Serial (or TTL) Port CONTROL WITH BrightAuthor

How to setup the Serial/TTL Port (initial state)

Note1: Port 0 is the TTL port, Port2 is the USB-Serial port (HMS uses a USB to Serial Port interface chip for USB connection).

TTL Serial Port:  Boards with 'Auto-Pol' sticker: no longer require the use of 'Invert Signals' in BrightAuthor!  This makes the boards compatible with all BrightSigns with TTL serial port.  The boards have been re-programmed or updated with new processor to configure itself to the polarity of the serial connection.

1. Select 'File'' (Main panel)

    2. Select 'Presentation Properties'

        3.Select 'Interactive'

Set the settings for the Port as shown (or as specified on the specification sheet):

Note: Some HMS Boards run at 19,200 baud, some run at 38,400 baud.  Refer to the specification sheet for the correct settings for a specific board.

How to Send data during 'Play':

During 'play' if you want to send bytes (like when a video or slide plays), then select the image or the event (like timer), right click and select 'Edit'.  
Select 'Add Command' and add the command 'Serial Send-Bytes, comma separated'. Set the bytes that you want to send to the HMS board.

Note: On the main BrightAuthor 'pain', with 'Interactive' previously selected you will see the 'event' 'Serial Input'.  Use this event to respond to a byte from the HMS board.  Do not try to set the port values there (baud and so on), as the parameters that you set won't be applied.  Be sure to use the command 'Serial-Send Bytes, (Comma Separated)'

Note: The term 'On' means 'Logic 1' or 'High', and the term 'Off' means 'Logic 0' (zero) or 'Low'.  

updated: 03/02/2024