One-line Variable Message Sign Users Manual

Revision 12-21-06

Table of Contents

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Introduction
Thumbwheel Control.......5 Screen Explanation.........6

Chapter 1 - Basic Message Creation

Using one line.......7

Chapter 2- Advanced Message Creation

Changing the font of your message.....9 Changing the character style...10 Moving text around in the draw box....11

Chapter 3 - Commands
The Commands Menu12

Chapter 4 - Draw
Creating a Graphic in the Draw Box..16 Draw Box Overview....16 Saving a Graphic.17 Using the Draw Box for text with graphics18 Animating Graphics.19

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Chapter 5 - Scheduling
Using scheduling.20

Chapter 6 - Set Time & Utility

Set Time.21 Utility...21

Common Issues and Questions...22 Appendix A: Installation Notes..24

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Introduction
Thumbwheel Control The control box has 3 thumbwheel dials. The right most 2 digits represent the pre-programmed messages as listed in the following chart: 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 010 011 012 013 014 015 016 017 018 019 020 021 022 023 024 025 026 027 028 029 {Do not use this position} {Do not use this position} SLOW DOWN ! {This message is triggered by radar} MERGE LEFT MERGE RIGHT CAUTION CONST. ZONE AHEAD ! DETOUR AHEAD ! DO NOT PASS ! DRIVE SAFELY FLAGER AHEAD ! ROAD CLOSED SCHOOL ZONE AHEAD LONG DELAYS AHEAD TRAFFIC DELAYS POLICE AHEAD PREPARE TO STOP CAUTION SHOULDER CLOSED AHEAD ! REDUCE SPEED AHEAD CAUTION ICY ROAD CAUTION ! ROAD NARROWS ! STEEP GRADE AHEAD ! UTILITY CREW AHEAD ! WORKERS AHEAD ! SPEED CHECKED BY RADAR ! RADAR PATROL ! REPAIRS AHEAD ! SPEED LIMIT 15 MPH SPEED LIMIT 20 MPH SPEED LIMIT 25 MPH
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030 031 032 033 034 035

SPEED LIMIT 30 MPH SPEED LIMIT 35 MPH SPEED LIMIT 45 MPH SPEED LIMIT 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT 65 MPH SPEED LIMIT 70 MPH

Message number 36 to 40 are programmable by Decatur Electronics. The left most digit of the thumbwheel is used to select one of 9 user programmable messages (41-49) to be played along with (in series) a pre-programmed message (3-35). Or, the 9 user programmable messages can be played by themselves, as message numbers 41 to 49. The following manual describes how you can program these 9 messages with your own message and or graphic. Message 0 and 1 are not available for use. Message 2 is used to warn a driver that they have exceeded the preset speed limit, as determined by radar. This message interrupts what ever message is currently playing.

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Screen Explanation View Box

This is a What you see is what you get representation of your sign Editing Box
Message Number Message Slots EDIT button SEND button

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Chapter 1- Basic Message Creation

1. Install your software (see Appendix A) 2. Open the Sign Control software using your Start menu in windows. (You will find it under Programs then Sign Control) To begin a new message you will need to be in edit mode. This is done by first selecting a message number using the Message Slider. Message Slider With this software you have messages 41 to 49 available. For this example we will use the message number 41. Once the number 41 is indicated click the button.

3. You can now type on slot #1 of the Editing Box You will notice that as you begin to type in the editing pad your word(s) will appear in the View Box.

Example:

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Once you are satisfied with your word(s) press the Enter button to Lock-in your change to the line and advance to the next slot. Note: When ever making a change to a slot you must press Enter or the slot will revert to its previous entry. 4. Fill in each slot with the text you want on your sign, making sure to hit the Enter button to advance to the next frame in your sequence. 5. Next lets build your message Select the button. The program will take a couple seconds to assemble your message sequence. Once the message build process has completed you will be given the option to either Save your message or Cancel it. If you choose choose then your sequence will be saved, if you you will be sent back to the Editing Box.

6. Lets send the message to your sign. Now that we have saved your message we can send it to the sign using the button. Click the button and the software will beginning sending your message to the sign.

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Chapter 2- Advanced Message Creation

Changing the font of your message
1. Sign Control lets you use any fonts that are currently installed on the computer. There is one important thing to consider when using various fonts on your sign.

Readability
Is the font easy to read? (We recommend using a San Serif font for optimal readability, this text is written in San Serif this text is not.) 2. To begin type in the Editing Box the text that you would like to display. Use the > in front of the text in order to keep it left justified.

Example:

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3. Then click the DRAW button in order to bring up the Draw Box Draw box:

4. Click the Yellow Font button. Clicking this it will bring up the Windows Font Panel.

Here you can select the font you would like, as well as the character style (Bold, Italic, Bold Italic, and Regular) size. Were going to use Courier New for this demonstration. 5. After you have made your selection click OK and your attributes will be assigned to the text in the draw box.

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6. You will notice that the alignment of your text has changed. We will need to adjust this before sending the message to the sign.

Moving text around in the draw box

First we must raise the text so that you can see the whole word. We can do this by clicking the orange ^ button on the top right hand side of the Draw Box. Click this arrow until the text has reached the vertical (up and down) center.

In order to move the text horizontally (left to right), click back into the Edit Pad in between the > and the text. Using the Space Bar you can move the text in the Draw Box until its horizontally aligned
After Your text is properly aligned refer to page 17 Saving a Graphic for further instruction

Add spaces here

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Chapter 3 Commands:
CHARACTER BOLD
Turns Bold characters on or off. Placed at the beginning of a message will make all text bold in that message #. After inserting the /Bold=on command, click on the slot with /Bold=on and hit the Enter key. This reads the command so that the Viewbox will show bold text as you enter it.

TIME/TEMP
NOTE: These commands are not available on your sign and could cause the sign to not work properly if used.

SCROLLING
/<020 [TYPE SCROLL TEXT HERE ]: Horizontal scroll, insert the text you would like between the [ and the ]. It is important to leave the spaces to the right of your text so that the message goes off the left side of the display. Use only CAPITAL letters. /^[020] LINES BELOW WILL SCROLL UP: Vertical scroll (rolls from bottom to top), insert the text in the next Slots. Text in the following slots will scroll up until another command is used. The 020 at the beginning of the Scroll commands control the speed of the Scroll movement. 020 is the default speed and should work for most cases. Changing this number to 100 would make the Scroll move e - x - t - r - e - m - e - l - y slow!

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FLASH
/Flash1: This is the basic flash command, it pulses the text on and off 3 times. /Flash2: Faster than /Flash1 /Rflash: This is the reverse flash command; it switches the background color (black) with the foreground color (red, amber, etc) back and forth 3 times.

BORDER
/Border1: Puts racing dot border around text of slot above. /Border2: Puts racing dash border around text of slot above.

DISPLAY STYLES
Also called Wipes - A wipe is a transition from one message slot to the next. The Sign Control program will automatically pick a wipe for you if you do not specify which wipe you would like to use. Wipe commands must be inserted between 2 slots of text in the Editing Box.

/Wipes=Auto Style: This command can be used to change the default wipes that are used in the current message. For example: if the current default wipe sequence is ABCDEFG and you put in the command /Wipes=AB, then only wipes A & B would be used automatically in that message from that point.
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NOTE: Wipes can not be used with scrolling, graphics, or Time and Temp commands.

GRAPHICS
/Graphic xx: This command will display the graphic image stored in the Graphic xx box. Where xx can be 01 to 18, and are created in the Draw Box. /Animate [100]=: This command plays the graphics stored in the numbered graphic frames in rapid succession as one would play a movie of still frames. For example: /Animate[100]= 01 02 03 03 02 01 would play stored frames 1-3 and then 3-1 in rapid succession, emulating movement.

CONTROL
/Repeat: Do not use this command with your sign. The thumbwheel will determine what message plays. /Speed=: This command controls the speed at which the message scrolls across the sign face and how fast the Wipes move. The = must be followed by a number 1-10. 10= slow 1 = fast (EX: /speed=3) This command affects all slots after it. /Pause=: This command controls the amount of time in seconds each slot of your message is on the sign face. This command needs to be followed after the = with a number 1-250. This command affects all slots after it. /Hold Sec=: This command is another way of controlling how much time each line of your message is on the sign face. However; this command only affects the slot directly above it. The = must be followed by a number 01-250. (EX: /hold=06 will hold the slot for 6 seconds) /Hold Min=: This command is just like the /Hold Sec= except in minutes.

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/GoTo=: This command should not be used with your sign. /Message=: This command should not be used with your sign. /Return: This command should not be used with your sign. /Loop=: This command should not be used with your sign. /Restart: This command should not be used with your sign.

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Chapter 4 - Graphics
Using the draw box for pictures
By clicking on the Draw button you will bring up the softwares Draw Box. In this box you have the ability to create simple drawings, incorporate text with graphics and build the frames for simple animations.

Draw Box Overview

Color Select -Since most signs are monochrome, many users wont have to worry too much about these buttons. However, if you have a 8-Color Sign use these color selection boxes to choose the color you are painting with. Graphic Trays If you have drawn a graphic that you would like to save for later use right click one of these 18 buttons to save the graphic frame. The button should turn from orange to yellow once you have saved a graphic in that slot. Clear Button Clicking this button will clear the face of the draw box, so you can begin again. This feature will not clear your graphic trays.
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Clip Boards By clicking on the light blue #1 button, you will save the current image to Clipboard #1, you can then click the orange #1 button to paste the graphic into the slot, or click the pink #1 button to overlay the graphic on top of what you have already. The same applies for Clipboards #2 and #3.

Creating a graphic in the Draw Box

1. Use your left mouse button to fill in dots, use your right mouse button to erase dots.

Saving a Graphic
1. To save a graphic to a tray slot youll need to right click on one of the orange buttons labeled 1-18 ( 1 2 3 4 5 6 18). The button will turn yellow ( 1 2 3 4 5 6 18) to indicate a saved graphic. You can overwrite these buttons by right clicking on them a second time in case you wanted to change something. Be careful not to erase something you wanted to keep, remember the buttons that already have graphics saved are yellow. 2. To use these graphics in your message, go to the commands then graphics then select the graphic you would like to use. In the Editing Box (i.e. youll see /Graphic1 if you selected to insert graphic 1.) Hit the Enter key to save the graphic in the assigned spot and move onto the next slot of the message. 3. Once you have hit Enter after inserting the graphic you must click Build and then click . When you watch the preview of your message in the View Box you should see your graphic included in the sequence. Each message can hold up to 18 graphics.

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Using the Draw Box for text with graphics

1. Use the Editing Pad to type in the text you would like to combine with a graphic. For example

When combining text with graphics you want to keep your words to a minimum for two reasons. 1) Space - with a graphic on one side of your message there is less room for text. 2) Readability - viewers will be looking at your graphic as well as reading the text on the sign, you want to get your point across fast and effectively. 2. Once you are satisfied with the text you have chosen to use, left click inside the Draw Box. If you do not have the Draw Box open yet, click Draw first then left click inside the Draw Box. NOTE: Use the space bar to align the text. Putting spaces before or after a word will move it right or left. You will want to leave space to draw as pictured below.

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3. Draw the graphic you would like next to the text you have aligned, and save the graphic by right clicking one of the orange graphic buttons. (Graphic 1 for example) In the Editing Box youll see /Graphic01 in the selected message slot. Hit the Enter key to save the graphic in the assigned spot and move onto the next line of the message.

Animating Graphics
1. Using the sign control software you can put together basic animations. These animations can use up to 18 frames. 2. First youll want to create a sequence of drawings that if played in order have some type of chronological movement. 3.Once you have created and saved the drawings using the draw box, you can use the /Animate= command to play these frames in order. For example if you wanted to play frames 0109 in order, the command you would type would look like this:

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Chapter 5 - Scheduling
Do not use the Scheduling Feature with your sign. The thumbwheel over-rides any other choice of program. Using the schedule could cause programming problems.

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Chapter 6 Set Time & Utility

Set Time Verify that Windows has the correct time and date (the software uses Windows time to update the Sign). Choose Daylight Saving Time if you change your clocks in the Spring and Fall. Choose Standard Time if you do not change your clocks in the Spring and Fall. This function updates the Signs internal clock with current time, date, and year and affects when the sign dims for night mode. Utility Reset Controller can be used to restart the sign if the sign has gone blank or is playing messages incorrectly. Utility Adjust Temperature The temperature command is not available on your sign.

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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Im entering text into one of my messages, why do I keep losing what I typed when I click the button? A: Most likely you are not hitting the [Enter] key after you input your text. You must hit [Enter] after every line you type into your message, prior to clicking . Q: When I try to start the software a window pops up and says Runtime Error: 380 When I choose OK the software closes. A: The software is looking for the fonts it needs to generate messages. Load or re-load the fonts as described in Appendix A. Q: Why is the message? button ghosted when I try to save my

A: Check the Frames Required versus the Frames Available values in the save window. If the required value is higher than the available number, you must shorten your message in some fashion, or save to a different message number with more frames available. Q: Why does it take so long for my message to send? A: There are several variables when it comes to transmission speed. The most important variable is the content of your message. The physical amount of lines you send has an impact, as does the type of text you are using. Your computers processor speed is the last factor. Any computer above 700 MHz will send at the optimum speed. Computers slower than 700 MHz will take longer to transmit the same message.

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Q: I sent my message to the sign and it plays, but Im seeing patches light up that are not supposed to be there. Whats wrong with my sign? A: First off there is nothing wrong with the sign itself. What youre seeing is what we call a partial transmission. This means the communication between the sign and the computer is not 100 % stable. This can be the result of bad RF unit placement, radio / electrical interference, or an improper speed setting in the program itself. If you have this issue please call our support line for help in correcting the problem. Q: Im trying to send a message to the sign. The screen says its sending, but the signs message does not change. The signs face does not go dark while transmitting. A: Check the port connection on your computer. Make sure it is tight and does not shift in place. Also, if you have more than one serial port you may need to switch to the other input. The stock software setting is for COM -1, usually the back of the computer will label the ports with numbers or letters. (A= port 1, B = port 2) If you use a palm computer on your desktop unit, you must disable the software before using the sign software. Palm software often prevents our software from reaching the desired port. Q: How do I change the font and size of the text? A: Refer to Chapter 2. The program selects from a series of stock fonts when operating in the normal editing mode. If any other font or style is desired it must be treated as a Graphic in the Draw Box.

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Appendix A SOFTWARE INSTALLATION NOTES: Place the Sign Control CD into your CD drive. The CD will auto load the following screen for you.

Click Install. A series of files will be copied to your computer. At the end of this process you will get the following setup screen.

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Follow the on screen instructions to complete the setup process. We recommend that you install into the standard installation folder. Be sure to install the fonts as described in the next aparagraph. When the setup is complete, go to your Windows Control Panel. If you are using Windows XP, switch to Classic Mode and double click on the Font icon.

Then go to File, and Install New Font.

A window will appear; in the bottom left window you must open the following folder: C:\program files\sign control\fonts. This will display a handful of fonts in the top window; click the Select All button. Then click the OK button.
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Do not worry if it tells you 1 or 2 of the fonts already exist, that is normal. Just choose OK to continue. Once these steps have been completed you will no longer need the software CD. Please put it back in the package and keep in a safe place. Lost software can be replaced for a minimal fee, E-Mail our support staff if you need a replacement/additional CD or instruction manual. You may now access the program though the Windows Start Menu under Programs. If you are still having problems loading the software: 1. Check to make sure your computer has an open serial port and that the port is setup as COM-1 in the Device Manager in Windows. 2. If you have any Palm or Windows CE software installed for using a hand held computer it must be disabled or uninstalled before our software will operate. (Often shows as hot link in the Windows Task Manager)

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If the software loads but your screen is not sized correctly, the colors look wrong, or your text looks shaded or fuzzy in the View box: Change your screen resolution to at least 1024x768 dpi Change your color depth to at least 16 bit color Go to the Appearance section under your display settings in Windows, then go to Advanced or Effects. You must then turn OFF any Font Shading that is in use by your version of Windows.

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