AlphaNET™ version 3.0 Compatible with Windows 95, 98, NT, ME, 2000, XP, Vista & Macintosh PowerPCs! User Manual © 1996 - 2007 Adaptive Micro Systems, Inc. Form No. 97088081 rev.
Manual Map Connecting your PC to a sign This chapter explains the basics of connecting your personal computer to a sign. Installing AlphaNET™ 3.0 and setting up sites This chapter shows you how to install the AlphaNET™ 3.0 software on your personal computer. Also, a step-by-step tutorial explains the basics of creating sites using Site Manager.
Creating and sending messages This chapter explains how to create and send messages with Message Editor, as well as how to include graphics and animation in your messages. 3 Reference This chapter contains quick reference summaries of Message Editor, Site Manager, Communications Manager, and Diagnostics in the AlphaNET™ 3.0 software.
© Copyright 2007 Adaptive Micro Systems LLC. All rights reserved. Adaptive Micro Systems 7840 North 86th Street Milwaukee, WI 53224 USA 414-357-2020 414-357-2029 (fax) http://www.adaptivedisplays.com Adaptive is a registered trademark of Adaptive Micro Systems. AlphaNET is a trademark of Adaptive Micro Systems. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
What’s new in AlphaNET™ version 3.0 software Password protection Site Manager and Message Editor can now be password-protected. Select Set Password from the Edit drop-down menu: Type a new password in the New Password line, then press Tab. Type the same password in the Verify box and click OK. When changing the password, you must first type the password to be changed in the Old Password line.
New modes Two new modes are available with this version of AlphaNET™, Clock mode and Explode mode. Clock mode is a wipe mode that updates information as if a second hand were sweeping around the sign. Explode mode is a roll mode that moves information from the center of the sign and outward in all four directions at once. Both modes are available in Message Editor under the Modes dropdown menu.
Contents Manual Map ................................................................................................... 2 What’s new in AlphaNET™ version 3.0 software ........................................................ 5 Password protection..........................................................................................................................................5 Menu customization ............................................................................................................
Creating and sending messages....................................................................47 Basic message editing .....................................................................................................................................48 Using Message Editor to create your message.........................................................................................48 Using modes to change the look of a message ...........................................................................
Connecting your PC to a sign 1 — Connecting your PC to a sign 9
PC hardware and software requirements PC hardware and software requirements Minimum hardware and software requirements • • • • • • • Windows® 95, 98, NT Workstation, ME, 2000, XP, or Vista software Processor requirements appropriate to selected operating system 16 MB RAM 10 MB of hard disk space CD drive RS232 (serial port) or LAN access Works with Alpha® displays Other hardware requirements Additional hardware, such as connectors and cabling, is also required and depends on the type of sign and connecti
Types of sign connections Types of sign connections An overview of the methods of connecting signs is presented on the following pages. For more detailed information, see the Networking Alpha Signs manual (pn 97000112).
Types of sign connections Wireless network AlphaNET™ 3.0 software can send messages to Alpha® signs on wireless networks. For recommended wireless solutions contact Adaptive Micro Systems at 1-800-719-2838.
Installing AlphaNET™ 3.0 software and setting up sites 2 — Installing AlphaNET™ 3.
How to install AlphaNET™ 3.0 software How to install AlphaNET™ 3.0 software HINT Before starting the software installation, check to see if there is a README file. 1. Start Microsoft Windows® software and be sure to have all other applications closed. 2. Insert the AlphaNET™ 3.0 software CD-ROM into your CD drive. The installation process will start automatically. Look at this file before installing the software because it may contain late-breaking information.
How to change a sign’s serial address How to change a sign’s serial address What is a serial address? About Address 00 If more than one sign will be connected to a connection device (modem, wireless, or local connection), then give each sign a unique address, such as 01, 02, 03, and so on. Otherwise, sending a message to the sign with address 00 will also send the message to all other connected signs.
How to change a sign’s serial address Changing a sign’s serial address 1. To change the address of a particular sign, first make sure that sign NOTE For some signs, like the 9000 series, AlphaVision™, AlphaPremiere™, and AlphaEclipse™ displays, internal DIP switches must be set to change the serial address. is connected to a power supply and is functioning. 2.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups What are sites and groups? Sites and groups are terms used by AlphaNET™ 3.0 software to describe how messages are sent to signs. You create sites and groups to make sending messages to multiple signs flexible and easy. A site in AlphaNET™ 3.0 software is a collection of one or more signs, and a group is made up of one or more sites.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups Table 2: Schematic of the tutorial company Groups Sites Production Administration R&D Sales Lobby LAN Connection Devices Engineering Manufacturing Direct cable connection (Local) Shipping Wireless transmitter Transmitting modem Wireless receiver Converter Box III Shipping Receiving modem Signs (The number on the right of each sign is its address.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups Step 1: Creating or changing the connection devices A connection device is a way to connect a sign to a PC that is running AlphaNET™ 3.0 software. See chapter 1 for instructions on how to connect signs. For more detailed information on networking signs, see the Networking Alpha Signs manual (pn 9700-0112).
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups Setting up a modem (remote) connection In our imaginary company, the following signs are connected by modem: Transmitting modem — the steps below show you how to program this modem. Converter Box III R&D 01 R&D 02 1. To create a modem connection device, open Site Manager by™ selecting either the Site Manager button from the AlphaNET bar or Programs>AlphaNET>Site Manager from the Start menu: 20 2 — Installing AlphaNET™ 3.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 2. Select Edit > Connection Device: 3. When the Connection Device Editor window appears, select Add. Then select Modem on Com 1 from the list, followed by OK. (If you have a modem on a different communications port, choose the modem on that port.) These default devices make your job easier because they are the most common methods of connecting signs to your PC. 2 — Installing AlphaNET™ 3.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 4. Once you select OK, the following window appears: NOTE To finish setting up a modem connection, you have to create a modem site using Site Manager. To see an example of this, see “Creating the R & D site — a modem example” on page 29. 5. If you want to change any of the modem settings, make sure Modem on Com 1 is highlighted as above and then select Edit.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups Setting up a cable (local) connection In our imaginary company, the following signs are connected by a local connection: Direct cable connection (local) Converter Box III Lobby 04 Engineering 01 Engineering 02 Lobby 05 Engineering 03 Manufacturing 06 Manufacturing 07 6. Continuing from the previous step, select Add from the Connection Device Editor window.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 7. Once you select OK, the following window appears: NOTE To finish setting up a local connection, you have to create a local site using Site Manager. To see an example of this, see “Creating the Lobby, Engineering, and Manufacturing sites — a wired example” on page 36. 8. If you want to change any of the local settings, make sure Local Wired Com 2 is highlighted as above and then select Edit.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups Setting up a wireless transmitter connection About Address 00 If you have multiple signs networked together, it’s a good idea to give each sign a unique address, like 01, 02, 03, and so on. This allows you to send messages to individual signs. In our imaginary company, there is just one sign that uses a wireless connection.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 11. If you want to change any of the wireless settings, make sure Waveware Pager Wireless Com 1 is highlighted as above and then select Edit. Use the following window to change the settings and then select OK. Table 5: Wireless setup A B E C F D G H Item A Converter Box III with a serial number greater than AF00004525 (for example, AF00004526, AF00004527, and so on.) has a minimum baud rate of 2400.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups Setting up a Local Area Network (LAN) connection NOTE For more detailed information, see the Networking Alpha Signs manual (pn 97000112). In our imaginary company, there are two signs that use a LAN connection.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 13. Once you select OK, the following window appears: NOTE To finish setting up an Alpha® Ethernet Adapter connection, create a site using Site Manager. To see an example of this, see “Creating the Sales site — a LAN example” on page 33. 14. If you want to change any of the Alpha® Ethernet Adapter settings, make sure Ethernet Adapter is highlighted as above and then select Edit.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups Step 2: Creating or changing the sites Before creating the sites, there must be a device for each site. Since we did this is step 1, we can continue. These are the sites we have to make for our imaginary company. Notice that many of them are just departments within the company. Sites/ signs typically are named by location: R&D Sales Lobby Engineering Manufacturing Shipping Creating the R & D site — a modem example 1.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 4. After selecting New Site, the Site Editor window appears: Table 7: R & D setup (1 of 4): Site Editor (Site Info) window A B D C E F G Item Name A Site Name Type R & D. B Full Color [RGB} Capable Check this box when using an AlphaEclipse™ PureColor™ 3600 Series display sign (full color, not monochrome). Also, select Alpha 3.0 under Compatibility.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 5. Next, enter information on the Sign Info tab: Table 8: R & D setup (2 of 4): Site Editor (Sign Info) window A B C F D G E H Item A Name Tone on Receipt For example, the address list: 5,6,7,8,9 could also be entered as 5–9. • Select Single Beep, Three Beeps, or Custom Tone (create your own tone) if you want the signs in the address list to beep each time these signs receive a new message.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 6. In this example, nothing needs to be changed on the Group Info tab: 7. In this example, nothing needs to be changed on the Advanced tab: 8. Select OK and the following appears: Sites like the new R&D site you just created will appear in this part of the window. 32 2 — Installing AlphaNET™ 3.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups Creating the Sales site — a LAN example 9. After making the R & D site, we’ll create the Sales site, which consists of two signs (see “Schematic of the tutorial company” on page 18). First, select File>New Site: 10. After selecting New Site, the Site Editor window appears: Table 9: Sales setup (1 of 4): Site Editor (Site Info) window A B C D E F G Item Name Directions A Site Name Type Sales.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 11. Next, enter information on the Sign Info tab: Table 10: Sales setup (2 of 4): Site Editor (Sign Info) window A B C D F G E H Item A Name Tone on Receipt Directions See “R & D setup (2 of 4): Site Editor (Sign Info) window” on page 31. The addresses of the Sales signs are01 and 02: HINT A long sequence of sign addresses can be entered using a hyphen.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 12. In this example, nothing needs to be changed on the Group Info tab: 13. In this example, nothing needs to be changed on the Advanced tab: 14. Select OK and the following appears: The new Sales site will appear in this part of the window along with the R & D site. 2 — Installing AlphaNET™ 3.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups Creating the Lobby, Engineering, and Manufacturing sites — a wired example 15. After creating the Sales site, we’ll create the Local sites. First, we’ll create the two lobby signs. Select File>New Site: 16. After selecting New Site, the Site Editor window appears: Table 11: Lobby setup (1 of 4): Site Editor (Site Info) window A B D C E F Item 36 Name Directions A Site Name Type Lobby.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 17. Next, enter information on the Sign Info tab: Table 12: Lobby setup (2 of 4): Site Editor (Sign Info) window A B C D F G E H Item A Name Tone on Receipt Directions See “Sales setup (2 of 4): Site Editor (Sign Info) window” on page 34. Change the addresses of the Lobby signs to 04 and 05: HINT Lobby A long sequence of sign addresses can be entered using a hyphen.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 18. In this example, nothing needs to be changed on the Group Info tab: 19. In this example, nothing needs to be changed on the Advanced tab: 20. Select OK and the following appears: The new Lobby site will appear in this part of the window along with the other sites you created. 38 2 — Installing AlphaNET™ 3.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 21. The Engineering and Manufacturing sites are created just like the Lobby site. However, make sure that addresses of the Engineering and Manufacturing signs are set as follows: Engineering 01 Engineering 02 Engineering 03 Manufacturing 06 Addresses of Engineering signs Addresses of Manufacturing signs Manufacturing 07 Note:To set the address of a sign see “How to change a sign’s serial address” on page 15.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups Creating the Shipping site — a wireless example 22. The last site we have to create is Shipping, which is a wireless site. Select File>New Site: 23. After selecting New Site, the Site Editor window appears: Table 13: Shipping setup (1 of 4): Site Editor (Site Info) window A B C D E F Item 40 Name Directions A Site Name Type Shipping.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 24. Next, enter information on the Sign Info tab: Table 14: Shipping setup (2 of 4): Site Editor (Sign Info) window A B C F D G E H Item A B Name Tone on Receipt Address List Directions See “Sales setup (2 of 4): Site Editor (Sign Info) window” on page 34. The address of the Shipping sign can be left at its factory default value of 00: Shipping C D Counter File...
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 25. In this example, nothing needs to be changed on the Group Info tab: 26. In this example, nothing needs to be changed on the Advanced tab: 27. Select OK and the following appears: The new Shipping site will appear in this part of the window. 42 2 — Installing AlphaNET™ 3.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups Step 3: Creating or changing the groups A group is a collection of one or more sites. In our imaginary company, there are two groups, Administration and Production. Groups are a convenient method of organizing sites into categories so that messages can easily be sent to multiple sites. For example, in our imaginary company, we might have a message intended for just the R &D site or just the Sales and Lobby sites.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 2. Select File>New Group. The following appears: 3. For Group Name, type Administration. Next, click R & D and then Include Site to add the R & D site to the Administration group. (You can also double-click the sites to include them.) Add the Sales and Lobby sites to the Administration group in the same way: HINT Use the Ctrl key to select multiple sites. Also, you can double-click a site to include it.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups 5. To see the sites that belong to a single group, just click on that group. The folder for the group will open and only the sites in that group will be listed: NOTE To return to seeing all sites, hold down the Ctrl key while clicking once on the name of the group you just chose in this step. The folder icon for that group will close and all other sites will be listed. When you select a group, the sites in the group appear. 6.
Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK 46 2 — Installing AlphaNET™ 3.
Creating and sending messages 3 — Creating and sending messages 47
Basic message editing Basic message editing Because AlphaNET™ 3.0 software allows you an infinite number of ways to create a message for a sign, it is not possible to show every one. In the following pages, however, examples of basic and advanced message editing are presented. First, the basics. Using Message Editor to create your message 1. After installing the AlphaNET ™ 3.0 software on your PC, open Message Editor.
Basic message editing 2. Type The first message in the window: 3. Use File>Simulate to view what the message will look like on a sign, or click the Simulate button on the toolbar: Click here to view what your message will look like on a sign. HINT Right-click on the simulator and click Change Display to choose a different sign to emulate. The type of display you select appears on the title bar.
Basic message editing 4. Add the current date to your message. First, close the window in which your message is being simulated. Then select Options>Date in Message Editor: In the Insert Date window, select OK and a date icon will appear at the end of the message. 5.
Basic message editing Using modes to change the look of a message Modes are special effects that change the way a message appears on a sign. For example, the Rotate mode moves a message from right to left across a sign. In this example, you will create a message that displays employee birthdays. NOTE: Some modes are not available on some signs. For a list of what modes are available, see “Appendix B — Modes available on signs” on page 137. Example 1: How to display employee birthdays.
Basic message editing 8. The icon for Hold will appear in the message window: This little marker indicates that the text following this icon will appear on the top line of a display. 9. Type Birthdays. Then select Modes>Rotate>Standard>Bottom. Click OK and then type: Tom White, Patty Smith, Bob Evan. Select Rotate>Standard ...and the Bottom line position.
Basic message editing 10. Next, click to view your message: HINT View (simulate) your message to see exactly how it will appear on a sign. You can see how fonts, colors, and graphics will appear on a sign and also how much text will appear on a line. (If text appears in white, this means it is too long to fit on the display. If possible, break the text into smaller segments.) For example, these pictures show how the message you just created would appear on a one-line Alpha® 215C sign. 11.
Basic message editing Using characters to change the look of a message Characters are options that change the appearance of text in a message. For example, normal-sized text (called Seven Row Normal) is seven rows of LEDs high, but some signs allow you to create text 15 or 16 rows high with the 15/16 Row Normal option. In this example, we will create a message that displays airline fares. NOTE: Some characters are not available on some signs.
Basic message editing 15. Because we want large text, select Characters>15/16 Row Normal. Then type Las Vegas $85, Chicago $199, New York $235: 15/16 Row Normal icon 16. Let’s see how the message looks so far. First, let’s try a one-line sign. Simulate your message and change the sign to a 215C. (If you do not remember how to do this, see step 3.
Basic message editing 18. To make the large 15/16 Row characters appear correctly on a twoline sign, start by deleting the Roll>In icon from the message: To delete the Roll In icon, place the cursor to the right of the icon and press the BackSpace key on your keyboard. 19. Next, without moving the cursor in the message, select Modes> Roll>In as you did before. When the following window appears, select the Middle line position: 20. Simulate the message using a two-line sign like the 4120C.
Basic message editing 21. Save your message and name it Alpha2.msw. However, keep using the message for the following steps. OOPS! 22. Now we will try displaying a city name and dollar amount on a sign at the same time. Using a carriage return might seem like the logical way to format lines of text in a message, but it does not work. Try deleting the comma and space between each city and amount pair.
Basic message editing 24. To format the text so that Las Vegas $85 and Chicago $199 and New York $235 all appear on separate lines, add the New Line option after each city and amount pair. To do this, use the Options menu: These are New Line icons. 25. Simulate the message to see how New Lines affect the message format. This is what you should see: The New Line option formats the text correctly.
Basic message editing Using international characters International characters—such as the é in résumé—are available in French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Croatian. Additional characters are also available. Check the Character Map accessory to see if contains the character you want. NOTE: These instructions are for a Windows® 95 operating system; menu selections and screens may be different in other versions of Windows®.
Basic message editing Step Procedure The editor.ini file will look something like this: 3 Type the following line exactly as shown: DefaultFont=Terminal 4 Then save the change and exit this window: 5 Next, open Message Editor. Select File>New.
Basic message editing Step Procedure Imagine you want to add the letter ä to your message: First, set Font to Terminal. Second, click the letter ä. 8 Third, note the keystroke. You must hold Alt and type 0132 to create the international character ä. Return to Message Editor.
How to send a message to a sign How to send a message to a sign What happens when messages are sent to a sign? Messages are sent to signs using either Message Editor or Site Manager. One message at a time is sent from Message Editor, and it erases all other messages in the sign’s memory. This one message, then, plays over and over. More than one message at a time can be sent from Site Manager, and they erase all other messages in the sign’s memory. These new messages are then displayed one after the other.
How to send a message to a sign Sending messages from Message Editor HINT 1. Before sending a message, you must create at least one site using Site Manager. (See Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups in Chapter 2.) Generally, only send messages from Message Editor when: • testing to see how a message looks, or • there is only one sign. 2. Next, create your message in Message Editor.
How to send a message to a sign Sending messages from Site Manager HINT To select more than one site, first hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard, then click the sites: 1. Before sending a message, you must create at least one site using Site Manager. (See Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups in Chapter 2.) 2. If you have not already done so, add your message to the site (or sites) to which you want the message sent: Select to add a message to the Sales site. 3.
How to send a message to a sign The difference between all messages and common messages When you select a single site, all the messages attached (added) to the site will appear in the Site Manager window. However, when you select more than one site, only the messages that are common to both will appear. When the Engineering site is selected, all the messages attached to the site appear. Also, when the Manufacturing site is selected, all the messages attached to the site appear.
How to use graphics in messages How to use graphics in messages HINT Example graphic files are included with AlphaNET™ 3.0 software. Look in the Samples folder installed on your computer. The Animation, Graphic, Flick, and Gif options allow you to include small pictures in messages. Use the Graphic option to display single bitmapped images, and the Animation, Flick, or Gif option to display multiple images—like a movie. Note that not all signs display animations.
How to use graphics in messages 1. Select Start>Programs>Paint Shop Pro to open Paint Shop Pro: HINT Most image editing programs create images similar to Paint Shop Pro. However, if you are not using Paint Shop Pro, consider using software that has a zoom feature so you can increase the size of the bitmap for ease of editing. 2. Next, select File>New.
How to use graphics in messages 3. A very small window will appear. Use the zoom tool to click in the window to increase its size to 16:1: HINT Use the zoom feature to increase the size of the small window until the window says 16:1. At 16:1, editing the graphic is much easier. 4. Select a color for your graphic from the blended palette on the right-hand side of your screen.
How to use graphics in messages 5. Then draw the right arrow and save it as a BMP bitmap named rarrow.bmp: Name the graphic rarrow.bmp. 6. Create the other arrow (shown below) using steps 2 through 4 and save it as larrow.bmp: 7. Next, open Message Editor.
How to use graphics in messages 8. Select Modes>Hold, using the Middle line position. Then select Options>Graphic. When the Select Graphic window appears, choose the rarrow.bmp (right arrow) file you just created: NOTE For graphics, any mode can be used. For flicks, the Hold mode must be used. For either graphics or flicks, the mode selected must use the Middle line position. 9. An icon representing the graphic will appear. Type News after it. Put a space before and after News.
How to use graphics in messages Creating a flick NOTE: The Flick option only works with AlphaVision™ and Series 7000 signs. However, see “Another way to create a flick” on page 76 to create an animation on another type of sign. A flick is a series of bitmap images that are shown one after the other, which gives the illusion of movement on a sign. The Flick option is used to put a movie in a message, and is made up of individual bitmapped images that you must create.
How to use graphics in messages 1. Select Start>Programs>Paint Shop Pro to open Paint Shop Pro: HINT Most image editing programs create images similar to Paint Shop Pro. However, if you are not using Paint Shop Pro, consider using software that has a zoom feature so you can increase the size of the bitmap for ease of editing. 2. Next, select File>New. When the New Image window appears, make the width and height of the bitmap 120 x24 pixels.
How to use graphics in messages 3. A very small window will appear. Use the zoom tool to click in the window to increase its size: Use the zoom feature to increase the size of the small window to make editing the graphic much easier. 4. Select a color for your graphic from the blended palette on the right-hand side of your screen. You can also double-click the foreground or background rectangle underneath the blended palette to choose a color from a sectioned palette.
How to use graphics in messages 5. Then draw the first bitmap image: The first bitmap in this flick will show a ship entering from the left side of the sign. 6. After you are finished drawing the first bitmap, save it—and all the other flick bitmaps—in a folder named ship. Name this first bitmap ship00.bmp and save it as a BMP file: HINT Even though up to 100 bitmaps can be in a flick, keep in mind that a sign’s memory capacity is limited. So experiment first with small flicks on a sign.
How to use graphics in messages 7. Create the other bitmaps in the flick. Each bitmap file must end with a consecutive number—00, 01, 02, and so on—and each bitmap must be saved as a BMP file in a special folder for the flick (ship, in this case). The completed flick of 11 bitmaps shows a ship crossing the screen. When the ship is about mid-screen, a submarine periscope appears in front of the ship.
How to use graphics in messages Another way to create a flick Though the Flick option will only work with AlphaVision™ and Series 7000 signs, there is another way to create the illusion of motion on a sign. The Graphic option can be used to place one graphic after another in a message: Use the Hold mode (with the Middle line position) and Speed (No Hold) option in front of the graphics. This is necessary in order to turn off the Automode feature so that the graphics will display correctly. ship00.
How to use graphics in messages Creating a GIF NOTE: HINT Most image editing programs can create GIF images similar to Paint Shop Pro Animation. However, if you are not using Paint Shop Pro Animation, consider using software that has a zoom feature so you can increase the size of the bitmap for ease of editing. The GIF option will only work with the 7000 series, 9000 series, AlphaVision™ (full matrix), and AlphaEclipse™ signs.
How to use graphics in messages 7. Select Edit>Resize Animation and resize the file to your sign’s specifications. Make sure the Maintain aspect ratio box is checked, and then click OK: 8. Select File>Save. Then click the Customize button on the Animation Quality Versus Output Size window that appears. NOTE: This window appears when you save a file for the first time and then when changes are made to it.
How to use graphics in messages 10. On the Optimizations tab, uncheck all the boxes and click OK. 11. Click the Next button to cycle through the remaining windows. 12. Select File>Close to close your GIF file. 13. Next, open Message Editor and create a new message. 14. Select Modes>Hold, using the Fill line position.
How to use graphics in messages 15. Select Option>Gif. Then select your GIF file and click OK. An icon representing the Hold mode and one representing the GIF will appear in your message. 16.
How to edit a counter file How to edit a counter file What is a counter file? A counter file sets up from 1 to 5 numerical counters (counter 1 through counter 5), which can be used for either or both of the following: Display information in minutes, hours, or days on a sign. A counter can be placed inside a message. (This one is counting down from 60 minutes.) Display special messages (target files) on a sign after a set amount of time has passed.
How to edit a counter file Three examples of how to use counter files In these examples, we discuss three basic ways of using counters on signs: Addresses of signs Manufacturing Manufacturing Manufacturing 82 Shipping Engineering 06 07 Shipping 00 Engineering 03 Engineering 04 Engineering 05 • Example 1 — Using a counter in a message on the Shipping sign. Counter 1 will be used to show a message that counts down hours.
How to edit a counter file Example 1 — Using a counter in a message In this example, we will end up with a message on the Shipping sign that counts down from 60 minutes over and over again: NOTE: The Shipping sign can still display other messages. 1. Open Message Editor and create a new message: 2. Add a counter to the message by selecting Options>Counter and then Counter 1.
How to edit a counter file 3. Save this counter message as countshp.msw: 4. After saving the message, close Message Editor. Open Site Manager and select Edit>Counter File: 5. Next, either open an existing counter file (like the default file shown below) or type a new file name (such as shipping.
How to edit a counter file 6. When the Counter Setup window appears, select the Counter 1 tab. Then type in the values as shown below: Table 15: Counter Example 1 — Counter 1 setup A B C D Item A Name Counter 1–5 Select Counter 1 tab. Target Files This is where a message is assigned to a target file. One to five messages can be displayed on a sign when counter 1 reaches its target value. (No target files are used in this example.) Counter On Make sure this box is checked for this example.
How to edit a counter file 7. Select OK after entering the setup information. Double-click the Shipping site to open the Site Editor window: Double-click Shipping.
How to edit a counter file 8. Next, select the Sign Info tab and attach the counter file you just created to the Shipping site: Deleting a counter file If you want to delete a counter file from a sign, click Counter File, click None, and then click OK. After clicking Counter File, select the counter file you just edited (in this case, shipping.ctw). Then select OK. Select OK.
How to edit a counter file 9. Add the message that contains counter 1 to the Shipping site: Select Shipping. Then click : Select the message that contains counter 1 (countshp.msw). Click OK. The message you added appears here, after any previously selected messages. The order in which the messages appear is the order in which they are sent to a sign. NOTE: If you want the new message at the start of the list, select the top existing message and then click (Insert Message) instead of (add message).
How to edit a counter file 10. Finally, in order to display the message you just added to the Shipping sign, the message must be transmitted. To do this, select the Shipping site and then the transmit icon: Select Shipping because this is the only site to which we want messages sent. Click the Transmit icon. Resetting a counter If you are prompted to reset a sign counter, select Yes to reset the counter to its start value. Click Selected Sites and then OK.
How to edit a counter file Example 2 — Using a counter in a message and displaying a target file message In this example, we will end up with a message on the Manufacturing signs that keeps track of the number of days without an accident. Also, when 50 days is reached, a message appears on the Manufacturing signs that reads Another 50 days without an accident! (this is called a target message.) NOTE: The Manufacturing signs can still display other messages.
How to edit a counter file 2. In the message window, type Days without an accident: and a space. Then add a counter to the message by selecting Options>Counter>Counter 2: 3. Save this counter message as countman.
How to edit a counter file 4. Next, create the target message — the message that will appear when counter 2 reaches 50 days. Then save this message as target1.msw: Save the target message as target1.msw. 5. Close Message Editor.
How to edit a counter file 6. Next, either open an existing counter file or type a new file name (such as target.ctw) and click Open: 7. When the Counter Setup window appears, select the Counter 2 tab and enter the values shown below: Table 16: Counter Example 2 — Counter 2 setup A B C D Item Name Counter 1–5 A Target Files Directions Select the Counter 2 tab. This is where a message is assigned to a target file.
How to edit a counter file Table 16: Counter Example 2 — Counter 2 setup Start Enter 0 because we want counter 2 to start at 0 days and then count up to 50. Target Enter 50. Inc Enter 1 because we want counter 2 to count up 1 day at a time — 1, 2, 3, and so on. Target Files One–Five Check One. This means that one message will appear on the sign after counter 2 has reached its target value.
How to edit a counter file 9. After selecting the target file, click Open, and then OK to close the Counter Setup window. Then double-click the Manufacturing site to access the Site Editor window: Double-click Manufacturing.
How to edit a counter file 10. Next, select the Sign Info tab and attach the counter file you just created to the Manufacturing site: Deleting a counter file If you want to delete a counter file from a sign, click Counter File, click None, and then click OK. After clicking Counter File, select the counter file you just edited (in this case, target.ctw.) Then select OK. Select OK.
How to edit a counter file 11. Add the message that contains counter 2 to the Manufacturing site: Select Manufacturing. Then select : Select the message that contains counter 2 (countman.msw). Click Open. The message you added appears here, after any previously selected messages. The order in which the messages appear is the order in which they are sent to a sign.
How to edit a counter file 12. Finally, in order to display the message you just added, it must be transmitted to the Manufacturing signs. To do this, select the Manufacturing site and then the Transmit icon: Select Manufacturing because this is the only site to which we want messages sent. Click the Transmit icon. Click Selected Sites and then OK. Resetting a counter If you are prompted to reset a sign counter, select Yes to reset the counter to its start value.
How to edit a counter file Example 3 — Using a counter to display just a target message HINT This example is nearly identical to Example 2. In Example 2, the counter was displayed as well as a target message. In this example, we will use one of the five counters (in this case, counter 3) to display the message Another 100 hours of safe operation! When counter 3 reaches 100 hours, the message will appear on all the signs in the Engineering site.
How to edit a counter file 4. Next, either open an existing counter file (like the default file shown below) or type a new file name (like engineer.ctw): 5. When the Counter Setup window appears, select the Counter 3 tab and enter the values shown below: Table 17: Counter Example 3 — Counter 3 setup A B C D Item Name Counter 1–5 A Target Files Directions Select the Counter 3 tab. This is where a message is assigned to a target file.
How to edit a counter file Table 17: Counter Example 3 — Counter 3 setup Start Enter 0 because we want counter 3 to start at 0 hours and then count up to 100. Target Enter 100. Inc Enter 1 because we want counter 3 to count up 1 hour at a time—1, 2, 3, and so on. Target Files One–Five Check Two. This means that one message will appear on the sign after counter 3 has reached its target value.
How to edit a counter file 8. Next, select Sign Info and attach the counter file you just created to the Engineering site: Deleting a counter file If you want to delete a counter file from a sign, click Counter File, click None, and then click OK. After clicking Counter File, select the counter file you just edited (in this case, engineer.ctw). Then select OK. Select OK.
How to use real-time data in a message How to use real-time data in a message String Variables + ActiveX® = real-time data Data from external sources (for example, Microsoft® Excel, Access, and Visual Basic® software) can be displayed on Alpha® signs by using two features included in AlphaNET™ 3.0 software: • • HINT The AlphaNET™ 3.0 software CD ROM contains examples on using the Alpha® String Update Control.
How to use real-time data in a message 2. Create a sign memory configuration by checking either: • Assign Fixed Memory Partitions — Check this to assign your own sign memory configuration in the Configuration box. (For detailed information, see the Memory Configuration examples in “Appendix G: Protocol Examples” of the Alpha® Sign Communications Protocol manual.
How to use real-time data in a message 5. Select Options>String to insert a string variable into the message: The string label value is determined by what you selected in step 2. For example, if you selected Strings “1” “9”, then type a number from 1 to 9. The string variable icon. Update the string variable using the ActiveX® control 6. Use the Alpha® String Update Control (the ActiveX® component of AlphaNET™ 3.0 software) to update the message’s string variable.
How to use real-time data in a message Table 18: Alpha® String Update Control Methods & Properties METHODS Syntax: AlphaStringUpdateCtrl.Initialize Parameters: none Remarks: Method must be called prior to calling any other method of this control. This method opens a COM port or creates a socket connection to the display. Syntax: AlphaStringUpdateCtrl.UpdateString(“String Label”, Value, Color, Flash) Parameters: • String Label — String. One character only.
How to create and use a custom automode sequence How to create and use a custom automode sequence The message mode called Automode is the default mode used if no other mode is selected in a message. It displays the message with all the other modes provided with AlphaNET™ 3.0 software. (For descriptions of the modes, see “Appendix B — Modes available on signs” on page 137.) A custom automode sequence can be created for each sign site.
How to create and use a custom automode sequence 4. To add another mode to our custom automode sequence, click Add again. Then select another mode and click OK. NOTE: The order of the modes can be changed using Move. Modes can also be added or deleted using Add and Delete. Using a custom Automode sequence 1. Using Site Editor, double-click the site that is to have the custom automode. Select the Site Info tab and choose Alpha 2.0 for Compatibility.
How to create and use a custom automode sequence 2. Select the Sign Info tab. Then click Automode File and select a custom automode file: NOTE To revert back to the default automode setting, click Automode File, click None, and then click OK. Messages sent to this site will now use this custom automode. Select OK.
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Reference 4 — Reference 111
Message Editor Message Editor Message Editor is used to create messages for signs. Text, graphics, and animations (or flicks) can be used in messages. See Chapter 3 for detailed instructions on using Message Editor.
Message Editor Table 19: Message Editor Menu Item Description New Opens a new message window. Open... Opens an existing message file. Close Closes the message window. Save Saves a message. Save As... Saves the current message under a different name. Print... Prints a message. Print Preview Previews a message (in print form). Print Setup... Change printers, page size, and so on. Simulate Previews a message (in display form).
Message Editor Table 19: Message Editor Menu Item Description Sets the availability of Message Editor drop-down menu options, whether text or pictures will appear for modes, characters, and options, and the number of space to insert for a tab setting. Customize... The type of sign selected here dictates the options available in the drop-down menus. Edit (continued) Allows you to password-protect Message Editor. Type a password in the New Password and Verify lines, then click OK. Set Password...
Message Editor Table 19: Message Editor Menu Item Description Cycle Color Cascades colors through the message from the bottom up. Clock Wipes information on and off the sign as if a second hand were sweeping around it. Explode Rolls information from the center of the sign and out in all four directions at once. 15/16 Row Normal 15/16 Row Fancy Ten Row The height of text in rows. For example, Seven Row Normal (or Fancy) text is 7 rows tall on a sign.
Message Editor Table 19: Message Editor Menu Item Description Inserts the time into a message. Time NOTE: The time is based on the time stored in your computer. If your computer’s clock is incorrect, then the time displayed on a sign will also be incorrect. Inserts the date into a message. A number of formats are available: Date... Options Some options may not be available on a sign. See “Appendix D — Display Options available on signs” on page 140.
Message Editor Table 19: Message Editor Menu Item Description A variable does not stand for anything specific until a message is transmitted. For example, if you run a food shop which features a daily special, then a variable is an easy way to change your special: First, a variable called Today’s special is placed at the start of a message: Next, a second variable called Special price is placed at the end of the message: The message looks like this: Options (continued) Variable...
Message Editor Table 19: Message Editor Menu Item Description Capture... Snippet 1 Snippet Snippet 2 Snippet 3 Snippet 4 After highlighting some text in a message, select Capture to store the text in one of 5 snippets. This is a handy way to avoid retyping commonly-used text. When you need to use that text, simply place the cursor in the message where you want it to appear and then click the snippet that holds that text to paste it. Snippet 5 Checking Toolbar displays these icons.
Message Editor Table 19: Message Editor Menu Item Description Cascade Tile Window Arrange Icons 1 Alpha 1 4 — Reference These are standard Windows® software methods of arranging windows and icons on the screen. These are the names of the message windows you have opened. Select a window to make it the current window.
Site Manager Site Manager Site Manager is used to set up devices, sites, and groups. Devices are methods of communicating with signs. For example, a modem is a device because it talks to a sign through signals sent over a telephone line. Sites and groups are terms used to describe how messages are sent to signs. You create sites and groups to make sending messages to multiple signs flexible and easy.
Site Manager Table 20: Site Manager Menu item Description Creates a new site using four tabs of setup information: • Site Info (see “Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups” on page 17): File New Site • Sign Info (see “Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups” on page 17): Automode File and Tune File are available only if Compatibility on the Site Info tab is set to Alpha 2.0.
Site Manager Table 20: Site Manager Menu item Description • Group Info (see “Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups” on page 17): This shows that the Manufacturing site is part of the Production group • Advanced (see “Step-by-step tutorial in setting up connection devices, sites, and groups” on page 17): File New Site (continued) Offsets allows you to correct for time zone and temperature differences.
Site Manager Table 20: Site Manager Menu item Description Open Site Opens an existing site. New Group Creates a new group. For more information, see “Step 3: Creating or changing the groups” on page 43. Open Group Opens an existing group. Remove... Deletes selected sites, groups, or messages. Sends messages to one or more sites: Transmits all messages to every site. Transmits all the messages to the sites that are highlighted. File Transmit...
Site Manager Table 20: Site Manager Menu item Connection Device... Description Ways to connect a sign to a PC that is running AlphaNET™ 3.0 software. There are four types of connection devices: direct cable (local), modem (remote), wireless, and Local Area Network (LAN). For more information, see “Step 1: Creating or changing the connection devices” on page 19. Sets up from 1 to 5 numerical counters which can be used in messages or to trigger the display of other messages. Counter File...
Site Manager Table 20: Site Manager Menu item Description Add... Adds a message to the end of the current message list. Insert... Inserts a message above the message that is currently selected. Replace... Replaces the message currently selected with another message of your choice. Sets the times when a message appears on a sign: Messages Schedule... In this example, the message will display every Monday from 10:50 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Communications Manager Communications Manager Communications Manager keeps track of messages you send to signs and reports on transmission errors. When a message is transmitted, it goes through Communications Manager before going to a sign.
Communications Manager Table 21: Communications Manager Menu item Description Allows you to see the status of messages being transmitted to a site: View Remove Removes selected messages from the job list. When this is done, the removed messages do not appear. View Log Shows all items sent each day and creates a log file for each day’s items. Shows the message error log which is a list of failed message transmissions.
Diagnostics Diagnostics Diagnostics allows you to test the functions of a single Alpha® sign or a network of Alpha® signs. Diagnostics can: • • transmit messages or beeps to a sign. receive specific information (serial address, firmware version, time, temperature, and so on) from a sign. • set specific information (date, time, temperature, and so on) on a sign. • reset a sign. • clear a sign’s memory. Diagnostics can only be launched through the Start menu (Start>Programs>AlphaNET>Diagnostics).
Diagnostics Each action in Diagnostics requires that you select the address of the signs on which you want information. To do this, click the Select Address button when it appears: It is generally better and much faster to retrieve information when you specify the address of a particular sign or signs rather than choosing all addresses. Select Selected Addresses and then use the Address to Add to List drop-down menus to specify the address of the sign on which you want information. Then click Add.
Diagnostics Table 22: Diagnostics Menu item Description Use the drop-down menus to set the COM port, baud rate, and data format for a serial or wireless connection: Serial/Wireless Click here if you want AlphaNET™ to determine this information for you.
Diagnostics Menu item Description Displays the information you can request from a sign. Read Information from Sign Select the information you want Diagnostics to retrieve by clicking the appropriate boxes, and then select the sign addresses. When finished, click Send. Allows you to set specific information on a sign. Actions Configure Sign Complete the appropriate information and then select the sign addresses. When finished, click Send. Use the Status area to view a log of the connection.
Diagnostics Menu item Description Allows you to set additional specific information on a sign. Configure Sign (Advanced) Actions Complete the information you want Diagnostics to set, and then select the sign addresses. When finished, click Send. Allows you to continually check a sign’s internal or external temperature. Continuous Read Temperature Select which temperature Diagnostics should check, then use the drop-down menu to choose how often. Finally, select the sign addresses.
Diagnostics Menu item Description Allows you to send a message to one or more signs, or to continually send a series of messages to one or more signs. Broadcast Message Set up the broadcast message and then the transmission settings, and then select the sign addresses. When finished, click Send. Clear Memory Deletes all text and DOTS files from a sign. Choose the sign addresses in the Select Addresses window that appears and click OK. Reset Sign Restarts a sign.
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Appendix 5 — Appendix 135
Appendix A — Macintosh® computer setup Appendix A — Macintosh® computer setup The following instructions describe how to use a Macintosh® computer running Virtual PC1 with AlphaNET™ 3.0 software. Required software and hardware Table 23: Required software Qty Part # 1 — Macintosh® G4 computer 1 — Virtual PC1 for Macintosh® (This emulates Windows® 98, ME, and 2000 software.) 1 Description Available from MacWarehouse (800-255-6227).
Appendix B — Modes available on signs Appendix B — Modes available on signs Modes are special effects used to change the way a message appears on a sign and are used in Message Editor: Open Message Editor and click the Modes drop-down menu. Available only on the AlphaEclipse™ PureColor™ 3600 Series sign.
Appendix B — Modes available on signs Table 25: Mode descriptions Mode 138 Function Automode This is the default mode, which actually consists of using all other modes available to each sign. If no other mode is selected, the message will appear in automode. Flash All characters flash off and on from the point of Flash mode until the point where another mode is selected, if any. Hold Holds the message or specified text in a fixed place for several seconds.
Appendix C — Character fonts and colors available on signs Appendix C — Character fonts and colors available on signs AlphaNET™ 3.0 software allows you to change the character shapes and colors that are used in messages. The Characters option and colors are used in Message Editor: Open Message Editor and click the Characters drop-down menu. The Condensed and Custom characters allow selection of 15/16 Row, Ten Row, Seven Row, or Five row in condensed or customized format.
Appendix D — Display Options available on signs Appendix D — Display Options available on signs Options is a Message Editor menu composed of special features, such as animation, and is used by AlphaNET™ 3.0 software to enhance the way a message appears on a sign: Open Message Editor and click the Options drop-down menu. Not available on an AlphaEclipse™ PureColor™ 3600 Series sign.
Appendix E — Understanding message line positions (Top, Middle, Bottom, Fill) Appendix E — Understanding message line positions (Top, Middle, Bottom, Fill) Line position refers to where a message is displayed on a sign — the top, middle, bottom, or fill. Line position is available with most modes, such as Hold, Snow, or Sparkle.
Appendix E — Understanding message line positions (Top, Middle, Bottom, Fill) • These signs are of varying heights and widths, but have character blocks with spaces between. Single-line signs (BetaBrite®, 215R & 215C, 220, 300 series, 400 series, Big Dot®) On a single-line sign, all characters line up at the bottom of the sign and work their way up as many dots as the font supports.
Appendix E — Understanding message line positions (Top, Middle, Bottom, Fill) blank rows on the bottom. All text and objects are then lined up to this new virtual bottom (the 13th line) and treated the same as in a single-line sign. • • • • Exception conditions: If the sign receives a font that is larger than the sign can display, it will size it down. On this sign, in the middle position, the only characters that are too large are characters using the double-high control code.
Appendix E — Understanding message line positions (Top, Middle, Bottom, Fill) Triple-line (7000 series) and AlphaVision™ Full Matrix Top/Bottom These two positions work together. There is an imaginary line between the top half and the bottom half of the display. We will call this line the centerline. In the example below, the centerline is between the Hello and the lots of text about basically. The centerline divides what is used on the sign for top position commands from what is used for bottom.
Appendix E — Understanding message line positions (Top, Middle, Bottom, Fill) centerline with a second top/bottom command. For example: Message Centerline Middle position The Middle position is treated as though it were one line as many dots high as the sign is tall. Each line of text presented on that line is prescanned to determine the largest piece of text (or graphic object) to be displayed. The line of text is then vertically centered based on that largest object.
Appendix E — Understanding message line positions (Top, Middle, Bottom, Fill) • • If a graphic is received that is smaller than seven dots tall, it will be displayed from the bottom of the sign up, similar to the 5 dot character set explained above. If a character set is not established in the message, 7-high normal characters are used. AlphaVision™ Character Matrix sign This sign works exactly like the three-line (7000 series) and AlphaVision™ Full Matrix signs, with the following exceptions.
Appendix F — How text and graphics are displayed on signs Appendix F — How text and graphics are displayed on signs Each sign is made up of a display area of columns and rows of LED pixels that can be turned on and off and that can display different colors (for color signs).
Appendix F — How text and graphics are displayed on signs Text comes in four basic sizes The Characters menu contains a list of available text sizes, such as 15/16 Row Normal and Ten Row, and options such as Wide and Flashing: Text sizes are selected from the Characters menu. (The default text size is Seven Row Normal.) Other text options can also be selected here. The four basic text sizes are 15/16 Row (Normal and Fancy), Ten Row, Seven Row (Normal and Fancy), and Five Row.
Appendix F — How text and graphics are displayed on signs Graphics must be bitmapped to a sign’s columns and rows Before you create a bitmap image for a sign, you must first know the display area of that sign. (See “Columns and rows make up a sign” on page 147). The columns and rows that make up a sign’s display area also represent the maximum pixel size of an image that can be put on the sign. For example, a 4120C (or 4130R) sign has a total display area of 120 columns x 16 rows.
Appendix F — How text and graphics are displayed on signs Paint Shop Pro — an image editor At a minimum, the program you use should have a zoom feature which allows you to magnify the image you are editing because images used on signs are typically 32 x 32 pixels or less in size. (That’s very small!) You will need a program to create and edit bitmapped images. Image editing software examples in this manual illustrate version 5.