some sign code

Michael Barton — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:54:44 +0000

So, what I’ve got here is my implementation of the favotech sign’s protocol in python. As I’ve mentioned, it’s horrible. From what I can tell, the sign supports basically the same protocol over TCP, UDP, and serial. I’ve been using UDP over a crossover cable from a whitebox with two NICs, and that’s worked fine.

I’m using it inside a twisted app, mostly for all the batteries it includes. I have a UDP server class that inherits from this class, but implements its own send_to_sign method. This layout made reusing the code for different connection media a breeze. Basic usage then looks something like this:

   self.test_reset()
   self.pause()
   self.time_sync()
   self.set_frame_count(3)
   self.set_text(0, '{y}OH HAI')
   self.set_text(1, 'I AM {f}THE{/f} SIGN')
   self.set_text(2, '{0}{ma} {dd}  {12}')
   self.resume()

To dumb down the interface, a frame count of n actually creates a playlist containing n two-letter filenames, 'AA’…’ZZ’. Calling set_text with a frame ID then sets the text of the corresponding file. The set_text method has a dead simple markup language it can use to set text colors and stuff.

More to come, probably…

WeirdLooking.com: Michael Barton's Blog

some sign code