Delphi/Lazarus - Rotary Poti Bricklet

This is the description of the Delphi/Lazarus API bindings for the Rotary Poti Bricklet. General information and technical specifications for the Rotary Poti Bricklet are summarized in its hardware description.

An installation guide for the Delphi/Lazarus API bindings is part of their general description.

Examples

The example code below is Public Domain (CC0 1.0).

Simple

Download (ExampleSimple.pas)

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program ExampleSimple;

{$ifdef MSWINDOWS}{$apptype CONSOLE}{$endif}
{$ifdef FPC}{$mode OBJFPC}{$H+}{$endif}

uses
  SysUtils, IPConnection, BrickletRotaryPoti;

type
  TExample = class
  private
    ipcon: TIPConnection;
    rp: TBrickletRotaryPoti;
  public
    procedure Execute;
  end;

const
  HOST = 'localhost';
  PORT = 4223;
  UID = 'XYZ'; { Change XYZ to the UID of your Rotary Poti Bricklet }

var
  e: TExample;

procedure TExample.Execute;
var position: smallint;
begin
  { Create IP connection }
  ipcon := TIPConnection.Create;

  { Create device object }
  rp := TBrickletRotaryPoti.Create(UID, ipcon);

  { Connect to brickd }
  ipcon.Connect(HOST, PORT);
  { Don't use device before ipcon is connected }

  { Get current position }
  position := rp.GetPosition;
  WriteLn(Format('Position: %d', [position])); { Range: -150 to 150 }

  WriteLn('Press key to exit');
  ReadLn;
  ipcon.Destroy; { Calls ipcon.Disconnect internally }
end;

begin
  e := TExample.Create;
  e.Execute;
  e.Destroy;
end.

Callback

Download (ExampleCallback.pas)

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program ExampleCallback;

{$ifdef MSWINDOWS}{$apptype CONSOLE}{$endif}
{$ifdef FPC}{$mode OBJFPC}{$H+}{$endif}

uses
  SysUtils, IPConnection, BrickletRotaryPoti;

type
  TExample = class
  private
    ipcon: TIPConnection;
    rp: TBrickletRotaryPoti;
  public
    procedure PositionCB(sender: TBrickletRotaryPoti; const position: smallint);
    procedure Execute;
  end;

const
  HOST = 'localhost';
  PORT = 4223;
  UID = 'XYZ'; { Change XYZ to the UID of your Rotary Poti Bricklet }

var
  e: TExample;

{ Callback procedure for position callback }
procedure TExample.PositionCB(sender: TBrickletRotaryPoti; const position: smallint);
begin
  WriteLn(Format('Position: %d', [position])); { Range: -150 to 150 }
end;

procedure TExample.Execute;
begin
  { Create IP connection }
  ipcon := TIPConnection.Create;

  { Create device object }
  rp := TBrickletRotaryPoti.Create(UID, ipcon);

  { Connect to brickd }
  ipcon.Connect(HOST, PORT);
  { Don't use device before ipcon is connected }

  { Register position callback to procedure PositionCB }
  rp.OnPosition := {$ifdef FPC}@{$endif}PositionCB;

  { Set period for position callback to 0.05s (50ms)
    Note: The position callback is only called every 0.05 seconds
          if the position has changed since the last call! }
  rp.SetPositionCallbackPeriod(50);

  WriteLn('Press key to exit');
  ReadLn;
  ipcon.Destroy; { Calls ipcon.Disconnect internally }
end;

begin
  e := TExample.Create;
  e.Execute;
  e.Destroy;
end.

API

Since Delphi does not support multiple return values directly, we use the out keyword to return multiple values from a function.

All functions and procedures listed below are thread-safe.

Basic Functions

constructor TBrickletRotaryPoti.Create(const uid: string; ipcon: TIPConnection)
Parameters:
  • uid – Type: string
  • ipcon – Type: TIPConnection
Returns:
  • rotaryPoti – Type: TBrickletRotaryPoti

Creates an object with the unique device ID uid:

rotaryPoti := TBrickletRotaryPoti.Create('YOUR_DEVICE_UID', ipcon);

This object can then be used after the IP Connection is connected.

function TBrickletRotaryPoti.GetPosition: smallint
Returns:
  • position – Type: smallint, Unit: 1 °, Range: [-150 to 150]

Returns the position of the rotary potentiometer. The value is between -150° (turned left) and 150° (turned right).

If you want to get the position periodically, it is recommended to use the OnPosition callback and set the period with SetPositionCallbackPeriod.

Advanced Functions

function TBrickletRotaryPoti.GetAnalogValue: word
Returns:
  • value – Type: word, Range: [0 to 212]

Returns the value as read by a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter.

Note

The value returned by GetPosition is averaged over several samples to yield less noise, while GetAnalogValue gives back raw unfiltered analog values. The only reason to use GetAnalogValue is, if you need the full resolution of the analog-to-digital converter.

If you want the analog value periodically, it is recommended to use the OnAnalogValue callback and set the period with SetAnalogValueCallbackPeriod.

procedure TBrickletRotaryPoti.GetIdentity(out uid: string; out connectedUid: string; out position: char; out hardwareVersion: array [0..2] of byte; out firmwareVersion: array [0..2] of byte; out deviceIdentifier: word)
Output Parameters:
  • uid – Type: string, Length: up to 8
  • connectedUid – Type: string, Length: up to 8
  • position – Type: char, Range: ['a' to 'h', 'z']
  • hardwareVersion – Type: array [0..2] of byte
    • 0: major – Type: byte, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 1: minor – Type: byte, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 2: revision – Type: byte, Range: [0 to 255]
  • firmwareVersion – Type: array [0..2] of byte
    • 0: major – Type: byte, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 1: minor – Type: byte, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 2: revision – Type: byte, Range: [0 to 255]
  • deviceIdentifier – Type: word, Range: [0 to 216 - 1]

Returns the UID, the UID where the Bricklet is connected to, the position, the hardware and firmware version as well as the device identifier.

The position can be 'a', 'b', 'c', 'd', 'e', 'f', 'g' or 'h' (Bricklet Port). A Bricklet connected to an Isolator Bricklet is always at position 'z'.

The device identifier numbers can be found here. There is also a constant for the device identifier of this Bricklet.

Callback Configuration Functions

procedure TBrickletRotaryPoti.SetPositionCallbackPeriod(const period: longword)
Parameters:
  • period – Type: longword, Unit: 1 ms, Range: [0 to 232 - 1], Default: 0

Sets the period with which the OnPosition callback is triggered periodically. A value of 0 turns the callback off.

The OnPosition callback is only triggered if the position has changed since the last triggering.

function TBrickletRotaryPoti.GetPositionCallbackPeriod: longword
Returns:
  • period – Type: longword, Unit: 1 ms, Range: [0 to 232 - 1], Default: 0

Returns the period as set by SetPositionCallbackPeriod.

procedure TBrickletRotaryPoti.SetAnalogValueCallbackPeriod(const period: longword)
Parameters:
  • period – Type: longword, Unit: 1 ms, Range: [0 to 232 - 1], Default: 0

Sets the period with which the OnAnalogValue callback is triggered periodically. A value of 0 turns the callback off.

The OnAnalogValue callback is only triggered if the analog value has changed since the last triggering.

function TBrickletRotaryPoti.GetAnalogValueCallbackPeriod: longword
Returns:
  • period – Type: longword, Unit: 1 ms, Range: [0 to 232 - 1], Default: 0

Returns the period as set by SetAnalogValueCallbackPeriod.

procedure TBrickletRotaryPoti.SetPositionCallbackThreshold(const option: char; const min: smallint; const max: smallint)
Parameters:
  • option – Type: char, Range: See constants, Default: 'x'
  • min – Type: smallint, Unit: 1 °, Range: [-215 to 215 - 1], Default: 0
  • max – Type: smallint, Unit: 1 °, Range: [-215 to 215 - 1], Default: 0

Sets the thresholds for the OnPositionReached callback.

The following options are possible:

Option Description
'x' Callback is turned off
'o' Callback is triggered when the position is outside the min and max values
'i' Callback is triggered when the position is inside the min and max values
'<' Callback is triggered when the position is smaller than the min value (max is ignored)
'>' Callback is triggered when the position is greater than the min value (max is ignored)

The following constants are available for this function:

For option:

  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_OFF = 'x'
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_OUTSIDE = 'o'
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_INSIDE = 'i'
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_SMALLER = '<'
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_GREATER = '>'
procedure TBrickletRotaryPoti.GetPositionCallbackThreshold(out option: char; out min: smallint; out max: smallint)
Output Parameters:
  • option – Type: char, Range: See constants, Default: 'x'
  • min – Type: smallint, Unit: 1 °, Range: [-215 to 215 - 1], Default: 0
  • max – Type: smallint, Unit: 1 °, Range: [-215 to 215 - 1], Default: 0

Returns the threshold as set by SetPositionCallbackThreshold.

The following constants are available for this function:

For option:

  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_OFF = 'x'
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_OUTSIDE = 'o'
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_INSIDE = 'i'
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_SMALLER = '<'
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_GREATER = '>'
procedure TBrickletRotaryPoti.SetAnalogValueCallbackThreshold(const option: char; const min: word; const max: word)
Parameters:
  • option – Type: char, Range: See constants, Default: 'x'
  • min – Type: word, Unit: 1 °, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0
  • max – Type: word, Unit: 1 °, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0

Sets the thresholds for the OnAnalogValueReached callback.

The following options are possible:

Option Description
'x' Callback is turned off
'o' Callback is triggered when the analog value is outside the min and max values
'i' Callback is triggered when the analog value is inside the min and max values
'<' Callback is triggered when the analog value is smaller than the min value (max is ignored)
'>' Callback is triggered when the analog value is greater than the min value (max is ignored)

The following constants are available for this function:

For option:

  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_OFF = 'x'
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_OUTSIDE = 'o'
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_INSIDE = 'i'
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_SMALLER = '<'
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_GREATER = '>'
procedure TBrickletRotaryPoti.GetAnalogValueCallbackThreshold(out option: char; out min: word; out max: word)
Output Parameters:
  • option – Type: char, Range: See constants, Default: 'x'
  • min – Type: word, Unit: 1 °, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0
  • max – Type: word, Unit: 1 °, Range: [0 to 216 - 1], Default: 0

Returns the threshold as set by SetAnalogValueCallbackThreshold.

The following constants are available for this function:

For option:

  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_OFF = 'x'
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_OUTSIDE = 'o'
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_INSIDE = 'i'
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_SMALLER = '<'
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_THRESHOLD_OPTION_GREATER = '>'
procedure TBrickletRotaryPoti.SetDebouncePeriod(const debounce: longword)
Parameters:
  • debounce – Type: longword, Unit: 1 ms, Range: [0 to 232 - 1], Default: 100

Sets the period with which the threshold callbacks

are triggered, if the thresholds

keep being reached.

function TBrickletRotaryPoti.GetDebouncePeriod: longword
Returns:
  • debounce – Type: longword, Unit: 1 ms, Range: [0 to 232 - 1], Default: 100

Returns the debounce period as set by SetDebouncePeriod.

Callbacks

Callbacks can be registered to receive time critical or recurring data from the device. The registration is done by assigning a procedure to an callback property of the device object:

procedure TExample.MyCallback(sender: TBrickletRotaryPoti; const value: longint);
begin
  WriteLn(Format('Value: %d', [value]));
end;

rotaryPoti.OnExample := {$ifdef FPC}@{$endif}example.MyCallback;

The available callback properties and their parameter types are described below.

Note

Using callbacks for recurring events is always preferred compared to using getters. It will use less USB bandwidth and the latency will be a lot better, since there is no round trip time.

property TBrickletRotaryPoti.OnPosition
procedure(sender: TBrickletRotaryPoti; const position: smallint) of object;
Callback Parameters:
  • sender – Type: TBrickletRotaryPoti
  • position – Type: smallint, Unit: 1 °, Range: [-150 to 150]

This callback is triggered periodically with the period that is set by SetPositionCallbackPeriod. The parameter is the position of the rotary potentiometer.

The OnPosition callback is only triggered if the position has changed since the last triggering.

property TBrickletRotaryPoti.OnAnalogValue
procedure(sender: TBrickletRotaryPoti; const value: word) of object;
Callback Parameters:
  • sender – Type: TBrickletRotaryPoti
  • value – Type: word, Range: [0 to 212]

This callback is triggered periodically with the period that is set by SetAnalogValueCallbackPeriod. The parameter is the analog value of the rotary potentiometer.

The OnAnalogValue callback is only triggered if the position has changed since the last triggering.

property TBrickletRotaryPoti.OnPositionReached
procedure(sender: TBrickletRotaryPoti; const position: smallint) of object;
Callback Parameters:
  • sender – Type: TBrickletRotaryPoti
  • position – Type: smallint, Unit: 1 °, Range: [-150 to 150]

This callback is triggered when the threshold as set by SetPositionCallbackThreshold is reached. The parameter is the position of the rotary potentiometer.

If the threshold keeps being reached, the callback is triggered periodically with the period as set by SetDebouncePeriod.

property TBrickletRotaryPoti.OnAnalogValueReached
procedure(sender: TBrickletRotaryPoti; const value: word) of object;
Callback Parameters:
  • sender – Type: TBrickletRotaryPoti
  • value – Type: word, Range: [0 to 212]

This callback is triggered when the threshold as set by SetAnalogValueCallbackThreshold is reached. The parameter is the analog value of the rotary potentiometer.

If the threshold keeps being reached, the callback is triggered periodically with the period as set by SetDebouncePeriod.

Virtual Functions

Virtual functions don't communicate with the device itself, but operate only on the API bindings device object. They can be called without the corresponding IP Connection object being connected.

function TBrickletRotaryPoti.GetAPIVersion: array [0..2] of byte
Output Parameters:
  • apiVersion – Type: array [0..2] of byte
    • 0: major – Type: byte, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 1: minor – Type: byte, Range: [0 to 255]
    • 2: revision – Type: byte, Range: [0 to 255]

Returns the version of the API definition implemented by this API bindings. This is neither the release version of this API bindings nor does it tell you anything about the represented Brick or Bricklet.

function TBrickletRotaryPoti.GetResponseExpected(const functionId: byte): boolean
Parameters:
  • functionId – Type: byte, Range: See constants
Returns:
  • responseExpected – Type: boolean

Returns the response expected flag for the function specified by the function ID parameter. It is true if the function is expected to send a response, false otherwise.

For getter functions this is enabled by default and cannot be disabled, because those functions will always send a response. For callback configuration functions it is enabled by default too, but can be disabled by SetResponseExpected. For setter functions it is disabled by default and can be enabled.

Enabling the response expected flag for a setter function allows to detect timeouts and other error conditions calls of this setter as well. The device will then send a response for this purpose. If this flag is disabled for a setter function then no response is sent and errors are silently ignored, because they cannot be detected.

The following constants are available for this function:

For functionId:

  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_FUNCTION_SET_POSITION_CALLBACK_PERIOD = 3
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_FUNCTION_SET_ANALOG_VALUE_CALLBACK_PERIOD = 5
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_FUNCTION_SET_POSITION_CALLBACK_THRESHOLD = 7
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_FUNCTION_SET_ANALOG_VALUE_CALLBACK_THRESHOLD = 9
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_FUNCTION_SET_DEBOUNCE_PERIOD = 11
procedure TBrickletRotaryPoti.SetResponseExpected(const functionId: byte; const responseExpected: boolean)
Parameters:
  • functionId – Type: byte, Range: See constants
  • responseExpected – Type: boolean

Changes the response expected flag of the function specified by the function ID parameter. This flag can only be changed for setter (default value: false) and callback configuration functions (default value: true). For getter functions it is always enabled.

Enabling the response expected flag for a setter function allows to detect timeouts and other error conditions calls of this setter as well. The device will then send a response for this purpose. If this flag is disabled for a setter function then no response is sent and errors are silently ignored, because they cannot be detected.

The following constants are available for this function:

For functionId:

  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_FUNCTION_SET_POSITION_CALLBACK_PERIOD = 3
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_FUNCTION_SET_ANALOG_VALUE_CALLBACK_PERIOD = 5
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_FUNCTION_SET_POSITION_CALLBACK_THRESHOLD = 7
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_FUNCTION_SET_ANALOG_VALUE_CALLBACK_THRESHOLD = 9
  • BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_FUNCTION_SET_DEBOUNCE_PERIOD = 11
procedure TBrickletRotaryPoti.SetResponseExpectedAll(const responseExpected: boolean)
Parameters:
  • responseExpected – Type: boolean

Changes the response expected flag for all setter and callback configuration functions of this device at once.

Constants

const BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_DEVICE_IDENTIFIER

This constant is used to identify a Rotary Poti Bricklet.

The GetIdentity function and the TIPConnection.OnEnumerate callback of the IP Connection have a deviceIdentifier parameter to specify the Brick's or Bricklet's type.

const BRICKLET_ROTARY_POTI_DEVICE_DISPLAY_NAME

This constant represents the human readable name of a Rotary Poti Bricklet.