Manual

5.1.6 Define Custom Character (254 78 [c] [8 bytes])
The dislay allows up to 8 user defined (custom) characters. These characters occupy the first 8 (0x00 to
0x07) places in the character set.
Custom characters occupy a 5x7 pixel matrix. Built in characters are 5x7: the bottom row of pixels is
normally reserved for the underline cursor. The underline cursor should be turned off if the bottom row of
pixels forms part of a custom character.
The characters are defined by issuing the command 254 78 [c] followed by 8 bytes to define the character.
[c] is the character number (0x00 to 0x07). The 8 bytes are mapped as shown below;
Table 7: 8 Byte Map
MSB LSB
* * * 1 2 3 4 5 Data Byte 0
* * * 6 7 8 9 10 Data Byte 1
* * * 11 12 13 14 15 Data Byte 2
* * * 16 17 18 19 20 Data Byte 3
* * * 21 22 23 24 25 Data Byte 4
* * * 26 27 28 29 30 Data Byte 5
* * * 31 32 33 34 35 Data Byte 6
A "1" bit indicates an on (black) pixel, a "0" bit indicates an off (clear) pixel.
Once defined, a character is displayed simply by issuing a value (0x00 to 0x07) corresponding to the
character number. The character will be laid out as follows;
Table 8: Character Values
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30
31 32 33 34 35
Cursor Line
NOTE Custom characters will be erased if any of the "Initialize bar graph" commands
are issued.
Example of a degree symbol:
Matrix Orbital VK162-12 22