Displaying Home Assistant Input Text On ESP32
Are you looking to display Home Assistant input_text on your ESP32 with a cheap yellow display? You've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, addressing the common challenges and providing a step-by-step solution. This article will provide solutions for displaying text input from Home Assistant on an ESP32 device with a yellow display. We'll cover the necessary code snippets, configurations, and troubleshooting tips to ensure you can successfully integrate your devices. Let's dive in and get your display working!
Understanding the Challenge
The user, witnessmenow, encountered difficulties while trying to display an input_text entity from Home Assistant on their ESP32 device. The core of the issue lies in correctly formatting and displaying the state of the input_text entity within the ESPHome environment. The user tried various methods, including to_string(), to_string(id(ispindel1brew).state).c_str, and id(ispindel1brew).state.c_str, but none yielded the desired result. The challenge is to find the correct way to convert the state of the input_text entity into a format that can be displayed on the ESP32 screen.
To effectively tackle this problem, we need to break it down into smaller, manageable parts. First, we'll examine the user's existing code and identify the potential issues. Then, we'll explore the correct syntax and methods for retrieving and displaying the input_text state. Finally, we'll provide a complete, working example that you can adapt to your specific setup. By understanding each step, you'll be well-equipped to display text input from Home Assistant on your ESP32 device.
Analyzing the Code
Let's begin by dissecting the user's code snippet to pinpoint the exact location of the issue. The relevant section is:
it.printf(150, 80, id(arimo16), TextAlign::TOP_CENTER, "A102 Fermentation: %s", to_string(id(ispindel1brew).state));
Here, the user is attempting to use it.printf to display the text. The format string %s expects a C-style string (const char*), but the to_string() method in ESPHome returns a std::string object. This mismatch is a common cause of errors when working with strings in C++ and ESPHome. The other methods the user tried, such as .c_str, are steps in the right direction but need to be applied correctly to resolve the type mismatch.
The id(ispindel1brew).state part correctly references the state of the input_text entity. However, directly using to_string() on it doesn't provide the necessary conversion to a C-style string. This is where the core of the problem lies. We need to ensure that the state is correctly converted into a format that it.printf can handle.
Understanding this type mismatch is crucial for solving the problem. By identifying the root cause, we can explore the correct methods for converting the std::string object into a C-style string, allowing the text to be displayed correctly on the ESP32 screen. This will involve using the .c_str() method appropriately to extract the underlying C-style string from the std::string object.
Correcting the Syntax
The key to displaying the input_text correctly is to use the .c_str() method on the std::string object returned by to_string(). This method returns a C-style string, which is compatible with the %s format specifier in it.printf. The corrected line of code should look like this:
it.printf(150, 80, id(arimo16), TextAlign::TOP_CENTER, "A102 Fermentation: %s", to_string(id(ispindel1brew).state).c_str());
By appending .c_str() to to_string(id(ispindel1brew).state), we are extracting the C-style string representation of the state. This ensures that the it.printf function receives the expected input type, resolving the type mismatch issue. This small change is crucial for the correct functioning of the display.
This correction addresses the core problem of the type mismatch. However, it's essential to understand why this works. The .c_str() method is a standard part of the std::string class in C++, and it's designed specifically for this kind of conversion. By using it, we're bridging the gap between the C++ string object and the C-style string expected by the it.printf function. This ensures that the text can be correctly formatted and displayed on the ESP32 screen.
A Complete Example
To provide a clearer understanding, let's look at a complete example that incorporates the corrected syntax and demonstrates how to display Home Assistant input_text on an ESP32 with a yellow display. This example builds upon the user's existing configuration and highlights the necessary modifications.
First, ensure you have the necessary configurations in your ESPHome YAML file:
esphome:
name: screenferm
friendly_name: ScreenFerm
esp32:
board: esp32dev
framework:
type: arduino
# Enable logging
logger:
# Enable Home Assistant API
api:
encryption:
key: "xxxx"
ota:
- platform: esphome
password: "xxxxx"
wifi:
ssid: !secret wifi_ssid
password: !secret wifi_password
# Enable fallback hotspot (captive portal) in case wifi connection fails
ap:
ssid: "ScreenFerm Fallback Hotspot"
password: "xxxxx"
captive_portal:
web_server:
port: 80
include_internal: true
# ============================================================
# ESPHome Display related setup
#
# Create a font to use, add and remove glyphs as needed.
font:
- file: 'fonts/Arimo-Regular.ttf'
id: arimo12
size: 14
glyphs: "<>!\"%()+=,-_.:°0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz"
- file: 'fonts/Arimo-Regular.ttf'
id: arimo24
size: 24
glyphs: "<>!\"%()+=,-_.:°0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz"
- file: 'fonts/Arimo-Regular.ttf'
id: arimo22
size: 22
glyphs: "<>!\"%()+=,-_.:°0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz"
- file: 'fonts/Arimo-Regular.ttf'
id: arimo18
size: 18
glyphs: "<>!\"%()+=,-_.:°0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz"
- file: 'fonts/Arimo-Regular.ttf'
id: arimo16
size: 16
glyphs: "<>!\"%()+=,-_.:°0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz"
# Create a Home Assistant blue color
color:
- id: ha_blue
hex: 51bcf2
- id: aquamarina
hex: d1d59f
- id: blue_color
# Make use of `red: 100%` if using ILI9342
blue: 100%
- id: red_color
# Make use of `blue: 100%` if using ILI9342
red: 100%
- id: green_color
green: 100%
- id: yellow_color
hex: ffff00
# ============================================================
# Home Assistant related setup
#
light:
- platform: monochromatic
output: backlight_pwm
name: Display Backlight
id: backlight
restore_mode: ALWAYS_ON
# Setup a RGB light in Home Assistant
- platform: rgb
name: RGB
id: led
red: led_red
green: led_green
blue: led_blue
restore_mode: ALWAYS_OFF
# Create a time sensor, this will fetch time from Home Assistant
time:
- platform: homeassistant
id: ha_time
- platform: sntp
id: sntp_time
sensor:
- platform: homeassistant
id: ispindel1
entity_id: sensor.a102_sg_gravity
internal: true
- platform: homeassistant
id: ispindel11
entity_id: sensor.a102_sg_temperature
internal: true
- platform: homeassistant
id: ispindel1brew
entity_id: input_text.a102_fermentation
internal: true
- platform: homeassistant
id: ispindel2
entity_id: sensor.inkbird_brewing_temperature_probe_2
internal: true
- platform: homeassistant
id: inkbird1
entity_id: climate.itc_308_wifi_thermostat
attribute: current_temperature
internal: true
- platform: homeassistant
id: inkbird11
entity_id: climate.itc_308_wifi_thermostat
attribute: temperature
internal: true
- platform: homeassistant
id: inkbird2
entity_id: climate.itc_308_wifi_thermostat_2
attribute: current_temperature
internal: true
- platform: homeassistant
id: inkbird22
entity_id: climate.itc_308_wifi_thermostat_2
attribute: temperature
internal: true
#input_select.brewing_state
# Board LDR
- platform: adc
pin: GPIO34
name: "board_ldr"
update_interval: 1500ms
# Reports the WiFi signal strength/RSSI in dB
- platform: wifi_signal
name: "WiFi Signal dB"
id: wifi_signal_db
update_interval: 60s
entity_category: "diagnostic"
# Reports the WiFi signal strength in %
- platform: copy
source_id: wifi_signal_db
name: "WiFi Signal Percent"
filters:
- lambda: return min(max(2 * (x + 100.0), 0.0), 100.0);
unit_of_measurement: "Signal %"
entity_category: "diagnostic"
# ============================================================
# Hardware related setup
#
# Setup SPI for the display. The ESP32-2432S028R uses separate SPI buses for display and touch
spi:
- id: tft
clk_pin: GPIO14
mosi_pin: GPIO13
miso_pin: GPIO12
- id: touch
clk_pin: GPIO25
mosi_pin: GPIO32
miso_pin: GPIO39
switch:
# Board power switches
- platform: restart
name: "ESPScreen restart"
- platform: shutdown
name: "ESPScreen shutdown"
- platform: safe_mode
name: "ESPScreen restart (Safe Mode)"
# Setup a pin to control the backlight
output:
# Setup a pin to control the backlight
- platform: ledc
pin: GPIO21
id: backlight_pwm
# Setup the pins that control the RGB LED
- platform: ledc
pin: GPIO4
id: led_red
inverted: true
- platform: ledc
pin: GPIO16
id: led_green
inverted: true
- platform: ledc
pin: GPIO17
id: led_blue
inverted: true
# Setup the ili9xxx platform
#
# Display is used as 240x320 by default so we rotate it to 90°
display:
- platform: ili9xxx
model: ili9341
spi_id: tft
cs_pin: GPIO15
dc_pin: GPIO2
rotation: 90
color_palette: 8BIT
invert_colors: false
lambda: |-
it.strftime(180, 5, id(arimo12), id(ha_blue), "%Y-%m-%d", id(ha_time).now());
it.strftime(60, 5, id(arimo12), id(ha_blue), "%H:%M", id(ha_time).now());
it.print(90, 30, id(arimo24), id(ha_blue), "Fermentation");
it.printf(150, 60, id(arimo16), TextAlign::TOP_CENTER, "iSpindel A102: %.3f - %.1f °C", id(ispindel1).state, id(ispindel11).state);
it.printf(150, 80, id(arimo16), TextAlign::TOP_CENTER, "A102 Fermentation: %s", to_string(id(ispindel1brew).state).c_str());
it.printf(150, 110, id(arimo18), TextAlign::TOP_CENTER, "iSpindel 2: %.3f", id(ispindel2).state);
it.printf(150, 150, id(arimo24), TextAlign::TOP_CENTER, "InkBird 1: %.1f °C - %.1f °C", id(inkbird1).state, id(inkbird11).state);
it.printf(150, 190, id(arimo24), TextAlign::TOP_CENTER, "InkBird 2: %.1f °C - %.1f °C", id(inkbird2).state, id(inkbird22).state);
it.rectangle(0, 0, 320, 240, id(ha_blue));
The crucial part is the display section, where we use the lambda function to draw text on the screen. The corrected line is:
it.printf(150, 80, id(arimo16), TextAlign::TOP_CENTER, "A102 Fermentation: %s", to_string(id(ispindel1brew).state).c_str());
This example demonstrates how to correctly display the input_text from Home Assistant on your ESP32 screen. By incorporating the .c_str() method, we ensure that the text is properly formatted and displayed. This complete example provides a solid foundation for your project, allowing you to adapt it to your specific needs and configurations.
Additional Tips and Troubleshooting
Here are some additional tips and troubleshooting steps to ensure a smooth experience:
- Font Glyphs: Ensure that the font you are using includes all the necessary glyphs for the text you want to display. If certain characters are not showing up, you may need to add them to the
glyphssection of your font configuration. - Text Alignment: The
TextAlign::TOP_CENTERoption is used for text alignment. Experiment with other options likeTextAlign::CENTER,TextAlign::LEFT, orTextAlign::RIGHTto achieve the desired layout. - Update Interval: If the text is not updating as expected, check the
update_intervalsetting for the sensor. Ensure it is set appropriately for your needs. - Home Assistant Configuration: Verify that the
input_textentity is correctly configured in Home Assistant and that its state is being updated as expected. - Logging: Use the ESPHome logger to debug any issues. Add
logger:to your configuration and check the logs for any error messages.
By following these tips and troubleshooting steps, you can ensure that your Home Assistant input_text is displayed correctly on your ESP32 screen. These additional considerations can help you fine-tune your setup and address any unexpected issues, ensuring a robust and reliable display.
Conclusion
Displaying Home Assistant input_text on an ESP32 with a cheap yellow display is achievable with the correct syntax and configuration. By understanding the type mismatch issue and applying the .c_str() method, you can successfully display dynamic text on your screen. This guide has provided a comprehensive solution, including a detailed explanation, a corrected code snippet, a complete example, and additional troubleshooting tips.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can seamlessly integrate Home Assistant data into your ESP32 projects, creating interactive and informative displays. Whether you're monitoring fermentation progress, displaying sensor readings, or creating custom dashboards, the ability to display dynamic text is a valuable asset. With the knowledge you've gained here, you're well-equipped to tackle any challenges and bring your projects to life.
For further information and resources, consider exploring the official ESPHome documentation and community forums. These resources offer a wealth of knowledge and support, helping you to expand your understanding and tackle more advanced projects. Happy displaying!
