added functionalities: extended strings, custom characters, some demos

README.md

@@ -28,6 +28,35 @@ You can buy one of these great little I2C LCD on eBay or somewhere like [the Pi
   ```
 
 # Demos
+## Simple strings
+This is a demo developed by user @Tomtom0201, showing how simple text stings could be displayed on LCD:
+
+<p align="center">
+  <img src="imgs/demo_simple_strings.jpg" width="640" height="480">
+</p>
+
+
+## Extended strings
+This is a demo debeloped by @juvus, showing how extended strings could be used. Extended strings can contain special placeholders `{0xFF}` - hex code of the symbol wrapped with curly bracers. Hex code of the symbol can be found in characters table. For example code of the symbol `ö` is 0xEF, and so this symbol could be printed by using `{0xEF}` placeholder in string. Table can be found in `/imgs/characters_table.png`.   
+
+<p align="center">
+  <img src="imgs/demo_extended_strings.jpg" width="640" height="480">
+</p>
+
+## Custom characters
+It is possible to define in CG RAM memory 8 absolutelly custom characters. This characters can be pronted on LCD the same way as any characters from the character table. Codes of the custom characters are unique and the following: 1st - {0x00}, 2nd - {0x01}, 3rd - {0x02}, 4th - {0x03}, 5th - {0x04}, 6th - {0x05}, 7th - {0x06} and 8th - {0x07}. Please, see the `demo_lcd_custom_characters.py` file for more details, how it is possible to define you own characters. This demo was debeloped by @juvus.
+
+<p align="center">
+  <img src="imgs/demo_custom_characters.jpg" width="640" height="480">
+</p>
+
+## Progress bar
+This is a demo of graphical progress bar created with custom characters. This bar could be used, for example, for showing the current level of battery charge. This demo was debeloped by @juvus.
+
+<p align="center">
+  <img src="imgs/demo_progress_bar.jpg" width="640" height="480">
+</p>
+
 ## Backlight Control
 This is a demo developed by user and watcher @Tomtom0201, showcasing backlight control of the LCD (available on some hardware): 
 

demo_lcd_custom_characters.py

@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+#! /usr/bin/env python
+
+# Custom characters string program. Writes strings with custom characters, that can't
+# be found in the characters table. It is possible to use a custom characters by definig 
+# it's code on paseholder whyle useng and extended string. 
+# Appearance of the custom characters can be defined by redifenition of the fields of 
+# CustomCaracters class instance.
+# Codes of the custom characters, that can be used in placeholders are the following:
+# 1st - {0x00}, 2nd - {0x01}, 3rd - {0x02}, 4th - {0x03}, 5th - {0x04}, 
+# 6th - {0x05}, 7th - {0x06} and 8th - {0x07}
+# Remember to use method load_custom_characters_data() to load the custom characters
+# data into the CG RAM.
+# Demo program for the I2C 16x2 Display from Ryanteck.uk
+# Created by Dmitry Safonov
+
+# Import necessary libraries for communication and display use
+import drivers
+from time import sleep
+
+# Load the driver and set it to "display"
+# If you use something from the driver library use the "display." prefix first
+display = drivers.Lcd()
+
+# Create object with custom characters data
+cc = drivers.CustomCharacters(display)
+
+# Redefine the default characters:
+# Custom caracter #1. Code {0x00}.
+cc.char_1_data = ["01110",
+                  "01010",
+                  "01110",
+                  "00100",
+                  "11111",
+                  "11111",
+                  "11111",
+                  "11111"]
+
+# Custom caracter #2. Code {0x01}.
+cc.char_2_data = ["11111",
+                  "10101",
+                  "10101",
+                  "11111",
+                  "11111",
+                  "10101",
+                  "10101",
+                  "11111"]
+
+# Custom caracter #3. Code {0x02}.
+cc.char_3_data = ["10001",
+                  "10001",
+                  "10001",
+                  "11111",
+                  "11111",
+                  "11111",
+                  "11111",
+                  "11111"]
+
+# Custom caracter #4. Code {0x03}.
+cc.char_4_data = ["11111",
+                  "11011",
+                  "10001",
+                  "10001",
+                  "10001",
+                  "10001",
+                  "11011",
+                  "11111"]
+
+# Custom caracter #5. Code {0x04}.
+cc.char_5_data = ["00000",
+                  "00000",
+                  "11011",
+                  "11011",
+                  "00000",
+                  "10001",
+                  "01110",
+                  "00000"]
+
+# Custom caracter #6. Code {0x05}.
+cc.char_6_data = ["01010",
+                  "11111",
+                  "11111",
+                  "01110",
+                  "00100",
+                  "00000",
+                  "00000",
+                  "00000"]
+
+# Custom caracter #7. Code {0x06}.
+cc.char_7_data = ["11111",
+                  "11011",
+                  "10001",
+                  "10101",
+                  "10101",
+                  "10101",
+                  "11011",
+                  "11111"]
+
+# Custom caracter #8. Code {0x07}.
+cc.char_8_data = ["11111",
+                  "10001",
+                  "11111",
+                  "00000",
+                  "00000",
+                  "11111",
+                  "10001",
+                  "11111"]
+# Load custom characters data to CG RAM:
+cc.load_custom_characters_data()
+
+# Main body of code
+try:
+    while True:
+        # Remember that your sentences can only be 16 characters long!
+        print("Printing custom characters:")
+        display.lcd_display_string("Custom caracters:", 1)  # Write line of text to first line of display
+        display.lcd_display_extended_string("{0x00}{0x01}{0x02}{0x03}{0x04}{0x05}{0x06}{0x07}", 2)  # Write line of text to second line of display
+        sleep(2) # Give time for the message to be read
+except KeyboardInterrupt:
+    # If there is a KeyboardInterrupt (when you press ctrl+c), exit the program and cleanup
+    print("Cleaning up!")
+    display.lcd_clear()

demo_lcd_extended_strings.py

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+#! /usr/bin/env python
+
+# Extended strings program. Writes and updates special (extended) strings
+# with placeholders "{}" so, that it is possible to draw any character from the 
+# characters table using a caharcter code.
+# Demo program for the I2C 16x2 Display from Ryanteck.uk
+# Created by Matthew Timmons-Brown for The Raspberry Pi Guy YouTube channel
+
+# Import necessary libraries for communication and display use
+import drivers
+from time import sleep
+
+# Load the driver and set it to "display"
+# If you use something from the driver library use the "display." prefix first
+display = drivers.Lcd()
+
+# Main body of code
+try:
+    while True:
+        # Remember that your sentences can only be 16 characters long!
+        print("Writing simple string")
+        display.lcd_display_string("Simple string", 1)  # Write line of text to first line of display
+        display.lcd_display_extended_string("Ext. str:{0xEF}{0xF6}{0xA5}{0xDF}{0xA3}", 2)  # Write line of text to second line of display
+        sleep(2) # Give time for the message to be read
+except KeyboardInterrupt:
+    # If there is a KeyboardInterrupt (when you press ctrl+c), exit the program and cleanup
+    print("Cleaning up!")
+    display.lcd_clear()

demo_lcd_process_bar.py

@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+#! /usr/bin/env python
+
+# Programm showing anumated progress bar using custom characters.
+# Demo program for the I2C 16x2 Display
+# Created by Dmitry Safonov
+
+# Import necessary libraries for communication and display use
+import drivers
+from time import sleep
+
+# Load the driver and set it to "display"
+# If you use something from the driver library use the "display." prefix first
+display = drivers.Lcd()
+
+# Create object with custom characters data
+cc = drivers.CustomCharacters(display)
+
+# Redefine the default characters that will be used to create process bar:
+# Left full character. Code {0x00}.
+cc.char_1_data = ["01111",
+                  "11000",
+                  "10011",
+                  "10111",
+                  "10111",
+                  "10011",
+                  "11000",
+                  "01111"]
+
+# Left empty character. Code {0x01}.
+cc.char_2_data = ["01111",
+                  "11000",
+                  "10000",
+                  "10000",
+                  "10000",
+                  "10000",
+                  "11000",
+                  "01111"]
+
+# Central full character. Code {0x02}.
+cc.char_3_data = ["11111",
+                  "00000",
+                  "11011",
+                  "11011",
+                  "11011",
+                  "11011",
+                  "00000",
+                  "11111"]
+
+# Central empty character. Code {0x03}.
+cc.char_4_data = ["11111",
+                  "00000",
+                  "00000",
+                  "00000",
+                  "00000",
+                  "00000",
+                  "00000",
+                  "11111"]
+
+# Right full character. Code {0x04}.
+cc.char_5_data = ["11110",
+                  "00011",
+                  "11001",
+                  "11101",
+                  "11101",
+                  "11001",
+                  "00011",
+                  "11110"]
+
+# Right empty character. Code {0x05}.
+cc.char_6_data = ["11110",
+                  "00011",
+                  "00001",
+                  "00001",
+                  "00001",
+                  "00001",
+                  "00011",
+                  "11110"]
+
+# Load custom characters data to CG RAM:
+cc.load_custom_characters_data()
+
+MIN_CHARGE = 0
+MAX_CHARGE = 100
+
+# Main body of code
+charge = 0
+charge_delta = 5
+bar_repr = [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]
+
+try:
+    while True:
+        # Remember that your sentences can only be 16 characters long!
+        display.lcd_display_string("Battery charge:", 1)
+
+        # Render charge bar:
+        bar_string = ""
+        for i in range(10):
+            if i == 0:
+                # Left character
+                if bar_repr[i] == 0:
+                    # Left empty character
+                    bar_string = bar_string + "{0x01}"
+                else:
+                    # Left full character 
+                    bar_string = bar_string + "{0x00}"
+            elif i == 9:
+                # Right character
+                if bar_repr[i] == 0:
+                    # Right empty character
+                    bar_string = bar_string + "{0x05}"
+                else:
+                    # Right full character
+                    bar_string = bar_string + "{0x04}"
+            else:
+                # Central character
+                if bar_repr[i] == 0:
+                    # Central empty character
+                    bar_string = bar_string + "{0x03}"
+                else:
+                    # Central full character
+                    bar_string = bar_string + "{0x02}"
+
+        # Print the string to display:
+        display.lcd_display_extended_string(bar_string + " {0}% ".format(charge), 2)
+
+        # Update the charge and recalculate bar_repr
+        charge += charge_delta
+        if (charge >= MAX_CHARGE) or (charge <= MIN_CHARGE):
+            charge_delta = -1 * charge_delta
+
+        for i in range(10):
+            if charge >= ((i + 1) * 10):
+                bar_repr[i] = 1
+            else:
+                bar_repr[i] = 0            
+
+        # Wait for some time
+        sleep(1) 
+
+except KeyboardInterrupt:
+    # If there is a KeyboardInterrupt (when you press ctrl+c), exit the program and cleanup
+    print("Cleaning up!")
+    display.lcd_clear()

drivers/__init__.py

@@ -1 +1 @@
-from .i2c_dev import Lcd
+from .i2c_dev import Lcd, CustomCharacters