Program for controlling an ARTI Under Monitor Display (UMD)

Description

ARTIUMD, a Utility to Control ARTI
TM (See disclaimer)
Under Monitor Displays
Description
If you acquired an ARTI (Advanced Remote Technology Incorporated) Under Monitor Display (UMD), you've discovered that the company's apparently gone. So there's no info available on the internet to explain how to use it.
Over time this situation grew unbearable for me. I ended up going a little overboard and invested a couple weeks of time to disassemble the firmware to figure it out. Then wrote this ArtiUmd program to make the display useful.
NOTES
This is not an actual Tally controller system. It is only a utility to control the display.
The ARTI display and hardware shown in the pictures are NOT included. They are shown only for illustration purposes. This listing is for the Arti Umd utility control software only. No hardware.
Features
With this utility you can:
Set a message using all 16 characters.
Set a message using the first 8 characters.
Set a message using the last 8 characters.
Activate or deactivate the HH:mm:ss time of day, elapsed time, or countdown display; either centered or right justified.
Set the time or countdown to your PC's time, the PC time with a offset, or to your own setting.
Once set, the display will run the selected time display stand-alone. My display gains about 15 seconds a day when in any clock mode, so you will need to update the time once in a while to keep it reasonably accurate.
Individually control the two bi-color Tally Asterisks in green, red, orange, or none.
Notes:
Only the 1st (Tally 1) and 9th (Tally 2) characters are bicolor. All text is green only.
When used as Tally indicators they can only show Asterisks.
The 9th character Tally 2 asterisk is a little quirky when overlaid upon messages.
Control the display intensity, 0-63 dim to bright.
Activate the extended self test.
Send messages to sign via command prompt batch (.bat) files.
Get a year of email support and any updates.
Note: An update or two over the year is likely, but none are promised.
Get a copy of the Visual BASIC 2013 source code.
Requirements
An interface connector is required (not included).
Use Weidmuller pn 1798720000, Digi-Key pn 281-1969-ND. This connector has 5 screw lug terminals and plugs into the receptacle on the display.
The UMD requires a power supply (not included).
Internal power voltage is 5v, so probably need 7 or 8 Volt DC minimum. Uncertain maximum voltage. When I purchased my display at Apex, they were running it with 12 Vdc. At 12 Vdc the voltage regulator runs cool, so in the absence of other info I recommend using a 12 Vdc supply. Another advantage of using a 12 Vdc supply is that theoretically 12 Vdc is within the RS-485 voltage limits so it can not burn out an RS-485 interface, in case of potentially catastrophic miswiring or short circuit.
Power Wiring: Facing the display, with the interface connector on the right, the top interface contact is +V supply in, and the 2nd down contact from the top is the V- power return. 2nd to last picture shows the display wiring block. The middle contact of the 5 total contacts is unused.
A USB to RS-485 adapter (not included) is required to connect the UMD to your PC
Find USB to RS-485 adapters here on ebay. RS-485 is pretty generic so any RS-485 adapter should work. However if you get one with a screw terminal wiring block that makes connecting the A to A and B to B wiring easier. The last picture shows the one I used one from Baite / betemcu. Note - the RS-485 adapter is NOT included, you need to get your own. Connect the RS-485 adapter data A/B lines to the display with twisted pair of wire. CH340T adapters also work.
Data Wiring: Facing the display, with the interface connector on the right, the bottom interface contact is data B (-), and 2nd up from bottom is data A (+). 2nd to last picture shows display side wiring block. Again, middle contact of the five total on the connector block is unused. Pic shows simple wire which is fine for short runs. For long or short runs, 3 pin theatrical lighting DMX cables (not shown) (not included) are designed for RS-485 and are an economical means to connect RS-485 adapters to the ARTI compared to buying short lengths of impedance controlled wire. Just get a male-female DMX cable and cut it in the middle somewhere, strip and connect the ends to the terminal blocks. DMX cables can be found on ebay or your local Guitare Center
tm
store.
ARTI v1.1 Firmware
I figured out the ARTI v1.1 firmware, other versions might be different. The firmware version is displayed momentarily when the display is powered-up. Send a note if you have a different firmware version.
Runs on Windows XP or 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.
This program is written in Visual Studio Express 2013. It requires Microsoft .Net version 4 or later to run. Visual Studio Express and .Net are free downloads from Microsoft. The installer will request .Net if not present. The source code is included.
Limitation: This program is not signed. It costs 0 to get a signature, so I don't have one.
Limitation: To save com port and address settings between uses, your user account must be allowed to save files to this software's install directory. This shouldn't be a problem if you have enough privileges to install the software. If unable to write the files the com port and address settings will need to be entered each time the program is started.
License Terms
By purchasing this software you agree to abide by the terms of this license agreement.
You will not disclose the Super Secret Proprietary Licensing Procedure (SSPLP) to others except as described in this agreement.
A license allows the use of this program on one PC for as many UMDs as can be controlled by the PC at one physical location, or for use on multiple PC's at one physical location where the PC's are generally controlled by one license holder.
The license is transferable. The transfer recipient must agree not to disclose the SSPLP or source code to others except as described herein. When agreed, the old license holder can disclose to the transferee the SSPLP and source code. The old or new license holder should send me an email documenting the transfer, so that the new license holder can be informed of future software updates. The old holder shall unlicense his copy iaw the SSPULP.
Copies of the ARTI UMD executable software can be distributed freely and used for 180 days for demonstration purposes with real UMDs. After 180 days the holder of the unlicensed software should purchase a license or stop using the program with real UMDs.
A license is not required for use of this program on PC's which are not connected to a UMD.
No tech support is promised for unlicensed copies.
License includes 1 year after purchase date free email tech support.
Subscription for additional tech support can be purchased as required after 1st year expires.
Disclaimer
ARTI was a trademark of Advanced Remote Technologies Inc., cancelled in 1996. The author of this software has no association with Advanced Remote Technologies Inc. Use of this software is not endorsed by nor supported by Advanced Remote Technologies Inc.
Use of this software is at the user's own risk. While the author believes this software will perform all the functions advertised above, the author makes no claim nor warrant of its fitness for duty and is not responsible for any deliberate or incidental losses or damages caused by the use of this software. For examples, the author is not liable for any increased electric bill due to your PC not sleeping when running this program in any clock or date modes, or for damage to your UMD or PC if the UMD or PC breaks while this program is running, or for any liability or damages if someone crashes a car due to being distracted by reading a message sent to your UMD by this program, or for any liability or damages if your stock trading program fails to make trades or buys at the wrong time due to this software using up CPU time on your PC. etc. et al.
The ARTI display and hardware shown in the pictures are NOT included. They are shown only for illustration purposes. This listing is for the Arti Umd utility control software only. No hardware is included.
Free Shipping
Because there is nothing to ship!
If you Buy
I will email the software installation package with the SSPLP to your paypal email unless otherwise directed in the ebay checkout comment box. No physical media or documentation will be provided.