Data Display Colonial Mall User manual

Display User Manual
DDJ05996001 19-Mar-03 Page 1
Colonial Mall
Graphics Board Display
Grafit Version 1.18b
User Manual
Title Page
2003 Data Display Ltd
No part of this document may be reproduced by any process without the prior written permission from Data Display Ltd.
The information in this document is provided for reference only. While every effort has been made to make sure it is accurate and
complete, Data Display Ltd does not accept any liability arising out of the application or use of the information or products described
herein. Moreover, Data Display Ltd reserves the right to alter specifications or procedures without notice.
This document may contain or refer to information or products protected by copyright or patents and does not convey any license under
the patent rights of Data Display Ltd nor the rights of others.
All products referred herein are trademarks of their respective owners.
Publication details:
Title: Colonial Mall Graphics Board Display User Manual
Issue: 1
Issue Date: 19-Mar-03
Part Number: DDJ05996001
P. O. Number: 3937
Produced by:
Product Support Department
Data Display Ltd
Deerpark Industrial Estate
Ennistymon, Co. Clare
Ireland

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DDJ05996001 26-Mar-01 Page 2
Table of Contents
1Introduction.........................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Scope.......................................................................................................................................................3
1.2 Purpose....................................................................................................................................................3
1.3 System.....................................................................................................................................................3
2Hardware............................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Unpacking................................................................................................................................................4
2.2 Installation................................................................................................................................................4
2.3 Control Box..............................................................................................................................................5
2.4 Intuitive T-Controller ................................................................................................................................5
2.5 Display Panel Wiring................................................................................................................................6
3Software.............................................................................................................................................7
3.1 System Requirements .............................................................................................................................7
3.2 Conventions used in this Manual.............................................................................................................7
3.3 Installation................................................................................................................................................8
3.4 Comms/ Modem Selection and Sending Information Procedure…………………………………………. 9
4GRAFIT 1.18ß Software ©................................................................................................................12
4.1 Getting Started.......................................................................................................................................12
4.2 Exiting from the Software.......................................................................................................................12
4.3 Accessing Help......................................................................................................................................12
4.4 Screen Layout and Symbols..................................................................................................................13
4.4.1 The Caption Bar.................................................................................................................................13
4.4.2 The Speed Bar...................................................................................................................................14
4.4.3 The Menu Bar ....................................................................................................................................14
4.4.4 The Canvas........................................................................................................................................14
4.4.5 The Status Line..................................................................................................................................14
4.5 The Menu Bar........................................................................................................................................15
5Examples..........................................................................................................................................37
5.1 How to Setup a Graphics Frame...........................................................................................................37
5.2 How to create a simple animation with effects. .....................................................................................37
5.3 Adding text to a Graphics frame............................................................................................................37
5.4 Displaying the Date, Time or Temperature............................................................................................38
5.5 Notes on importing Clipart.....................................................................................................................39
6Trouble Shooting ..............................................................................................................................40
6.1 Software.................................................................................................................................................40
6.2 Hardware ...............................................................................................................................................40
7Effects ..............................................................................................................................................41
7.1 ON/OFF Effects .....................................................................................................................................41
7.2 Character Fonts.....................................................................................................................................42
8Maintenance.....................................................................................................................................42
8.1 Maintenance Instructions.......................................................................................................................42
8.1.1 Cleaning the Display..........................................................................................................................42
8.1.2 Preventative Maintenance..................................................................................................................42
8.2 Technical Support..................................................................................................................................42
9Specifications ...................................................................................................................................43

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1 Introduction
1.1 Scope
The scope of this document covers the 2 Graphics Board Displays for the Colonial Mall Project.
1.2 Purpose
The purpose of the document is to provide the relevant information to enable the user to operate and
maintain the Display Boards correctly.
1.3 System
The Colonial Mall Display system comprises of 2 Graphics Display Board, a Control Box, and the
GRAFIT 1.18b graphics software package. The Display is 48 pixels high by 128 pixels wide and
uses ultra-bright amber, wide angle LED technology. The housing is fabricated from aluminium
extrusion and has a silver powder coat finish. To increase visibility and protect the lens, an
aluminium louver system is fitted to the front of the Display.
Each of the two displays consists of two units; A and B. At installation, the Power, Serial and Data
cables from Unit A are connected to Terminal Blocks in Unit B.
The Control Box contains the Modem for remote communication, the serial and power conections for
the box, and a Temp Probe and Temp Controller to allow the Display to show the Temperature. The
wiring from the Modem and Temp Controller are routed to the V53 Logic Boards in the Displays via
cable glands at the bottom of the Box.
The displays are controlled from a host PC using the GRAFIT graphics software. Users can create
and edit both text and graphic messages. The Display Board can show a combination of static and
scrolling messages, normal, large, and/or specialized fonts as well as various ON/OFF effects such
as Flash, Jump, Wipe Sparkle etc.
Warning
Only trained and authorised personnel should do tests and maintenance on this Display
Board System.

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2 Hardware
2.1 Unpacking
Carefully remove the items from their package and store the packaging safely. After unpacking,
inspect the contents for any damage that may have occurred during shipment. In the event of
damage, refer to the '
Technical Support' section of this manual.
2.2 Installation
Each Display Board is supplied in two sections, Unit A and Unit B. The Power and Serial cables from
Unit A are not connected to the Terminal Blocks inside Unit B. Refer to Figure 1 for wiring
instructions. Mount the Board securely and connect the cables as shown in the Figure below.
Figure 2.1 – System Configuration
Graphic Board Display
128 x 48 Pixels
Unit A Unit B
Control Box
Lens
Warning: Do NOT power up the Display
Board until all cabling is connected.
Power Consumption for Display: 2200W
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Remove Side Profile of Unit B. Put all hardware in a safe place.
2. Slide out Visor and Lens carefully.
3. Remove 6 Display Panels on left-hand side of Unit B.
4. Connect same color wires from Cables A and B to Terminal Blocks A and B in Unit B. Also connect Power, Serial,
Temp Signal and Common GND cables.
5. Attach the 6 Display Panels.
6. Slide in Lens and Visor.
7. Butt the two Visor Plates together and attach the Visor Holding Plate
8. Attach the Side Profile.
4
3
1
7
2

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2.3 Control Box
The Control Box contains the Modem, the Intuitive-T Controller and Terminal Blocks to connect the
internal to external wiring.
Located on the bottom of the Box are cable glands through which the incoming 110V AC power for
the Modem and Controller and Network Cable for the Modem are routed. The two Temp Signal
cables and two RS232 Serial Cables to the each Displays Logic Board are also routed out. The
Temp Probe protrudes through an opening on the bottom.
2.4 Intuitive T-Controller
The Controller converts the signal from the Temperature Probe into an RS232 signal for the Logic
Boards of the displays.
Figure 2.2 - Wiring for Controller.
TEMP OUT
K Type
Thermocouple
Pin 14
Pin 1 Pin 13
RS232 GND
RS232 Signal Out
LIVE
NEUTRAL
EARTH
Pin 27
Input -
Input +
Controller
Temperature Probe
Modem
Transformer for
Modem
RS232 OUT

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2.5 Display Panel Wiring
Refer to the Figure below for Display Panel Wiring.
Figure 2.3 – Display Panel to Display Panel Wiring.
Pin 1 - Black
Pin 2 - Red
Pin 1 - Pink
Pin 2 - Gold
Pin 3 - White
Pin 4 - Grey
Pin 5 - Violet
Pin 6 - Blue
Pin 7 - Green
Pin 8 - Yellow
Pin 9 - Orange
Pin 10 - Red
Pin 11 - Brown
Pin 12 - Black
Display Panel
Display Panel
Pin 12 - Pin1
Note: Viewed from the rear of the display, Pin 12 is on the left-hand side.

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3 Software
The Display Boards are operated using the text and graphic based GRAFIT 1.18b software package.
The user can edit general text messages, time, temperature, and date messages as well as draw
and create their own single frame graphics or multi-frame sequences and animations.
This chapter contains information to enable the installation and configuration of the software.
3.1 System Requirements
It is assumed that the reader is familiar with the use of an IBM PC or compatible computer and with
the basic Microsoft Windows terminology. It is also recommended that the user is familiar with
Microsoft Paintbrush to better edit graphic frames for the display.
The minimum hardware and software requirements to run the
GRAFIT software are as follows:
Processor: Pentium 1 or higher
Memory: 16MB
Display: VGA (15 inch or larger recommended), 256 colors, 16-bit color
Software: Microsoft Windows 95or later
Disk Space: 10MB minimum free space for GRAFIT plus space for database
and event log storage. ( Bitmaps, Gifs, Tiffs, etc.)
Comms Standard Communications Port (Rs232), 9 Pin serial port.
Modem- 33.6k or better Data/ Fax configured between com ports 1
through 4. Also, a dedicated phone line for PC.
Other: Mouse or other pointing device, and standard keyboard.
3.2 Conventions used in this Manual
Menu Commands
This manual uses a shorthand method when referring to a series of menu commands e.g. ‘Choose
the About option from the Help menu’ is shown as
Help|About .
Clicking the Mouse buttons
The term ‘Click’ denotes clicking the left mouse button.

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3.3 Installation
The GRAFIT software package is supplied on CD-ROM. To install the software, do the following
steps:
1. Insert the GRAFIT CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2. Where
Autorun is enabled, the installation screen appears as below.
Figure 3.1 –Introduction Screen for CD-ROM Installation.
3. Click on the
Next > button to begin the installation and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. When the process is complete, all files are stored in the C:\GRAFIT folder unless the
destination folder has been changed.
If the Autorun feature on your PC is disabled or you are installing the software from a floppy disk,
click the
Start button, then select Settings|Control Panel . Double-click the Add/Remove Programs
icon and follow the instructions shown on the screen.
Figure 3.2 –Installation Screen.

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This will add GRAFIT to the Start menu or your Desktop by creating a short-cut as described in your
Windows User Manual. The executable file to run the software package is as follows:
GRAFIT Version 1.18ß = C:\GRAFIT\GRAFIT.EXE
3.4 Comms/ Modem Selection and Sending Information Procedure
While the display is normally setup for direct com port control, the Grafit software must be
established for modem control for communication to the displays via the phone system. Thus, the
PC running the software must have a modem and a designated phone line out. Also, the displays
control box modem must also have a designated phone line. Once this is accomplished, the
communications parameters of Grafit must be established. To accomplish this, do the following
steps:
1. Run the GRAFIT software package.
2. Select Options|Display.
3. Click on the COMs button. In the Ports section, select the comport the PCs
modem is established on.
4. Click on the MODEMbutton. Place the designated phone number of the
displays phone number.

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5. Click on the OK buttons to exit and return to the main screen of the software.
6. Select Option/ System/ Ports. The Port window appears.
7. Left click the “Com Port” for the modem the PC is designated for. Refer to the
Windows/ Control Panel for reference. Left click the Settings button. The
settings for the specified com port will appear.
8. When this window opens up this verifies that the Grafit software can read the
modem on the PC. If the software could not establish a connection to the PC
modem, an error window would appear. Refer to your Windows manual on
Modem issues if this occurs, or notify the proper PC technical personnel.
9. The settings that are for proper communication being sent to the display is as
follows in the picture below (
Com Port Settings) :

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10. Once these setting are set, click the OK; and proceed to click the EXIT button to
return to the main screen.
11. Then proceed to Options/ System/ Save and save the settings that were
established.
Once the software is established for communication, and the user is set to send a specific a frame/
animation, etc., sending the data will be applied. When the software is normally sending data out a specific
Com Port directly, “Pop-up” windows would apply according to what the user is sending.
When data is being sent by modem, a “Modem Handler” window will appear. This window gives the user the
status of communication being done to send the data from the PC, through the phone line, and onto the
other modem at the display control box. Once the first time the software is launched, and a send is initiated,
this window will appear. I will not disappear once the sending of data is complete. It will close if the user
desires to close it using the X, of will close when exiting the software.

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GRAFIT 1.18ß Software ©
3.5 Getting Started
To start GRAFIT, select 'Start|Programs|Shortcut' to GRAFIT.EXE.
3.6 Exiting from the Software
There are three ways to exit from the software:
1. Use the normal menu command. Click on
'Frame/ Exit ' and click on the 'Yes' button of the
dialog box.
2. Click on the Close button in the top right-hand corner of the screen, and click on the
'Yes'
button of the dialog box.
3. Press the ALT and F4 keys together, and click on the
'Yes' button of the dialog box.
3.7 Accessing Help
Help is available in the GRAFIT application and may be accessed in the following ways:
•By reading the status bar at the bottom of the screen when a menu option is
highlighted.
•Select Help|Help or Help|About.
•Press F1 to view context sensitive help for the menu option selected.
•Most dialog boxes have HELP buttons.

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3.8 Screen Layout and Symbols
This section gives details of the Graphic User Interface (GUI) for the GRAFIT application. The
components of the GUI are the Caption Bar, the Speed Bar, the Menu Bar, the Canvas (the main
area of the window) and the Status Line at the bottom of the screen. When selected, many of the
main menu items open Dialog Boxes.
Note: For single color Displays, red is used as the default color.
Figure 4.1 - The Main GRAFIT User Interface.
3.8.1 The Caption Bar
The Caption Bar contains the name of the software application GRAFIT followed by the current view
title and the resolution.
Caption Bar
Speed Bar
Menu Bar
Canvas
Co-ordinates
Lines
Palette
Tools

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3.8.2 The Speed Bar
The Speed Bar consists of five buttons that are used to directly access Frame Menu options.
Clears or Blanks current frame Previous/ Next Frame
Load frame from a file on disk Play animation
Saves frame to a file on disk Stop animation
Undo latest changes to image Frame number of Animation
3.8.3 The Menu Bar
The Menu Bar is the primary means of accessing all the menu commands and should always be
kept visible. If a menu command is followed by an ellipsis (…), choosing the command opens a
dialog box. If the command is followed by an arrowhead () the command leads to another menu
selection. If the command has neither an ellipsis nor an arrowhead, then the action occurs as the
command is chosen or. For further information on the use of windows, icons, mouse and menus
refer to the Microsoft Windows User Manual.
3.8.4 The Canvas
The Map is the main central area of the ‘application’ window. Using the commands from the menus,
the user is able to create text/ graphics frames on the Canvas.
3.8.5 The Status Line
The status line appears at the bottom of the main window. It shows useful information as well as
brief explanations of menu items.

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3.9 The Menu Bar
Frame
This menu provides options for dealing with single bitmaps only. Only the working
frame is effected using options in this menu.
Clear
Blanks/clears the current frame.
Delete
This option allows you to delete any frame from the frame list/sequence provided
that there are two or more frames in the sequence.
Insert
This option is like the 'Frame/Load' except that the frame loaded is inserted into the
frame list after the current frame, provided that there is frame space left in which to
store it. This allows you to insert a frame into a sequence.
Load
Selecting 'Load' under the 'Frame' menu produces a dialog box from which the user
may select any of the file types listed. For example .bmp, .gif, .pcx, .tga or .tif.
FIELDS
File Name:
To select a file, click on a '.BMP' file listed under 'File Name' in the dialog box or type
in the name of the required '.BMP' file in the space given under 'File Name'.
List Files of Type:
Clicking on this option with the left mouse button pulls down a menu from which the
user may choose what type of files he wishes to see in the 'File Name' selection
menu.
Folders:
Option to select the subdirectories from which the user is able to view the files
contained in the subdirectory under the field 'File Name'.
Drives:
Lists local Drives where images may be stored.
BUTTONS
OK
Accept configuration as entered and load file.

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Load
continued…
BUTTONS
CANCEL
Exit dialog without loading file.
NETWORK
Lists networked Drives where images may be stored.
Save
This option 'Save' under 'Frame' provides the facility to save any changes to the
bitmap or system, e.g. pause rate, of this application as a '.BMP' file. A '.BMP' file is
a single bitmap.
Send
Send the current frame to the Display hardware as a single frame sequence.
Depending on communication settings, several “Pop-Up” windows will appear
prompting that data is being transmitted to the display. Refer to the insert
Sending
Information Procedures.

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Setup
Selecting this option provides a dialog box so that the user may select a frame type,
an effect for the current bitmap frame being worked on and a pause rate i.e. how
long the bitmap frame drawing will be left on the screen during animation.
FIELDS
Type:
Click on the arrow to show the frame type options available, Graphic frame or Text
frame. When creating or editing the animation, a sequence of Graphic or Text
frames may be inserted in the animation.
Setup
continued …
Effect:
Clicking with the left mouse button on this field pulls down a menu from which the
user can select an effect for the bitmap frame being worked on. The ON effect is
how the frame is drawn onto the Display page and the OFF effect is how the frame
is drawn off the Display page.
Pause:
As yet the pause length of time is variable and depends on the size of the Display.
To define a pause rate click the left mouse button in the space to the right of 'pause'
and type in your required value. (For the 128 x 48 Display a pause of 20 is equal to
approx 1.0 second)
BUTTONS
OK
Accept configuration as entered.
CANCEL
Exit dialog without altering bitmap effect or pause file.
Fixup Colors
This option converts images to match the palette of the Display being used. The
result will depend on how much color information is lost in the process. This option is
limited to a 4 color Display.
0, 0, 128, 48

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Exit
This option is used to exit GRAFIT and a dialog box appears to give the user the
choice to stop the exit procedure.
BUTTONS
YES NO
Exit GRAFIT. Do not exit GRAFIT.
AAnim
This menu provides options for dealing with animations or sequences of frames. All
working frames are effected using options in this menu. An ‘Animation’ is a group of
saved frames (*.frm).
Clear
Blanks/clears the all frames.
Load
Selecting 'Load' under the 'Anim' menu opens a dialog box from which the user may
select a ''.FRM'' file only. A ''.FRM'' file is a sequence of frames.
FIELDS
File Name:
To select a file, click with the left mouse button on a '.FRM' file listed under 'File

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Name' in the dialog box or type in the name of the required '.FRM' file in the space
given under 'File Name'.
List Files of Type:
Clicking on this option with the left mouse button pulls down a menu from which the
user may choose what type of files he wishes to see in the 'File Name' selection
menu.
Directories:
Under this heading is provided an option to select the subdirectories from which the
user will be able to view the files contained in the subdirectory under the field 'File
Name'.
Drives:
When clicked on with the left mouse button this field produces a pull down menu
from which the user may select their drives by clicking with the left mouse button on
the required drive.
BUTTONS
OK
Accept configuration as entered and load file.
CANCEL
Exit dialog without loading file.
Join
This option works like load except the loaded animation/frame sequence is joined at
the current frame.
Save
This option 'Save' under 'Anim' provides the facility to save any changes to the of
sequence of bitmaps or the system e.g. pause rate, of this application as a '.FRM'
file. A '.FRM' file is a sequence of frames.
Send
Send animation sequence to attached Display hardware.
Depending on communication settings, several “Pop-Up” windows will appear
prompting that data is being transmitted to the display. Refer to the insert
Sending
Information Procedures.
Setup
Selecting this option provides a dialog box, which enables the user to define Display
specific animation parameters.
FIELDS

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Frames:
The number of pages or picture frames in the animation.
Pause:
The 'pause' allows the user to set the same delay between all frames in the
animation sequence. To define a pause click the left mouse button in the space to
the right of 'Pause' and type in your required value.
BUTTONS
OK
Accept configuration as entered.
CANCEL
Exit dialog without altering bitmap effect or pause file.
Frame -
Clicking with the left mouse button on 'Frame- ' replaces the current bitmap frame
with the previous bitmap frame for viewing. This option is also available as the fifth
button on the speed bar.
Anim
Continued …
Frame +
Clicking with the left mouse button on 'Frame + ' replaces the current bitmap frame
with the following bitmap frame for viewing. This option is also available as the sixth
button on the speed bar.
Play
Clicking with the left mouse button on 'Play' will show each frame, of the '.FRM' file,
in sequence one after the other at a rate depending on the delay until the user
chooses to stop. This option is also available as the seventh button on the speed
bar.
Stop
Clicking with the left mouse button on 'Stop' will stop the animation. This option is
also available as the eight button on the speed bar.
Schedule
This menu provides options for dealing with schedules of animation sequences.
Load
Load a schedule setup from a .SCH file on disk into memory.
Save
Save a schedule setup to a .SCH file on disk.
Send
Send the current schedule setup to the Display. Depending on communication
settings, several “Pop-Up” windows will appear prompting that data is being
transmitted to the display. Refer to the insert Sending Information Procedures.