PR7682 improvements: drivers, writer.py, docs.

DRIVERS.md

@@ -1085,6 +1085,22 @@ long as `.rgb()` and the "on the fly" converter match, this is arbitrary.
 The `Writer` (monochrome) or `CWriter` (color) classes and the `nanogui` module
 should then work automatically.
 
+For color displays the following provides a substantial performance boost when
+rendering text.
+```python
+from drivers.boolpalette import BoolPalette
+```
+and, in `__init__.py`:
+```python
+        mode = framebuf.GS4_HMSB  # The format to be used by the driver
+        self.palette = BoolPalette(mode)
+        gc.collect()
+        buf = bytearray(self.height * self.width // 2)  # Computation must match the format
+        super().__init__(buf, self.width, self.height, mode)
+```
+Assuming firmware dated after 26th Aug 2021, a fast C blit will be used to
+render glyphs instead of Python code.
+
 The following script is useful for testing color display drivers after
 configuring `color_setup.py`. It draws squares at the extreme corners of the
 display and a corner to corner diagonal.

README.md

@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ wiring details, pin names and hardware issues.
   1.1 [Change log](./README.md#11-change-log)  
   1.2 [Description](./README.md#12-description)  
   1.3 [Quick start](./README.md#13-quick-start)  
+  1.4 [A performance boost](./README.md#14-a-performance-boost)  
  2. [Files and Dependencies](./README.md#2-files-and-dependencies)  
   2.1 [Files](./README.md#21-files)  
        2.1.1 [Core files](./README.md#211-core-files)  
@@ -93,8 +94,7 @@ on ESP8266 is possible but frozen bytecode must be used owing to its restricted
 RAM.
 
 As of 14th March 2021 it runs on the Raspberry Pi Pico; on that target firmware
-must be of that date or later. The `color15` demo fails because the firmware
+must be of that date or later.
-lacks `uos.urandom()` but hopefully it will be fixed soon.
 
 It uses synchronous code but is compatible with `uasyncio`. Some demo programs
 illustrate this. Code is standard MicroPython, but some device drivers use the
@@ -112,6 +112,8 @@ my GUI's employ the American spelling of `color`.
 
 ## 1.1 Change log
 
+26 Aug 2021 Support [PR7682](https://github.com/micropython/micropython/pull/7682)
+for fast text rendering.
 25 Apr 2021 Support TTGO T-Display.  
 26 Mar 2021 Add ST7789. Alter uasyncio support on ili9341.  
 14 Mar 2021 Tested on Pi Pico.  
@@ -204,12 +206,19 @@ OLED as per `color_setup.py`, move to the root directory of the repo and run
 Note also that the `gui.demos.aclock.py` demo comprises 38 lines of actual
 code. This stuff is easier than you might think.
 
+## 1.4 A performance boost
+
+As of Aug 2021 color displays can benefit from a substantial performance boost
+in rendering text. To take advantage of this, firmware should be dated after
+26 Aug 21. The display driver and GUI core files should be updated. Ensure that
+the new file `drivers/boolpalette.py` exists on the target hardware.
+
 ###### [Contents](./README.md#contents)
 
 # 2. Files and Dependencies
 
 Firmware should be V1.13 or later. On the Pi Pico firmware should be V1.15 or
-later.
+later. For fast text rendering use a daily build or V1.17 or later.
 
 Installation comprises copying the `gui` and `drivers` directories, with their
 contents, plus a hardware configuration file, to the target. The directory
@@ -248,10 +257,6 @@ The `gui/core` directory contains the GUI core and its principal dependencies:
  * `writer.py` Module for rendering Python fonts.
  * `fplot.py` The graph plotting module.
  * `colors.py` Color constants.
- * `framebuf_utils.mpy` Accelerator for the `CWriter` class. This optional file
- is compiled for STM hardware. It is specific to Pyboards (1.x and D) and will
- be ignored on other ports. Details may be found
- [here](https://github.com/peterhinch/micropython-font-to-py/blob/master/writer/WRITER.md#224-a-performance-boost).
 
 ###### [Contents](./README.md#contents)
 
@@ -348,10 +353,6 @@ to check for newer versions:
  * [writer.py](https://github.com/peterhinch/micropython-font-to-py/blob/master/writer/writer.py)
  Provides text rendering of Python font files.
 
-Optional feature:
- * An STM32 implementation of
- [this optimisation](https://github.com/peterhinch/micropython-font-to-py/blob/master/writer/WRITER.md#224-a-performance-boost).
-
 A copy of the official driver for OLED displays using the SSD1306 chip is
 provided. The official file is here:  
  * [SSD1306 driver](https://github.com/micropython/micropython/blob/master/drivers/display/ssd1306.py).

drivers/boolpalette.py

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+# boolpalette.py Implement BoolPalette class
+# This is a 2-value color palette for rendering monochrome glyphs to color
+# FrameBuffer instances. Supports destinations with up to 16 bit color.
+
+# Copyright (c) Peter Hinch 2021
+# Released under the MIT license see LICENSE
+
+import framebuf
+
+class BoolPalette(framebuf.FrameBuffer):
+
+    def __init__(self, mode):
+        buf = bytearray(4)  # OK for <= 16 bit color
+        super().__init__(buf, 2, 1, mode)
+    
+    def fg(self, color):  # Set foreground color
+        self.pixel(1, 0, color)
+
+    def bg(self, color):
+        self.pixel(0, 0, color)

drivers/ili93xx/ili9341.py

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ from time import sleep_ms
 import gc
 import framebuf
 import uasyncio as asyncio
+from drivers.boolpalette import BoolPalette
 
 @micropython.viper
 def _lcopy(dest:ptr16, source:ptr8, lut:ptr16, length:int):
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@ class ILI9341(framebuf.FrameBuffer):
         self.width = width
         self._spi_init = init_spi
         mode = framebuf.GS4_HMSB
+        self.palette = BoolPalette(mode)
         gc.collect()
         buf = bytearray(self.height * self.width // 2)
         self._mvb = memoryview(buf)

drivers/ssd1331/ssd1331.py

@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ import framebuf
 import utime
 import gc
 import sys
+from drivers.boolpalette import BoolPalette
+
 # https://github.com/peterhinch/micropython-nano-gui/issues/2
 # The ESP32 does not work reliably in SPI mode 1,1. Waveforms look correct.
 # Mode 0, 0 works on ESP and STM
@@ -54,6 +56,7 @@ class SSD1331(framebuf.FrameBuffer):
         self.width = width
         self._spi_init = init_spi
         mode = framebuf.GS8  # Use 8bit greyscale for 8 bit color.
+        self.palette = BoolPalette(mode)
         gc.collect()
         self.buffer = bytearray(self.height * self.width)
         super().__init__(self.buffer, self.width, self.height, mode)

drivers/ssd1331/ssd1331_16bit.py

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 import framebuf
 import utime
 import gc
+from drivers.boolpalette import BoolPalette
 
 # https://github.com/peterhinch/micropython-nano-gui/issues/2
 # The ESP32 does not work reliably in SPI mode 1,1. Waveforms look correct.
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@ class SSD1331(framebuf.FrameBuffer):
         self.width = width
         self._spi_init = init_spi
         mode = framebuf.RGB565
+        self.palette = BoolPalette(mode)
         gc.collect()
         self.buffer = bytearray(self.height * self.width * 2)
         super().__init__(self.buffer, self.width, self.height, mode)

drivers/ssd1351/ssd1351.py

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import utime
 import gc
 import micropython
 from uctypes import addressof
+from drivers.boolpalette import BoolPalette
 
 # Timings with standard emitter
 # 1.86ms * 128 lines = 240ms. copy dominates: show() took 272ms
@@ -90,6 +91,7 @@ class SSD1351(framebuf.FrameBuffer):
         self.height = height  # Required by Writer class
         self.width = width
         mode = framebuf.GS8  # Use 8bit greyscale for 8 bit color.
+        self.palette = BoolPalette(mode)
         gc.collect()
         self.buffer = bytearray(self.height * self.width)
         super().__init__(self.buffer, self.width, self.height, mode)

drivers/ssd1351/ssd1351_16bit.py

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import utime
 import gc
 import micropython
 from uctypes import addressof
+from drivers.boolpalette import BoolPalette
 
 # https://github.com/peterhinch/micropython-nano-gui/issues/2
 # The ESP32 does not work reliably in SPI mode 1,1. Waveforms look correct.
@@ -59,6 +60,7 @@ class SSD1351(framebuf.FrameBuffer):
         self.height = height  # Required by Writer class
         self.width = width
         mode = framebuf.RGB565
+        self.palette = BoolPalette(mode)
         gc.collect()
         self.buffer = bytearray(self.height * self.width * 2)
         super().__init__(self.buffer, self.width, self.height, mode)

drivers/ssd1351/ssd1351_4bit.py

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import utime
 import gc
 import micropython
 from uctypes import addressof
+from drivers.boolpalette import BoolPalette
 
 # https://github.com/peterhinch/micropython-nano-gui/issues/2
 # The ESP32 does not work reliably in SPI mode 1,1. Waveforms look correct.
@@ -87,6 +88,7 @@ class SSD1351(framebuf.FrameBuffer):
         self.width = width
         self.spi_init = init_spi
         mode = framebuf.GS4_HMSB  # Use 4bit greyscale.
+        self.palette = BoolPalette(mode)
         gc.collect()
         self.buffer = bytearray(self.height * self.width // 2)
         super().__init__(self.buffer, self.width, self.height, mode)

drivers/ssd1351/ssd1351_generic.py

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import utime
 import gc
 import micropython
 from uctypes import addressof
+from drivers.boolpalette import BoolPalette
 
 import sys
 # https://github.com/peterhinch/micropython-nano-gui/issues/2
@@ -77,6 +78,7 @@ class SSD1351(framebuf.FrameBuffer):
         self.height = height  # Required by Writer class
         self.width = width
         mode = framebuf.GS8  # Use 8bit greyscale for 8 bit color.
+        self.palette = BoolPalette(mode)
         gc.collect()
         self.buffer = bytearray(self.height * self.width)
         super().__init__(self.buffer, self.width, self.height, mode)

drivers/st7735r/st7735r.py

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from time import sleep_ms
 import framebuf
 import gc
 import micropython
+from drivers.boolpalette import BoolPalette
 
 # Datasheet para 8.4 scl write cycle 66ns == 15MHz
 
@@ -60,6 +61,7 @@ class ST7735R(framebuf.FrameBuffer):
         self.width = width
         self._spi_init = init_spi
         mode = framebuf.GS8  # Use 8bit greyscale for 8 bit color.
+        self.palette = BoolPalette(mode)
         gc.collect()
         buf = bytearray(height * width)
         self._mvb = memoryview(buf)

drivers/st7735r/st7735r144.py

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from time import sleep_ms
 import framebuf
 import gc
 import micropython
+from drivers.boolpalette import BoolPalette
 
 # Datasheet para 8.4 scl write cycle 66ns == 15MHz
 
@@ -58,6 +59,7 @@ class ST7735R(framebuf.FrameBuffer):
         self.width = width
         self._spi_init = init_spi
         mode = framebuf.GS8  # Use 8bit greyscale for 8 bit color.
+        self.palette = BoolPalette(mode)
         gc.collect()
         buf = bytearray(self.height * self.width)
         self._mvb = memoryview(buf)

drivers/st7735r/st7735r144_4bit.py

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from time import sleep_ms
 import framebuf
 import gc
 import micropython
+from drivers.boolpalette import BoolPalette
 
 # Datasheet para 8.4 scl write cycle 66ns == 15MHz
 
@@ -61,6 +62,7 @@ class ST7735R(framebuf.FrameBuffer):
         self.width = width
         self._spi_init = init_spi
         mode = framebuf.GS4_HMSB  # Use 4bit greyscale.
+        self.palette = BoolPalette(mode)
         gc.collect()
         buf = bytearray(self.height * self.width // 2)
         self._mvb = memoryview(buf)

drivers/st7735r/st7735r_4bit.py

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ from time import sleep_ms
 import framebuf
 import gc
 import micropython
+from drivers.boolpalette import BoolPalette
 
 # Datasheet para 8.4 scl write cycle 66ns == 15MHz
 
@@ -61,6 +62,7 @@ class ST7735R(framebuf.FrameBuffer):
         self.width = width
         self._spi_init = init_spi
         mode = framebuf.GS4_HMSB  # Use 4bit greyscale.
+        self.palette = BoolPalette(mode)
         gc.collect()
         buf = bytearray(height * width // 2)
         self._mvb = memoryview(buf)

drivers/st7789/st7789_4bit.py

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import framebuf
 import gc
 import micropython
 import uasyncio as asyncio
+from drivers.boolpalette import BoolPalette
 
 # User orientation constants
 LANDSCAPE = 0  # Default
@@ -73,6 +74,7 @@ class ST7789(framebuf.FrameBuffer):
         self._spi_init = init_spi  # Possible user callback
         self._lock = asyncio.Lock()
         mode = framebuf.GS4_HMSB  # Use 4bit greyscale.
+        self.palette = BoolPalette(mode)
         gc.collect()
         buf = bytearray(height * -(-width // 2))  # Ceiling division for odd widths
         self._mvb = memoryview(buf)

gui/core/writer.py

@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 # writer.py Implements the Writer class.
 # Handles colour, word wrap and tab stops
 
-# V0.40 Jan 2021 Improved handling of word wrap and line clip. Upside-down
+# V0.4.3 Aug 2021 Support for fast blit to color displays (PR7682).
+# V0.4.0 Jan 2021 Improved handling of word wrap and line clip. Upside-down
 # rendering no longer supported: delegate to device driver.
-# V0.35 Sept 2020 Fast rendering option for color displays
+# V0.3.5 Sept 2020 Fast rendering option for color displays
 
 # Released under the MIT License (MIT). See LICENSE.
 # Copyright (c) 2019-2021 Peter Hinch
@@ -14,35 +15,34 @@
 
 # Timings based on a 20 pixel high proportional font, run on a pyboard V1.0.
 # Using CWriter's slow rendering: _printchar 9.5ms typ, 13.5ms max.
-# Using Writer's fast rendering: _printchar 115μs min 480μs typ 950μs max.
-
-# CWriter on Pyboard D SF2W at standard clock rate
-# Fast method 500-600μs typical, up to 1.07ms on larger fonts
-# Revised fast method 691μs avg, up to 2.14ms on larger fonts
-# Slow method 2700μs typical, up to 11ms on larger fonts
 
 import framebuf
 from uctypes import bytearray_at, addressof
-from sys import platform
+from sys import implementation
+import os
 
-__version__ = (0, 4, 2)
+__version__ = (0, 4, 3)
 
-fast_mode = platform == 'pyboard'
+def buildcheck(device):
-if fast_mode:
+    if not hasattr(device, 'palette'):
+        return False
+    i0, i1, _ = implementation[1]
+    if i0 > 1 or i1 > 16:
+        return True
+    # After release of V1.17 require that build. Until then check for date.
+    # TODO simplify this once V1.17 is released.
     try:
-        try:
+        datestring = os.uname()[3]
-            from framebuf_utils import render
+        date = datestring.split(' on')[1]
-        except ImportError:  # May be running in GUI. Try relative import.
+        date = date.lstrip()[:10]
-            try:
+        idate = tuple([int(x) for x in date.split('-')])
-                from .framebuf_utils import render
+        return idate >= (2021, 8, 25)
-            except ImportError:
+    except AttributeError:
-                fast_mode = False
+        return False
-    except ValueError:
-        fast_mode = False
-    if not fast_mode:
-        print('Ignoring missing or invalid framebuf_utils.mpy.')
 
 
+fast_mode = False  # False for mono displays although actually these render fast
+
 class DisplayState():
     def __init__(self):
         self.text_row = 0
@@ -264,12 +264,14 @@ class Writer():
     def setcolor(self, *_):
         return self.fgcolor, self.bgcolor
 
-# Writer for colour displays or upside down rendering
+# Writer for colour displays.
 class CWriter(Writer):
 
 
     def __init__(self, device, font, fgcolor=None, bgcolor=None, verbose=True):
         super().__init__(device, font, verbose)
+        global fast_mode
+        fast_mode = buildcheck(device)
         if bgcolor is not None:  # Assume monochrome.
             self.bgcolor = bgcolor
         if fgcolor is not None:
@@ -285,11 +287,12 @@ class CWriter(Writer):
         if self.glyph is None:
             return  # All done
         buf = bytearray_at(addressof(self.glyph), len(self.glyph))
-        fbc = framebuf.FrameBuffer(buf, self.char_width, self.char_height, self.map)
+        fbc = framebuf.FrameBuffer(buf, self.clip_width, self.char_height, self.map)
-        fgcolor = self.bgcolor if invert else self.fgcolor
+        palette = self.device.palette
-        bgcolor = self.fgcolor if invert else self.bgcolor
+        palette.bg(self.fgcolor if invert else self.bgcolor)
-        # render clips a glyph if outside bounds of destination
+        palette.fg(self.bgcolor if invert else self.fgcolor)
-        render(self.device, fbc, s.text_col, s.text_row, fgcolor, bgcolor)
+
+        self.device.blit(fbc, s.text_col, s.text_row, -1, palette)
         s.text_col += self.char_width
         self.cpos += 1