How to multiplex multiple displays?

Question

I want to use 2 "displays" with 4 digits. The displays are common cathodes with cathode transistors connected to the digits, as the figure: The segments of both displays are connected together on the digital pins. The problem is that I tried to use some libraries for 7 segment displays and they worked with only one 4 digit display, but when I connected the second display, did not display the numbers correctly. The numbers that will be written are integers and I'm using mega 2560 R3.

Here are my attempts:

#include "SevSeg.h"
byte digitPins_1[] = {29, 30, 31, 33};//Digits pins
byte digitPins_2[] = {25, 26, 27, 28};
byte segmentPins[] = {38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46}; //segment pins
SevSeg disp1;
SevSeg disp2;

void setup() {
disp1.begin(P_TRANSISTORS, 4, digitPins_1, segmentPins);
disp2.begin(P_TRANSISTORS, 4, digitPins_2, segmentPins);
disp1.setBrightness(20);
disp2.setBrightness(20);
}

void loop() { 
disp1.setNumber(8888, 0);
disp1.refreshDisplay();
disp2.setNumber(1111, 0);
disp2.refreshDisplay();
}

or using another lib:

#include <SevenSeg.h>
SevenSeg disp1(38,39,40,41,42,43,44);//segment pins
SevenSeg disp2(38,39,40,41,42,43,44);
int digitPins1[4]={29,30,31,33};//digitpins
int digitPins2[4]={25,26,27,28};

void setup() {
disp1.setDigitPins(4,digitPins1);
disp2.setDigitPins(4,digitPins2);
disp1.setDigitDelay(1600);//time delay 
disp2.setDigitDelay(1600);
disp2.setActivePinState(HIGH,HIGH);//seg active HIGH, digit active HIGH
disp1.setActivePinState(HIGH,HIGH);
}

void loop() { 
disp1.write(8888);
disp1.clearDisp();
disp2.write(1111);
disp2.clearDisp();
}

Answer 1

The code instantiates two instances of the SevSeg class. This may or may not work. Really depends on if the class uses any resources are not meant to be shared between multiple instances of that class. For instance, it is unlikely that one hardware timer can be used for more than one purpose at a time.

But the code continues on to use the same (anode) pin resources for both instances of the class. This is likely not going to work.

Apologies for being vague using qualifier like "unlikely" instead of simply stating that it will not work. Truth is, one might be able to write a class that can deal with multiple instances of its self. But it would be very difficult and a far more complex programming task than to simply use one instance for all 8 digits.

In case there is a question as to the maximum number of digits supported for one instance of the SevSeg class, this line is in the one of the SevSeg header files:

#define MAXNUMDIGITS 8 // Can be increased, but the max number is 2^31

Answer 2

Why do you feel you need to multiplex two displays? What is wrong with just having one display of 8 digits? They don't have to be physically together, and it's entirely up to you what you display on each character of the display.

Answer 3

As the answers suggested, it is better to make a single display with 8 digits. But if anyone needs 2, here is my solution:

As suggested, I checked if the library supported, and the solution was to only increase the delay on each digit.

#include <SevenSeg.h>
SevenSeg disp1(38,39,40,41,42,43,44);//segment pins
SevenSeg disp2(38,39,40,41,42,43,44);
int digitPins1[4]={29,30,31,33};//digitpins
int digitPins2[4]={25,26,27,28};

void setup() {
disp1.setDigitPins(4,digitPins1);
disp2.setDigitPins(4,digitPins2);
disp1.setDigitDelay(4000);//time delay 
disp2.setDigitDelay(4000);
disp1.setDutyCycle(10);//decrease the duty cycle
disp2.setDutyCycle(10);
disp2.setActivePinState(HIGH,HIGH);//seg active HIGH, digit active HIGH
disp1.setActivePinState(HIGH,HIGH);
}

void loop() { 
disp1.write(8888);
disp1.clearDisp();
delay(1);// don't need
disp2.write(1111);
disp2.clearDisp();
}