4 software, 1 uproject – Matrix Orbital LK162-12 User Manual

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4 Software

The multiple communication protocols available and simple command structure of the LK162-12/VK162-
12 means that a variety of applications can be used to communicate with the display. Text is sent to the
display as a character string, for example, sending the decimal value 41 will result in an 'A' appearing on
the screen. A number of control characters are also activated. Commands are merely values prefixed
with a special command byte, 254 in decimal.

Table 2: Reserved Control Characters

Control Characters

Backspace

Line feed / New line

Clear screen / New page

Carriage return

Once the correct communication port is identified, the following communication settings can be applied
to communicate correctly with the LK162-12/VK162-12.

Table 3: Communication Settings

BPS

Data Bits Parity Stop Bits Flow Control

19200

None

Finally, with a communication port identified and correctly setup simple text strings or even command
bytes can easily be transmitted to control your display.

4.1 uProject

The Matrix Orbital alphanumeric display tuner, or uProject, is offered as a free download from the
www.matrixorbital.ca support site. It allows the basic functionality of

any display to be tested using a

simple graphical user interface system.

While basic functionality can be tested using the GUI portion of the program, more advanced users will
enjoy the scripting capability found in the uploader tab. Here commands can be stacked, run, and saved
for later use. Although many commands are available to be dragged into the script dialog, perhaps the
most powerful is the raw data command found in the other branch.

This command allows raw bytes to be sent to the display, permitting many different formats for entry
and displaying in decimal notation. Any command from this manual may be entered in decimal notation
separated by slashes.

254

/ /

Figure 8: uProject Command

*Note:

The uProject AutoDetect function will not perform correctly when a USB display is connected. Please

manually configure any USB display.

This manual is related to the following products:

VK162-12