node_helper and python communication

[jmagsumbol]

Hi,

I have started to dig in developing own modules. I wanted to use an ultrasonic sensor to check if a person is in front of the mirror minimum 100cm. In this case the python script sends a ‘message’ with a type event and distance in cm. This should turn off the screen. Then a timer (5sec) starts to switch off the screen again as long as there is no message coming in.

I have several problems and don’t know why:

1. the timer never starts
2. my console logs are only displayed AFTER the magic mirror app is stopped.

Can anyone give me a hint? Or is there a better implementation for the communication between python and the modules?

module.exports = NodeHelper.create({

    python_start: function() {
    		pyshell = new PythonShell('serialDistance.py');

    		pyshell.on('message', function (message) {
    		  console.log(message);
    			self.switchScreenOn();
    		});
    },
    switchScreenOff: function(){
    	console.log("Switch screen off");
    	clearInterval(timer);
    },
    switchScreenOn: function(){
    	var self = this;
      console.log("Switch screens on");
    	timer = setInterval(self.switchScreenOff, 5000);
    },
})

[ninjabreadman]

@jmagsumbol Should the function be simply called start()? Does python_start() ever get called?

Alternatively, with a slight modification of MMM-PIR-Sensor, I think this could all be done within Node.js. You’d just need to examine how to handle the GPIO of the ultrasonic sensor in however it differs from a PIR sensor.

For actually turning the screen off and on, check out @cruunnerr‘s guide: https://forum.magicmirror.builders/topic/6291/howto-turn-on-off-your-monitor-time-based-pir-button-app/7

[jmagsumbol]

@ninjabreadman yap python_start is called by an event from the modules (script is not complete)
In the MMM-PIR-Sensor the GPIO is used. In my case I would like to use usb. So i should require node-serial port. That’s what one way I can try it.
But I also thought of doing the complete logic, like switching on/off the screen, in my python script. So the only job of the module is to call python.