MuxLab 500816 User manual

© MuxLab Inc. 2016 94-000833-A/ SE-000833-A
8 Button RS232/IR
Control Panel
500816

8 Button RS232/IR Control Panel Installation & Operation Manual
© MuxLab Inc. 2016 2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
To insure the best use from the product, please read all instructions carefully before
using the device. Save this manual for further reference.
Follow basic safety precautions to reduce the risk of fire, electrical shock and injury
to persons.
Do not dismantle the housing or modify the module. It may result in electrical shock
or burn.
To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain, moisture or install
this product near water. Keep the product away from liquids.
Spillage into the housing may result in fire, electrical shock, or equipment damage.
If an object or liquid falls or spills on to the housing, unplug the module immediately.
Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners to clean this unit. Always unplug the power to
the device before cleaning.
Using supplies or parts not meeting the product’s specifications may cause damage,
deterioration or malfunction.
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Install the device in a place with good ventilation to avoid damage due to
overheating.
Unplug the power cord when left unused for a long period of time.
Do not put any heavy items on the unit or on extension cable.
Do not remove the housing of the device as you may be exposed to dangerous
voltage or other hazards.
Information on disposal of devices: do not burn or mix with general household
waste, please treat this device as normal electrical waste.
Unpack the equipment carefully and save the original box and packing material for
possible future shipment.
Please read this user manual carefully before using the product.

8 Button RS232/IR Control Panel Installation & Operation Manual
© MuxLab Inc. 2016 3
Contents
Introduction ...............................................................................................................41.
1.1. Introduction to the 8 Button RS232/IR Control Panel.....................................4
1.2. Features.........................................................................................................4
1.3. Package Content ...........................................................................................5
1.4. Installation......................................................................................................5
Specification..............................................................................................................62.
Panel Description......................................................................................................73.
3.1. Front Panel ....................................................................................................7
3.2. Rear Panel.....................................................................................................8
3.3. Side Panel .....................................................................................................9
Connections............................................................................................................104.
4.1. Safety Precautions.......................................................................................10
4.2. System Diagram ..........................................................................................10
4.3. Connections for Programming and Looping.................................................10
System Operation ...................................................................................................125.
5.1. USB Driver Installation.................................................................................12
5.2. Software Programming................................................................................12
5.2.1. Main Menu...................................................................................................13
5.2.2. Panel/Key setting.........................................................................................16
5.2.3. Action List ....................................................................................................18
5.2.4. Setting Events..............................................................................................19
5.2.5. Event List.....................................................................................................29
Panel Drawing.........................................................................................................316.
Troubleshooting & Maintenance..............................................................................327.
Regulatory Compliance ................................................................................................33

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Introduction1.
1.1. Introduction to the 8 Button RS232/IR Control Panel
The programmable control panel is a Wall-Mounted Control Panel. Every button is
programmable and works either individually or together. The programmable control
panel is built with the following interface: three (3) RS232, One (1) RS485, Three (3)
Infrared, two (2) Relay, and one (1) mini USB for programming.
Please note that:
“RS232 (1)”and “IR2”share the same port, and cannot be used at the same
time.
“RS232 (2)”and “IR3”share the same port, and cannot be used at the same
time.
The 8 Button RS232/IR Control Panel can control MuxLab products, as well as third
party devices such as projectors, screens etc. It is an easy-to-use control device for
presentation show rooms, classrooms and boardrooms.
1.2. Features
Each button can be programmed to send bi-direction RS232 and RS485
commands simultaneously to control MuxLab and third party devices.
Each button can be programmed to send infrared codes and control the
relays simultaneously to control MuxLab and the third party devices.
Each button supports a built in infrared code and RS232 code learning
function, including baud-rate setting.
ID looping function. Up to 99 units may be chained (looped) and controlled
together, via an ID identification.
The unit may be programmed through the USB or RS232 port, via the Control
Panel PC Software.
The unit supports backlit buttons with easy to change customizable labels.
The backlit brightness is controllable.
Face-Plate Dimension: 11.4cm (H) x 7cm (W).
Antistatic case design: providing good protection for long-term and stable
performance.

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1.3. Package Content
One (1) 8 Button RS232/IR Control Panel
Four (4) captive screw Terminal Block connectors
Three (3) IR Emitter probes
One (1) Button Label sheet
One (1) USB type Ato Mini USB cable
Eight (8) Button Caps
One (1) 12VDC, 2.0A Power Adapter with US, UK & Euro Blade.
One (1) User Manual
Please verify that the product and the accessories are all included; if not, please
contact your dealer.
1.4. Installation
Follow the steps to install the device:
First, cut a hole on the surface of where the unit is to be installed, such as on a
desktop or desk-side panel, etc. Cut to the size indicated by the cut-out diagram in
Figure 1.
Second, fit the unit into the cut-out and adjust it so that it is flush with the surface (see
Figure 2).
Next, screw the unit face-plate securely to the surface with two screws and nuts.
Lastly, connect the unit power connector to the provided 12VDC power supply, but
do not connect the 12VDC power supply to the AC power outlet at this time.
Figure 1 Cut-out diagram
Figure 2 Installation Guide

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Specification2.
Devices
Matrix, Switch, DVD, projectors, monitors, TV.
Compatibility
Compatible with MuxLab & Third party products
Output Ports
Three (3) RS232 ports
One (1) RS485 port
Three (3) Infrared Emitter ports
Two (2) Relay ports
Control Ports
USB or RS232 (either may be used)
Connectors
One (1) 2-pin terminal block (3.81 mm) for Power
Two (2) 2-pin terminal blocks (3.81 mm) for Relay
Two (2) 5-pin terminal blocks (3.81 mm) for Serial & IR
One (1) USB Port for firmware upgrade
Power Supply
One (1) 110-240VAC to 12VDC/2.0A power supply with US,
UK & Euro Blade
Temperature
Operating: 0° to 40°C Storage: -20° to 70°C
Humidity: Up to 95% non-condensing
Enclosure
Metal
Dimensions
4.49” x 2.76” x 1.10” (114mm x 70mm x 28mm)
Weight
0.33 lbs (0.15 kg)
Compliance
Regulatory: FCC, CE, RoHS
Warranty
2 years
Order Information
500816 8 Button RS232/IR Control Panel

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Panel Description3.
3.1. Front Panel
No.
Name
Description
1
Button
Crystal clear and luminescent, programmable buttons:
Each button can be independently programed using the
Control Panel PC Software. To do so run the application
and connect the computer via a USB or RS232
connection to the 8 button RS232/IR Control Panel (see
section 5 for details on using the Control Panel PC
Software, found on the MuxLab website).
Each label within a button can be easily changed.
Simply select the label you need and change it as
shown below:
①

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3.2. Rear Panel
No.
Name
Description
1
Power
Power connector: 12VDC. Please make sure the “+”
and “-” are connected correctly (using the correct
polarity), in order not to damage the unit.
2
Relay
Low Voltage Relay.
3
Output Port
(Section 1)
RS232 (1)/IR2: RS232 (1) and IR2 share the same
port, the actual use depends on the configuration set
by the Control Panel PC Software. When configured
for RS232, it is a unidirectional transmission,
meaning data may be transmitted, but not received.
IR1: IR1 may be used to control devices, and can be
program via the Control Panel PC Software.
RS485: The RS485 can be programmed to control a
device via the RS485 port. The command set for
RS485 is the same as for RS232 (1).
4
Output Port
(Section 2)
The section includes two groups:
RS232 (2)/IR3: RS232 (2) and IR3 may be used to
control devices, or used for chaining (looping output).
①
④
③
②

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No.
Name
Description
RS232 (2) and IR3 share the same port, the actual
use depends on the configuration set by the Control
Panel PC Software.
RS232 (3): RS232(3) may be used to control
devices, used for chaining (looping output), or to
connect to a computer when programming the 8
button RS232/IR Control Panel.
These two groups share the same ground.
3.3. Side Panel
No.
Name
Description
1
Mini USB
Communicates with the computer and may be used
to update the unit firmware, or used in conjunction
with the Control Panel PC Software to program the
buttons of the device.
Transmit the infrared data when learning IR
(Optional).
2
IR Sensor
Receives and learns IR codes, in order to build an IR
command database.
①
②

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Connections4.
4.1. Safety Precautions
The system should be installed in a clean environment with temperature and humidity
levels within the specified operating range.
All devices should be connected before turning on power.
4.2. System Diagram
The programmable 8 Button RS232/IR Control Panel (also references here-in as
programmable Control Panel) can send commands to different ports at the same time.
Meaning, each button can send RS232 commands, RS485 commands, IR codes and
control the relays with a single push of one button. See the example system diagram
below (Figure 3).
Figure 3 Example System Diagram
4.3. Connections for Programming and Looping
The programmable control panel may be connected to a computer in order to program

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the customized functions of each button. The connection to the computer may be
made via USB or RS232 (see Figure 4), and the Control Panel PC Software running
on the computer provides the programming capability.
Figure 4 Programming Connection
In order to control more devices and support more command buttons, several 8 Button
RS232/IR Control Panel units may be chained (looped) and managed as a grouped
system. The units are looped by two RS232 ports, see Figure 5 below.
Figure 5 Looping several programmable control panels
After chaining several programmable Control Panels as shown above, you must set
the ID of each programmable Control Panel with the Control Panel PC Software. The
ID number can range from 01 to 99, and each device in the grouped system must have

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a unique ID. Once the looped connections are made and the ID is set, we can then set
the control modes with the Control Panel PC Software. For a detailed view of the
looped connections, see Figure 6 below.
Figure 6 Detailed view of looped connects
Note: Up to 99 programmable control panels can be looped within one system.
However, in order to keep the reaction time for command execution to within a
reasonable time delay, loop no more than 10 programmable Control Panels within a
given grouped system.
System Operation5.
5.1. USB Driver Installation
The 8 Button RS232/IR Control Panel can be programmed via a computer and either
the USB port or the RS232 port, and running the Control Panel PC Software.
When connecting the programmable Control Panel to a computer using the USB port,
it may be necessary to install the USB driver first. The USB driver for the
programmable Control Panel may be found on the MuxLab Website. Use the
programmable Control Panel driver file to install the USB driver on your computer.
5.2. Software Programming
You can use this Control Panel PC Software to easily set the function of each button
on the programmable Control Panel. The Control Panel PC Software can run directly
without the need to be installed.
After connecting the programmable Control Panel to the computer using the USB or
RS232, run the Control Panel PC Software to program each button function.
First class
Second class
Last class …

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The main window of Control Panel PC Software has five sections: main menu, panel
(button) setting, event setting, action list and event list. The main window of the
Control Panel PC Software is shown in Figure 7.
Figure 7 Main Window
Each configuration windows will be introduced below.
5.2.1. Main Menu
The main menus include: File (management), System (orientation), Connection (type)
and Help.
1) File management: Allows the user to “Open” an existing configuration file, or “Save”
and “Save As”to a configuration file. Thus after programing the user can save the
configuration to a file, so that it can be re-used anytime. Different configuration files
can be saved under different file names.
2) System (orientation): Sets the screen view of the programmable Control Panel to
the same orientation of the actual installed device, since the programmable Control
Panel may be mounted horizontally or vertically. Set the mode to 500816-H for
horizontal or 500816-V for vertical depending on the installed orientation of the
actual unit. The button screen interface views are changed accordingly as per the
setting selected (see Figure 8).

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Figure 8 System screen view depending on orientation selected
NOTICE: When selecting the device orientation, you will get a pop up dialog “Output
Port Selection”, allowing the user to select different RS232 and IR port combinations,
depend on the uses of the two shared ports (see Figure 9).

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Figure 9 Output port selection
The output port mode set in the Control Panel PC Software, corresponds with the
ports available for use by the programmable Control Panel. And there are four output
types. They are shown on Table 1 (“√” means the port is available):
Output port of
the Panel
Output mode
of 500816
IR1
RS232(1)
IR2
RS232(2)
IR3
RS232(3)
RS485
RS232(1)(2)
√
√
√
√
√
RS232(2),IR2
√
√
√
√
RS232(1),IR3
√
√
√
√
√
IR2,3
√
√
√
√
Table 1 Output types
3) Connection type: There are five connection types (modes), which are described
and listed in Figure 10 below.

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Figure 10 Connection type
The button functions of the programmable control panel will be available only after
the programmed data has been successfully uploaded.
4) Help: Provides assistance on using the Control Panel PC Software.
5.2.2. Panel/Key setting
There are three different key colors in the panel view shown in the Control Panel PC
Software. By adding a key action to the action list, and then adding events to this
action, will make the action execute based on the selected events. We will use the
vertical orientation as an example, to introduce the use of the various buttons.
Figure 11 Key setting –vertical mode view
1. White keys: Keys 1-8, correspond to the buttons on the programmable control
1：Com, connect by serial port.
2：USB, connect by mini USB.
3：Disconnect, disconnect the
connection.
4：
Upload: upload the programmed
data to the programmable
control panel. This will clear all
old data in the programmable
control panel.
5：Clear, clear the data in the
programmable control panel.

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panel. Clicking a key will pop-up a dialog as shown in Figure 12 below.
Figure 12 Pop up dialog for Press Action
Figure 13 shows the screen pop-up when selecting the “Toggle”key action.
Figure 13 Pop up dialog for Toggle Action
The toggle class is the action loop class, and depends on the number of
Key Action Type：
1. Press: Execute events when
pressing button.
2. Release: Execute events when
releasing button.
3. Page: Allows a key to be assigned
up to four actions, but only one
action is enabled at a time. The
enabled action is assigned by
another key.
4. Toggle: Allows a key to be assigned
up to four actions, which are
executed in a loop. The starting
action is assigned by another key.
Each press executes the next action
in the sequence of the loop.

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looped actions. When the class is 2, there are two actions in the toggle, and
so on.
2. Blue Keys: Keys 9-32, are virtual keys, used in the loop function. When using the
loop function, the ID must be set. The ID can be 1 to 99. Pressing “add”will add the
button to the action list.
3. Yellow Keys: Keys 33-36, are virtual keys. Key 33 and 34 are for I/O control, which
is not supported by the programmable Control Panel. Key 36 is a power up (boot
up) action, and if events are added to this action, when the programmable Control
Panel is power on, it will execute the events in this action. Key 35 is a delay button,
and there are three programmable timed delays that can be set (see Figure 14).
Figure 14 Programmable timed delays
The delay time is started from the programmable Control Panel power up (boot up).
When time1 is expired, the programmable control panel will execute the events in
time1. This will repeat for time2, and then time3.
Example: Set time1 to 5 minutes, and time2 to 3 minutes, add event1 to time1 and
event2 to time2. When the unit starts, it will execute event1 after 5 minutes, and then
execute event2 after another 3 minutes.
5.2.3. Action List
The action list shows all the set actions. For an action to be available, it must be added
to the list. An example of the action list is shown in Figure 15, where Key1 was added
as an action of type “Press”. Thus when Key1 is pressed the assigned events will be
executed. Think of an action as a container to hold events, and think of events as
commends. Each action can have multiple events assigned to it. The next section
explains how to assign events to an action.

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Figure 15 Action list
5.2.4. Setting Events
Events may be set for RS232, IR, I/O, Relay, Delay, Compare, LED, Page, Loop and
Toggle. Before setting an event, an action must first be added. In addition the action
must be highlighted (selected), so that the events being created are assigned to it.
Each action can have multiple events assigned. Events in an event list are executed
from top to bottom, but the user can rearrange the order of this list. The following
examples show how to set each event type:
Setting RS232 Events
This section explains how to set the parameters of the programmable Control Panel’s
serial ports. Clicking the “RS232”tab will display the control screen for this event (see
Figure 16):
Figure 16 Setting an RS232 Event
Send
Type
Send
Port
Delete a
selected action.
Refresh: Deletes all actions
without an event.
Delete all actions.

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1) First select the action to be assigned this event. The RS232 data for the event can
be entered directly or selected from a library. Click “Change Lib”to select a library
file and open it. Click “Edit Lib”to open the window in Figure 17 in order to create or
edit a library file.
Figure 17 RS232 Library file
Note: When you completed your editing, remember to save and then press “OK”.
2) There are two ways to send the RS232 data string: “send RS232 once”and send
“more times”. When you select “more times”, you must also select the number of
times to send the data string, and the delay between each time the data is sent,
see Figure 18 below.
Figure 18 RS232 send number of strings & delay setting
Enter the serial command for device control.
Create/delete the function
name of the command
Create/open a library