DLL call for initializing a circuit board

[SystemWontAccept]

I have a circuit board kit that drives a servo. It works. It includes a dll that has instructions to drive the servo (via the dll) but they are for C.

I've read instructions in this forum for calling DLLs in AutoIt but I don't know how to convert the info I have (written in C).

Here's what I know (from the kit instructions.

// Header file for use with mtb.dll

typedef bool (*Type_InitMotoBee)();

typedef bool (*Type_SetMotors)(int on1, int speed1, int on2, int speed2, int on3, int speed3, int on4, int speed4, int servo);

typedef void (*Type_Digital_IO)(int *inputs, int outputs);

And here's what the sample program looks like.

Declare Function InitMotoBee Lib "mtb.dll" () As Boolean

Declare Function Digital_IO Lib "mtb.dll" (ByRef inputs As Integer, ByVal outputs As Integer) As Boolean

Declare Function SetMotors Lib "mtb.dll" (ByVal on1 As Integer, ByVal speed1 As Integer, ByVal on2 As Integer, ByVal speed2 As Integer, ByVal on3 As Integer, ByVal speed3 As Integer, ByVal on4 As Integer, ByVal speed4 As Integer, ByVal servo As Integer) As Boolean

Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click

InitMotoBee() ' initialise the MotorBee

When you click an onscreen button it initializes the circuit. What would be the syntax to convert this to AutoIt. I've tried numerous ways but I have no clue what the above is doing.

Ed

[jchd]

typedef void (*Type_Digital_IO)(int *inputs, int outputs);

Declare Function Digital_IO Lib "mtb.dll" (ByRef inputs As Integer, ByVal outputs As Integer) As Boolean

This is a contradiction! Let's take it as if mtb.dll returns a status for every call. That's plausible.

Of course I've no way to test this, I'm not even sure of the name of the functions. I suspect something weird with the Type_ prefix, but I don't have my remote dll source reading magic wand nearby at the time of writing...

Beware tht in the unlikely case this would work, I've absolutely no idea of what I'm asking to this thing. Simply hope it isn't able to launch missiles around...

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Local $sDll = "mtb.dll"
Local $hDll = DllOpen($sDll)        ; dll file in script dir
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to open ' & $sDll)
    Exit
EndIf

Local $status = MotoBee_Init()
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to initialize MotoBee.')
    Exit
EndIf
MsgBox(0, '', 'Init_MotoBee status = ' & $status)

Local $status = MotoBee_SetMotors(1, 1, 1, 2, 0, 0, 1, 3, 25)       ; set mot 1, 2, 3 at various speeds (?) set servo ar 25, whatever that means
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to pilot motors and servo')
    Exit
EndIf
MsgBox(0, '', 'Init_MotoBee status = ' & $status)
Sleep(1000)                                         ; for one second

Local $status = MotoBee_SetMotors(0, 1, 0, 2, 1, 5, 1, 3, 75)       ; set mot 3, 4 at various speeds (?) set servo ar 75
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to pilot motors and servo')
    Exit
EndIf
MsgBox(0, '', 'Init_MotoBee status = ' & $status)
Sleep(1000)                                         ; for one second

Local $inputs = 0
Local $outputs = 0x55
Local $status = MotoBee_Digital_IO($inputs, $outputs)
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to read/write digital I/O lines')
    Exit
EndIf
MsgBox(0, '', 'Init_MotoBee status = ' & $status)
MsgBox(0, 'MotoBee inputs', 'Read digital I/O lines = ' & Hex($inputs))
Sleep(1000)                                         ; for one second

Local $outputs = 0xAA
Local $status = MotoBee_Digital_IO($inputs, $outputs)
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to read/write digital I/O lines')
    Exit
EndIf
MsgBox(0, '', 'Init_MotoBee status = ' & $status)
MsgBox(0, 'MotoBee inputs', 'Read digital I/O lines = ' & Hex($inputs))
Sleep(1000)                                         ; for one second

DllClose($hDll)




Func MotoBee_Init()
    Local $Ret = DllCall($hDll, "int:cdecl", "Type_InitMotoBee")
    If @error Then Return SetError(@error, 0, 0)
    Return $Ret[0]
EndFunc

Func MotoBee_SetMotors($Mot1On, $Mot1Speed, $Mot2On, $Mot2Speed, $Mot3On, $Mot3Speed, $Mot4On, $Mot4Speed, $Servo)
    Local $Ret = DllCall($hDll, "int:cdecl", "Type_SetMotors", "int", $Mot1On, "int", $Mot1Speed, _
                                                                "int", $Mot2On, "int", $Mot2Speed, _
                                                                "int", $Mot3On, "int", $Mot3Speed, _
                                                                "int", $Mot4On, "int", $Mot4Speed, _
                                                                "int", $Servo)
    If @error Then Return SetError(@error, 0, 0)
    Return $Ret[0]
EndFunc

Func MotoBee_Digital_IO(Byref $MBinputs, $MBoutputs)
    Local $tMBIO = DllStructCreate("int_ptr")
    Local $Ret = DllCall($hDll, "int:cdecl", "Type_Digital_IO", "ptr", DllStructGetPtr($tMBIO, 1), "int", $MBoutputs)
    If @error Then Return SetError(@error)
    $MBinputs = DllStructGetData($tMBIO, 1)
    Return $Ret[0]
EndFunc

Exit

Do you get eroors, where, or does it work somehow?

[martin]

This is a contradiction! Let's take it as if mtb.dll returns a status for every call. That's plausible.

Of course I've no way to test this, I'm not even sure of the name of the functions. I suspect something weird with the Type_ prefix, but I don't have my remote dll source reading magic wand nearby at the time of writing...

Beware tht in the unlikely case this would work, I've absolutely no idea of what I'm asking to this thing. Simply hope it isn't able to launch missiles around...

expandcollapse popup

Local $sDll = "mtb.dll"
Local $hDll = DllOpen($sDll)        ; dll file in script dir
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to open ' & $sDll)
    Exit
EndIf

Local $status = MotoBee_Init()
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to initialize MotoBee.')
    Exit
EndIf
MsgBox(0, '', 'Init_MotoBee status = ' & $status)

Local $status = MotoBee_SetMotors(1, 1, 1, 2, 0, 0, 1, 3, 25)       ; set mot 1, 2, 3 at various speeds (?) set servo ar 25, whatever that means
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to pilot motors and servo')
    Exit
EndIf
MsgBox(0, '', 'Init_MotoBee status = ' & $status)
Sleep(1000)                                         ; for one second

Local $status = MotoBee_SetMotors(0, 1, 0, 2, 1, 5, 1, 3, 75)       ; set mot 3, 4 at various speeds (?) set servo ar 75
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to pilot motors and servo')
    Exit
EndIf
MsgBox(0, '', 'Init_MotoBee status = ' & $status)
Sleep(1000)                                         ; for one second

Local $inputs = 0
Local $outputs = 0x55
Local $status = MotoBee_Digital_IO($inputs, $outputs)
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to read/write digital I/O lines')
    Exit
EndIf
MsgBox(0, '', 'Init_MotoBee status = ' & $status)
MsgBox(0, 'MotoBee inputs', 'Read digital I/O lines = ' & Hex($inputs))
Sleep(1000)                                         ; for one second

Local $outputs = 0xAA
Local $status = MotoBee_Digital_IO($inputs, $outputs)
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to read/write digital I/O lines')
    Exit
EndIf
MsgBox(0, '', 'Init_MotoBee status = ' & $status)
MsgBox(0, 'MotoBee inputs', 'Read digital I/O lines = ' & Hex($inputs))
Sleep(1000)                                         ; for one second

DllClose($hDll)




Func MotoBee_Init()
    Local $Ret = DllCall($hDll, "int:cdecl", "Type_InitMotoBee")
    If @error Then Return SetError(@error, 0, 0)
    Return $Ret[0]
EndFunc

Func MotoBee_SetMotors($Mot1On, $Mot1Speed, $Mot2On, $Mot2Speed, $Mot3On, $Mot3Speed, $Mot4On, $Mot4Speed, $Servo)
    Local $Ret = DllCall($hDll, "int:cdecl", "Type_SetMotors", "int", $Mot1On, "int", $Mot1Speed, _
                                                                "int", $Mot2On, "int", $Mot2Speed, _
                                                                "int", $Mot3On, "int", $Mot3Speed, _
                                                                "int", $Mot4On, "int", $Mot4Speed, _
                                                                "int", $Servo)
    If @error Then Return SetError(@error, 0, 0)
    Return $Ret[0]
EndFunc

Func MotoBee_Digital_IO(Byref $MBinputs, $MBoutputs)
    Local $tMBIO = DllStructCreate("int_ptr")
    Local $Ret = DllCall($hDll, "int:cdecl", "Type_Digital_IO", "ptr", DllStructGetPtr($tMBIO, 1), "int", $MBoutputs)
    If @error Then Return SetError(@error)
    $MBinputs = DllStructGetData($tMBIO, 1)
    Return $Ret[0]
EndFunc

Exit

Do you get eroors, where, or does it work somehow?

According to one of the links on that site, all the functions are stdcall so the :cdecl should be removed in all the DlCall lines.

The $Servo parameter is for an angle. I assume that one of the outputs is for a servo motor which is set to that angle but I don't see what the feedback is to know the angle.

[jchd]

Thanks Martin. The VB style should have decided me to remove he :cdecl instead of having the OP do that in case of error.

So there's a site for this PIC thing? OK, got it.

@OP you should have told us there was. Try the revised version.

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Local $sDll = "mtb.dll"     ; path of dll file
Local $hDll = DllOpen($sDll)
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to open ' & $sDll)
    Exit
EndIf

Local $status = MotoBee_Init()
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to initialize MotoBee.')
    Exit
EndIf
MsgBox(0, '', 'Init_MotoBee status = ' & $status)

Local $status = MotoBee_SetMotors(1, 5, 1, 10, 0, 0, 1, 15, 25)     ; set mot 1, 2, 3 at various speeds (?) set servo ar 25, whatever that means
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to pilot motors and servo')
    Exit
EndIf
MsgBox(0, '', 'Init_MotoBee status = ' & $status)
Sleep(1000)                                         ; for one second

Local $status = MotoBee_SetMotors(0, 1, 0, 2, 1, 20, 1, 25, 75)     ; set mot 3, 4 at various speeds (?) set servo at 75
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to pilot motors and servo')
    Exit
EndIf
MsgBox(0, '', 'Init_MotoBee status = ' & $status)
Sleep(1000)                                         ; for one second

Local $inputs = 0
Local $outputs = 0x55
Local $status = MotoBee_Digital_IO($inputs, $outputs)
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to read/write digital I/O lines')
    Exit
EndIf
MsgBox(0, '', 'Init_MotoBee status = ' & $status)
MsgBox(0, 'MotoBee inputs', 'Read digital I/O lines = ' & Hex($inputs))
Sleep(1000)                                         ; for one second

Local $outputs = 0xAA
Local $status = MotoBee_Digital_IO($inputs, $outputs)
If @error Then
    MsgBox(0, '', 'Unable to read/write digital I/O lines')
    Exit
EndIf
MsgBox(0, '', 'Init_MotoBee status = ' & $status)
MsgBox(0, 'MotoBee inputs', 'Read digital I/O lines = ' & Hex($inputs))
Sleep(1000)                                         ; for one second

DllClose($hDll)




Func MotoBee_Init()
    Local $Ret = DllCall($hDll, "int", "InitMotoBee")
    If @error Then Return SetError(@error, 0, 0)
    Return $Ret[0]
EndFunc

Func MotoBee_SetMotors($Mot1On, $Mot1Speed, $Mot2On, $Mot2Speed, $Mot3On, $Mot3Speed, $Mot4On, $Mot4Speed, $Servo)
    Local $Ret = DllCall($hDll, "int", "SetMotors", "int", $Mot1On, "int", $Mot1Speed, _
                                                    "int", $Mot2On, "int", $Mot2Speed, _
                                                     "int", $Mot3On, "int", $Mot3Speed, _
                                                     "int", $Mot4On, "int", $Mot4Speed, _
                                                     "int", $Servo)
    If @error Then Return SetError(@error, 0, 0)
    Return $Ret[0]
EndFunc

Func MotoBee_Digital_IO(Byref $MBinputs, $MBoutputs)
    Local $tMBIO = DllStructCreate("int_ptr")
    Local $Ret = DllCall($hDll, "int", "Digital_IO", "ptr", DllStructGetPtr($tMBIO, 1), "int", $MBoutputs)
    If @error Then Return SetError(@error)
    $MBinputs = DllStructGetData($tMBIO, 1)
    Return $Ret[0]
EndFunc

If it works, you'll have to learn how to do things smoothly (ramp motors up and down, turn slowly, etc).

After that, you want to program the PIC (I guess it's one) yourself for better autonomy, etc.

Have fun!

EDIT:

ProgAndy is right: I found the PC Control site, looked at the .pdf there but failed to remember to remove the Type_ thing (which is an error, there is no underscore in the doc)

With some more patience for the OP and possibly more help from other contributors (as I'm being more dumb than usual), everyhing will run fine ... some day. The most important is that ther's still a bit of hope! Apologies.

Edited January 23, 2010 by jchd

[ProgAndy]

If it works, you'll have to learn how to do things smoothly (ramp motors up and down, turn slowly, etc).

I think you have to remove the Type_-prefix from the functions since it is not there in the VB-declaration.

@SystemWontAccept: just try both funcion names and check for @error

[SystemWontAccept]

The code is golden!

You guys are AWESOME! My servo initializes AND moves. I'll go though this code as my tutorial.

This will allow me to build a real world gage that shows my Internet utilization... I hope.

I've got some math to do but that's easy. This is exciting!

Thank-you, Thank-you, THANK-YOU!!

[jchd]

You guys are AWESOME! My servo initializes AND moves. I'll go though this code as my tutorial.

Glad to see it brings the beast to life!

Now you have to learn how to "pilot" the motors, servo and I/O with care.