1.2" 7-segment backpack -- colons

[hackoholic]

I am having much success with these displays except with controlling the colons and dot (degree symbol?). Following along with the Adafruit tutorial, I am easily able to display any or all digits I want but when I enable the drawColon(true), BOTH colons come on as well as the degree symbol. Looking at the tutorial for the smaller 7-segment backpack it looks like the smaller display only has ONE colon and multiple decimal points. However, both libraries and tutorials make it seem like you use the same commands. Is it possible the new, 1.2" displays need a more refined command set to allow finer control of the two colons and the degree symbol independent of one another?

All I need is to display the center colon along with my digits and this currently does not seem possible. Any guidance or help is appreciated.

Chris

[adafruit_support_bill]

Yes, the colons and decimal point mappings are a little different for that display. You can control the dots individually via the writeDigitRaw(location, bitmap) function. Specify 2 for the location and the bits are mapped as follows:

0x02 - center colon
0x04 - right colon - lower dot
0x08 - right colon - upper dot
0x10 - decimal point

For example:

Code: Select all

    matrix.writeDigitRaw(2, 0x02); // display center colon
    matrix.writeDigitRaw(2, 0x10); // display decimal point

The bits can be "ORed" together to display multiple points:

Code: Select all

    matrix.writeDigitRaw(2, 0x04 | 0x08); // display right colon 

Thanks for catching that. I'll see that the tutorial is updated.

[hackoholic]

This is exactly the information I was looking for and it works perfectly! Thank you!
Chris

[stejep]

This is exactly what I was looking for.

Could I suggest that more detailed instructions for the library be made.

I am finding while using the Ardunio Libraries that to use them correctly a lot of experimenting is required.
I must admit that this does help you learn more, but you can also pull your hair out as well.

Regards

Steven
Australia.

[adafruit_support_bill]

Thanks for the suggestion I have added this information to the tutorial.

On the left of every tutorial page (below the list of pages) is a comment/feedback button. Any comments posted there are referred directly to the authors.
For libraries issues, if you post an issue on Github, it will be on our 'todo' list for future revisions.

[manojm2]

Hi,

Please advice how can I make middle colon blink.

Thank you,
Manoj

[adafruit_support_bill]

You would need to write some timing code and use writeDigitRaw to turn it on and off periodically. See the sample code File->Examples->Digital->BlinkWithoutDelay for an example of how to do the timing.

[manojm2]

Hi,

Thank you for your prompt reply. Appreciated.


Thanks

[manojm2]

Hi,

please indicate the which example set having mentioned code ? also explain is it possible to run RTC and 1.2" 7-Segment standalone as clock with out using Raspberry Pi ?

Thanks in advance,
Manoj

[adafruit_support_bill]

please indicate the which example set having mentioned code ?

The example I was referring to is one of the standard Arduino example files: File->Examples->Digital->BlinkWithoutDelay

is it possible to run RTC and 1.2" 7-Segment standalone as clock with out using Raspberry Pi ?

You need a processor of some sort. It does not need to be as powerful as a Raspberry Pi. One of the smaller Arduino compatible processors would be sufficient.

[manojm2]

Hi,

Thanks for the quick feedback, actually I'm working on the clock example with Rasberry Pi, not with Arduino. Sorry forget to mentioned earlier post. If you can indicate some example with Rasberry Pi is really helpful.

It's nice to arrange standalone clock kit in the future for beginners.

Thanks again,
BR,
Manoj