HauntBots MP3-WS User manual

Operating Manual
MP3-WS

By HauntBots LLC
Date: 03-09-18
Revision: 1.0

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Table of Contents
NOTICE .............................................................................................................. 2
1. Introduction................................................................................................ 3
System Overview.................................................................................................................................................3
Document Overview............................................................................................................................................3
2. System Description ................................................................................... 3
Specifications ......................................................................................................................................................3
Applications.........................................................................................................................................................3
3. Hardware.................................................................................................... 4
Power Supply ......................................................................................................................................................4
Output..................................................................................................................................................................4
Trigger Input........................................................................................................................................................5
Speakers .............................................................................................................................................................5
LCD Display.........................................................................................................................................................5
4. Software Operation.................................................................................... 6
Software Installation............................................................................................................................................6
Driver Installation.................................................................................................................................................8
Starting the Software........................................................................................................................................ 12
Creating Audio Library...................................................................................................................................... 13
NOTICE
It is the user’s responsibility to determine the suitability of
this product for any given application. Do not use this
device in any life-critical system or hazardous areas. An
understanding of electronic terminology and practices are
required to use this device. Mount the unit in a way that
prevents exposure to moisture and within the parameters
of any applicable codes.

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1. Introduction
System Overview
The MP3-WS is a simple MP3 playback device with a status output suitable for driving an LED or other low
voltage device. The MP3-WS requires a low voltage power supply (12vdc –24vdc). The player has a
sturdy aluminum case with mounting tabs. An internal 40W class D amp is available as an option.
Document Overview
The following terminology appears throughout this manual.
Ground, negative, or (-) may be used interchangeably when referring to the power supply connections.
2. System Description
Specifications
•Full color 128 x 128 TFT LCD display
•8 Meg flash memory for MP3 data
•Up to 8-1/2 minutes of audio
•40-Watt Class D amplifier (optional)
•Stereo Line out connection
•1 solid-state 1-amp outputs.
•Wire terminals accept wire as large as 14 gauge
•Trigger input- normally open or normally closed. Activate on +v (sourcing) or contact closure
•USB connector to download audio files
•Same rugged case as our other pro series controllers with no exposed circuit board
•3-1/2” x 4-1/2” footprint
•Microcontroller runs 12 million instructions per second
Applications
The MP3-WS is intended for playback of MP3 audio files in props, displays and kiosks where one or more
short audio clips are required.

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3. Hardware
Power Supply
The MP3-WS will operate on 12 to 24 volts DC.
Connect the power supply to the terminals in the PWR
section marked: +& -
If the optional amplifier is installed, A 24-volt 2.5-amp
power supply is required to produce the full 40 watts
of power. If you intend to use the same supply for
powering output devices (valves, relays, etc)
additional amperage is required.
There are two extra +terminals for convenience on
the output connector. The +terminals are internally
connected. This provides extra terminals to attach
other items requiring power.
Warning: The +terminal in the Triggers section of
the connector is not the same as the +terminals in
the PWR section.
The +terminal in the Triggers section is a 12vdc output from the MP3-WS’s internal 12v regulator. This
can be used to supply triggers that require power.
Output
The output is driven by a 1amp solid state driver.
The +terminal carries the same voltage found at the PWR +
terminals.
This output is on any time an audio file is playing
The MP3-WS output switches the negative side of the voltage
Note: Flyback Diodes should be installed across inductive loads
like solenoid valves.

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Trigger Input
The trigger input on the MP3-WS can accept a variety of trigger
devices; voltage sourcing or contact closure. A normally open
contact is required.
Every time a trigger pulse is received, a random audio track will play.
All of the tracks in the play list will play once before the list is shuffled.
Warning: the + terminal in the Trig section is a special 12v out
terminal to provide voltage to trigger devices requiring 12 volts.
Do Not apply external voltage to this terminal.
Speakers
The MP3-WS has an optional mono 40-Watt amplifier. This amp is
connected to the left channel of the MP3 player. If installed, connect
speaker(s) to the + & - terminals with a minimum of 4 ohms total.
LCD Display
The integrated color LCD display shows the number of audio
clips loaded and the last clip played.

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4. Software Operation
The computer interface provides tools that enable you to create an audio library for the MP3-WS. It is not
possible to retrieve audio clips back out of the MP3-WS.
Software Installation
The installation package consists of a single file
•Interface Utility Setup.exe
Double Click setup.exe to begin the installation.
When the Welcome screen appears, click the
Next > button.

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Click Install.
When the setup completes, click Finish
The Interface Utility will appear on your start menu in the
HauntBots folder

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Driver Installation
When you initially plug the MP3-WS into your computer, Windows will attempt to load an appropriate driver.
If an MP3-WS or other HauntBots controller has not previously been installed, you will need to manually
load the driver.
The exact screens will vary a bit
between different versions of
Windows. The MP3-WS will be
recognized by Windows as CCS
USB to UART rather than
HauntBots MP3-WS. These
instructions cover an install on
Windows 7.
After the computer reports
that the driver was not
successfully installed, go
to device manager to
install it manually.
Click the Windows Start Button, right click on Computer then
scroll down and click Properties.
Click Device Manager in the top left column.

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In device manager look in Other Devices for the CCS
USB to UART device with the yellow exclamation point.
Right click on CCS USB to UART and choose Properties
Click the Update Driver button

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Click Browse my computer for driver
software.
In the Browse for Folder window go to
C:\Program Files(x86)\HauntBots. Select
the USB Driver folder then click the OK button
Click the Next button.

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Click Install on the Windows
Security screen.
The Driver installation will complete.
The CCS USB to UART entry will appear under:
Ports (COM & LPT)
A Com number will be assigned to it. COM17 in this
example.
NOTE: Earlier versions of the interface utility could only use
com ports up to number 16. This new version does not
suffer from this weakness.

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Starting the Software
Start the “Interface Utility”, this can be found on the
windows start menu in the HauntBots folder. A
popup window will list all available com ports on your
computer. Select the correct com port from the list
for your MP3-WS then press “Done”
The main interface window will open. The screen is divided into two different tabs. The first tab handles
audio library creation and downloading. The second tab transmits firmware updates to the MP3-WS.
When successfully connected, the interface utility will report the Firmware Version, Model and Serial
Number of the attached unit along the bottom status bar.
The MP3-WS LCD will display “PC Connected”

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Creating Audio Library
The MP3-WS uses a library of audio clips. The library can contain a single audio file or as many files as
will fit into the roughly 8 Meg of Ram space.
Note: Creating your own library and copying it to the MP3-WS will over-write the sample library that came
with the unit.
To create a library, click the “Select Audio Clips” button. A computer browser window will open. Navigate
to the folder containing the audio tracks you wish to use. The MP3-WS is capable of playing WAV or MP3
files; however, WAV files will consume large amounts of memory very quickly.
Select the audio file (or files) you wish to use. To select a list of files, click the first file then hold down the
shift key while clicking the last file. To pick multiple files not in a row hold down the Ctrl key while selecting.
Once all desired files are selected, press the Open button.
Alternately, it is possible to
drag and drop audio files
from your computer directly
onto the Audio Library grid.
The selected files will
appear in the grid. The #
column will indicate the
number assigned to the
clip. The MP3-WS
interface software keeps
track of memory usage
and only allows you to
select files that will fit
into the unit’s memory.

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Audio Library Transfer
Click “Send Clips To MP3-WS”.
The computer will first open the individual audio clips and create the library package.
Then the clips will download to the MP3-WS.
Depending on the size of the library, this can take several minutes to complete.