Leon Audio PCinterface QL-PCi Mk4 User manual

www.LeonAudio.com.au 01.
PCinterface QL-PCi mk4
16 channel Cue Light control from
your Touch Screen or Show Control PC
Control up to 6 Cue Light Master Stations
Control 240 Outstations across 96 channels
Simple 5 byte ASCII commands
Return Status Monitoring
Supports RS232 and 4 wire RS485
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Quick Start Guide
Power
Master Station’s rear panel
Cue Light Outstations
Connect the Show Control computer to the
PCinterface using an RS232 cable.
A USB to RS232 adaptor (not supplied) will be required if the Show
Control computer lacks an RS232 port.
Connect the PCinterface’s 6 pin RJ12 Expansion port to either of
the two RJ12 Expansion ports on the Master Station using the
supplied RJ12 - RJ12 cable.
Connect one or more Cue Light Outstations to either of the
two XLR connectors on the Master Station.
Set the Show Control Computer’s serial port to 9600 baud, N81,
no handshaking. Baud rate can be changed from 2,400 to 115,200
once the initial connection has been established.
The QL-PCi will now be sending the Heart Beat signal to the Show
Control computer. This is a 5 byte ASCII string {RRH1
Basic Control Commands are 5 ASCII bytes.
RS232 port on the
2
3
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PCinterface
QL-PCi Mk4
Show Control
computer
1
1
2
3
02.
Examples
Master 1, Ch 5, S/by Cue, Trigger, eXecute.
Master 1, Ch 5, Go Cue, Trigger, eXecute.
Master 1, Ch 2, S/by Cue, Clear,
Master 1, Ch 3, Go Cue, Trigger,
and eXecute.
[1 5 S1
[1 5 G1
[1 2 S0
X
X
[1 3 G1X
1G 15 Control Command Format.
Command Header: Left square bracket
Master’s Address 1- 6
Channel number 1-16
(Letters A-G are used for ch 10-16)
Function: G = Go S = Standby
Value: 1 = trigger 0 = clear
[
Each 5 byte command is held in a buffer in the PCinterface and is
not executed until the single letter X for eXecute is received.
Multiple commands may be entered followed by a single X.
Letters are not case sensitive. Spaces are only permitted between
each 5 byte command and/or the letter X.

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Configuration Commands
Configuration Command Format
Configuration Command Header
Master Station Address
Channel number
Additional options for the channel number
Overview of Functions
Cue Light Outstation Functions
Table of Cue Light Outstation Configuration Commands
Outstation’s Standby Colour
Standby Lamp Flash on Master
S/by Lamp Flash on Outstation
S/by latches
Standby Dims on Acknowledge
Outstation Go Flickers
Go times out
Go Flashes after 3 seconds
Go latches
Go & S/by interlocked
Call lamp enabled
Call lamp flashes
Acknowledge button back-light
Beeper enable
Beep-on-Go
Change colour on Acknowledge
Dimmer
Relay Outstation Functions
Table of Cue Light Outstation Configuration Commands
Mode
S/by Lamp Flash on Master
S/by Lamp Flash on Outstation
S/by latches
Go times out
Go Flashes after 3 seconds
Go latches
Go & S/by interlocked
Call lamp enabled
Call lamp Flashes
All Lamps on Outstation
Sensor Outstation Functions
Table of Sensor Outstation Configuration Commands
Unsafe Lamp
Safe when... open/closed
End Of Line Resistors
All Lamps on Outstation
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
Index
03.
Quick start Guide
PCinterface Overview
Command Format Overview
Simple GUI Command Format
Programming Simple GUI Commands
Button number allocation
Expanded button number allocation
Table of button numbers
Startup in Simple GUI mode
Cue Sheet Commands
Programming Cue Sheet Commands
Channel Number
Additional options for the channel number
Functions and Values
Go Cue
Standby Cue
Clear any Cues
Sound the Beeper
Channel’s Group Button
Miscellaneous Commands
Reset Flashing Fault Lamps
Table of Cue Sheet Commands
Return Monitoring
Simple GUI Reply
Channel & Function Reply
Request Lamp Status
Monitoring Reply Mode command
Termination Character
Reply Pacing
Simple GUI Reply format.
Lamp Numbers
Table of Lamp Numbers
Table of Return Monitoring.
Channel & Function format
Other Return Monitoring
Master’s on-line status
Heart Beat signal
Heart Beat on/off command
2
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
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Configuration Commands. Cont.
Master Station Functions
Table of Master Station Configuration Commands
Copy 1 of 8 files to PC
Copy 1 of 7 files to the ShowTime file
Copy ShowTime file to Installer's Default or 1 of 4 User files
Go Cue Total Duration (1 to 16 seconds)
Link the 4 Group Master buttons between multiple Masters
PCinterface Functions
Table of PCinterface Configuration Commands
Monitoring Reply Mode command
Baud Rate
Heart Beat
Reply Pacing. Pause between each 5 byte reply
Terminator character
Testing
Testing the PCinterface to PC serial link
PCinterface Loop-back Test
A 10 second test
What if it doesn’t work?
Connections
Summary of Commands
Programming Simple GUI Commands
Table of button numbers
Table of Cue Sheet Commands
Summary of Configuration Commands
Overview of Functions
Table of Cue Light Outstation Configuration Commands
Table of Relay Outstation Configuration Commands
Table of Sensor Outstation Configuration Commands
Table of Master Station Configuration Commands
Table of PCinterface Configuration Commands
Return Monitoring. Simple GUI Reply format
Table of Lamp Numbers
Table of Return Monitoring.
Channel & Function format
ASCII table
Specifications
Warranty
52
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67
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71
72
73
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75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
Index
04.

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PCinterface Overview
Control your Cue Light system from a PC or Show Controller
PC, Mac or show controller
•
Will work with any PC, Mac or hardware controller capable of
sending ASCII characters via a RS232 or RS485 serial port.
Trigger or cancel cues, configure Outstation features and more.
PCinterface
QL-PCi mk4
05.
Configuration Data
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Command structure
•
All basic commands are 5 bytes long. Most commands can be
typed from a keyboard using only ASCII characters.
No Escape sequences or control characters are used.
Return monitoring is provided in a choice of 2 different formats.
Can be easily tested with any Terminal communications program.
Simple GUI mode
•
A simple command interface for use with touch screens.
Each button on the Master Station has been assigned a number,
and by using a single command, any button can be pressed or
released.
Cue Light Outstations and Masters
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A single PCinterface can control from 1 to 6 Master Stations.
Each 16 channel Master can control up to 40 Outstations giving a
maximum of 240 Outstations across 96 channels.
Buttons on the Master Station(s) remain operational while the
PCinterface is connected allowing for manual ad hoc cues.
Each Master requires its own wiring universe for its associated
Outstations.
Allows the Master Station(s) and all 3 types of Outstation to be
remotely configured. e.g. Flashing/steady Go and Standby lamps,
Standby lamp colour. Almost 40 different parameters can be
changed. Configuration data can also be downloaded.
Supports RS232 and 4 wire RS485
•
It has a 500 byte FIFO buffer for incoming RS232/485 data.
2,400 to 115,200 baud.
Cue Sheet Command Format
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A command interface for use with a Show Control system using a
pre-loaded cue list.
Return Monitoring
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The status of every lamp on the Master Station(s) is returned to
the Show Controller in a choice of two data formats.

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Command Format Overview
There are 3 classes of command available.
•
06.
Configuration command format
[
1 G 13 Operate Command Header
These control Commands are used to control the Cue Light
System during a performance.
Simple GUI command format
Cue Sheet command format
•
•
Configuration Command Header
Configuration Commands are usually used to configure the Cue
Light System prior to a performance.
Almost 40 different parameters can be changed in the Master
Station(s) for all 3 types of Outstation.
Configuration data can also be downloaded from the Master
Station via the PCinterface to the PC/Show Controller.
{
1 A 38
Simple GUI command format.
A simple command interface for touch screens.
The touchscreen sends a command to the PCinterface when any
touchscreen button is pressed or released. This toggles the
function of that key (in the same manner that the buttons on the
Master Station toggle on or off).
Cue Sheet command format.
For use with a show control system with a pre-loaded cue list.
The control system sends a command(s) to the PCinterface when
the Next cue button is pressed. It either triggers or clears a Go or
Standby command (if a cue is already triggered, it will remain
triggered i.e. it does not toggle as in Simple GUI).
The mechanical buttons on the Master Station(s) remain
100% operational while the PCinterface is connected.
This allows ad hoc cues to be given if needed.
It also allows cues to be given when your show control
system malfunctions.
Note

www.LeonAudio.com.au 07.
A simple command interface for touch screens.
The touchscreen sends a command to the PCinterface when
any touchscreen button is pressed or released. This toggles the
function of that key (in the same manner that the buttons on the
Master Station toggle on or off).
4
[66 1N Master Station Address (0-6)
Up to 6 Master Stations can be controlled by one PCinterface.
1
N
[664Letter N selects Simple GUI command
where a single Number is used to describe a specific button.
66
[1A specific button on the Master (1-87)
This is a single byte decimal number (not ASCII) in the range
of 1 - 87.
It describes a specific button on the Master Station.
A single byte decimal number cannot be typed directly from a
PC’s keyboard. The buttons and their numbering scheme is
described on the following pages.
Simple GUI Command Format
1
[66N4 Pressed/Released command
[
1N Operate Command Header
Header character to mark the start of a command.
When the Pressed command is sent, it must always be followed
by a Released command - either immediately or after other
commands that are executed while that key is still pressed.
Examples
Master 4, N = Simple GUI command,
Button 66 (Ch1 Go), 1 = Pressed, eXecute.
Button Pressed
Master 4, N = Simple GUI command,
Button 66 (Ch1 Go), 0 = Released, eXecute.
Button Released
[4 N 66 1
[4 N 66 0
Programming Simple GUI Commands
Programming is done via your touch screen control system.
(e.g. AMX or Medallion etc).
All characters are ASCII except for the button number (4th byte)
which is a decimal byte. Letters are not case sensitive.
All commands must be followed by the letter X for eXecute.
Once X has been received by the PCinterface, the commands
are uploaded to the Master Station(s).
Multiple commands may be entered followed by a single X.
Master’s Address
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
All Masters
Master #1
Master #2
Master #3
Master #4
Master #5
Master #6
Pressed
10
Released
ASCII numbers
Important
X
X
The Master Station’s address is set to 1 when shipped.
To change the address, please see Master Station options under
Configuration Editor in the PDF file 16 Channel Cue Light Mk4.
466
4 N

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Programming Simple GUI Commands - button number allocation
67
[1N4 A specific button on the Master Station.
08.
Short Power
Sensors
1 2 3 4
Unsafe
Fault
Safe
Beep Dimmer
Reset Fault LEDs
Group A Group B
+ Sb/y = up
+ Go = down
+ Sb/y = short
+ Go = long
GO GO
Standby Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call
A
B
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call
A
B
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call
A
B
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call
A
B
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call
A
B
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call
A
B
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call
A
B
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call
A
B
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call
A
B
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call
A
B
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call
A
B
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call
A
B
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call
A
B
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call
A
B
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call
A
B
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call
A
B
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Cue Light
Master
QLM16 Mk4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65
66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81
;
23456789 :< = > ? @A
BCD E F G H I J K L M N O P Q
84 85
86 87
82 83
TU
V W
R S
“#%&‘()*+,-./ 0 1$
34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49
Examples
Master 4, N = Simple GUI command,
Button 67 (Ch2 Go), 1 = Pressed, eXecute.
Button Pressed
Master 4, N = Simple GUI command,
Button 67 (Ch2 Go), 0 = Released, eXecute.
Button Released
[4 N 67 1
[4 N 67 0
X
X
Each horizontal row of 16 buttons (channels 1-16) uses
consecutive numbers. Number 33 is not used as it is reserved.
This is a single byte decimal number in the range of 34 - 87.
It describes a specific button on the Master Station as illustrated
by the yellow numbers below.
Characters in the white boxes are their case sensitive ASCII
equivalents.
$

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There wasn’t enough space to use 2 Group buttons on the physical
Master Station but separate Group buttons for Groups A and B are
possible on a touch screen.
Programming Simple GUI Commands - expanded button number allocation
09.
Short Power
Sensors
1 2 3 4
Unsafe
Fault
Safe
Beep Dimmer
Reset Fault LEDs
Group A Group B
+ Sb/y = up
+ Go = down
+ Sb/y = short
+ Go = long
GO GO
Standby Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
GO
Group
Fault
Standby
Call Call Call Call Call Call Call Call Call Call Call Call Call Call Call Call
A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B
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Cue Light
Master
QLM16 Mk4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Standby Standby
GO GO
50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65
66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81
;
23456789 :< = > ? @A
BCD E F G H I J K L M N O P Q
84 85
86 87
82 83
TU
V W
R S
12345678 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32
Examples
Master 4, N = Simple GUI command,
Button 17(Ch1 Grp B), 1 = Pressed, eXecute.
Button Pressed
Master 4, N = Simple GUI command,
Button 17(Ch1 Grp B), 0 = Released, eXecute.
Button Released
[4 N 17 1
[4 N 17 0
X
X
17
[1N4 A specific button on the Master Station.
Each horizontal row of 16 buttons (channels 1-16) uses
consecutive numbers. Number 33 is not used as it is reserved.
This is a single byte decimal number in the range of 1 - 87.
It describes a specific button on the Master Station as illustrated
by the yellow numbers below.
Characters in the white boxes are their case sensitive ASCII
equivalents.

www.LeonAudio.com.au 10.
Programming Simple GUI Commands
Touch Screen’s
Soft buttons
Group A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Group B 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32
Master Station’s
Grey group buttons
Group Buttons 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49
S/by Buttons 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65
Go Buttons 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81
Other buttons
Red Beep Button 82
White Dimmer Button 83
Group Master Buttons
Group A Standby 84
Group B Standby 85
Group A Go 86
Group B Go 87
66 A specific button on the Master Station
Table of Button numbers
Channel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Each number is a single byte decimal number
in the range of 1 - 87.
Note
Each horizontal row of 16 buttons (channels 1-16) uses consecutive numbers.
Number 33 is not used as it is reserved.
[1N4