SerialStringWrite error

[horsto]

I encounter errors when using SerialStringWrite with a microcontroller. This is a follow-up to #953 - I am now trying to write values of keys I pressed to the microcontroller.

When using a simple String as input to SerialStringWrite everything works: The microcontroller receives the string and does what it is supposed to do. However, when using the workflow depicted above, I run into the error message The given port name does not start with COM/com or does not resolve to a valid serial port. Parameter name: portName. I am changing nothing else but the input to the SerialStringWrite node.

This looks like an initialization problem to me. But I don't know how to solve it. Any ideas?

[horsto]

Basically, whenever I try to embed the SerialStringWrite into "something" in my main workflow, it throws an error upon start. It does not matter where I interface or when - only if I keep it separate from the main workflow it works

[horsto]

Another issue is that I want the serial write to happen only (and only when) a key has been pressed. It should not engage the serial connection in the meantime (i.e. no key pressed). Sorry for these naive (beginner) questions!

[bruno-f-cruz]

Could you include the workflow? thanks

[horsto]

See attached. This runs into the error described above.
I want to broadcast the value attached to the keypress both into the running camera timestamp log as well as to the microcontroller.
keylogging.zip

[horsto]

It does actually work if I just turn the publishing sequence around: I.e. I have the key presses attached to the serial write procedure and just publish this into the video / frame logger.
keylogging.zip

[horsto]

Update: No, this does not work after restarting Bonsai... I am confused.

[horsto]

Not to add more confusion here, but I also tried to switch to OSC as an alternative messaging service - to have a python script listen to what comes out of Bonsai. The same "flavour" of error occurs also with the OSC nodes when I put them into my workflow. Then the error is "The specified connection has no matching configuration". So in each case the initialization fails because the port / ... cannot be found. What am I doing wrong? I am attaching the OSC example (just a drop in replacement for the serial connection) here too.
keylogging.zip

[bruno-f-cruz]

Could you give this modified version a try?
keyloggingFix.zip

[horsto]

This works. Magic to me since I don't understand the details. Thanks a lot for your help!

[bruno-f-cruz]

You gotta initialize the Serial object first. Otherwise funny things like this happen :P. Using subjects ensures that.

[horsto]

Thanks @bruno-f-cruz !