Related Manuals for Adaptive ALPHA 200 Series
Summary of Contents for Adaptive ALPHA 200 Series
- Page 1 ALPHA ™ Remote Control Programming Manual ALPHA 200, 300, 400, 4000, and 7000 series signs. ® Also for Big Dot , and Solar signs. © 1998-2000 Adaptive Micro Systems Form No. 9704-0002B 1/25/01...
- Page 2 Copyright © 1998-2001 Adaptive Micro Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The distinctive appearance of this product is a trade dress of Adaptive Micro Systems, Inc. The following are trademarks of Adaptive Micro Systems: Adaptive, Alpha,...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Contents General information ..............1 Remote Control description................1 Using the Remote Control with a sign .............2 Basic sign operation..............3 Turning a sign on and off.................3 Setting a sign’s time and date................4 Clearing a sign’s memory ................5 Setting a sign’s password................6 What to do when you forget a sign’s password........7 How to delete a sign’s password ..............7 Sound control....................8... - Page 4 Warranty Adaptive Micro Systems, Inc. warrants to the original purchaser that the sign, keyboard and power supply will be free of defects in workmanship and materials for a period of one year from the date of purchase. Adaptive Micro Systems, Inc. will without charge, repair or replace, at its...
- Page 5 Any damage to the product during shipment is the responsibility of the freight company or the owner of the sign. Step 4: Ship the package, postage/shipping prepaid to: Adaptive Micro Systems, Inc. Attn: RMA No. __________ 7840 North 86th Street Milwaukee, WI 53224 PLEASE WRITE THE RMA NUMBER ON THE LABEL OF THE SHIPPING BOX.
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Page 7: General Information
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual General information A Remote Control can be used to turn a sign off and on or to clear its internal memory. Also, a Remote Control can set a sign’s time and date and its serial address. However, a Remote Control’s most important—and most used—... -
Page 8: Using The Remote Control With A Sign
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Using the Remote Control with a sign To program a sign with a Remote Control: • Stand at least 5 feet and no more than 30 feet from the sign. • Make sure nothing reflective is in front of the sign. (Light from the sign’s display that is reflected back can interfere with the Remote Control.) •... -
Page 9: Basic Sign Operation
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Basic sign operation Turning a sign on and off When you plug in the sign’s power supply, the sign starts up automatically, and unplugging the power supply turns the sign off. However, instead of unplugging a sign, there is another way to turn a sign off: Using the Remote Control, hold down SHIFT and then press PROGRAM to turn a sign off and on. -
Page 10: Setting A Sign's Time And Date
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Setting a sign’s time and date Once set, a sign will remember the time and date unless the sign is unplugged or interrupted by a power loss. However, models equipped with battery-backed clocks will continue to keep accurate time. Step When you do this... -
Page 11: Clearing A Sign's Memory
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Clearing a sign’s memory NOTE: Clearing a sign’s memory erases all messages, graphics, and the password that have been programmed into the sign. Step When you do this... You see this... PROGRAM Press PROGRAM. TEXT FILE A CLEAR Press BACK until CLEAR MEMORY appears. -
Page 12: Setting A Sign's Password
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Setting a sign’s password Some signs allow you to set a personal password to protect your messages and graphics from tampering by others. NOTE: DON’T FORGET YOUR PASSWORD! If you do, you won’t be able to operate the sign. However, if you do forget the password, see “What to do when you forget a sign’s password”... -
Page 13: What To Do When You Forget A Sign's Password
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Press RUN twice. PASSWORD RUN? Y/N Press Y to password protect the sign. SECURE THEN NOTE: If you select N, then a password will The sign will return to normal operation. not be needed when you press PROGRAM. -
Page 14: Sound Control
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Sound control Remote Control sounds On some signs, whenever you press a Remote Control key, the sign will beep. To turn this feature off (or on again), hold down SHIFT and press RUN. NOTE: On some signs, you will first have to press PROGRAM, then hold down SHIFT and press RUN. -
Page 15: Setting A Sign's Serial Address
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Setting a sign’s serial address The serial address is a number that you can assign to a sign. Typically, this feature would be used for a sign that is connected to other signs on a network. Giving a unique serial address to a sign allows you to send messages to that particular sign. -
Page 16: Transferring A Sign's Memory From One Sign To Another
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Transferring a sign’s memory from one sign to another You can transfer the messages from the memory of one sign to the memory of any another signs by completing the following steps. NOTE: To complete the transfer of memory from one sign to other signs, all signs must be connected together and all must be set to with the RS485 jumper. -
Page 17: Beginning Text Messaging
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Beginning text messaging This section shows you how to start creating messages on your sign. Though a 2-line sign is used in all the examples, the differences between using a 2-line sign and using a 1-line or other type of sign are minor. - Page 18 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual [AUT] Type THIS IS YOUR FIRST MESSAGE [AUT], which stands for Automode, will Your message Note: If you make a appear as you type your first character. should look like this mistake while Automode automatically displays your when you’re done typing, press message in different formats.
- Page 19 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Press CURSOR until the sign’s cursor is on the bottom line. The cursor should end up here. Type T Press CAPS to switch to B]s is your second message lowercase letters. Your message should look like this Type his is your second when you’re done typing.
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Page 20: Example 2 - Displaying Messages In File Name Order (A, B, C, Etc.)
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Example 2 — Displaying messages in file name order (A, B, C, etc.) Once you’ve programmed messages into the sign, you may want to set the order or sequence in which messages appear. This method will display messages by their file name (A, B, C, etc.) in the order you set (C, B, A, for example.) If you do not set the sequence, the messages will appear in alphabetical order. - Page 21 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual PROGRAM Press PROGRAM. TEXT FILE A Press RUN. If RUN appears on the sign, go to the next step. Press SELECT until RUN appears. Press B, then A. The order of these letters determines the order in which messages will appear on a sign.
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Page 22: Example 3 - Displaying Messages In Time Order
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Example 3 — Displaying messages in time order In Example 2, you set the order of messages by file name. However, that method could not specify an exact time when a message would appear. In this example, we’ll show you how to make a message appear and disappear at times you specify. - Page 23 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual TEXT A ON Hold down SHIFT and ALWAYS press 9 for TIME. First, we’ll select the ON time or when the message starts. TEXT A ON MO-FR 0:00 Press D (for day) until MO-FR appears. Press D to set the day, H for hour, and M for minute (in 10-minute increments).
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Page 24: Example 4 - Changing The Text Of An Existing Message
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Example 4 — Changing the text of an existing message After typing in a message, you may want to add or remove text from it. The following is an example of this common situation: Step When you do this... - Page 25 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Press INSERT to turn [AUT]This is the text insertion off. Press ADV until the first [AUT]This is the sec few letters of second appear. the has replaced your Press APPEND to go to the end of the message. B] s is the second message DON’T OMIT THIS STEP.
- Page 26 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Press SPACE and then IRST MESSAGE, BUT NOW IT type BUT NOW IT. To type an apostrophe, IRST MESSAGE, BUT NOW IT’ hold down SHIFT and press V. AGE, BUT NOW IT’S LONGER Type S LONGER. THIS IS YOUR FIRST MESSAGE, BUT NOW IT’S THEN...
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Page 27: Example 5 - Deleting Messages
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Example 5 — Deleting messages To delete all the messages in a sign, see “Clearing a sign’s memory” on page 5. However, if you only want to delete selected messages, then use the method shown in this example. Step When you do this... -
Page 28: Advanced Text Messaging
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Advanced text messaging Before attempting the following, make sure you’re familiar with the previous examples in the “Beginning text messaging” section of this manual. Example 6 — Displaying the time and date NOTE: Your sign must have a battery-backed clock option installed to keep accurate time. - Page 29 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual [RL ↓] Press SELECT to Press SELECT to change the Roll direction: change the Roll [RL↑] = Roll up a message direction to ↓ [RL↓] = Roll down a message [RL ←] = Roll a message to the left [RL →] = Roll a message to the right [RL ><] = Roll a message in from both sides of the sign [RL <>] = Roll a message out from the middle of the sign...
- Page 30 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual ime at Rosco Advertising Press WIDTH to make [RL →][WID] wide characters for the time. This will display the time in wide letters. ime at Rosco Advertising Hold down SHIFT and A]][WID] 11:35 press 9 for TIME. This inserts the current time.
- Page 31 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual The current time at The current time at will roll down into line 1 THEN Rosco Advertising Rosco Advertising will roll down into line 1 Press RUN twice to see THEN the message. The current time (in wide letters) Rosco Advertising will roll into line 2...
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Page 32: Example 7 - Creating A News Program On A Sign
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Example 7 — Creating a news program on a sign Your sign can serve as an electronic bulletin board providing company news on a more timely basis than a traditional printed newsletter. Step When you do this... You see this... - Page 33 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Next, we’ll create sales news in message file B: PROGRAM Press PROGRAM. TEXT FILE A PROGRAM Press SELECT. TEXT FILE ? Press B. Press CURSOR to set the cursor on the top line. Press SPECIAL. SPECIAL [SPC]2 Press 2.
- Page 34 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Using CAPS and SHIFT when needed, type [SPC]2SALES NEWS Record July sales -- B] .5 million this month. Widget orders reached 2.5 million this month. Hold down SHIFT and [SPC]2SALES NEWS then press 6 for B] llion this month.[ROT] ROTATE.
- Page 35 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual [SPC]5 Press 5. [SPC]5 = Slide across mode [SPC]5BIRTHDAYS Type BIRTHDAYS [SPC]5BIRTHDAYS Press CURSOR. The cursor should now be on line 2. Hold down SHIFT and [SPC]5BIRTHDAYS then press 1 for ROLL. [RL ↑] Using CAPS and SHIFT [SPC]5BIRTHDAYS when needed, type the [RL ↑]Tom Jones...
- Page 36 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Finally, we’ll create the news program by making the message files display one after the other. We’ll start the news program with the fireworks (message file A), display people’s birthdays (message file C), and then the sales news (message file B). PROGRAM Press PROGRAM.
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Page 37: Example 8 - Using Fonts
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Example 8 — Using fonts Fonts are the way characters are displayed on a sign. In the world of printing and publishing, fonts are given names like Times or Helvetica and qualities like serif or sans serif, font size (like 12 point or 14 point), bold or italic, etc.: This is Times —... - Page 38 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Press CURSOR to set Move the cursor the cursor on the top here. line. Hold down SHIFT and [HLD] press 5 for HOLD. [HLD][SF7] Press FONT. This is SF7 [HLD][SF7] Using CAPS and SHIFT when needed, type This As you type, the font you selected is SF7 will appear as it will actually be...
- Page 39 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Using CAPS and SHIFT when needed, type [SLM]Normal SF7 Normal SF7 Press RUN twice to see what you’ve typed. Now we’ll demonstrate the two sans serif fonts—[SS5] and [SS7]: PROGRAM Press PROGRAM. TEXT FILE A Press ADV.
- Page 40 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Using CAPS and SHIFT when needed, type This [HLD][SS7]This is SS7 is SS7 Press RUN twice to see what you’ve typed. Using the largest fonts Once in a while you may want to use very large fonts in order to create a message that fills all the lines of a sign.
- Page 41 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual THIS IS BIG! Type THIS IS BIG! Press RUN twice to THIS IS BIG! display the message. Advanced text messaging...
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Page 42: Example 9 - Using Colors
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Example 9 — Using colors If your sign has multiple colors available, then you can use different colors in your message. NOTE: A sign with a “C” in its name, like 4120C, has color capabilities. Step When you do this... -
Page 43: Example 10 - Speeding Up And Slowing Down Messages
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Example 10 — Speeding up and slowing down messages Signs have the option of speeding up or slowing down how fast messages move. Once you pick a mode, like Rotate, a speed can be selected by selecting SPEED on the Remote Control. Then press SELECT to change the speed: [SP1] [SP2]... - Page 44 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Select SCROLL again. [SCR] Select SPEED again. [SCR][SP5] Press SELECT until [NHL] appears. [SCR][NHL] (No Hold = very fast.) Type SCROLL = NO HOLD [NHL]SCROLL = NO HOLD Press RUN twice to see your message. The first part of the message should scroll up slowly, and the second part of the message should scroll up without pausing at all.
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Page 45: Example 11 - Special Effects With Modes (Trailing Modes)
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Example 11 — Special effects with modes (Trailing modes) Modes, like Rotate and Roll, are used to create special effects with messages. Typically modes are used once at the beginning of a message. However, a mode can also be placed at the end of a message (called a “trailing mode”) to create a special effect. -
Page 46: Example 12 - International Characters
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Example 12 — International characters International characters—like ü and é—can be included in messages. NOTE: International characters can not be used with the small [SS5] font. The following table summarizes all the international characters that can be used: Type a Base Character, like A. - Page 47 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Using CAPS and SHIFT when needed, type [AVT]Submit your re Submit your re Press SELECT until é [AVT]Submit your ré appears. Type sume [AVT]Submit your résume Press SELECT until é [AVT]Submit your résumé appears. Press RUN twice to see your message. Advanced text messaging...
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Page 48: Graphics
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Graphics In addition to pre-programmed or “canned” graphics (see “Animations available on signs” on page 57), you can create your own custom graphics using DOTS files. You can display a DOTS graphic that you create either by itself or with text. - Page 49 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual PROGRAM DOTS FILE A Press BACK. The name of your first DOTS graphics is A. (The second one will be named B and the third one C.) The blinking DOTS cursor keeps track of where you’re drawing. Press ADV.
- Page 50 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Hold down SHIFT and press L to draw a line across the entire bottom of the display. SHIFT + L Complete DOTS graphic SHIFT + J A by using E, J, and Q. SHIFT SHIFT NOTE: Remember: hold down SHIFT with...
- Page 51 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual NOTE: In order to display a DOTS graphic, it must be placed in a text message. In the following steps, we’ll create a text message and add the three DOTS graphics just created. Return to the PROGRAM TEXT FILE PROGRAM TEXT FILE A...
- Page 52 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Insert the second DOTS graphic by holding [DOT] down SHIFT and pressing 0 again. Press SELECT. Then press SELECT [SP5][DOT] [DOT] until the letter B appears. Insert the final DOTS graphic by holding [DOT] down SHIFT and pressing 0 again.
- Page 53 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Press FONT until [SS7] [SS7] [SS5]OVIE[SS7] appears. Type the letter N [SS7] [SS5]OVIE[SS7] Press FONT until [SS5] [SS5]OVIE[SS7] [SS5] appears. Type ews [SS5]OVIE[SS7] [SS5]EWS Press RUN twice to watch the marquee you created. Graphics...
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Page 54: Example 14 - Using Multi-Line Graphics
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Example 14 — Using multi-line graphics The graphics you create will normally use all the lines of a display. For example, a graphic created in a 2-line sign will typically use 2 lines, a graphic created in a 3-line sign will typically use 3 lines, etc. Multi-line graphics are easy to create and use. - Page 55 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Press X to move a vertical line across the W moves this line left X moves this line right sign. This reduces the (increases drawing (reduces drawing size of the drawing area. area) area) Keep pressing X until there are 8 dots between the vertical line and the end of the sign.
- Page 56 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual [DOT]A [ROT] Hold down SHIFT and press 0 to insert your DOTS graphic. The A is the file name of your DOTS graphic. Using CAPS and SHIFT when necessary, type Graphics! [DOT]A [ROT] Graphics! (Place a space before and after Graphics!) Hold down SHIFT and [DOT]...
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Page 57: Example 15 - Deleting A Graphic
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Example 15 — Deleting a graphic If you want to delete an entire DOTS graphic file, use this example as a guide: Step When you do this... You see this... This is a continuation of the previous example. It assumes that the following is a graphic in DOTS file A: This is the DOTS graphic used in “Example 14 —... -
Page 58: Example 16 - Using 1-Line Graphics
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Example 16 — Using 1-line graphics Graphics normally use the entire height or lines in a display. Unless you’re using a 1-line sign like an ALPHA 215, using a 1-line graphic with text is a little tricky. However, in a multi-line sign like an ALPHA 4120, you can use 1-line graphics by “fooling”... - Page 59 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Press X to move a vertical line across the W moves this line left X moves this line right sign. This reduces the (increases drawing (reduces drawing size of the drawing area. area) area) Keep pressing X until there are 5 dots between the vertical line and the end of the sign.
- Page 60 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Hold down SHIFT and [ROT] press 6 for ROTATE. [ROT][DOT]A Hold down SHIFT and press 0 to insert your DOTS graphic. The A is the file name of your DOTS graphic. Using CAPS and SHIFT when necessary, type Graphics! [ROT][DOT]A...
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Page 61: Appendixes
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Appendixes Appendix A — Modes, fonts, colors, and graphics on signs Modes determine the way text and graphics move on a sign. For example, the Rotate mode moves a message across a sign from right to left. - Page 62 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Fonts and colors available on signs Available Signs Available Fonts Colors for Sign [SS7] = 7 row sans serif [SF7] = 7 row serif 200 Series [SS5] = 5 row sans serif [WID] = Wide (bold) fonts [SS5] = 5 slim [SS7] = 7 slim [SRF] = 7 fancy slim...
- Page 63 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual [SS24] = 24 row sans serif [SF24] = 24 row serif [SS15/16] = 15 row sans serif [SF15/16] = 15 row serif [SS7] = 7 row sans serif Solar Series [SF7] = 7 row serif [SS5] = 5 row sans serif [WID] = Wide (bold) fonts [32H] = 7 high slim...
- Page 64 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual How to create a graphic Press PROGRAM and then BACK: PROGRAM DOTS FILE A REMOTE CONTROL SOUND ON - OFF Next, press ADV. The DOTS cursor will be in the upper PROGRAM left hand corner of the sign. Use the direction keys (D, E, F, etc.) to move the DOTS APPEND CURSOR SPECIAL FONT WIDTH...
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Page 65: Appendix B - Understanding The Cursor And Line Positions
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Appendix B — Understanding the cursor and line positions This appendix applies to multi-line and not single line signs. The cursor is where text or graphics will appear on a sign and is represented by a colon (:) on the sign. Press the CURSOR key to change the cursor position. -
Page 66: Appendix C - Sign Diagnostic Test
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Appendix C — Sign diagnostic test Your sign can do a self test to determine if all the LEDs (or incandescent lights) are working properly. For all signs . . . Step When you do this... You see this... -
Page 67: Quick Reference Card
ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Quick Reference Card Message control keys SOUND ON - OFF PROGRAM COLOR APPEND CURSOR SPECIAL FONT WIDTH To turn the sign on or off, hold down SHIFT and then press PROGRAM. To enter messages, set the date and time, clear memory, etc., press PROGRAM and then: PROGRAM TEXT FILE A... - Page 68 ALPHA Remote Control Programming Manual Display modes and special keys ROLL WIPE SCROLL FLASH HOLD ROTATE AUTO SPEED TIME SELECT Hold down SHIFT and press 1 to use the Roll mode in a message. ROLL Use SELECT to change the direction of the roll. Hold down SHIFT and press 2 to use the Wipe mode in a message.