printing to OLED display

I want to print text to an OLED display connected to the OpenMV M7.

I’m using Adafruit’s 128 x 32 SPI SSD1306 OLED: Monochrome 128x32 SPI OLED graphic display : ID 661 : $17.50 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits.

There’s an Adafruit MicroPython SSD1306 OLED driver I’m importing into OpenMV IDE. This is the SPI section of the adafruit_ssd1306.py driver file:

class SSD1306_SPI(_SSD1306):
    """
    SPI class for SSD1306
    :param width: the width of the physical screen in pixels,
    :param height: the height of the physical screen in pixels,
    :param spi: the SPI peripheral to use,
    :param dc: the data/command pin to use (often labeled "D/C"),
    :param reset: the reset pin to use,
    :param cs: the chip-select pin to use (sometimes labeled "SS").
    """
    # pylint: disable=no-member
    # Disable should be reconsidered when refactor can be tested.
    def __init__(self, width, height, spi, dc, reset, cs, *,
                 external_vcc=False, baudrate=8000000, polarity=0, phase=0):
        self.rate = 10 * 1024 * 1024
        dc.switch_to_output(value=0)
        self.spi_device = spi_device.SPIDevice(spi, cs, baudrate=baudrate,
                                               polarity=polarity, phase=phase)
        self.dc_pin = dc
        self.buffer = bytearray((height // 8) * width)
        super().__init__(memoryview(self.buffer), width, height,
                         external_vcc=external_vcc, reset=reset)

    def write_cmd(self, cmd):
        """Send a command to the SPI device"""
        self.dc_pin.value = 0
        with self.spi_device as spi:
            spi.write(bytearray([cmd]))

    def write_framebuf(self):
        """write to the frame buffer via SPI"""
        self.dc_pin.value = 1
        with self.spi_device as spi:
            spi.write(self.buffer)

This is the section of my main script where I import adafruit_ssd1306:

from pyb import Pin
dc = Pin('P8', Pin.OUT_PP)
reset = Pin('P7', Pin.OUT_PP)
cs = Pin('P6', Pin.OUT_PP)

import adafruit_ssd1306
oled = adafruit_ssd1306.SSD1306_SPI(128, 32, spi, dc, reset, cs)
oled.fill(0)
oled.text("Hello World", 0, 0)
oled.show()

When I run the script, I get the error “AttributeError: ‘Pin’ object has no attribute ‘switch_to_output’”.
In the driver code above, there’s the line " dc.switch_to_output(value=0)". It looks like the “switch_to_output” attribute is in a digitalio module that is a core module of Adafruit CircuitPython and not in OpenMV IDE.
I changed the

 dc.switch_to_output(value=0)

line to

dc = Pin('P8', Pin.OUT_PP)

and then got the same “AttributeError: ‘Pin’ object has no attribute ‘switch_to_output’”, but this time it highlighted the line

 self.write_cmd(SET_COL_ADDR)

in adafruit_ssd1306.py.

I’m not sure how to get around the digitalio dependencies- is there an easy way around this? I’m new to Python/Micropython.

Hi, Adafruit wrote their own version of the pin control library. It’s not compatible with standard MicroPython. That’s why Adafruit calls it Circuit Python.

That said, the basic logic is the same. You just need to read the OpenMV Cam API and then do the right behavior for the low level pin control.

E.g. see how to turn the pins into an output using the pyb MicroPython module. There’s an example that shops with the IDE.

Thanks for clarifying. I understand how to set pins to be outputs/inputs in OpenMV. Now I’m just confused about why the line “self.write_cmd(SET_COL_ADDR)” would be highlighted with the same errror “‘Pin’ object has no attribute ‘switch_to_output’”. What does that line have to do with setting the pin direction?

Hi, I don’t know the adafruit code. Unsure why this is happening. They completely redid the MicroPython hardware interface layer.

I found this Micropython driver for the OLED display (from Adafruit before CircuitPython). Now when I run it I get the error “ImportError: no module named 'framebuf’” This looks like a core module and says “frame buffer manipulation” when I hover over “framebuf” in OpenMV. Do you know why this would happen?

import time
import framebuf


# register definitions
SET_CONTRAST        = const(0x81)
SET_ENTIRE_ON       = const(0xa4)
SET_NORM_INV        = const(0xa6)
SET_DISP            = const(0xae)
SET_MEM_ADDR        = const(0x20)
SET_COL_ADDR        = const(0x21)
SET_PAGE_ADDR       = const(0x22)
SET_DISP_START_LINE = const(0x40)
SET_SEG_REMAP       = const(0xa0)
SET_MUX_RATIO       = const(0xa8)
SET_COM_OUT_DIR     = const(0xc0)
SET_DISP_OFFSET     = const(0xd3)
SET_COM_PIN_CFG     = const(0xda)
SET_DISP_CLK_DIV    = const(0xd5)
SET_PRECHARGE       = const(0xd9)
SET_VCOM_DESEL      = const(0xdb)
SET_CHARGE_PUMP     = const(0x8d)


class SSD1306:
    def __init__(self, width, height, external_vcc):
        self.width = width
        self.height = height
        self.external_vcc = external_vcc
        self.pages = self.height // 8
        # Note the subclass must initialize self.framebuf to a framebuffer.
        # This is necessary because the underlying data buffer is different
        # between I2C and SPI implementations (I2C needs an extra byte).
        self.poweron()
        self.init_display()

    def init_display(self):
        for cmd in (
            SET_DISP | 0x00, # off
            # address setting
            SET_MEM_ADDR, 0x00, # horizontal
            # resolution and layout
            SET_DISP_START_LINE | 0x00,
            SET_SEG_REMAP | 0x01, # column addr 127 mapped to SEG0
            SET_MUX_RATIO, self.height - 1,
            SET_COM_OUT_DIR | 0x08, # scan from COM[N] to COM0
            SET_DISP_OFFSET, 0x00,
            SET_COM_PIN_CFG, 0x02 if self.height == 32 else 0x12,
            # timing and driving scheme
            SET_DISP_CLK_DIV, 0x80,
            SET_PRECHARGE, 0x22 if self.external_vcc else 0xf1,
            SET_VCOM_DESEL, 0x30, # 0.83*Vcc
            # display
            SET_CONTRAST, 0xff, # maximum
            SET_ENTIRE_ON, # output follows RAM contents
            SET_NORM_INV, # not inverted
            # charge pump
            SET_CHARGE_PUMP, 0x10 if self.external_vcc else 0x14,
            SET_DISP | 0x01): # on
            self.write_cmd(cmd)
        self.fill(0)
        self.show()

    def poweroff(self):
        self.write_cmd(SET_DISP | 0x00)

    def contrast(self, contrast):
        self.write_cmd(SET_CONTRAST)
        self.write_cmd(contrast)

    def invert(self, invert):
        self.write_cmd(SET_NORM_INV | (invert & 1))

    def show(self):
        x0 = 0
        x1 = self.width - 1
        if self.width == 64:
            # displays with width of 64 pixels are shifted by 32
            x0 += 32
            x1 += 32
        self.write_cmd(SET_COL_ADDR)
        self.write_cmd(x0)
        self.write_cmd(x1)
        self.write_cmd(SET_PAGE_ADDR)
        self.write_cmd(0)
        self.write_cmd(self.pages - 1)
        self.write_framebuf()

    def fill(self, col):
        self.framebuf.fill(col)

    def pixel(self, x, y, col):
        self.framebuf.pixel(x, y, col)

    def scroll(self, dx, dy):
        self.framebuf.scroll(dx, dy)

    def text(self, string, x, y, col=1):
        self.framebuf.text(string, x, y, col)

class SSD1306_SPI(SSD1306):
    def __init__(self, width, height, spi, dc, res, cs, external_vcc=False):
        self.rate = 10 * 1024 * 1024
        dc.init(dc.OUT, value=0)
        res.init(res.OUT, value=0)
        cs.init(cs.OUT, value=1)
        self.spi = spi
        self.dc = dc
        self.res = res
        self.cs = cs
        self.buffer = bytearray((height // 8) * width)
        self.framebuf = framebuf.FrameBuffer1(self.buffer, width, height)
        super().__init__(width, height, external_vcc)

    def write_cmd(self, cmd):
        self.spi.init(baudrate=self.rate, polarity=0, phase=0)
        self.cs.high()
        self.dc.low()
        self.cs.low()
        self.spi.write(bytearray([cmd]))
        self.cs.high()

    def write_framebuf(self):
        self.spi.init(baudrate=self.rate, polarity=0, phase=0)
        self.cs.high()
        self.dc.high()
        self.cs.low()
        self.spi.write(self.buffer)
        self.cs.high()

    def poweron(self):
        self.res.high()
        time.sleep_ms(1)
        self.res.low()
        time.sleep_ms(10)
        self.res.high()

We don’t enable to that module. We can add it however. Please create a GitHub ticket for it.

Ok thank you- what exactly do I write under “how can we help?” for the Github ticket? I’m a little confused about the issue…

Actually we may not be able to enable this module if it reserves memory.

I checked, it allocates memory in runtime. I will enable this module.

Thank you! I’m not familiar with the process of enabling a module. How do I get the update?

You have to wait for the next release, or build the firmware from source.

How long is it expected to take?

This could take some time, maybe in a couple of weeks.

Ok, could you please notify me here? Thank you.

Actually I can send you a firmware image for testing. Which camera do you have ?

I have the M7…thanks!

Attached.
firmware.zip (924 KB)

It works, thanks so much!! :smiley: I had to change a few things in the ssd1306.py file that I posted for the SPI OLED display, just for future reference:

import time
import framebuf
from pyb import SPI

# register definitions
SET_CONTRAST        = const(0x81)
SET_ENTIRE_ON       = const(0xa4)
SET_NORM_INV        = const(0xa6)
SET_DISP            = const(0xae)
SET_MEM_ADDR        = const(0x20)
SET_COL_ADDR        = const(0x21)
SET_PAGE_ADDR       = const(0x22)
SET_DISP_START_LINE = const(0x40)
SET_SEG_REMAP       = const(0xa0)
SET_MUX_RATIO       = const(0xa8)
SET_COM_OUT_DIR     = const(0xc0)
SET_DISP_OFFSET     = const(0xd3)
SET_COM_PIN_CFG     = const(0xda)
SET_DISP_CLK_DIV    = const(0xd5)
SET_PRECHARGE       = const(0xd9)
SET_VCOM_DESEL      = const(0xdb)
SET_CHARGE_PUMP     = const(0x8d)


class SSD1306:
    def __init__(self, width, height, external_vcc):
        self.width = width
        self.height = height
        self.external_vcc = external_vcc
        self.pages = self.height // 8
        # Note the subclass must initialize self.framebuf to a framebuffer.
        # This is necessary because the underlying data buffer is different
        # between I2C and SPI implementations (I2C needs an extra byte).
        self.poweron()
        self.init_display()

    def init_display(self):
        for cmd in (
            SET_DISP | 0x00, # off
            # address setting
            SET_MEM_ADDR, 0x00, # horizontal
            # resolution and layout
            SET_DISP_START_LINE | 0x00,
            SET_SEG_REMAP | 0x01, # column addr 127 mapped to SEG0
            SET_MUX_RATIO, self.height - 1,
            SET_COM_OUT_DIR | 0x08, # scan from COM[N] to COM0
            SET_DISP_OFFSET, 0x00,
            SET_COM_PIN_CFG, 0x02 if self.height == 32 else 0x12,
            # timing and driving scheme
            SET_DISP_CLK_DIV, 0x80,
            SET_PRECHARGE, 0x22 if self.external_vcc else 0xf1,
            SET_VCOM_DESEL, 0x30, # 0.83*Vcc
            # display
            SET_CONTRAST, 0xff, # maximum
            SET_ENTIRE_ON, # output follows RAM contents
            SET_NORM_INV, # not inverted
            # charge pump
            SET_CHARGE_PUMP, 0x10 if self.external_vcc else 0x14,
            SET_DISP | 0x01): # on
            self.write_cmd(cmd)
        self.fill(0)
        self.show()

    def poweroff(self):
        self.write_cmd(SET_DISP | 0x00)

    def contrast(self, contrast):
        self.write_cmd(SET_CONTRAST)
        self.write_cmd(contrast)

    def invert(self, invert):
        self.write_cmd(SET_NORM_INV | (invert & 1))

    def show(self):
        x0 = 0
        x1 = self.width - 1
        if self.width == 64:
            # displays with width of 64 pixels are shifted by 32
            x0 += 32
            x1 += 32
        self.write_cmd(SET_COL_ADDR)
        self.write_cmd(x0)
        self.write_cmd(x1)
        self.write_cmd(SET_PAGE_ADDR)
        self.write_cmd(0)
        self.write_cmd(self.pages - 1)
        self.write_framebuf()

    def fill(self, col):
        self.framebuf.fill(col)

    def pixel(self, x, y, col):
        self.framebuf.pixel(x, y, col)

    def scroll(self, dx, dy):
        self.framebuf.scroll(dx, dy)

    def text(self, string, x, y, col=1):
        self.framebuf.text(string, x, y, col)




class SSD1306_SPI(SSD1306):
    def __init__(self, width, height, spi, dc, res, cs, external_vcc=False):
        self.rate = 10 * 1024 * 1024
        dc.init(dc.OUT, value=0)
        res.init(res.OUT, value=0)
        cs.init(cs.OUT, value=1)
        self.spi = spi
        self.dc = dc
        self.res = res
        self.cs = cs
        self.buffer = bytearray((height // 8) * width)
        self.framebuf = framebuf.FrameBuffer1(self.buffer, width, height)
        super().__init__(width, height, external_vcc)

    def write_cmd(self, cmd):
        self.spi.init(SPI.MASTER, baudrate=self.rate, polarity=0, phase=0)
        self.cs.high()
        self.dc.low()
        self.cs.low()
        self.spi.write(bytearray([cmd]))
        self.cs.high()

    def write_framebuf(self):
        self.spi.init(SPI.MASTER,baudrate=self.rate, polarity=0, phase=0)
        self.cs.high()
        self.dc.high()
        self.cs.low()
        self.spi.write(self.buffer)
        self.cs.high()

    def poweron(self):
        self.res.high()
        time.sleep(1)
        self.res.low()
        time.sleep(10)
        self.res.high()

Post a pic?

Should add this to the IDE libraries…