[Noisebridge-discuss] Free LED Signs

[Brian Klug]

Hacker Dojo is getting more LED Signs, and we'd like to offer some free to
NB if they are wanted.

These are bright, extremely high quality (were $2000 each new back in the
day) LED displays, originally used at SFO airport, custom built for United
Airlines.

They came without documentation, so we reverse engineered the control
language (documented below).  The protocol is similar to TruColorII, but
again, these signs were custom made and the protocol is somewhat "uniquely
interesting".

You will need:

   1. Ability to send serial data to the signs, 9600 baud
   2. A powerful 5V power supply -- each sign draws *TWO AMPS* at five volts
   (wow)
   3. Someone good with bracket making or otherwise "skilled at mounting
   things"

Only ask that you have a project in mind and a commitment to using them
before taking them.  However, the hardware and software is being made freely
available.  You are free to use whichever parts you like (write your own
software if you like).

Sample images / pictures of (mounted & installed) signs:
http://imgur.com/a/xd7hi

Our documentation is here:
http://wiki.hackerdojo.com/w/page/28365436/LED-Signs

Code to control signs via serial port:
https://github.com/hackerdojo/Airport-Sign-Code

Google Appengine app to let people change the signs via the web:
https://github.com/hackerdojo/hd-ledsigns

Screenshot of above mentioned web interface to control signs:
http://screencast.com/t/Lk7hv653Y

Let me know and I can help with logistics.

-B
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.noisebridge.net/pipermail/noisebridge-discuss/attachments/20110522/dfcc382b/attachment-0002.html>