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@DenisFromHR
Last active December 1, 2023 21:05
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RaspberryPi I2C LCD Python stuff
# requires RPi_I2C_driver.py
import RPi_I2C_driver
from time import *
mylcd = RPi_I2C_driver.lcd()
# test 2
mylcd.lcd_display_string("RPi I2C test", 1)
mylcd.lcd_display_string(" Custom chars", 2)
sleep(2) # 2 sec delay
mylcd.lcd_clear()
# let's define a custom icon, consisting of 6 individual characters
# 3 chars in the first row and 3 chars in the second row
fontdata1 = [
# Char 0 - Upper-left
[ 0x00, 0x00, 0x03, 0x04, 0x08, 0x19, 0x11, 0x10 ],
# Char 1 - Upper-middle
[ 0x00, 0x1F, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x11, 0x11, 0x00 ],
# Char 2 - Upper-right
[ 0x00, 0x00, 0x18, 0x04, 0x02, 0x13, 0x11, 0x01 ],
# Char 3 - Lower-left
[ 0x12, 0x13, 0x1b, 0x09, 0x04, 0x03, 0x00, 0x00 ],
# Char 4 - Lower-middle
[ 0x00, 0x11, 0x1f, 0x1f, 0x0e, 0x00, 0x1F, 0x00 ],
# Char 5 - Lower-right
[ 0x09, 0x19, 0x1b, 0x12, 0x04, 0x18, 0x00, 0x00 ],
# Char 6 - my test
[ 0x1f,0x0,0x4,0xe,0x0,0x1f,0x1f,0x1f],
]
# Load logo chars (fontdata1)
mylcd.lcd_load_custom_chars(fontdata1)
# Write first three chars to row 1 directly
mylcd.lcd_write(0x80)
mylcd.lcd_write_char(0)
mylcd.lcd_write_char(1)
mylcd.lcd_write_char(2)
# Write next three chars to row 2 directly
mylcd.lcd_write(0xC0)
mylcd.lcd_write_char(3)
mylcd.lcd_write_char(4)
mylcd.lcd_write_char(5)
sleep(2)
mylcd.lcd_clear()
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos("Testing",1,1) # row 1, column 1
sleep(1)
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos("Testing",2,3) # row 2, column 3
sleep(1)
mylcd.lcd_clear()
# Now let's define some more custom characters
fontdata2 = [
# Char 0 - left arrow
[ 0x1,0x3,0x7,0xf,0xf,0x7,0x3,0x1 ],
# Char 1 - left one bar
[ 0x10,0x10,0x10,0x10,0x10,0x10,0x10,0x10 ],
# Char 2 - left two bars
[ 0x18,0x18,0x18,0x18,0x18,0x18,0x18,0x18 ],
# Char 3 - left 3 bars
[ 0x1c,0x1c,0x1c,0x1c,0x1c,0x1c,0x1c,0x1c ],
# Char 4 - left 4 bars
[ 0x1e,0x1e,0x1e,0x1e,0x1e,0x1e,0x1e,0x1e ],
# Char 5 - left start
[ 0x0,0x1,0x3,0x7,0xf,0x1f,0x1f,0x1f ],
# Char 6 -
# [ ],
]
# Load logo chars from the second set
mylcd.lcd_load_custom_chars(fontdata2)
block = chr(255) # block character, built-in
# display two blocks in columns 5 and 6 (i.e. AFTER pos. 4) in row 1
# first draw two blocks on 5th column (cols 5 and 6), starts from 0
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(block * 2,1,4)
#
pauza = 0.2 # define duration of sleep(x)
#
# now draw cust. chars starting from col. 7 (pos. 6)
pos = 6
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(unichr(1),1,6)
sleep(pauza)
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(unichr(2),1,pos)
sleep(pauza)
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(unichr(3),1,pos)
sleep(pauza)
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(unichr(4),1,pos)
sleep(pauza)
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(block,1,pos)
sleep(pauza)
# and another one, same as above, 1 char-space to the right
pos = pos +1 # increase column by one
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(unichr(1),1,pos)
sleep(pauza)
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(unichr(2),1,pos)
sleep(pauza)
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(unichr(3),1,pos)
sleep(pauza)
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(unichr(4),1,pos)
sleep(pauza)
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(block,1,pos)
sleep(pauza)
#
# now again load first set of custom chars - smiley
mylcd.lcd_load_custom_chars(fontdata1)
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(unichr(0),1,9)
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(unichr(1),1,10)
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(unichr(2),1,11)
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(unichr(3),2,9)
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(unichr(4),2,10)
mylcd.lcd_display_string_pos(unichr(5),2,11)
sleep(2)
mylcd.lcd_clear()
sleep(1)
mylcd.backlight(0)
# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
"""
Compiled, mashed and generally mutilated 2014-2015 by Denis Pleic
Made available under GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
# Modified Python I2C library for Raspberry Pi
# as found on http://www.recantha.co.uk/blog/?p=4849
# Joined existing 'i2c_lib.py' and 'lcddriver.py' into a single library
# added bits and pieces from various sources
# By DenisFromHR (Denis Pleic)
# 2015-02-10, ver 0.1
"""
#
#
import smbus
from time import *
class i2c_device:
def __init__(self, addr, port=1):
self.addr = addr
self.bus = smbus.SMBus(port)
# Write a single command
def write_cmd(self, cmd):
self.bus.write_byte(self.addr, cmd)
sleep(0.0001)
# Write a command and argument
def write_cmd_arg(self, cmd, data):
self.bus.write_byte_data(self.addr, cmd, data)
sleep(0.0001)
# Write a block of data
def write_block_data(self, cmd, data):
self.bus.write_block_data(self.addr, cmd, data)
sleep(0.0001)
# Read a single byte
def read(self):
return self.bus.read_byte(self.addr)
# Read
def read_data(self, cmd):
return self.bus.read_byte_data(self.addr, cmd)
# Read a block of data
def read_block_data(self, cmd):
return self.bus.read_block_data(self.addr, cmd)
# LCD Address
ADDRESS = 0x27
# commands
LCD_CLEARDISPLAY = 0x01
LCD_RETURNHOME = 0x02
LCD_ENTRYMODESET = 0x04
LCD_DISPLAYCONTROL = 0x08
LCD_CURSORSHIFT = 0x10
LCD_FUNCTIONSET = 0x20
LCD_SETCGRAMADDR = 0x40
LCD_SETDDRAMADDR = 0x80
# flags for display entry mode
LCD_ENTRYRIGHT = 0x00
LCD_ENTRYLEFT = 0x02
LCD_ENTRYSHIFTINCREMENT = 0x01
LCD_ENTRYSHIFTDECREMENT = 0x00
# flags for display on/off control
LCD_DISPLAYON = 0x04
LCD_DISPLAYOFF = 0x00
LCD_CURSORON = 0x02
LCD_CURSOROFF = 0x00
LCD_BLINKON = 0x01
LCD_BLINKOFF = 0x00
# flags for display/cursor shift
LCD_DISPLAYMOVE = 0x08
LCD_CURSORMOVE = 0x00
LCD_MOVERIGHT = 0x04
LCD_MOVELEFT = 0x00
# flags for function set
LCD_8BITMODE = 0x10
LCD_4BITMODE = 0x00
LCD_2LINE = 0x08
LCD_1LINE = 0x00
LCD_5x10DOTS = 0x04
LCD_5x8DOTS = 0x00
# flags for backlight control
LCD_BACKLIGHT = 0x08
LCD_NOBACKLIGHT = 0x00
En = 0b00000100 # Enable bit
Rw = 0b00000010 # Read/Write bit
Rs = 0b00000001 # Register select bit
class lcd:
#initializes objects and lcd
def __init__(self):
self.lcd_device = i2c_device(ADDRESS)
self.lcd_write(0x03)
self.lcd_write(0x03)
self.lcd_write(0x03)
self.lcd_write(0x02)
self.lcd_write(LCD_FUNCTIONSET | LCD_2LINE | LCD_5x8DOTS | LCD_4BITMODE)
self.lcd_write(LCD_DISPLAYCONTROL | LCD_DISPLAYON)
self.lcd_write(LCD_CLEARDISPLAY)
self.lcd_write(LCD_ENTRYMODESET | LCD_ENTRYLEFT)
sleep(0.2)
# clocks EN to latch command
def lcd_strobe(self, data):
self.lcd_device.write_cmd(data | En | LCD_BACKLIGHT)
sleep(.0005)
self.lcd_device.write_cmd(((data & ~En) | LCD_BACKLIGHT))
sleep(.0001)
def lcd_write_four_bits(self, data):
self.lcd_device.write_cmd(data | LCD_BACKLIGHT)
self.lcd_strobe(data)
# write a command to lcd
def lcd_write(self, cmd, mode=0):
self.lcd_write_four_bits(mode | (cmd & 0xF0))
self.lcd_write_four_bits(mode | ((cmd << 4) & 0xF0))
# write a character to lcd (or character rom) 0x09: backlight | RS=DR<
# works!
def lcd_write_char(self, charvalue, mode=1):
self.lcd_write_four_bits(mode | (charvalue & 0xF0))
self.lcd_write_four_bits(mode | ((charvalue << 4) & 0xF0))
# put string function
def lcd_display_string(self, string, line):
if line == 1:
self.lcd_write(0x80)
if line == 2:
self.lcd_write(0xC0)
if line == 3:
self.lcd_write(0x94)
if line == 4:
self.lcd_write(0xD4)
for char in string:
self.lcd_write(ord(char), Rs)
# clear lcd and set to home
def lcd_clear(self):
self.lcd_write(LCD_CLEARDISPLAY)
self.lcd_write(LCD_RETURNHOME)
# define backlight on/off (lcd.backlight(1); off= lcd.backlight(0)
def backlight(self, state): # for state, 1 = on, 0 = off
if state == 1:
self.lcd_device.write_cmd(LCD_BACKLIGHT)
elif state == 0:
self.lcd_device.write_cmd(LCD_NOBACKLIGHT)
# add custom characters (0 - 7)
def lcd_load_custom_chars(self, fontdata):
self.lcd_write(0x40);
for char in fontdata:
for line in char:
self.lcd_write_char(line)
# define precise positioning (addition from the forum)
def lcd_display_string_pos(self, string, line, pos):
if line == 1:
pos_new = pos
elif line == 2:
pos_new = 0x40 + pos
elif line == 3:
pos_new = 0x14 + pos
elif line == 4:
pos_new = 0x54 + pos
self.lcd_write(0x80 + pos_new)
for char in string:
self.lcd_write(ord(char), Rs)
@wolfmanbass
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Is it possible to run multiple LCD's each with a different address?

@gingerhelp
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Thanks for the libs!

I've spend several hours for trying start libs working.. And I fix it with screwdriver.. Fix potentiometer brightness.

Thank you for posting this - I was pulling my hair out over the same thing.

@ruediheimlicher
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Hi Denis
Thanks for the libs. I have two 16x2 LCD's from different shops.
It works fine on LCD 1, but LCD 2 displays sometimes a few characters, sometimes blocks, sometimes nothing, hanging for a few seconds. Switching on and off the display works. Probably a timing problem.
Any Idea where to change any delays?

@SimonChelkowski
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Dear @DenisFromHR

Myself and some others use your code to make a contribution to the RPi-Jukebox-RFID project. This project allows to build a simple to use Jukebox like Music Player which is extremely interesting for small Kids. I use these Jukeboxes for my three Kids.
We developed a project specific script this uses directly your RPi_I2C_driver.py driver (renamed to i2c_lcd_driver.py to be compatible with the contribution regulations of the RPi-Jukebox-RFID project).

Current status is, that I placed a pull request to the RPi-Jukebox-RFID project which can be found under RPi-Jukebox-RFID Pill request #859.

Currently the decision is that the code cannot be added to the project as we have a license issue. The RPi-Jukebox-RFID projet uses MIT license, see also RPI-Jukebox-RFID License Page. Your driver is released under GPL.

I kindly ask you read the discussion on the pull request page related to the driver scripts/i2c_lcd_driver.py where the license issue is discussed. I hope that you could to a statement, that allows us to use your code in our Jukebox project.

Thank you very much for your help regarding this matter.

Best regards,
Simon

@UrbanSide
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UrbanSide commented Aug 20, 2020

Dear @DenisFromHR ,how can a symbol be updated? For example from this
image
to this
image
My code

def get_cpu_temp():
    tmp = open('/sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone0/temp')
    cpu = tmp.read()
    tmp.close()
    return '{:.2f}'.format(float(cpu) / 1000)

mylcd.lcd_load_custom_chars(fontdata2)
mylcd.lcd_display_string(chr(2)+nowtime, 1)
cpu_temp = get_cpu_temp()
    if cpu_temp > 50:
        mylcd.lcd_display_string(chr(1)+cpu_temp, 2)
    else:
        mylcd.lcd_display_string(chr(0)+cpu_temp, 2)

My code work in while True: for update every second
And how i cant disable BACKLIGHT without blink every second?

if  15 < d.hour < 23:
        mylcd.backlight(1)
    else:
        mylcd.backlight(0)

Complete

   def lcd_strobe(self, data):
        d = datetime.now()
 
        if  10 > d.minute > 8:
            self.lcd_device.write_cmd(data | En | LCD_BACKLIGHT)
            sleep(.0005)
            self.lcd_device.write_cmd(((data & ~En) | LCD_BACKLIGHT))
            sleep(.0001)
        else:
            self.lcd_device.write_cmd(data | En | LCD_NOBACKLIGHT)
            sleep(.0005)
            self.lcd_device.write_cmd(((data & ~En) | LCD_NOBACKLIGHT))
            sleep(.0001)

But I still don't understand how to change a character along with a string

@ibnuh
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ibnuh commented Aug 29, 2020

Thanks for the libs!

I've spend several hours for trying start libs working.. And I fix it with screwdriver.. Fix potentiometer brightness.

Thanks, I'm new to this stuff, TIL about potentiometer from your comment

@gersmit
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gersmit commented Sep 12, 2020

Hi Dennis,

Here Ger from Holland.
Can you tell me if you already made a scroll option.
Your scripts are very nice.

Thanks for an answer

Greetings Ger

@deejayves
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deejayves commented Mar 14, 2021

Hi Dennis,

I'm using your library in my outdoor spa project. It works like a charm!

Thx.

Yves
https://blog.jbip.be/blog/jacuzzi/

@bnwlkr
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bnwlkr commented Aug 1, 2021

Thanks for the code Dennis. Here's what I'm using for text scrolling in case it helps anyone:

async def display(lcd, display_queue):
    ln1, ln2 = "", ""
    ln1_i, ln2_i = 0, 0
    while True:
        if not display_queue.empty():
            ln1, ln2 = await display_queue.get()
            ln1_i, ln2_i = 0, 0
            lcd.lcd_clear()
        else:
            ln1_i = 0 if len(ln1) <= 16 else (ln1_i + 1) % (len(ln1) - NUM_COLS + 1)
            ln2_i = 0 if len(ln2) <= 16 else (ln2_i + 1) % (len(ln2) - NUM_COLS + 1)

        lcd.lcd_display_string(ln1[ln1_i:ln1_i+NUM_COLS], 1)
        lcd.lcd_display_string(ln2[ln2_i:ln2_i+NUM_COLS], 2)

        await asyncio.sleep(0.5)

where display_queue is an asyncio.Queue.
To display something, call await display_queue.put(("Loooooooooooooooooonng", "Teeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeext"))

@nox0x1
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nox0x1 commented Aug 18, 2021

Hi Dennis,

Thank you for your work on this. I attempted to make this work in the 8-bit mode but have not been able to.

116 self.lcd_write(LCD_FUNCTIONSET | LCD_2LINE | LCD_5x8DOTS | LCD_8BITMODE)

How can the following write statements be condensed into 1 line instead of the two in 8 bit mode.

def lcd_write_char(self, charvalue, mode=1):
      self.lcd_write_four_bits(mode | (charvalue & 0xF0))
      self.lcd_write_four_bits(mode | ((charvalue << 4) & 0xF0))

def lcd_write(self, cmd, mode=0):
      self.lcd_write_four_bits(mode | (cmd & 0xF0))
      self.lcd_write_four_bits(mode | ((cmd << 4) & 0xF0))

I tried this but it gives strange results even though the binary output is correct for this command:

def lcd_write(self, cmd, mode=0):
      self.lcd_write_four_bits(mode | (cmd & 0xFF))

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