I want a PC (windows7) to send an instruction to an arduino via USB?
The arduino will be used to position something via a motor, and the instruction sent will be simply position A or B.
The solution has to work everytime the PC is switched on without user input, and the user will be plugging and unplugging other USB devices.
I've used visualBasic, AutoHotKey, python before but it's all mostly forgotten so I'm willing to learn/use anything that's current, quick, easy, cheap. The fewer things I need to add to the system the better, if it can be done from a batch file that would be great!
I'm using these blocks of code in VB with reference to the in / out routine on the Uno.
Could you do something with this, maybe convert to Batch file if you need to?
// https://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=396450.0
// Serial Input Basics - updated
// Apr 25, 2016, 05:12 pm Last Edit: Apr 26, 2016, 11:27 am by Robin2
// Using Robins 'void RecvWithStartEndMarkers(') & 'void ParseData()'
// Example 5 - Receive with start- and end-markers combined with parsing
VB Code:
Public Sub Form_activate()
lstInput.Clear
Text1.Text = ""
If myPortOpen <> "yes" Then
Com1.CommPort = myComPort
Com1.Settings = "9600,N,8,1"
Com1.InputLen = 1
Com1.RThreshold = 1
Com1.SThreshold = 1
Com1.RTSEnable = True
Com1.PortOpen = True
myPortOpen = "yes"
End If
End sub
Public Sub Output1() 'send 'Init'
'start 8 second abort timer?
Timer1.Interval = 8000 'Time in 'millisecs
Timer1.Enabled = True 'start on time
xfer1 = "<1, 0, 0, 0>"
Com1.Output = xfer1
Exit Sub
This isn't complete, and I can post more if you want it, but it may be a starting point for you.
When the Uno gets this it responds with it's own <1,0,0,0> to show that it's 'alive' and then VB sends another set of numbers starting with '<2,...', gets confirmation back then sends '<3,...' or aborts, etc.
Thanks, I'm not great at batch files so using VB might be best idea anyway, looks like there is a free version so I'll have a go with it. The target machines should run the executable straight off as long as they've got .net right?
So I'm happy for now, and can move onto the motor drive design.
I need to do some testing though to see what com port the arduino gets if it is left plugged in. If it changes then I might need VB or something to interrogate the ports and work out which is the arduino I want. How to change the way the arduino self describes itself? eg I might want it to come up as eg Arduino Motor Controller
jimmer:
I need to do some testing though to see what com port the arduino gets if it is left plugged in. If it changes then I might need VB or something to interrogate the ports and work out which is the arduino I want.
You can make the arduino uno uses the same com port every time you plug it in
the method is in the attached picture
if you need help with vb tell me i can even make the software and send it to you
Best wishes
Fidamon
That seemed to work, ie it kept the assigned port number (11) after restart. Even with other arduino's plugged in (I thought they might fight for the port).
But when I disconnected it, and plugged back in, it reverted to a low port number (3).
I need something that works reliably forever when the PC is out of my hands / in service. So maybe I will need a program that can read and identify which port the arduino motor controller is using.
jimmer:
But when I disconnected it, and plugged back in, it reverted to a low port number (3).
Try assigning a low number port Comm from the beginning , it will be better also for the VB because i me a problem with it when i tried to send commands to port 18
here is the topic https://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=645052.0
jimmer:
But when I disconnected it, and plugged back in, it reverted to a low port number (3).
I need something that works reliably forever when the PC is out of my hands / in service. So maybe I will need a program that can read and identify which port the arduino motor controller is using.
But on other thought
why not test every port that can be opened and send a command to it and when it gets the right answer your software on the pc Knows it found the right Arduino
something like
Private Sub GetArduinoComm()
On Error GoTo ErrHandler:
End Sub
Dim Counter As Integer
For Counter = 1 To 20
MSComm1.CommPort = Counter
If MSComm1.PortOpen = True Then
Else
MSComm1.PortOpen = True
MSComm1.Output = "I" & vbCrLf
Wait
End If
ErrHandler:
End Sub
Private Sub Wait()
Dim Start As Single
Start = Timer
Do While Timer < Start + 4
DoEvents
Loop
End Sub
Private Static Sub MSComm1_OnComm()
Dim abData() As Byte
Select Case Ser1.CommEvent
Case comEvReceive 'receiveClose 1
Totstring = Totstring & Ser1.Input
If InStr(Totstring, vbCrLf) > 0 Then
If (InStr(Totstring, "Arduino1") > 0) Then
'this is the wanted port capture it
Totstring = ""
End If
End Select
End Sub
but in this case you will need a piece of code in the Arduino sketch that will respond to the "I" when received by "Serial.println ("Arduino1");
best wishes
Fidamon
