Prusa-firmware-buddy: [FEATURE REQUEST] Enable LCD display timeout

[nicolasvac]

If it makes sense, enter what type of printer or upgrade the feature request applies to.
Printer type - [MINI]

Is your feature request related to an existing problem? Please describe.
I keep my printer in my room, and having the LCD display always up not only is irritating during night, but uses power for nothing, and consumes the display life.
Plus, in a farm of printers, the power problem gets multiplied by much.

Describe the expected functionality
Add in the settings an option for display timeout for inactivity, like 1 minutes, 5 minutes and so on.
The display simply comes back on by pressing on the button 1 time.

[blysmth]

I came here to request this also. Thanks @nicolasvac

[neophyl]

I would modify the request slightly in that any input from button or rotating the encoder should wake the device up.

[nicolasvac]

@JohnnyDeer any feedback on this?

[JohnnyDeer]

@nicolasvac I don't discuss with developers about this FR yet. But definitely it make sense :)

[adynis]

I also vote for this.
I would even like to have 2 different timeout options: Timeout while printing and Timeout when idle (e.g.: the printer finished to print and it's waiting for ... me).

[JohnnyDeer]

I have updated info. We will make this kind of function but i can't say when. Anyway it's on our to do list :)

[hemdrup]

Yes, this would be great. And then just having to move the button to wake it up.

However, as there is no LED indicator for when the Prusa is on, so I might use the power switch instead of moving the wheel as I don't know that the print and display is just asleep/power saving.

I guess this is moving toward a future where the Prusa is always "on", also because of Wi-Fi printing where we don't use the power-switch often anymore. Then the question is how much is the "stand-by" power consumption of a Prusa, which has been a big topic in Denmark. I think it was a Playstation that consumed 50€ of standby power over a year or something.

[adynis]

you are right with the LED indicator ...
than maybe something like a screensaver with a dot moving on the screen .... or the date/time moving slowly on the screen with low brightness ....[similar to AlwaysOnDisplay on samsung mobile phones]

[PGlyre]

I also want this function and would appreciate that the LED screen is turned off or/and dimmed e.g. 50% after 10 minutes when using OctoPrint etc.

[calexandre]

I also would like to be able to set a display timeout. It does not make sense for it to stay on when there is no activity...

[hainjedaf]

Well, i'd like choices:
-screen on with timeout
-screen off
-screensaver
maybe something where the menu shows an option to turn off screen and wake it by turning the jog dail.

[matthewlloyd]

I attempted to control the backlight from the firmware and did not have success. The backlight LEDs are not be under the control of the ST7789V. Sending WRCTRLD and toggling the backlight bit (ST7789V_MASK_CTRLD_BL in the code) does not have any effect, and sending WRDISBV doesn't adjust the backlight brightness but instead the brightness scaling value of the LCD pixels.

Examining the PCB file with this viewer, and cross referencing the TFT LCD datasheet, reveals that the backlight LED is indeed permanently powered from the 5V supply and not under control of the ST7789V or mainboard.

Therefore, I think it's safe to say turning off the backlight to save energy isn't ever going to be possible on the Mini, unless hardware changes are made to the LCD board.

Displaying all black or running a screensaver would definitely be possible, but likely not as useful.

[adynis]

Examining the PCB file with this viewer, and cross referencing the TFT LCD datasheet, reveals that the backlight LED is indeed permanently powered from the 5V supply and not under control of the ST7789V or mainboard.

Nice investigation :thumbsup: but sad conclusion :worried: