Refresh even if data is unchanged? *cash for solution!*

[Jake of All Trades]

Is there a way to tweak LCD Smartie so that it sends the data every xxx milliseconds regardless of what the data is? For instance: currently if I tell it to display the number "27", it sends "27" to the screen once and then stays quiet until I type in a new number and hit "apply". This is fine for most LCDs, but the project I'm working on now needs a true, periodic refresh--not just an update. Can this be done? Thanks!

[mattcro]

At present, there is no way to force a full-display refresh (as far as I know). Smartie is designed to only refresh the parts that change, in order to reduce the amount of data sent to the display.

Writing large amounts of data is only a problem with slow comms like serial ports at 9600 baud and slower (a full screen of 4x20 chars would take about 100ms at 9600baud), so maybe it's time an option was implemented to force full-display refreshes. This would be handy for an LCD I have, which handles custom characters a bit differently to the normal HD44780-style behaviour...

[Jake of All Trades]

Mm, darn. I should also point out that I am only sending a three-digit number, and not a whole screen of data. Perhaps there is another program out there that can send CPU usage and MBM temperatures over a serial line in the way I need?

[caesar]

the screen is updated immediately when that number changes!
What you have osberved is true, if it doesn't change then why send it?
That way things that change get more often changed onscreen... so to speak bandwidth management.

If you need periodic change (like for making a led sign) then do it in the hardware that lights up the leds, not over a slow serial line.

[Jake of All Trades]

the screen is updated immediately when that number changes!
What you have osberved is true, if it doesn't change then why send it?
That way things that change get more often changed onscreen... so to speak bandwidth management.

Right, i understand that. Like I said, this is a fine design for 99.9% of all uses of this software--it's just that my use needs "reassurance", I suppose you could say...

[Jake of All Trades]

I hope this isn't out of line, but I'll PayPal somebody a few bucks if they can figure out a way to do this. I'm a student so I don't have much, but I'm sure we can work something out.

[limbo]

You can use an external source to do this...
You can use a file and use the $File(C:\file.txt,1) command or an application and a custom dll to write directly to the LCD.

I have an application that may give you an idea about how to. I believe that it doesn;t fits your needs, but it may help.

Use the attached file and extract the application and the plugin.
Copy the plugin into your plugins directory.
Open LCD Smartie and use the following lines in order to make the lines appear.

Code: Select all

$dll(direct,1,,)
$dll(direct,2,,)
$dll(direct,3,,)
$dll(direct,4,,)

Open the 'LCD Smartie Direct Write" program and write down text in four lines and hit the display button.

The text must appear on the LCD...
All you need is an external application that updates automatically...

Tell me if this can do something for you. I'll try to find the source code of the program and alter a bit for you (If its close to your needs)

[caesar]

Jake of All Trades, please explain what you are trying to do so we can help you better. Also a good description of your display and connection method is welcome as I suppose it's not a regular LCD/VFD.

Remember that processing power and bandwidth requirements are greatly increased if you are always updating a line. The best way is to keep that line in the same status until it changes. There is no need to update it if information doesn't change.

[Abi_J]

thinking...

would the swap.dll work, but instead of having it swap from say $CPU to $MEM, have it swap $CPU to $CPU? that might give you a refresh as it writes new data, not sure how much fast you can go with the swap though (not at my regular computer right now so I can't tinker with it to find out).

ok, enough thinking, head hurting.
Abi.