6.1 KiB
| id | title | sidebar_label |
|---|---|---|
| canned-message-plugin | Canned messages | Canned messages |
About
The CannedMessage Plugin will allow you to send messages to the mesh network from the device without using the phone app. You can predefine text messages to choose from.
Hardware
To navigate through messages and select one, you will require some hardware attached to your device. Currently, the plugin is tested with a generic rotary encoder, but this is not a limitation further input methods can be added in the future.
Rotary encoder
Meshtastic supports hardwired rotary encoders as input devices. (Technically CannedMessage plugin is independent of rotary encoders. It is described here, because no other module utilizes rotary encoders just yet.)
You will need a generic rotary encoder. The types listed below has five legs where two is dedicated to a "press" action, but any other types will likely do the job. You can also use a three-legged version, where the "press" action should be wired from an independent switch.
Connect your rotary encoder as follows. The rotary encoder has two rows of legs. One of the rows contains two legs, the other contains three legs. Bottom side view:
B o --- o PRESS
GND o | |
A o --- o GND
The two legs is to sense the press action (or push). Connect one of the two to GROUND and the other to a GPIO pin. (No matter which one goes where.) Let's call this connected ports 'PRESS'.
The three legs is to sense the rotation action. Connect the middle leg to GROUND and the ones on the side to GPIO pins. Let's call these ports 'A' and 'B', according to the scheme below.
A --||
GND --||]========
B --||
Recommended GPIO pins for connecting a rotary encoder.
- TTGO LoRa V1:
- A - GPIO-22
- B - GPIO-23
- PRESS - GPIO-21
There is a reference case 3D-design utilizing the rotary encoder for TTGO LoRa V1: Case for TTGO-ESP32-LORA-OLED-v1.0 with rotary encoder
Configuration of the rotary encoder #1
rotary1_enabled
Enable the rotary encoder #1
rotary1_pin_a
GPIO pin for rotary encoder A port.
rotary1_pin_b
GPIO pin for rotary encoder B port.
rotary1_pin_press
GPIO pin for rotary encoder Press port.
rotary1_event_cw
Generate input event on CW of this kind.
For using with CannedMessagePlugin you must choose value "UP" here!
rotary1_event_ccw
Generate input event on CCW of this kind.
For using with CannedMessagePlugin you must choose value "DOWN" here!
rotary1_event_press
Generate input event on Press of this kind.
For using with CannedMessagePlugin you must choose value "SELECT" here!
The rotary encoder #1 will send input events under name "rotEnc1".
Configuration of the plugin
Following configuration can be set for the plugin.
canned_message_plugin_enabled
Enable/disable CannedMessagePlugin.
canned_message_plugin_allow_input_source
Input event origin accepted by the canned message plugin.
Can be e.g. "rotEnc1" or keyword "_any"
canned_message_plugin_messages
Predefined messages for CannedMessagePlugin separated by '|' characters.
canned_message_plugin_send_bell
CannedMessagePlugin also sends a bell character with the messages.
ExternalNotificationPlugin can benefit from this feature.
Usage Notes
For setting up the rotary encoder #1 using the Python CLI you will need to execute a sequence like this:
meshtastic --set rotary1_pin_a 22
meshtastic --set rotary1_pin_b 23
meshtastic --set rotary1_pin_press 21
meshtastic --set rotary1_event_cw KEY_UP
meshtastic --set rotary1_event_ccw KEY_DOWN
meshtastic --set rotary1_event_press KEY_SELECT
meshtastic --set rotary1_enabled True
For setting up the plugin you will need to execute a sequence like this:
meshtastic --set canned_message_plugin_allow_input_source "_any"
meshtastic --set canned_message_plugin_messages "I'm fine|I'm out|I'm back|Need helping hand|Help me with saw|I need an alpinist|I need ambulance|Keep Calm|On my way|I will be late|I'm already waiting|We have company|Beer is cold|Roger"
meshtastic --set canned_message_plugin_send_bell False
meshtastic --set canned_message_plugin_enabled True
:::note You can define up to 50 messages with a total length 200 bytes. (We are working on a solution to extend total length.) Use short texts as end of line will be truncated on the screen. :::
:::note The device must be restarted after the settings have been changed for the plugin to take effect. :::
Known Problems
- Rotary encoder input uses a technology called "interrupts". Using the rotary encoder might cause unexpected software problems. This needs to be tested.