aj85
asked on
LED SIGN COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL
I have an application that I need to create to connect and send commands to an outdoor led sign. The problem is not connecting to sign, but the communications protocol commands that tell the sign to scroll, what text to display etc.. I have a few known commands for this type of sign, however the problem is that there are several commands that are not very clear to me.
One specific issue is the font type and size command, in the booklet attached it indicates that the command for fonts is "FT" with a default type of 2. However I am not sure what font type that is, or how to change it to Arial with a pitch of 10 or San Serif with a pitch of 10 for example. My question is are there standard protocol commands that are used by led sign displays? If so what are the font commands to change the type etc.? The signs came from a company called Mega Signs, however it seems that they are just the sales agent company as they do not have technical support: http://www.megasigninc.com/.
Thanks,
aj85
COMMUNICATIONS-PROTOCOL.pdf
One specific issue is the font type and size command, in the booklet attached it indicates that the command for fonts is "FT" with a default type of 2. However I am not sure what font type that is, or how to change it to Arial with a pitch of 10 or San Serif with a pitch of 10 for example. My question is are there standard protocol commands that are used by led sign displays? If so what are the font commands to change the type etc.? The signs came from a company called Mega Signs, however it seems that they are just the sales agent company as they do not have technical support: http://www.megasigninc.com/.
Thanks,
aj85
COMMUNICATIONS-PROTOCOL.pdf
cfgtechs
if you are connecting via serial cable with hyperterm or a telnet session try typing "?" or "help"
ASKER
Hello, I am connecting via bluetooth and a COM port.
aj85
aj85
aj85, the COM port, is that a 9pin or 25 pin male connection? if it is you can connect and run
a telnet. if telnet answers you are in the operating system, you can type "help" or "?" or you may displayed a menu system. if the sign is installed already, serial cables can run like 10-20'
if you connect via bluetooth, there's a windows application that you interface with to change your signage.
a telnet. if telnet answers you are in the operating system, you can type "help" or "?" or you may displayed a menu system. if the sign is installed already, serial cables can run like 10-20'
if you connect via bluetooth, there's a windows application that you interface with to change your signage.
ASKER
Hello,
The connection is via this bluetooth antenna: www.sena.com UD100. There is an application that came with the sign, however it was insufficient and was bulky. So I managed to get the communication protocol and design an interface to connect and send messages to the sign. The issue is that I do not know what the commands are to control the font size. If you saying that I can somehow connect via my interface or the one that came with the sign, and request type help to get the core commands, I am willing to try this immediately..... :-) Just give me the step to implement this as I am not sure where to turn on using telnet.
Thanks,
aj85
The connection is via this bluetooth antenna: www.sena.com UD100. There is an application that came with the sign, however it was insufficient and was bulky. So I managed to get the communication protocol and design an interface to connect and send messages to the sign. The issue is that I do not know what the commands are to control the font size. If you saying that I can somehow connect via my interface or the one that came with the sign, and request type help to get the core commands, I am willing to try this immediately..... :-) Just give me the step to implement this as I am not sure where to turn on using telnet.
Thanks,
aj85
I'm just assuming you're using Windows. Apologies if you're using Linux.
On Windows, pop up a cmd prompt. For help on parameters type
telnet /?
Telnet is an internet utility. By default, it connects on port 23 to the ipaddress specified. If you don't have an ipaddress, it probably won't work. It will not work through a serial port but it may work through blue tooth if you can establish what the blue tooth IP address is.
If it is a serial port, and you are on Win 95/98/XP, there is an app called hyperterm (as suggested by cfgtechs) in Accessories/Communications
On Windows, pop up a cmd prompt. For help on parameters type
telnet /?
Telnet is an internet utility. By default, it connects on port 23 to the ipaddress specified. If you don't have an ipaddress, it probably won't work. It will not work through a serial port but it may work through blue tooth if you can establish what the blue tooth IP address is.
If it is a serial port, and you are on Win 95/98/XP, there is an app called hyperterm (as suggested by cfgtechs) in Accessories/Communications
ASKER
Hello cup,
Yes, I am using Win 7 Pro, however I do not know the IP address of the bluetooth device, only the COM port in which it is connected.
Yes, I am using Win 7 Pro, however I do not know the IP address of the bluetooth device, only the COM port in which it is connected.
sorry, cup is right about telnet. assuming your device has an IP you hook into it thru a cross over ethernet cable or via a hub/switch.
there's free hyperterminal apps for win7/vista, just plug into the com port and see if you get
a display echoing back.
there's free hyperterminal apps for win7/vista, just plug into the com port and see if you get
a display echoing back.
aj85, do you have a physical com port on your sign? db9, db25 pin male port shaped like a D. or is bluetooth hooking up as a com port connection? -give a hyperterminal program a try if windows see's your device as a com port, just try connecting to every com port the application sees and see if you get garbage echoing back. if you do get garbage, reboot your sign and you may see the startup
ASKER
Thanks for the reply, however I think I am little confused. These are wireless devices that I can pair with, but there is not hub, or at least I do not think so that I can connect to with a crossover cable. I have a wireless bluetooth antenna that gets paired with the sign, but that is the only connection to it. Is it possible to connect using hyperterminal as you outlined if I do not know the IP but only the COM port?
SOLUTION
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ASKER
Okay great I will try this approach and get back to you. Thanks!
ASKER
Hello cfgtechs,
Unfortunately this did not work either. I connected via a program call PUTTY, and typed "help" and "?" and nothing was returned. Not sure where to turn from here.
Thanks,
aj85
Unfortunately this did not work either. I connected via a program call PUTTY, and typed "help" and "?" and nothing was returned. Not sure where to turn from here.
Thanks,
aj85
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ASKER
Hello,
Okay I will try this and get back to you. Thanks.
aj85
Okay I will try this and get back to you. Thanks.
aj85