How to send characters to a pole display using Microsoft access

The Logic Controls web site has some guidance:

http://www.logiccontrols.com/web/prodCustDtech.htm#q2

<
...
Q. How do I send out characters to my pole display using Visual Basic?

A. Here is a sample code for sending characters via the COM1 port at 9600 baud. Please note that your settings may differ depending on your system configuration.
MSComm1.Comport=1                            ‘ sets port variable to COM1
MSComm1.PortOpen=True                      ‘ opens the port for communication
MSComm1.Settings=”9600,N,8,1”            ‘ sets the protocol to match the pole display
MSComm1.Output=Chr$(31)+Chr$(17)      ' Reset & set normal display model
MSComm1.Output=Chr$(67)                   ‘ sends a sample character to the pole display
MSComm1.PortOpen=False                     ‘ closes the port
...
>
If you want more you could contact their tech support team:

 <If you need further information, please e-mail your question to Logic
 Controls' Technical Support team at: support@logiccontrols.com or call us
 at 516.248.0400. Phone support is available Monday thru Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm
  EST.  One of our trained technical staff will assist you with your questions.>
   
 

Place an MSComm control on a form.
In a module: paste this

Global Const constPD_VerticalScrollMode As Integer = 18
Global Const constPD_NormalDisplayMode As Integer = 17
Global Const constPD_BrightnessControl As Integer = 4
Global Const constPD_BackSpace As Integer = 8
Global Const constPD_HorizontalTab As Integer = 9
Global Const constPD_LineFeed As Integer = 10
Global Const constPD_CarriageReturn As Integer = 13
Global Const constPD_DigitSelect As Integer = 16
Global Const constPD_CursorON As Integer = 19
Global Const constPD_CursorOFF As Integer = 20
Global Const constPD_Reset As Integer = 31
Global Const constPD_MessageScroll_Start As String = "&H05"
Global Const PD_MessageScroll_Stop As String = "&H0D"
 
To send text:  create a button and paste this code:  ('commPD' is the name I gave the MSComm control)


'----- force comm port open -------
    If CommForm.commPD.PortOpen = False Then
        CommForm.commPD.PortOpen = True
    End If

'-----  this resets the port ----
    CommForm.commPD.Output = Chr(constPD_Reset)
'---- turns cursor off
    CommForm.commPD.Output = Chr(constPD_CursorOFF)

'---- normal mode ----
    CommForm.commPD.Output = Chr(constPD_NormalDisplayMode)


dim s as string
s = "testing"

'----- sends text to pole display -----
CommForm.commPD.Output = s

'----- sends line feed ---
    CommForm.commPD.Output = Chr(constPD_LineFeed)

'---- send carriage return ----
    CommForm.commPD.Output = Chr(constPD_CarriageReturn)
s = "second line"

'----- sends text to pole display -----
CommForm.commPD.Output = s



the port is still open.  You can close if you wish - but you must open again (see first command in this example)


Scott C

Something else......

'CommForm' in the previous example refers to a FORM OBJECT I created.
The MSComm control doesn't reside on my POS screen (since I use it in various places\forms)

In the module that contains all the constants (previous example) I have this code:

Global CommForm As Form


I created a form that contains only this control and is hidden.
When the program starts up and this form is opened, I code like this


Set CommForm = Forms!frmComm_Objects

Now that the 'control form' is global, I can refer to it in code.

Actually the commands I've described in the previous example all reside in their own procedures.  I call them as I need them, such as:


   
    Dim j As Integer
    Dim s As String
    Dim s1 As String
    Dim tb As Integer
    '----- force comm port open -------
    If CommForm.commPD.PortOpen = False Then
        CommForm.commPD.PortOpen = True
    End If
   
    Call PD_Reset
    Call PD_CursorOFF
    'Call PD_VerticalScroll
    Call PD_NormalMode
   
   
    s = LOCAL_LedDetail_Data("Description")
    s = UCase(s)
    CommForm.commPD.Output = s
    If Len(s) < 20 Then
        Call PD_LineFeed
        Call PD_Return
    End If
   
    s = "$" & Format(LOCAL_LedDetail_Data("LedSoldPrice"), "#,###.00")
    If glbMinusValue = True Then
        s = s & "-"
    End If
   
   
    If LOCAL_LedDetail_Data("LedQTY") > 1 Then
        s1 = "x " & LOCAL_LedDetail_Data("LedQTY")
    End If
    tb = 19 - Len(s1)
    tb = tb - Len(s)
    s = s1 & Space(tb) & s
    CommForm.commPD.Output = s

Of course, some of this code won't be recognized by you since it's specific to my prog..... but this may get you started.


Scott C

for Mike Toole:  I already visited the Logic Controls web site, and thats all the information I got, when I contacted them, they told me they cannot help any further. Thanks for your help.

Clark Scott:
You have certainly pointed me in the right direction.  I don't know anything about modules and calling procedures.  I would have to familarize myself with this type of coding before I can continue with sending characters to the pole display.  If there are any other tips you can give me to help speed up the process, I would greatly appreciate it.  Thank you for all your help

RowenaB
Well, it was just a longshot - sometimes the obvious is missed.
Cheers,
Mike

Hey, it's a comm device and they sent all the required information.  There is no simply "send text to pole" command.  Just like any other PLC type instrument, you have to deal with it in it's terms.

Sorry..... that's just the way it is.

Scott C
 

Further...

You guys should have been around before Windows....
A lot was this way

Scott C