powered by a battery which supplies just over 5V. I find that the display resets whenever it does anything particularly power-hungry - in my case, filling the display with red does it. I've found this is because the voltage at the V IN pin with respect to ground drops as low as 4V while it's doing this, presumably because I'm not supplying it with enough current. I also assume this is why the display is resetting; the input voltage drops too low.

I have a 10 ohm resistor between the battery and the display module's V IN input.

The obvious solution would be to remove this resistor and just connect the pin directly to the battery. Replacing the 10 ohm resistor with higher value resistors cause the display not to work at all, so all the evidence points to this.

But is it safe to connect a battery directly to the VIN input? Or is the fact that it doesn't work symptomatic of a bigger problem? I've connected the power supply pins of components directly to a battery before and ended up with dead components, so I thought I'd better check first.

Forum: micro-OLED

Horizontal display in Serial Commander

amurray — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:34:57 GMT

Is there a way presently to have the commands issued in serial commander applied horizontally to a uLCD-32032-P1T?

Forum: 4D Software Tools (Other)

formatted ASCII > 12x16 ?

amurray — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:31:59 GMT

Is there any way to get an expanded font set for the SPE formatted ascii that is larger than the 12x16 FONT4 size?

Forum: SPE - Serial Platform Emulator

Will 4D release programming info for the .AD4 file conversion?

PJMonty — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:07:38 GMT

I have downloaded the free utility for converting files to .AD4 format, and found it to be lacking in certain features. While exploring, I noticed that the software installs a dll called "codec.dll". This is clearly the DLL that does the actual audio conversion.

Can 4D release some documentation on using this DLL in custom programs? I am a programmer with plenty of experience and have used 3rd party DLLs in my programs in the past. However, without some sort of documentation on the functions and procedures contained within the DLL (and the parameters passed, return values, etc), it's a needlessly difficult undertaking. Just releasing the C header file that corresponds to the DLL would be a huge help. The other bit of information needed would be the .AD4 file format, unless the codec handles creating the output file as well.

Releasing this information on using the DLL and the .AD4 file format won't compromise the value of the SOMO module. The information is of absolutely no use without buying the module, so it won't cut into sales at all. In fact, it could potentially increase sales if the developer community could develop a better piece of software.

Thanks,
PeterM

Forum: SOMO 14D

Reset and the "U" Command

kevin_mayes — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:38:49 GMT

Reset and the "U" Command

OK, simple question If I reset the Drive, wait 400ms, send a U and don't get a reply within a set time, can I re-send the U again and try again, and again, or do I have to cycle the reset line.

Got a system working here, but just every now and again it doesn't sync up, maybe once every 20 times or so.

Cheers
Kevin.

Forum: micro-DRIVE

Difficulty playing audio files

westaust55 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:40:22 GMT

Powered up my SOMO 14D audfio module yesterday for the first time.
Using the code some of us have developed on the PICAXE forum:
http://www.picaxeforum.co.uk/showthread.php?p=117323#post117323

and all worked frst time.

Seems a great little audio module but a few things to sort out .

A few comments and questions have arisen with further experimentation as follows.

BUSY Signal:

I have found that if the BUSY signal is used to flag end of playing one audio file and ready to send the next audio file to the SOMO 14D that some delays are required:
1. A pause of ~10msec before checking the BUSY line as it seems to take ~5 to 7ms for the BUSY line to go high
2. A pause of ~ 10msec after the BUSY line goes low as it seems to take ~5 to 7ms after BUSY = 0 before the SOMO 14D is ready to accept an audio file name.

3. Is the BUSY signal a valid line to monitor when sending a command such as volume level to the SOMO 14D?

Maybe 4D Systems can add a note about the BUSY line timing to the next revision of the datasheet

Playing Files:

When I first used the SOMO 14D module, I had used the six ad4 files from the 4D Systems website.

These all worked perfectly both singly and when played consecutively.

I then converted a few MP3 files to ad4 format and then also worked correctly. Spurred on by this I then converted around 30 files to ad4 format and placed on the uSD card.

What I then found with a PICAXE (18X) program driving the SOMO 14D is that the first six (0 to 5) files would play but then the program, which is checking the busy line, would skip over the remaining programs.

I have originally converted using the original sample bit rate so tried with a 12000 bit/sec sampling rate for conversion without any change.

Next I shuffled some of the file names and found I could now play seven (0 to 6) files. Further shuffling of the file names has not consistently allowed me to play audio files with names/numbers greater than 0006.ad4. Very occasionally, the program might resume at say file 0019.ad4 and play the remainder consecutively,

I then renamed files 0007.ad4 through 0010.ad4 as 0000.ad4 to 0003.ad4 and these will play both singly and in a sequence so it is not the actual audio files themselves.

Edit:

How is the SOMO module designed to handle cases with gaps in the sequence for file naming or if there is an invalid filename such as 000A.ad4.

When on one occasion I, in error, named some files as 000A.ad4 through 000F.ad4, it played 000.ad4 then jumped to file 0014.sd4

Confirmation of the timing for the BUSY signal and assitance to get the SOMO to consistently play all files would be greatly appreciated.

For information:

1. I am runing the SOMO at 3.3Vdc

2. I have 4.7k Ohm resistors in the signal lines form the PICAXE chip (5Vdc) and the SOMO module

3. I had clean formated the uSD card each time and manually placed each audio file onto the uSD card so they are in the filename sewquence as written to the card.

Below is the PICAXE 18X program that I have been using.

Code:

 SYMBOL control  = b0      ; Used for control bits - DONT use for anything else 
SYMBOL mask  = bit0   ; Mask word for the shiftout procedure
SYMBOL index  = b1    ; Bit counter for shifting data to SOMO 14D
SYMBOL song  = w1    ; Pointer to the required song file
SYMBOL dta  = w2    ; Data to send to SOMO 14D module is a word(16-bit) value
symbol MSB  = $8000   ; Mask for the Most Significant Bit = bit 16
symbol sda  = 3    ; Serial data output is on pin3
symbol scl  = 2    ; Serial clock output is on pin2
symbol busy  = pin2   ; Busy line back from SOMO 14D
;=========================================
;Initialisation
;=========================================
Init:
 high scl     ; Set clock to high idle state
 wait 5     ; Allow everything to start before sending any commands
;=========================================
;Main Program
;=========================================
Main:       
 For song = 0 to 25    ; Lets play the first 26 audio files (0001.AD4 to 0025.AD4)
 
  dta = $FFFF - w0   ; set a volume level - slightly quieter for each file
  GOSUB Send2SOMO
  GOSUB Holdtilldone
  
   dta = song   ; Provide the .ad4 file number on the micro-SD card
   GOSUB Send2SOMO   ; Pass the filename/number to the SOMO 14D module
  GOSUB Holdtilldone   
 NEXT song
END
;=========================================
;CLOCK DATA TO SOMO-14D MODULE
;=========================================
Send2SOMO:
 LOW scl     ; Pull clock-line low for a start
 PAUSE 2     ; Start-bit time &gt;= 2msec to indicate a start of command
 FOR index = 1 TO 16   ; loop for each of 16 bits of filename/number
    mask = dta AND MSB / MSB  ; ascertain if next bit is 1 or 0
  LOW sda
  IF mask = 0 THEN SkipMSB 
  HIGH sda    ; if bit is 1 set data high high
SkipMSB:
  IF index = 16 THEN Skip16th ; Skip here as 16th bit is clocked out at the end
    PULSOUT scl, 20   ; Create 200usec clock pulse for the current data bit
    dta = dta * 2
Skip16th:
 NEXT index     ; Go back for the next bit till all 16 sent
 HIGH scl     ; Pull clock-line high which clocks out the 16th data bit
 PAUSE 2     ; End-bit minimum time &gt;= 2msec for STOP indication
 RETURN
;=========================================
;WAIT UNTIL THE COMMAND IS COMPLETE
;=========================================
Holdtilldone:
  PAUSE 10    ; Need at wait briefly as it seemingly takes ~5-7msec for the busy line to go high = busy
 IF busy = 1 THEN Holdtilldone
 PAUSE 10    ; Need to wait briefly as it seemingly takes ~5-7msec after busy released before SOMO ready for new instruction
 RETURN

Forum: SOMO 14D

setting baud rate for UOLED-32024-P1

bradgm — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:33:57 GMT

I am trying to manually set the baud rate for the OLED-32024-P1 to 115200 using the DISP tool. My PICmicro has a UART that supports baud rates up to 115200 is it possible to manually set the baud rate to 115200 using the DISP tool. I can't try the "Q" command to change the baud rate because I can only set the baud rate once for my PICmicro and since the default baud rate for the OLED-32024-P1 is at 9600 baud this is very trouble some for me because I can get it to work at 9600. is there a way I can get a pmmc file for the OLED-32024-P1 with a default baud rate at 115200?

Forum: micro-OLED

A very basic question

sankavit — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:58:49 GMT

Hello, I have just purchased the OLED128G1(SGC). I also have the USB to serial converter.

I tried using the serial commander and the FAT Controller. they work great!

My question:
I don't know where to write the codes in 4DGL format. I tried using the workshop 2.4 version. but, when i try to load the sample program, it says 'Check your configuration settings'. This is very much on the basic level.
Can anyone help me here? I really really need it very badly. I have soooooooo many plans with this display.

Forum: micro-OLED

GC crach with movies

muth — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:11:54 GMT

Hi,

I have also a bug on WinXP64, GC is craching when I try to add movie on the project. The movie property is well added, but when I choosed the file (.gif, .avi, ... tessted all, with small files) and press OK I have this unhandled exception :

Quote:

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.InvalidOperationException: Bitmap region is already locked.
   at System.Drawing.Graphics.CheckErrorStatus(Int32 status)
   at System.Drawing.Graphics.DrawImage(Image image, Rectangle destRect, Rectangle srcRect, GraphicsUnit srcUnit)
   at GraphicsComposer.BitmapManipulator.CropBitmap(Bitmap inputBmp, Rectangle cropRectangle)
   at GraphicsComposer.FormMovie.ShowPreview()
   at GraphicsComposer.FormMovie.CheckImageFile()
   at GraphicsComposer.FormMovie.ShowForm()
   at GraphicsComposer.GraphicsComposer.Actions_SelectedIndexChanged(Object sender, EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ListView.OnSelectedIndexChanged(EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ListView.WmReflectNotify(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ListView.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1433 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/Microsoft.NET/Framework64/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
GraphicsComposer
    Assembly Version: 2.1.0.3
    Win32 Version: 2.1.0.3
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/4DGL%20Workshop2%20IDE/GC/GraphicsComposer.exe
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1433 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1433 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1433 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
DirectShowLib
    Assembly Version: 1.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 1.0.0.0
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/4DGL%20Workshop2%20IDE/GC/DirectShowLib.DLL
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.1433 (REDBITS.050727-1400)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/WINDOWS/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:

<configuration>
    <system.windows.forms jitDebugging="true" />
</configuration>

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

I install and reinstall .net framework 2.0, 3.0, 3.5 with patches, no change.

Cheers, Pierre

Forum: Graphics Composer

MediaEditTool Bug report

muth — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:57:49 GMT

Hi,
Want to report bug on MediaEditTool.

I tried many configurations : Desktop computers, on WinXP32 and WinXP64, and a laptop on WinXP32.
I'm using the uUSB-CE5, uOLED-128-G1, and a 2Go uSD (tested). The pmmc loader works perfectly, and last firmware is loaded.
But the MediaEditTool of 4DGL Workshop2 have problems to send GCI files. Some times it can't send more than one sector, and when it's work, it block and never go after 1219 blocks. That's happen with many attempts, also with the demo GCI file.

I also notice once MediaEditTool is launched, the 4DGL Workshop2 process (saw on windows task manager) never stop when exit the program...

Cheers, Pierre.

Forum: 4DGL Workshop IDE (Compiler, Editor, Downloader)

Read one-wire device DS18B20 Digital Temerature Sensor)

kfahrner — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:25:45 GMT

Hi All,

I am a complete novice to 4DGL. So far I have gone through the many test files and got a basic understanding of 4DGL.
I now want to explore working with a DS18B20 temperature sensor. I have set it up on the DEVBOARD (with pull-up at the digital output, and have connected it to I01. I have used the following code segment:
    //read temperature from DS18B20
    //OW_Reset();
    temp_buf    :=0
    print("Temp.= ",temp_buf," degr.C"); //check zero
    temp_buf    :=OW_Read9();
    txt_MoveCursor(2,0);                //get actual temperature
    print("Temp.= ", temp_buf/16," degr.C");
For the first reading I get a constant '23', for the second '31'. This does not change, even if I remove the sensor. Using an oscilloscope I was able to determine that the sensor outputs a proper signal.
Is the OW_Read command not suitable for this application?

Can anybody help?   Thanks   Klaus

Forum: micro-OLED

workshop crashes

wsicc — Thur, 12 Nov 2009 22:43:39 GMT

I have been using this program for a few weeks, but now I am getting many crashes. When I download the display, I get #MAIN and #USER errors. Sometimes when compiling I get 'compiler dll not found, or it generates errors and compiling a second time gives no errors. I have uninstalled and deleted the directory in program files, then re-installed and loaded the new .tkn file. It will fail on the first download attempt every time. I noticed in older threads talk about registry problems, is this still valid with workshop 2.4 ?

Thanks,

Forum: micro-OLED

Flowcode for PIC Micro

1968neil — Thur, 12 Nov 2009 18:38:27 GMT

Hi
Is there anybody that has any experience of using the SOMO14D with Flowcode ?
I am developing a system for the blind and would like to use flowcode 3 as my platform.
Any help greatfully received, even basic example code would be good.
Thanks again.

Regards
Neil

Forum: SOMO 14D