How do i run multiple functions simultaneously on a LCD screen?

Question

I have little to no experience in programming and i'm very slowly and gradually getting the hang of it. My next project is that i'm making a clock, and wanted to use multiple functions for the hour:minute:seconds instead of just using one for everything. But after reading some i came to the conclusion that the arduino can only run one function at a time. So my question is how can i make the illusion of multiple functions running simultaneously on a LCD screen.

My code:

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>


LiquidCrystal lcd(8, 9, 4, 5, 6, 7);


int lcd_key     = 0;
int adc_key_in  = 0;
#define btnRIGHT  0
#define btnUP     144
#define btnDOWN   329
#define btnLEFT   504
#define btnSELECT 741
#define btnNONE   5


int read_LCD_buttons()
{
 adc_key_in = analogRead(0);    

 if (adc_key_in > 1000) return btnNONE; 
 if (adc_key_in < 50)   return btnRIGHT; 
 if (adc_key_in < 195)  return btnUP;
 if (adc_key_in < 380)  return btnDOWN;
 if (adc_key_in < 555)  return btnLEFT;
 if (adc_key_in < 790)  return btnSELECT;  
 return btnNONE;


}
unsigned long minInterval = 60000UL; // Interval for minutes in milliseconds
unsigned long secInterval = 1000UL;  // Interval for seconds in milliseconds
unsigned long prevMinMillis = 0UL;   // Holds the timestamp of the last time Minute() was called
unsigned long prevSecMillis = 0UL;   // Holds the timestamp of the last time Second() was called

void setup()
{
 lcd.begin(16, 2);
}

void loop()
{
  unsigned long currentMillis = millis();

  if (currentMillis - prevMinMillis > minInterval)
  {
    prevMinMillis = currentMillis;
    Minute();
  }

  if (currentMillis - prevSecMillis > secInterval)
  {
    prevSecMillis = currentMillis;
    Second();
  }

}

void Second(){
  int First_Digit = 0;
  int Second_Digit = 0;


  for(Second_Digit; Second_Digit<10; Second_Digit++){
    if(Second_Digit==10){
      First_Digit = First_Digit + 1;
      }

    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
    lcd.print(First_Digit);
    lcd.setCursor(1, 0);
    lcd.print(Second_Digit);
    lcd.clear();

    if(First_Digit==5 && Second_Digit==9){
      First_Digit = First_Digit - 5;
      Second_Digit = Second_Digit -10;

      }
    if(Second_Digit==9){
      First_Digit = First_Digit + 1;
      Second_Digit = Second_Digit - 10;
      }

  }
}
void Minute(){
  int First_Digit = 0;
  int Second_Digit = 0;
  for(Second_Digit; Second_Digit<10; Second_Digit++){
    if(Second_Digit==10){
      First_Digit = First_Digit + 1;
      lcd.print(First_Digit);
      }

    lcd.setCursor(3, 0);
    lcd.print(First_Digit);
    lcd.setCursor(4, 0);
    lcd.print(Second_Digit);
    lcd.clear();


    if(First_Digit==5 && Second_Digit==9){
      First_Digit = First_Digit - 5;
      Second_Digit = Second_Digit -10;
      lcd.print(First_Digit);

      }
    if(Second_Digit==9){
      First_Digit = First_Digit + 1;
      lcd.print(First_Digit);
      Second_Digit = Second_Digit - 10;
      }

  }
}

Answer 1

Use the state machine model shown in BlinkWithoutDelay

unsigned long minInterval = 60000UL; // Interval for minutes in milliseconds
unsigned long secInterval = 1000UL;  // Interval for seconds in milliseconds
unsigned long prevMinMillis = 0UL;   // Holds the timestamp of the last time Minute() was called
unsigned long prevSecMillis = 0UL;   // Holds the timestamp of the last time Second() was called

void setup()
{
 lcd.begin(16, 2);
}

void loop()
{
  unsigned long currentMillis = millis();

  if (currentMillis - prevMinMillis > minInterval)
  {
    prevMinMillis = currentMillis;
    Minute();
  }

  if (currentMillis - prevSecMillis > secInterval)
  {
    prevSecMillis = currentMillis;
    Second();
  }

}

With this example, Second() is called only when the difference between "now" and the last time it was called is greater than secInterval. Likewise for Minute().

[Note, the code above will not run as-is, but I assume you have initialized the LiquidCrystal library and assigned the pins as per your schematic.]

EDIT BASED ON UPDATED CODE SAMPLE

Issue 1:

In both your Minute() and Second() functions you have a sequence like:

lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(First_Digit);
lcd.setCursor(1, 0);
lcd.print(Second_Digit);
lcd.clear();

After writing the characters, you immediately clear the LCD screen. Don't do this, it erases all the output on your LCD.

Issue 2:

At the start of the Minute() function, you have the following:

int First_Digit = 0; int Second_Digit = 0;

This means the variables First_Digit and Second_Digit are initalized to zero every time the function is called. This means you won't get an increment of the value, it will start at zero every time you try to update the LCD. You can declare those variables as static so that the value remains the same between calls of the function. Static variables are automatically initialized to zero. Thus:

static int First_Digit;
static int Second_Digit;

and similarly in the Second() function.

You're correct that digitalWrite() is not needed in your function as it is described. digitalWrite() is for changing a physical pin on the Arduino to a LOW or HIGH value (that is, a 0V or 5V voltage.) In the Blink without Delay example, ledPin and ledState are just variables to hold the pin identifier for the blinking LED, and the current state (LOW or HIGH) of that pin. Again, not necessary for your code, as you have described it.

SECOND UPDATE

Having tackled the issue of how to run multiple functions "simultaneously", now move on to fixing the overly complicated code for writing the minute and second values to the LCD... I'm not sure why you put the for loop in the Minute() and Second() functions, but it's unnecessary.

You also are treating each digit way too complicated. If your value for the seconds counter is 0 to 59, why not keep track of it that way, and then display each digit as necessary:

void Second() {
  static int second;

  second++;
  if (second>59) {
    second = 0;
  }
  lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
  lcd.print(second/10);   // Prints the 10s digit
                          // Note, lcd.print automatically moves to the next column
  lcd.print(second % 10); // Prints the remainder after dividing by 10
}

void Minute() {
  static int minute;

  minute++;
  if (minute>59) {
    minute = 0;
    // Probably want to increment an Hour counter here?
  }
  lcd.setCursor(3, 0);
  lcd.print(minute/10);   // Prints the 10s digit
                          // Note, lcd.print automatically moves to the next column
  lcd.print(minute % 10); // Prints the remainder after dividing by 10
}