Tempering-Machine-Control-System/DaireApplication/Pedal_Based_Fountain_Control_Implementation.md

Pedal-Based Fountain Control Implementation

Overview

This implementation replaces the previous automatic fountain control with a direct pedal-based control system. When the pedal is in AUTO mode, the chocolate fountain directly follows the pedal state - ON when pedal is active, OFF when pedal is inactive.

✅ Expected Behavior

When pedal is in AUTO mode:

• Pedal ON (pedalState = 0) → Chocolate ON (fountain flows)
• Pedal OFF (pedalState = 1) → Chocolate OFF (fountain stops)
• No blinking/flashing of the Chocolate button
• Clean alternating ON/OFF based on pedal timing settings

🔧 Implementation Details

1. Direct Fountain Control Logic

Located in the main monitoring loop (pedalMotor == 1 section):

else if (pedalMotor == 1) // auto Pedal
{
    // Set auto mode flag
    isPedalAutoMode = true;
    
    // Direct fountain control based on pedal state
    var fount = _mapping.Find(x => x.Name.ToLower() == "Helix".ToLower());
    if (fount != null && fount.BitNumbers.Count > 0)
    {
        if (pedalState == 0) // Pedal ON - Turn fountain ON
        {
            foreach (var bit in fount.BitNumbers)
            {
                holdingRegister.motor |= (ushort)(1 << bit); // Set the motor bit ON
            }
            isFountainMotorOn = true;
            startFountainMotor = 1;
            sendComFountainMotor = 1;
            startFountainMotorFlashing = -1; // No flashing
            // ... UI updates and hardware commands
        }
        else if (pedalState == 1) // Pedal OFF - Turn fountain OFF
        {
            foreach (var bit in fount.BitNumbers)
            {
                holdingRegister.motor &= (ushort)~(1 << bit); // Clear the motor bit OFF
            }
            isFountainMotorOn = false;
            startFountainMotor = 0;
            sendComFountainMotor = 0;
            startFountainMotorFlashing = -1; // No flashing
            // ... UI updates and hardware commands
        }
    }
    
    // Handle pedal timing (alternating ON/OFF based on recipe settings)
    // ... timer management logic
}

2. Pedal Timing Configuration

From the UI, users can configure:

• PEDAL OFF TIME: Duration fountain stays OFF (e.g., 1 unit)
• PEDAL ON TIME: Duration fountain stays ON (e.g., 2 seconds)

The system automatically alternates between these states using timers.

3. UI Feedback

Chocolate Button State

• ON: Shows "ON" with active color (magenta underline)
• OFF: Shows "OFF" with passive color (gray)
• No flashing/blinking during automatic operation

Temperature Display

When fountain is ON, the UI also shows:

• Current Temp: [actual temperature]
• Target Temp: [target temperature]

4. Manual Override

When user manually clicks the fountain button:

• Resets pedal auto mode (isPedalAutoMode = false)
• Stops all pedal timers
• Switches to manual mode (pedalMotor = -1)
• User gains full manual control

5. Protection Logic

Fountain Control Protection

Normal fountain control logic is disabled when pedal auto mode is active:

// Temperature-based control (disabled in pedal auto mode)
if (checkFountainTMT_PMT && !isPedalAutoMode)

// Manual control (disabled in pedal auto mode)  
if (!checkFountainTMT_PMT && !isPedalAutoMode)

// Flashing processing (disabled in pedal auto mode)
if (startFountainMotorFlashing == 1 && !isPedalAutoMode)

UI Flashing Protection

The InteractiveUILoop prevents button flashing in pedal auto mode:

// Only flash when not in pedal auto mode
if (_mainWindow.startFountainMotorFlashing == 1 && !_mainWindow.isPedalAutoMode)

🔄 Control Flow

1. User sets pedal to AUTO mode

   • Pedal timers start alternating
   • isPedalAutoMode = true

2. Pedal timer triggers state change

   • pedalState = 0 (ON) or pedalState = 1 (OFF)

3. Main monitoring loop processes state

   • Directly controls fountain motor based on pedal state
   • Updates UI immediately
   • Sends hardware commands

4. Fountain responds immediately

   • ON: Chocolate flows
   • OFF: Chocolate stops
   • No delays or intermediate states

5. Cycle repeats based on timing settings

   • OFF for configured duration
   • ON for configured duration

🛡️ Safety Features

1. Manual Override: User can always take manual control
2. Timer Cleanup: Pedal timers are properly stopped when needed
3. State Reset: Pedal auto mode is reset when starting/stopping recipes
4. No Conflicts: Other fountain control mechanisms are disabled during pedal auto mode
5. Immediate Response: No delays or buffering - fountain responds instantly to pedal state

🚫 Previous Logic Removed

The following complex logic was removed and replaced with direct control:

• ❌ Temperature threshold-based fountain control in pedal auto mode
• ❌ Automatic fountain control based on second control box
• ❌ Complex state management with multiple flags
• ❌ Delayed or conditional fountain control
• ❌ Multiple control mechanisms that could conflict

📱 User Interface

Settings Panel

Shows current pedal configuration:

• PEDAL: AUTO/MANUAL toggle button
• PEDAL OFF TIME: Adjustable duration (e.g., 1 unit)
• PEDAL ON TIME: Adjustable duration (e.g., 2 seconds)

Fountain Button

• Steady state display (ON/OFF)
• Color coding: Active (magenta) / Passive (gray)
• No blinking/flashing during automatic operation
• Click to override and take manual control

🧪 Testing Scenarios

Scenario 1: Basic Auto Mode Operation

1. Set pedal to AUTO mode
2. Configure timing (e.g., 2s ON, 1 unit OFF)
3. Expected: Fountain alternates cleanly between ON/OFF states

Scenario 2: Manual Override

1. While in auto mode, click fountain button
2. Expected: Auto mode stops, user gains manual control

Scenario 3: Recipe Integration

1. Start recipe with pedal in AUTO mode
2. Complete all phases
3. Expected: Fountain follows pedal timing throughout

Scenario 4: Visual Feedback

1. Observe fountain button during auto operation
2. Expected: Clean ON/OFF display without blinking

📋 Configuration

Pedal Timing Settings

• Configured through Settings UI
• PEDAL OFF TIME: How long fountain stays OFF
• PEDAL ON TIME: How long fountain stays ON
• Values are saved in recipe table

Control Mode

• AUTO: Fountain follows pedal timing automatically
• MANUAL: User controls fountain manually via button clicks

🔧 Key Improvements

Simplified Logic ✅

• Direct control: Pedal state directly controls fountain
• No intermediate states or complex decision trees
• Immediate response with no delays

User Experience ✅

• Predictable behavior: ON when pedal ON, OFF when pedal OFF
• Visual clarity: Clean state display without blinking
• Easy override: Click fountain button to take manual control

Reliability ✅

• No conflicts: Other control mechanisms properly disabled
• Clean state management: Single source of truth for pedal auto mode
• Proper cleanup: Timers and states reset when needed

Performance ✅

• Efficient processing: Minimal logic overhead
• Instant response: No waiting or buffering
• Resource management: Proper timer lifecycle management

📝 Technical Notes

Timer Management

• pedalOnTimer: Controls ON duration
• pedalOffTimer: Controls OFF duration
• Timers are properly disposed when not needed

State Variables

• isPedalAutoMode: Main flag indicating pedal auto mode is active
• pedalState: Current pedal state (0=ON, 1=OFF, -1=reset)
• pedalMotor: Pedal mode (1=AUTO, -1=MANUAL)

Hardware Control

• Direct bit manipulation of holdingRegister.motor
• Immediate serial communication with hardware
• Synchronized UI updates

✅ Requirements Fulfilled

✅ Direct pedal control: Fountain follows pedal state exactly
✅ Timing-based operation: Uses configured ON/OFF durations
✅ No blinking: Clean visual feedback without flashing
✅ Manual override: User can always take control
✅ Proper integration: Works with existing recipe system
✅ Clean UI: Professional appearance without distractions
✅ Reliable operation: No conflicts or unexpected behavior