Description:

This driver interfaces CQC to a BetaBrite LED Sign wich support the Alph 1.0 protocol. By Setting the fields through CQC you are able to write and format text to the 26 (A-Z) different files located in the BetaBrites memory. The FileOrder field is used to generate a play sequence of the 26 files.

This driver was developed and contributed by David Powell(Squintz).

Quirks and Limitations:

Each of the 26 files will hold only 1100 Bytes of data. These include alphanumeric characters as well as one to four bytes for each formatting tag.

Connection Details

The BetaBrite Driver connects directly to the BetaBrite using the provided RS232 to RJ11 Cable.

Driver Fields

This section lists the fields that the driver makes available, their types, minimum and maximum values, etc...

Name	Type	R/W	Description/Limits
DisplayMessage_[A-Z]	String	W	Updates the BetaBrit display. There is one version of this field for each of the 26 possible files.
FileOrder	String	W	Updates the file display sequence

Text Formatting

This section describes the formatting controls available in messages you send to the DisplayMessage_X field.

Colors

Tag	Description	Bytes
<red>	Red	2
<grn>	Green	2
<amb>	Amber	2
<dimred>	Dim Red	2
<dimgrn>	Dim Green	2
<brn>	Brown	2
<org>	Orange	2
<ylw>	Yellow	2
<rainbow1>	Rainbow Mix	2
<rainbow2>	Rainbow Mix	2
<mix>	Random Colors	2
<autocolor>	Random Colors	2

Speeds

Tag	Description	Bytes
<slowest>	-	1
<slow>	-	1
<medium>	-	1
<fast>	Default Speed	1
<fastest>	-	1

Behaviors

Tag	Description	Bytes
	Force remainder of message on new line	1
<rotate>	Message travels right to left	3
<hold>	Message remains stationary	3
<flash>	Message remains stationary and flashes	3
<rollup>	Previous message is pushed up by new message	3
<rolldown>	Previous message is pushed down by new message	3
<rollleft>	Previous message is pushed left by new message	3
<rollright>	Previous message is pushed right by new message	3
<wipeup>	New message is wiped over the previous message from bottom to top	3
<wipedown>	New message is wiped over the previous message from top to bottom	3
<wipeleft>	New message is wiped over the prvious message from right to left	3
<wiperight>	New message is wiped over the previous message from left to right	3
<scroll>	New message pushes the bottom line to the top line id 2-line sign	3
<automode>	Various modes are called upon to display the message automatically (Default)	3
<rollin>	Previous message is pushed outward from the center by the new message	3
<rollout>	Previous message is pushed toward the center by the new message	3
<wipein>	New message is wiped over the previous message in an inward motion	3
<wipeout>	New message is wipe over the previous message in an outward motion	3
<compressedrotate>	Message travels right to left. Chars are apox 1/2 their normal width	3
<twinkle>	Message will twinkle on sign	4
<Sparkle>	New message will sparkle over the current message	4
<snow>	Message will snow onto display	4
<interlock>	new message will interloc over the current message in alternating ros of dots from each end	4
<switch>	Alternating chars off the sign up and down. New message switches on in similar manner.	4
<slide>	New message lides onto the sign one char at a time	4
<spray>	New meesage sprays across and onto the sign from right to left	4

Sizes

Tag	Description	Bytes
<narrow>	-	1
<wide>	-	1

Animations

Tag	Description	Bytes
<starburst>	Starbust explode the new message onto the sign	4
<welcome>	The word welcome is written in script across the sign	4
<slotmachine>	Slot machine symbols apear randomly across the sign	4
<newsflash>	News flash is written on the sign	4
<trumpet>	Trumpet annimation - models 1036 only	4
<cycle>	Color changes from one color to another	4
<thankyou>	-	4
<nosmoking>	-	4
<welcome>	-	4
<dontdrink>	-	4
<fish>	-	4
<fireworks>	-	4
<ballons>	-	4
<cherrybomb>	-	4

 

Example Messages

Here are some example messages to demonstrate the format.

Example 1

<red><hold>This is my <flash>red <hold>message

Example 2

<grn>Hi There<welcome><ylw>How are you today?<scroll>Thats good!