Custom LED Sign in Linux
Sean Reifschneider
tummy.com, ltd.
The Hardware
BetaBrite LED Sign
by Adaptive Micro Systems
3.8"H x 25.9"W x 0.9"D
Letters: 2" high
RS-232 port
Uses "Alpha" sign protocol
Available for $70 on ebay
Other models with same protocol
Includes longer
and multi-line.
Run by old ThinkPad 560 laptop with CF drive
(Demo is using dual Atom board)
Uses
Mounted above a door
Visible from most of the first floor
Date and NTP-synced clock (auto DST)
Messages from web interface
Caller-ID
Messages via telnet
Added Temperature
Internet Storm Center (color)
How I Did It
Then: No documentation
Used the provided software and serial sniffer
Found the header, footer, and some body combinations
Python, baby