alphasign

alphasign is a Python library for Alpha American LED signs, such as the Betabrite. It implements the Alpha Communications Protocol.

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/msparks/alphasign.git

2. Navigate to the cloned directory:

   cd alphasign

3. Install the library using pip:

   pip install .

Usage

Here is a simple example for controlling a Betabrite Prism via USB:

import time
import alphasign


def main():
  sign = alphasign.USB(alphasign.devices.USB_BETABRITE_PRISM)
  sign.connect()
  sign.clear_memory()

  # create logical objects to work with
  counter_str = alphasign.String(size=14, label="1")
  counter_txt = alphasign.Text("counter value: %s%s" % (alphasign.colors.RED,
                                                        counter_str.call()),
                               label="A",
                               mode=alphasign.modes.HOLD)

  # allocate memory for these objects on the sign
  sign.allocate((counter_str, counter_txt))

  # tell sign to only display the counter text
  sign.set_run_sequence((counter_txt,))

  # write objects
  for obj in (counter_str, counter_txt):
    sign.write(obj)

  # (strictly) monotonically increasing counter
  counter_value = 0
  while True:
    counter_str.data = counter_value
    sign.write(counter_str)
    counter_value += 1
    time.sleep(1)


if __name__ == "__main__":
  main()

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a pull request.

License

This project is licensed under the BSD License.