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[on:]

Hi, Im beginner about Arduino, I have a Boarduino, that's Duemilianove compatible, and do I need a function that creates a file in windows, with data previously stored in memory of ATMEGA. I don't have any idea of how to do this function...
The file created, could be a simple txt file. I believe this is not dificult to do, but Im on search for this for a week.

And also need, send this file to printer, and print it. =/

Someone can help me?

Thanks

[Reply #1 on:]

You need to run something like hyper terminal to take what is coming from the serial port of the arduino and dump it as a text file on the PC.

Otherwise you can write a program in some language like processing to do this.

[Reply #2 on:]

You might be able to use Gobetwino, which, according to that link, can "Log data from Arduino to a file [on a Windows PC], with an optional timestamp."

Note, Gobetwino is not open source software (yet).

Hope this helps.

[Reply #3 on:]

Really, I search this program (Gobetwino) and seems to be very interesting...

But anyone know, if I want that the Arduino send the order to print this file, I will need a protocol communication with the printer, or maybe needs to create a .bat file... or yet Gobetwino can make this?

thanks for help

[Reply #4 on:]

Well, I've been watching some tutorials on C++, just to get a better handle of Functions, pointers, addressing.. still a bit confusing, but there are some good videos out there, take a look at this one, it's for Writing to a .txt file, keep in mind, this is in Visual Basic C++.

You'll need to implement reading from a Serial Connection, and print the data coming from the Serial connection, to the .txt file, which seems fairly easy. I haven't worked with C++ much, so I wasn't sure how to implement a library, which is required for the Serial communication (I believe?).


This guy has alot of decent C++ tutorials, everything you'll need to work with in the Arduino environment.
Best of luck, and do let us know how you get on!

[Reply #5 on:]

Very good! This like to seems easy, Is that like this that I need. I have been research about and I think that is needs make a program in the computer write in VB, C++, Delphi, etc., and put only a protocol in Arduino controller (Firmata).

My problem is that I need:
- Reading the information printed, like in "serial monitor".
- Generate an log with this information.
- send instruction to the printer to print it.

If the best solution is create a program in the computer, this will out of thought, because my program are a little extensive...

[Reply #6 on:]

I made some some testes with the Gobetwino and works fine but, when I send ctrl+p to print the log, the taskmanager open the "window of print" anda the Gobetwino can't control this window =/

Knows someone how to make an executable file in Windows, that on run it, only print a desired file?

[Reply #7 on:]

or maybe needs to create a .bat file...

If you are using the term .bat instead of .cmd, that is a good sign. (That is a compliment from one old-timer to another.)

If you still use LPT1 to connect your printer, you can have Gobetwino run
   copy [file.txt] LPT1:
but I don't know how to print to a USB printer from the DOS command line.

The DOS print command also uses LPT1, I think, but you can take a look at that too.

Sorry I don't have a better answer for you right now.

[Reply #8 on:]

TBAr, so need I to do a DOS program in C language, with this command that you mentioned? Need some library to make this? Or the Gobetwino accepts this code?

Otherwise... have another way to open a file (don't needs to create a log, only open) with the Arduino microcontroller? Because I need to See the information in serial monitor, and this isn't possible in same time while run the Gobetwino.

[Reply #9 on:]

Ok, with the changed requirement to see the data in the serial monitor instead of creating a file on Windows, it's time for you to learn how to communicate with a program on the PC, I think. You talked about Firmata before, that seems like a good solution. So study the information at http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/Firmata and see what that can do for you.

[Reply #10 on:]

I'm almost find the solution, I make a program in Processing, that read and send data for serial port, and creates the file that I need... I'm only don't know a function to send a file to the printer =/
If someone tell me a function in C or java for example, I can make a program, and call this executable in processing...

[Reply #11 on:]

You could always use the following pseudo-code:

   open the file for reading
    read each line and print it, using printf()
    close the file

You shouldn't need anything more than that, should you?

[Reply #12 on:]

No my friend, I need to send the file to the Printer, and print it in the Printer, not in the monitor...

[Reply #13 on:]

I found!

I only wrote in notepad

Code:

@echo off

cls
type "C:\...\filename.txt" > "LPT1"

without quotes,
and save as .bat

after, I call this saved file in my program write in processing at moment that I need.

Is simpler than I thought...

Thanks for help!