SHARP Digital Signage Software
PN-SS01
PN-SS02
PN-SV01
OPERATION MANUAL
Contents
Creating a timetable ........................................................................................................................ 62
●Registering a program in the timetable.................................................................................................. 62
●Registering panel control in a timetable ................................................................................................ 63
●Adjusting a timetable ............................................................................................................................... 65
●Saving a timetable.................................................................................................................................... 66
●Opening a timetable ................................................................................................................................. 66
●Checking a timetable................................................................................................................................ 67
●Deleting a timetable.................................................................................................................................. 67
●Changing timetable name and timetable color...................................................................................... 67
●Importing/exporting a timetable.............................................................................................................. 68
Creating/Editing Schedules
The main Schedule Editor window ................................................................................................ 70
●Launching Schedule Editor..................................................................................................................... 70
●The main Schedule Editor window ......................................................................................................... 70
Creating a schedule ........................................................................................................................ 72
●Registering a timetable in the schedule................................................................................................. 72
●Saving a schedule .................................................................................................................................... 74
●Opening a schedule ................................................................................................................................. 74
●Deleting a schedule.................................................................................................................................. 75
●Changing schedule name........................................................................................................................ 75
●Importing/exporting a schedule.............................................................................................................. 76
Panel Management and Option
Managing panels ............................................................................................................................. 78
●Launching Panel Control Management.................................................................................................. 78
●The main Panel Management window.................................................................................................... 78
●Adding/editing a panel............................................................................................................................. 79
●Adding/editing a group ............................................................................................................................ 80
●Controlling a panel manually .................................................................................................................. 81
●Deleting a panel or group ........................................................................................................................ 81
Option............................................................................................................................................... 82
●Launching Option..................................................................................................................................... 82
●Checking version information................................................................................................................. 82
●Adding default panel settings for panels............................................................................................... 83
Distributing schedules
The main Schedule Distribution Tool window .............................................................................. 84
●Launching Schedule Distribution Tool................................................................................................... 84
●The main Schedule Distribution Tool window....................................................................................... 84
Distributing schedules.................................................................................................................... 85
●Distributing via a network........................................................................................................................ 85
●Distributing to your own PC.................................................................................................................... 87
●Distributing with USB memory or other external storage device........................................................ 88
Displaying break-in programs........................................................................................................ 90
●Distributing via a network and making a break-in display ................................................................... 90
●Distributing to your own PC and making a break-in display................................................................ 92
List of Reserved Distribution/List of Distribution Log................................................................. 95
●List of Reserved Distribution .................................................................................................................. 95
●List of Distribution Log............................................................................................................................ 95
Schedule Management
Server Scheduler............................................................................................................................. 97
3
Contents
Schedule Reception/Program Display
FTP Server........................................................................................................................................ 98
●Launching the FTP Server....................................................................................................................... 98
Client Scheduler .............................................................................................................................. 99
●Launching Client Scheduler.................................................................................................................... 99
●Client Scheduler menu............................................................................................................................. 99
Distributing content directly by using USB memory or another external storage device ..... 104
Program Viewer ............................................................................................................................. 105
Key/Mouse Monitoring
Key/Mouse Monitoring Tool Window........................................................................................... 106
●Launching the Key/Mouse Monitoring Tool window........................................................................... 106
●Key/Mouse Monitoring Tool menu........................................................................................................ 106
Monitoring status
The main Status Monitoring Tool window................................................................................... 109
●Launching Status Monitoring Tool ....................................................................................................... 109
●The main Status Monitoring Tool window............................................................................................ 109
Acquiring and displaying panel status........................................................................................ 112
●Acquiring status of selected panels..................................................................................................... 112
●Setting panels for which status will not be obtained.......................................................................... 113
●Controlling target PC power.................................................................................................................. 113
●Displaying detailed information for a panel......................................................................................... 114
●Changing thumbnail size....................................................................................................................... 115
Setting the operation environment.............................................................................................. 116
4
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing SHARP Digital Signage Software.
SHARP Digital Signage Software comes in three versions: The Standalone, Network, and Viewer Versions. This
manual covers all three versions. Where editions differ in terms of usage restrictions and functionality, this fact is
clearly indicated.
IMPORTANT:
Model No.:
Serial No.:
To aid reporting in case of loss or theft,
please record the product’s model and
serial numbers in the space provided.
U.S.A. ONLY
Precautions on use
• This product is subject to exacting quality control and product inspection before shipment. In the unlikely event
that a failure or malfunction occurs, contact your retailer.
• Please note that SHARP CORPORATION bears no responsibility for any failure, malfunction, or damages due
to improper use of this product by the customer or a third party, except where indemnity liability is recognized
under law.
• Under copyright law, the use of this product to duplicate, edit or otherwise alter copyrighted material is only
permitted in cases where such duplicated or edited material is for individual or home use.
If material is duplicated and/or edited beyond this scope, and if such duplicated or edited material is used,
(except in cases where the user themselves holds the copyright for the object of the duplicated material or
where the user has received permission from the copyright holder), this will constitute a violation of copyright
law and may lead to the copyright holder or other parties claiming compensation for damages. Such use
should therefore be strictly avoided.
When using photo image data, DVD images, TV broadcasts or similar material with this product, the above
uses that constitute copyright violation should, naturally, be strictly avoided. Using, modifying, or otherwise
altering images of other people without permission constitutes a violation of portrait rights, and should also be
strictly avoided.
• When showing TV, DVDs, or similar copyrighted programs and/or material you must obtain the permission of
the copyright holder or copyright holders.
• Transcribing or duplicating part or all of this manual and/or this software without permission from our company
is not permitted.
• As a part of our policy of continuous improvement, SHARP reserves the right to make design and specification
changes for product improvement without prior notice. The performance specification figures indicated are
nominal values of production units. There may be some deviations from these values in individual units.
5
Trademarks / How to read this manual
Trademarks
• Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista, PowerPoint, and Windows Media are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
• The Microsoft Internet Explorer logo is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other
countries.
• Flash and Flash Player are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the
United States and/or other countries.
• Intel, Celeron, and Pentium are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Intel Corporation and/or its
subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries.
• QuickTime and the QuickTime logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the United States
and other countries.
Names of products and other proper nouns are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective
copyright holders.
How to read this manual
This manual describes SHARP Digital Signage Software Version 3.0.
●Icons
indicates reference information, related details, and restrictions.
indicates pages that contain related information.
F
●Notation
• Keyboard keys are indicated with square brackets.
E.g. [Shift], [Ctrl], etc.
• Menus, windows, dialog boxes, buttons, and tabs etc are indicated with square brackets.
E.g.
1. From the [Option] menu click [Grid Setting].
The [Grid Setting] dialog box will appear.
• Items, check boxes, and option buttons, etc., are indicated with double inverted commas.
E.g. “X”, “Preset Screen Size” option button, etc.
• This manual assumes that this product has been installed in the following location.
If you have installed the software in a different location, this can be interpreted to refer to the folder where you
installed it.
C:\Program Files\SHARP\SHARP Digital Signage Software
(default)
• The screenshots and operational procedures in this manual are only examples.
These may change depending on your monitor, screen settings, or the version of the OS you are using and
other factors. This manual gives instructions using Windows XP as an example.
The content files and fonts in this manual are only examples. Not all of these are included with this software.
• This manual does not contain basic operating instructions for Windows.
6
Definitions / System operation precautions
Definitions
This chart provides definitions of terms used in this manual.
Term
Definition
The PC that is used to create and distribute programs, timetables and schedules.
Also referred to as a “Server PC”.
Controller PC
A PC that displays content according to a schedule.
Also referred to as a “Panel PC” or a “Client PC”. “Panel” refers to an LCD monitor
connected to a target PC.
Target PC
Material (i.e. files) such as movies, still images, and audio files that are played on the panel.
These are usually prepared by the user.
Content (files)
Playlist
A list that plays multiple content in a desired order.
Contains information such as content data, order of play, and duration, etc.
Refers to a sub-screen that is used as a display unit when a single panel is divided into
multiple frames.
Frame
A scrolling message.
Up to two scroll messages can be displayed.
Scroll message
Program
Programs consist of a frame layout, multiple frames and their assigned playlist
information, scroll message information, etc.
Timetables contain information regarding the order and duration of play for multiple
programs that have been assigned to a one-day time frame.
Timetable
Schedule
Schedules contain multiple timetables assigned to desired dates of play.
The collective term for the image files, etc, which are required when displaying HTML files,
etc.
Attached files
System operation precautions
Points to note when creating content and programs
Before operating the system, run a test using the actual content to be displayed on the panel. If the PC does not
have sufficient processing power, content may not be played correctly.
• Movie players
Playing multiple videos simultaneously is not recommended.
Windows Media Player generally places a heavier load on the CPU than Flash Player (although this depends
on the content).
• A separate, fee-based codec may be necessary to play video files.
• QuickTime Player is required in order to play QuickTime content.
• Flash content
Take care when playing content that makes frequent use of image transparency processing (image fade-in/
fade-out), as this may place an extremely heavy load on the CPU.
• Enlarging/reducing still images and movies
As image size and display size increase, so does the load placed on the CPU. CPU load also increases when
images are displayed at an enlarged or reduced size. Keep the size of the content display area (frame size) as
small as possible. Content should also be created using the same image size as the display size.
• Still image switching
Using still image switching will increase the load on the CPU. Its effect is dependent on the performance of the
video card.
7
System operation precautions
• Scroll message content
Displaying scroll messages requires a great deal of CPU processing power. When using scroll messages,
programs should be tested by actually displaying them before operation.
· Making the background color transparent will increase the load.
· Scroll messages with a larger display area place a larger load on the PC. Do not make the scroll message
display area unnecessarily large.
· If there are a lot of characters in a scroll message line, display may become distorted. If this occurs, start a
new line. (Up to 100 characters per line recommended.)
• PowerPoint
Set PowerPoint data so that it plays repetitively by setting slide transition to advance slides automatically
(automatic slideshow).
PowerPoint Viewer is not capable of simultaneous multiple display. Do not assign PowerPoint files to multiple
frames in the same program. It should also be noted that PowerPoint Viewer only proceeds to play slideshows
when the focus is on itself. Do not click other frames with the mouse or another tool when PowerPoint content
is displayed.
The new file format of PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) is not supported. Save content in ppt format.
PowerPoint Viewer 2003/2007 is required. Even if you already have Microsoft PowerPoint 2003/2007 installed
on your PC, you must make a separate installation of PowerPoint Viewer 2003/2007.
Continuous operation of target PC
This software is not designed for continuous 24-hour-a-day operation. Be sure to turn the power off on the
target PC every day. (Refer to Power Control on p.71)
PC internal clock
This software executes schedules based on the PC’s internal clock. You should ensure that your PC’s
internal clock is always accurate by synchronizing it with an internet time server or other means.
Accuracy of program display time
Program display is controlled by a timer that starts at 0 seconds every minute. Programs cannot be switched at
intervals of less than 1 minute, or during a 1 minute interval (i.e. in intervals of less than 60 seconds).
Be aware that there may be some delay before content is actually displayed depending on the time taken to
launch applications that display content and the time taken to load content files.
Backups
This software does not have a backup function. You should make regular backup copies of content files,
etc., during operation.
Daisy chain configuration
This software cannot send different panel control commands (monitor power supply ON/OFF and panel input
commands) to individual SHARP LCD monitors (PN series) connected in a daisy chain.
Still images
The Network Version of SHARP Digital Signage Software can send different panel control commands (monitor
power supply ON/OFF and panel input commands) to SHARP LCD Monitors (PN Series) connected in a daisy
chain. (Refer to Panel Management and Option, p. 78)
Date display
This software displays the date in YYYY/MM/DD format.
8
Features of SHARP Digital Signage Software / Program distribution workflow
Features of SHARP Digital Signage Software
SHARP Digital Signage Software is SHARP’s original content distribution and display software.
Easy-to-use user interface
Programs can be laid out in editable time schedules similar to newspaper TV guides or calendar-style monthly
schedules.
Variety of display options and scroll message function
Frames with completely customizable layout (x4,) as well as backgrounds and scroll messages (x2) can be
used. Vertical scroll messages are also supported, allowing effective expression and information display.
Reserved distribution function
Makes it possible to distribute reserved content over an LCD monitor network.
Monitor control and break-in distribution functions
Turn monitors on and off and distribute break-in programs during emergencies for smooth monitor control.
Program distribution workflow
This chart details the process from program creation to the stage where programs can be displayed on a panel.
Standalone Version
Program Editor
1
2
3
4
Lay out your chosen content and create a program. ( p.28)
Timetable Editor
Assign the hour of the day that your program will be shown. ( p.60)
Schedule Editor
Assign the dates when daily timetables you have created will be shown. ( p.70)
You can distribute to a target PC
Schedule Distribution Tool
that has Program Viewer installed
by using USB memory or other
Distribute schedules and programs you have
created to Client Scheduler. ( p.84)
external storage devices. ( p.104)
Client Scheduler
5
6
Control Program Viewer so that it displays schedules and programs at a set time. ( p.99)
Program Viewer
Program Viewer displays programs when instructed to do so by Client Scheduler. ( p.105)
Program
displayed
(Standalone Version)
9
Program distribution workflow
Network Version
Program Editor
1
2
3
4
Lay out your chosen content and create a program. ( p.28)
Timetable Editor
Assign the hour of the day that your program will be shown. ( p.60)
Schedule Editor
Assign the dates when daily timetables you have created will be shown. ( p.70)
Schedule Distribution Tool
You can distribute to a target PC
Distribute schedules and programs you have created
that has Program Viewer installed
by using USB memory or other
to a target PC connected to the network. ( p.84)
external storage devices. ( p.79)
Server Scheduler
Control the distribution schedule and distribute
scheduled times to the FTP server. ( p.97)
Status Monitoring Tool
Obtain panel status data and control
target PC power. ( p.112)
Distributed via a network
Schedules and programs can be loaded from USB
memory or other external storage devices. (From
)
Controller PC
(Network Version)
FTP Server
5
The FTP server passes schedules and programs it receives to Client Scheduler. ( p.98)
Client Scheduler
6
7
Control Program Viewer so that it displays schedules and programs at a set time. ( p.99)
Program Viewer
Program Viewer displays programs when instructed to do so by Client Scheduler. ( p.105)
Program
displayed
Target PC
(Viewer Version)
10
Installing/Launching
This section provides installation instructions and information regarding the necessary operating environment,
as well as instructions on how to start and close down SHARP Digital Signage Software. Be sure to read this
before using the software.
Required operating environment
Item
Description
CPU: Celeron M 1.3 GHz or higher
PC
2 GHz or higher Pentium 4 processor is recommended for movie/content-heavy
programs.
Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 (English version),
Windows Server 2003/2008 (English version)
OS
Memory
256 MB or higher (512 MB or higher recommended)
Hard disk
Monitor (for controller PC) *1
20 MB or more free space (Additional space required for saving data)
Full color display with resolution of at least 1024 x 768
PN series LCD monitor
LB-1085 *3, LB-46GX35 *4, LB-52GX35 *4
Monitor (for target PC) *2
• USB port (only required if using USB memory)
• LAN port (only required for Network Version [TCP/IP communication must
be functional])
Interfaces
Others
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or later
PowerPoint Viewer 2003/2007
Windows Media Player 9 or later
Flash Player 6 or later
QuickTime Player 7 or later (in order to play QuickTime content)
If there are any environmental requirements for the OS to operate besides the above, they must also be met.
If the OS of the target PC is Windows Vista or Windows 7, disable the user account control of the target
PC.
*1 Used for creating/editing programs and schedules.
*2 Used to display programs with the Standalone and Viewer Versions.
Panel control can be performed. To perform panel control, the target PC and the panel must be connected
with an RS-232C cable or the panel must be connected to the LAN. For the specifications of the panel and
its connection and setting methods, read the operation manual of your panel.
*3 To perform panel control with the LB-1085, perform a “Test connection” once with the SHARP Digital
Signage Software Client Scheduler ( p.92).
F
The panel control cannot be performed unless a “Test connection” is performed.
*4 For Japanese market only.
• When controlling the target PC manually (when turning the panel PC on), the Wake On LAN function
that operates by Magic Packets from the target PC must be enabled.
If the target PC is outside the same LAN segment, Magic Packets may not get through depending on
router specs/settings. Contact your network administrator for more details.
• Regardless of which version of this software you are using, you must have Flash Player, Windows Media
Player, and PowerPoint Viewer 2003/2007 installed on the PC on which this software is installed.
If you have not installed all of these programs, or have installed different versions of them, a message
prompting you to install may appear. If this happens, download the appropriate programs from the
relevant website and install them.
• A separate, fee-based codec may be necessary to play video files.
11
Installing SHARP Digital Signage Software
Installing SHARP Digital Signage Software
You must log in as an administrator before beginning the installation process.
●Installing SHARP Digital Signage Software
1. Start your PC
2. Close down all applications.
3. Launch the SHARP Digital Signage Software setup program (setup.exe).
Double-click the setup.exe file to launch the setup program.
If a security warning saying ‘The publisher could not be verified.’ is displayed during the installation,
click [Run].
If using the “SHARP Digital Signage Software CD-ROM”
1) If the setup program is launched automatically, proceed
to step 4. If the setup program does not launch after a
few moments, launch the Setup.exe file in the CD-ROM
folder.
2) In the [AutoPlay] dialog box, click “Run setup.exe”.
If the [AutoPlay] dialog box does not appear, double-click
the Setup.exe file in the CD-ROM folder.
3) When the [User Account Control] dialog box
appears, click [Allow] (for Windows Vista) or [Yes] (for
Windows 7).
4. In the [Welcome to the Install Shield wizard...] window,
click [Next].
12
Installing SHARP Digital Signage Software
5. Software license agreement will appear.
Read the entire software license agreement.
6. If you agree to the terms of the agreement, select the “I accept the terms of the license agreement”
option button, and click [Next].
7. Select the version that you have purchased and click [Next].
The three following versions are available:
• [PN-SS01] Standalone Version
For creating programs and distributing/displaying schedules
with a single PC.
• [PN-SS02] Network Version
For use on a controller PC to create programs, distribute
schedules, and check panel status.
Also used for distributing programs and schedules to target PCs
running the “Viewer Version”.
• [PN-SV01] Viewer Version
Only installs software for content display.
For use on a target PC. Displays received programs according to a schedule.
8. Enter the appropriate license code for your version and click
[Next].
If you entered a temporary license code, you will only be
able to use the software for a two-month trial period. You
should register the license code you obtained before the
end of the trial period.
• If you are using the Standalone or Network Version,
license codes can be registered using the [Register
License Code] dialog box from the [Option] menu.
( p.73)
F
• If you are using the Viewer Version, license codes can be registered from the [Version] dialog box
in Client Scheduler. ( p.93)
F
9. Click [Next].
If you want to change the location where the installation will
be made, click [Change] and specify a different directory.
13
Installing SHARP Digital Signage Software
10. Click [Install].
The installation will start.
11. Click [Finish].
The installation is now complete.
If the following screen appears, click [Yes] to restart your
PC.
If you are using the Standalone or Network Versions, a shortcut to SHARP Digital Signage Software will be
created on your desktop.
If you are using the Standalone or Viewer Versions, Client Scheduler ( ) will launch and appear in the
Task Tray.
If you are using the Network Version, Server Scheduler ( ) and Client Scheduler ( ) will launch and
appear in the Task Tray.
14
Installing SHARP Digital Signage Software
●Setting the environment of the target PC
Once the installation is complete, change the settings of the target PC before using this software. A
description is given below, using Windows XP/Vista/7 as an example.
Auto login settings
If the target PC is to be used without an operator, Windows auto login should be enabled.
If using Windows Vista, use the following procedure to enable auto login.
1. From the Windows Taskbar, click [Start], [All Programs], [Accessories], and then [Command
Prompt].
The [Command Prompt] window will appear.
2. Type in “control userpasswords2” (without the inverted
commas) and push [Enter].
3. If the [User Account Control] window appears, click
[Continue].
The [User Accounts] dialog box will appear.
4. Clear the “Users must enter a user name and password
to use this computer” check box.
5. Click [OK].
6. In the [Automatically Log On] window, enter a “User
Name” and “Password”, and click [OK].
7. Type in “exit” and then press [Enter].
15
Installing SHARP Digital Signage Software
Welcome Center settings (Windows Vista only)
These settings do not apply to Windows XP/7.
Under default settings, the “Welcome Center” is displayed when
Windows Vista is started.
Clear the “Run at startup” check box, to stop the “Welcome
Center” from being displayed when a program is displayed in
Program Viewer. The “Welcome Center” will not appear from the
next time the PC is started.
If “Welcome Center” is closed you can display it using
either of the following methods.
• From the Windows Taskbar, click [Start], [Control Panel],
[System and Maintenance], and then [Welcome Center].
• From the Windows Taskbar, click [Start], [All Programs], [Accessories], and then [Welcome Center].
Screen saver settings
Disable the screen saver so that it does not display on the monitor when a program is displayed in Program
Viewer.
•If using Windows XP
1. Right-click on an empty area of the desktop, and from the menu that appears, click [Properties].
The [Display Properties] dialog box will appear.
2. Click the [Screen Saver] tab and select “(None)” from the
“Screen saver” list.
3. Click [OK].
16
Installing SHARP Digital Signage Software
• If using Windows Vista/7
1. Right-click on an empty area of the desktop and from the menu that appears, click [Personalize] and
then [Screen Saver].
The [Screen Saver Settings] dialog box will appear.
2. Select “(None)” from the “Screen saver” list.
3. Click [OK].
Power control
Adjust settings so that the panel or hard disk do not turn off or go into system standby while a program is
displayed in Program Viewer.
•If using Windows XP
1. From the Windows Taskbar, click [Start], [Control Panel], [Performance and Maintenance], and then
[Power Options].
The [Power Options Properties] dialog box will appear.
2. Select “Never” from the “Turn off monitor”, “Turn off
hard disks”, and “System standby” pull-down menus on
the [Power Schemes] tab.
3. Click [OK].
17
Installing SHARP Digital Signage Software
• If using Windows Vista
1. From the Windows Taskbar, click [Start], [Control Panel], [System and Maintenance], and then
[Power Options].
The [Power Options] dialog box will appear.
2. Select “High performance” and click [Change plan
settings].
3. Select “Never” from the “Turn off the display” and “Put
the computer to sleep” lists.
4. Click [Save changes].
Return to the [Power Options] dialog box.
5. Close the [Power Options] dialog box by clicking the
button in the upper right corner of the window.
• If using Windows 7
1. From the Windows Taskbar, click [Start], [Control Panel], [System and Security], and then [Power
Options].
The [Power Options] dialog box will appear.
2. Click “Show additional plans” select “High performance”
and click [Change plan settings].
3. Select “Never” from the “Turn off the display” and “Put
the computer to sleep” lists.
4. Click [Save changes].
Return to the [Power Options] dialog box.
5. Close the [Power Options] dialog box by clicking the
button in the upper right corner of the
window.
Windows Sidebar (Gadget) settings (Windows Vista Only)
These settings do not apply to Windows XP/7
Adjust Windows Sidebar (Gadget) settings so that the Sidebar (Gadgets) is not displayed.
1. Right-click on an empty area of the Windows Sidebar,
and from the menu that appears, click [Properties].
The [Windows Sidebar Properties] dialog box will appear.
18
Installing SHARP Digital Signage Software
2. Clear the “Start Sidebar when Windows starts” check
box.
3. Click [OK].
4. Restart your PC.
The Windows Sidebar (Gadgets) will no longer appear from the
next time you start Windows Vista.
Active desktop settings (Windows XP Only)
Turn Active desktop settings off.
These settings do not apply if you are using Windows Vista.
1. Right-click on an empty area of the desktop, and from the menu that appears, click [Properties].
The [Display Properties] dialog box will appear.
2. Click the [Desktop] tab, and then click [Customize Desktop].
The [Desktop Items] dialog box will appear.
3. Click the [Web] tab and clear all the check boxes under
“Web pages”.
4. Click [OK].
IME Toolbar settings
These settings are not required if the IME Toolbar is not displayed.
Store the IME Toolbar in the Taskbar so that it is not displayed when a program is being displayed in Program
Viewer.
1. Right-click on the IME Toolbar and, from the menu that appears, click [Minimize].
You can also click
to minimize the Toolbar.
19
Installing SHARP Digital Signage Software
Taskbar settings (Windows XP/Vista only)
Adjust the Taskbar settings so that the Taskbar is not displayed when a program is being displayed in Program
Viewer.
1. Right-click on an empty area of the Taskbar, and from the menu that appears, click [Properties].
The [Taskbar and Start Menu Properties] dialog box will appear.
2. Under “Taskbar appearance” on the [Taskbar] tab, clear
the “Auto-hide the taskbar” and “Keep the taskbar on
top of other windows” check boxes.
3. Click [OK].
Windows Update settings
Set Windows Update so that it does not update automatically and display popup messages (dialog boxes), etc.,
while a program is being displayed in Program Viewer.
If you have disabled automatic updates, remember to check the Windows Update website
(http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/) regularly and download and install updates manually. Not installing the
latest updates is a security risk and may also lead to performance related issues.
•If using Windows XP
1. From the Windows Taskbar, click [Start], [Control Panel], [Performance and Maintenance], and then
[System].
The [System Properties] dialog box will appear.
2. Click the [Automatic Updates] tab and select the “Turn
off Automatic Updates” option button.
3. Click [OK].
20
Installing SHARP Digital Signage Software
•If using Windows Vista
1. From the Windows Taskbar, click [Start], [Control Panel], [Security], and then [Turn automatic
updating on or off].
The [Change settings] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the “Never check for updates” option button.
3. Click [OK].
4. If the [User Account Control] window appears, click [Continue].
The [Change settings] dialog box will close.
•If using Windows 7
1. From the Windows Taskbar, click [Start], [Control Panel], [System and Security], and then [Turn
automatic updating on or off].
The [Change settings] dialog box will appear.
2. From the menu of “Important updates,” select the “Never
check for updates (not recommended)” option button.
3. Click [OK].
4. If the [User Account Control] window appears, click [Yes].
The [Change settings] dialog box will close.
Resident application settings
Adjust settings for resident applications (e.g. virus scanners) so that they do not display popup messages (dialog
boxes) when a program is being displayed in Program Viewer.
21
Installing SHARP Digital Signage Software
Personal firewall settings
If you plan to distribute content over a network, you must free a TCP/IP port for this software to use when the
distribution port is assigned to a personal firewall.
If you have installed the Viewer Version, a unique FTP server will be installed, and started as a service.
The default TCP/IP port numbers are 20 and 21. If you change the port number, you must also change
the FTP settings for the controller PC ( p.80), and the FTP settings for Client Scheduler on the target
F
PC ( p.101) to the same port number.
F
Firewall settings for Status Monitoring Tool (Windows Vista/7 Only)
If using Windows Vista/7, use the following procedure to change these settings.
1. From the Windows Taskbar, click [Start], [Control Panel], [System and Maintenance] (for Windows
Vista) or [System and Security] (for Windows 7), and then [Administrative Tools].
2. Double-click “Windows Firewall with Advanced Security”.
3. If the [User Account Control] window appears,
click [Continue] (for Windows Vista) or [Yes] (for
Windows 7).
The [Windows Firewall with Advanced Security] dialog box
will appear.
4. On the left of the window, click [Inbound Rules], then
click “New Rule” under [Actions] in the pane on the right
of the window.
The [New Inbound Rule Wizard] dialog box will appear.
22
Installing SHARP Digital Signage Software
5. Select the “Custom” option button, and click [Next].
6. Select the “All programs” option button, and click [Next].
7. From the “Protocol type” list, select “ICMPv4”.
8. Set “Protocol and Ports”, “Scope”, “Action”, and
“Profile” in order as necessary. Click [Next] to be taken
to the settings screen for the next step.
Confirm with your network administrator before
adjusting these settings.
9. Enter a “Name”, and click [Finish].
10. Close the dialog boxes by clicking the
button at
the top right of each window.
23
Installing SHARP Digital Signage Software
●Uninstalling SHARP Digital Signage Software
If this software frequently shuts down incorrectly when a program is being displayed or created, you should
modify the program. If the problem persists even after doing so, we recommend uninstalling, then reinstalling
this software.
Uninstalling this software will not delete any programs, schedules or content files that you have already
created. You will be able to use these files again upon reinstalling this software.
1. Start your PC.
2. Close down all applications.
3. Launch the SHARP Digital Signage Software setup maintenance program (setup.exe).
Double-click the setup.exe file to launch the setup maintenance program.
If a security warning saying ‘The publisher could not be verified.’ is displayed during the installation,
click [Run].
If using the “SHARP Digital Signage Software CD-ROM”
1) If the setup program is launched automatically, proceed
to step 4. If the setup maintenance program does not
launch after a few moments, launch the Setup.exe file in
the CD-ROM folder.
2) In the [AutoPlay] dialog box, click “Run setup.exe”.
If the [AutoPlay] dialog box does not appear, double-click
the Setup.exe file in the CD-ROM folder.
3) When the [User Account Control] dialog box
appears, click [Allow] (for Windows Vista) or [Yes] (for
Windows 7).
4. Select the “Remove” option button, and click [Next].
If you select the “Modify” option button, you will have to
re-enter a license code.
24
Installing SHARP Digital Signage Software
5. Click [Yes].
The uninstallation will start.
If the Server Scheduler or the Client Scheduler has been started, a message will appear. In this
case, click [Yes]. The Server Scheduler and the Client Scheduler will be forcibly terminated and the
uninstallation will continue.
6. Click [Finish].
The uninstallation is now complete.
25
Launching and closing the Launcher window
Launching and closing the Launcher window
●Launching the Launcher window
1. On the desktop, double-click the
short cut.
The Launcher window will launch.
The Launcher can also be started by going to the Windows Taskbar and clicking [Start], [All Programs],
[SHARP Digital Signage Software], and then [SHARP Digital Signage Software].
●Closing the Launcher window
1. Click
on the Launcher window.
The Launcher window will close.
●The Launcher window
The Launcher window is the window from which operations are started.
There are six buttons for different functions such as program creation and program distribution.
If another tool or dialog box is already launched, it will be displayed in the foreground.
1) Button
description
window
4) Schedule creation/
editing
2) Program creation/
5) Schedule distribution
7) Option
editing
3) Timetable
creation/editing
6) Panel control
1) Button description window
When the cursor is placed over a button, an explanation of the button’s function is displayed in this window.
2) Program creation/editing ( p.28)
F
This button launches “Program Editor”. Program Editor lets you create programs by setting screen sizes and
layouts, as well as content and scroll messages.
26
Launching and closing the Launcher window
3) Timetable creation/editing ( p.60)
F
This button launches “Timetable Editor”. Timetable Editor lets you create one-day timetables by assigning
programs you have created to be shown at desired times.
4) Schedule creation/editing ( p.70)
F
This button launches “Schedule Editor”. Schedule Editor lets you create schedules by assigning timetables you
have created to be executed on desired dates.
5) Schedule distribution ( p.84)
F
This button launches “Schedule Distribution Tool”. Schedule Distribution Tool lets you send the schedules you
have created to specified panels.
6) Panel control ( p.78)
F
This button launches the [Panel Management] dialog box. When distributing programs to multiple panels using
the Network Version, you can register and control panels from this dialog box.
This function is only available with the Network Version.
7) Option ( p.82)
F
This button launches the [Option] dialog box. This dialog box displays version information about the Launcher,
and also lets you register license codes.
27
Program Editor
Program Creation/Editing
Create programs (content) to display on a panel.
The main Program Editor window
●Launching Program Editor
1. Click
on the Launcher window.
“Program Editor” will launch.
As soon as Program Editor launches, four pre-defined frames and two scroll messages for creating new
programs will be displayed in the main window. Programs are completed by setting program content in this
window.
• Program Editor can also be started by going to the Windows Taskbar, and clicking [Start], [All Programs],
[SHARP Digital Signage Software], [Tools], and then [Program Editor].
• The first time Program Editor is launched, the [Content Preview] window will appear. ( p.36)
F
• If QuickTime Player and PowerPoint Viewer are not installed, a message will appear.
●The main Program Editor window
1) Title bar
2) Menus
3) Toolbar
4) Tabs
5) Settings window
1) Title bar
The name of the program will be displayed here.
When Program Editor launches, the title bar will read “Untitled”. When a program is saved, it will change to the
name of the program. When content of an opened program is changed, the title bar will display an asterisk (*)
after the program name.
28
Program Editor
The main Program Editor window
2) Menus
Menu options are as follows:
Relevant
page
Menu option
Description
Create New Program
Open Program
Opens a new program.
-
Loads a saved program.
p.47
p.45
p.46
p.48
F
F
F
F
Save Program
Overwrites the currently edited program.
Save Program As
Delete Program
Saves the currently edited program under a different name.
Allows the user to specify and delete programs.
Displays program properties and allows the user to change
them.
File
Properties of Program
Import Program
p.49
F
F
F
Reads a program that has been exported from another PC
so that it can be used.
p.51
Writes out a saved program so that it can be used on
another PC.
Export Program
Exit
p.50
-
Exits Program Editor.
Preview Program
[Original size]
Displays a preview of the currently edited program at its
original size.
p.47
F
F
F
Preview Program
[Fit screen]
Displays a preview of the currently edited program fitted to
the size of the screen.
p.47
p.48
-
View
Set Configuration before Check this option when previewing programs. Sets and
Preview Program
displays display conditions.
Updates the Content folder to reflect additions or deletions of
content files.
Refresh
Allows the user to fine tune grid settings for positioning
frames and scroll messages with the grid.
Option
Help
Grid Setting
p.33
-
F
About Program Editor
Displays version information for Program Editor.
3) Toolbar
The toolbar buttons perform the following actions:
Relevant
page
Icon
Menu option
Open Program
Description
Loads a saved program.
p.47
F
p.45
F
p.49
F
Save Program
Overwrites the currently edited program.
Displays program properties and allows the user to change
them
Properties of Program
Displays a preview of the currently edited program at its
original size.
Preview Program
[Original size]
p.47
F
Preview Program
[Fit screen]
Displays a preview of the currently edited program fitted to
the size of the screen.
p.47
F
4) Tabs
Clicking a tab switches to the settings window for each item.
5) Settings window
Allows the user to set advanced settings for the selected tab.
29
Program Editor
Creating programs
Creating programs
●Valid content files
File types that can be used as content are as follows:
Content name
File type
Background,
MPEG, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4,
Frames 1-4
WMV (Windows Media Video – file type playable with Windows Media Player),
Flash (file type playable with Flash Player), Conditional content (.dcv) for background, frames,
MOV (file type playable with QuickTime Player),
PowerPoint, HTML, JPEG, BMP, GIF, PNG
Scroll messages 1-2 Scroll messages created in Scroll Message Editor, Conditional content (.dct) for scroll
messages
Audio
WAVE, MP3, AU, AIFF,
WMA (Windows Media Audio – file type playable with Windows Media Player),
MOV (file type playable with QuickTime Player),
MIDI, Conditional content (.dca) for audio
Audio files cannot be positioned in the layout. They are used as audio or music (background music) that
plays while a program is displayed.
Content files are recognized by their file extensions.
Certain file types require the installation of corresponding software.
File extension
Content type
Required software
Windows Media Player
.avi
.mpeg .mpg
.wmv
.asf
Movie
.mov
.swf
.ppt
.htm
.tlp
QuickTime Player
Flash Player
Flash
.pps
PowerPoint
HTML
PowerPoint Viewer
Internet Explorer
None
.html
Scroll message
.wav
.wma
.mp3
.mid
.au
.midi
.aif
.aiff
Windows Media Player
Audio
.mov
QuickTime Player
.jpeg
.jpg
.gif
.png
.bmp
Still image
None
• The JPEG file supports the RGB format but does not support the CMYK format. In addition, JPEG2000
is not supported.
• Animation GIF is not supported.
• Two or more PowerPoint files cannot be displayed at the same time.
• The new file format of PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) is not supported. Create content in ppt format.
• The PowerPoint content does not support the following:
Execution of macros, execution of programs, display of link objects, display of embedded objects
• If too many animations are used in the PowerPoint content, displayed characters may be illegible.
• The font used in the content must also be installed on the target PC.
• The HTML file and the Web page cannot be enlarged or reduced.
• Adjustment of the sound volume supports video and audio. It does not support Flash and PowerPoint.
30
Program Editor
Creating programs
●Positioning content (Layout)
Screens and content size and position, etc., are set in the
[Layout] window.
[Layout] window
When “Layout Locked.” is displayed in the center of the layout window, the layout cannot be
edited.
Clear the “The layout edit is locked.” check box in the [Properties of Program] dialog box ( p.49).
F
1. Check that the [Layout] tab is selected.
If it is not, click the [Layout] tab to select it.
2. Set a [Screen Top-Left Position].
Set the coordinates (-9999 - 9999) for where you want the
top left hand corner of the background to be positioned in the
panel.
“X” and “Y” are usually set to “0”. (Default)
3. Set the “Screen Size”.
The screen size is the size of the background.
Select the “Preset Screen Size” option button, and choose a
size from the list.
This is usually set to the size of the panel (i.e. panel
resolution).
• If the size you want is not in the list, select the
“Custom Screen Size” option button, and enter a
size.
• To change the preset screen sizes in the list, edit the “ScreenSize.dat” file found in the folder
where you installed this software (the default directory is, C:\Program Files\SHARP\SHARP Digital
Signage Software) specifying sizes in order of “width” then “height” as in the examples below.
1280,1024
1920,1080
1024,768
When you start Program Editor the screen size on the first line will be selected.
• If you want to combine multiple panels and have
them displayed as one panel, click [Calculate
screen size for Multi display] and set the screen
size simply by selecting the model name and
direction.
31
Program Editor
Creating programs
4. Set [Frame Layout].
1) Check the checkboxes beside the frames, scroll
messages, or PIP that you want to display.
You can also click the
button at the top right
hand corner of a frame or scroll message to hide it.
2) Set “X ”, “Y ”, “Width”, and “Height” coordinates for each
frame or scroll message.
• Only “X ” and “Y ” coordinates can be adjusted for
the PIP frame. To adjust the size of the PIP frame,
click the [PinP] tab, and specify a “Value” for the
“Size” under “Key”.
• Click on a frame or a scroll message to select it.
Eight resize handles will appear around the border
of the frame. By dragging these handles with the
mouse, you can resize a frame or scroll message,
and confirm changes visually.
The frame and scroll messages can be moved by
dragging an area other than the resize handle using
the mouse.
· Dragging while holding down [Shift] allows you to resize a frame while keeping the same aspect
ratio.
· You can also move frames or scroll messages using the arrow keys.
·
You will still be able to adjust the size of a frame if you hold down [Shift] while using the arrow keys.
• You can move or resize items accurately by aligning them with the grid. ( p.33)
F
E.g.
Frame1:
Frame2:
Message1: X = 20,
PIP: X = 576,
X = 25,
X = 1380,
Y = 20,
Y = 25,
Y = 869,
Y = 395
Width = 1338,
Width = 523,
Width = 1883,
Height = 835
Height = 830
Height = 194
The above coordinates would produce a layout like the screenshot below.
• The name, position and dimensions
(X coordinate of top left corner,
Ycoordinate of top left corner, width,
height) are displayed in the top left of
each frame or scroll message.
• The PIP frame cannot be moved in 1 pt
increments. Locations where items can
be positioned depend on the kind of
LCD monitor used.
32
Program Editor
Creating programs
Using the grid
Using the grid makes it easy to position items accurately. Items can be dragged with the mouse and aligned on
the grid. The grid can be set with the following procedure:
1. From the [Option] menu click [Grid Setting].
The [Grid Setting] dialog box will appear.
2. Set the “Frame Layout”.
Check the “Frame position in Grid” check box to use the grid.
Clear the check box to position frames in 1 pt increments.
3. Set the “Interval” for the grid.
Enter a whole number between 2-100 pt. (The default value
is 8 pt)
• Show or hide the grid by checking or clearing the “Show Grid” check box. Even if the grid is hidden, if
you have checked the “Frame position in Grid” check box, frames will be aligned to the grid when moved
or resized.
• Even if you have checked the “Frame position in Grid” check box, you will be able to ignore the grid and
move items in 1 pt increments by doing the following:
· Dragging an item while holding down [Ctrl]. This will allow you to ignore the grid when resizing.
· Dragging an item while holding down [Shift] + [Ctrl]. This will allow you to maintain the aspect ratio of a
frame while you resize it and ignore the grid at the same time.
· Holding down [Ctrl] while using the arrow keys. This will allow you to move items in 1 pt increments.
· Holding down [Shift] + [Ctrl] while using the arrow keys. This will allow you to resize items in 1 pt
increments.
Display priority order
If frames overlap when a program is displayed, programs will be
Frame1
Frame2
Frame3
Frame4
displayed in the following order from foreground to background.
“Frame4”→“Frame3”→“Frame2”→“Frame1”→“Background”
• The display priority order cannot be set.
• If the content of the frame or background is a PowerPoint
or EXE file, it will be displayed in the foreground,
regardless of the display priority order.
• Scroll messages are displayed ahead of the background
Background
frame.
• In all cases, the PIP frame is displayed ahead of the background, frame, and scroll messages.
• If movies are displayed in the background, they may be displayed in front of other frames in some
cases. Set movies in frames 1-4, not the background.
Using a layout you have created
Click [Save Layout] to save the Layout you have created. The next time you come to create a program you will
then be able to click on [Open Layout] to use the saved layout.
When you save a layout, frame settings are not saved.
Only Screen Top-Left Position, Screen Size, and Frame Layout are saved.
33
Program Editor
Creating programs
●Setting the background/frames 1-4
Set content, order of play and duration for content in the background and frames 1-4.
“Content Folder” tree
“Content File” list
Playlist
1. Click any of the [Background] or [Frame1] – [Frame4]
tabs.
2. From the “Content Folder” tree, select the folder where
the content files you want to use are located.
Confirm that the [Content] tab is selected. If the tab is not
selected, click on it.
You can also display content by specifying “URL” or “Viewer Path”.
The [URL] tab
Displays the HTML of a specified URL as content.
Enter a URL that can be referenced by the target PC.
If your PC can connect to the Internet, clicking [View URL] will connect to
the URL you have entered. Check that you have connected properly and
that the URL has been displayed correctly.
If the URL is incorrect, a dialog box like the one on the right will appear.
• Use discretion when displaying URLs as websites are subject to copyright.
• If the page you want to display contains errors it will not be displayed correctly.
• If the page that you want to display requires a plug-in the target PC must have the plug-in installed.
34
Program Editor
Creating programs
[Viewer Path] tab
Displays the content file specified with “File Path On Viewer PC.” You
can specify an EXE file. Enter a path that can be referenced by the
target PC. For an EXE file, “Parameters” can be added.
• When displaying large content files that are not frequently updated, save the files on the target PC
in advance, and only enter the paths that refer to them. This will help reduce the time it takes to
send program contents.
• Specify the absolute path of the target PC or the relative path from My Contents folder ( p.100).
F
• The following parameters can be used:
%L : X coordinate of top left corner of frame
%T : Y coordinate of top left corner of frame
%W : Width of frame
%H : Height of frame
• This software only launches or closes specified executable files at a specified time. It does not
guarantee the actions of any executable files it launches.
• Depending on the specifications of the file that is executed, it may not be able to launch or close
correctly, or it may not be able to display windows in the correct position.
3. Select the content you want to use from the “Content
File” list.
Refer to p.30 for a list of file types that can be used with the
background and frames 1-4.
• Click while holding down [Ctrl] or [Shift] to select
multiple content files at the same time.
• You can preview content files in the [Content
Preview] window. ( p.36)
F
• If using HTML content, make sure that images,
movies and other files referred to in the HTML
code are transferred to the same location, or a subdirectory of the same location, where the HTML
file itself is stored (attached files). These can be added from content file properties. ( p.37)
F
Make sure that all attached files are defined by their relative paths in the HTML file.
4. Click
.
Content files are added to the end of the playlist.
For more details about the playlist refer to p.36.
• In step 3, you can also register content files by
double-clicking them, or dragging them from the
“Content File” list to the “Playlist”.
• The content files in the playlist can be copied by dragging and dropping them while holding down
the [Ctrl] key.
5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 as necessary. You can set the other frames in the same manner.
By clicking the (
) button “add blank content” at the bottom of the “Content File” list on the
[Frame1] - [Frame4] tabs, you can add a hidden section to the playlist. Like other content files, the
duration and order of play can be set for hidden sections. The frame set in the hidden section is
not displayed.
35
Program Editor
Creating programs
Content preview
You can preview content files in the [Content Preview] window.
Click [Content Preview] from the [View] menu to preview the files.
Previews for the following types of files will not be displayed
immediately. To preview these files, click the relevant icon
displayed in the [Content Preview] window. (Click the text string if
previewing a scroll message.)
• Files with a size of 2 MB or higher
• Video files
• PowerPoint files (Preview displayed in full screen mode)
• Scroll message files (Preview displayed in full screen mode)
Playlists
Playlist content is played in order starting with the content file at the top of the list.
“Duration” displays the length of time taken to play a particular content file.
“Total Duration” displays the length of time taken to play the entire contents of the playlist.
There are cases where the total duration is different from the actual duration (for example, when “Play Next
Content” is set in the play setting, or when using conditional content)
Clicking the buttons on the top right of a playlist performs the following actions:
Icon
Menu option
Description
Show the properties of the
content
Displays the properties of the currently selected content file. For more
details, refer to p.37.
Moves the selected content file one place forward (up) in the list.
(Cannot move multiple content files.)
Move the content to upwards
Move the content to
downwards
Moves the selected content file one place backward (down) in the list.
(Cannot move multiple content files.)
Deletes the selected content files from the list.
Content files may also be deleted by pressing [Delete].
Delete the content
36
Program Editor
Creating programs
Background color when content is not displayed
When content is not being played, frames can be filled in using a
specified color.
Click the color swatch to display the [Color] dialog box and
change the background color.
Properties of content
From the playlist, select a content file, and click
The following settings may be adjusted:
to display the [Properties of Content] dialog box.
1) Content File Path
Displays the path to the content file.
• Clicking [Attached Files] will allow you to add a file or files
from the [Attached Files] dialog box which appears.
• Clicking [Change] will allow you to change the file via the
[Open] dialog box that appears.
If using HTML content, make sure that images, movies
and other files referred to in the HTML code are
transferred to the same location, or a subdirectory of the
same location, where the HTML file itself is stored. Make
sure that all attached files referenced in the HTML file are
defined by their relative paths.
2) Duration
The duration of play can be set.
• When the content type is video, audio, or scroll message, you
can set the operation to be performed when playback of the
content is finished before the specified duration is reached.
To set this, click [Play Setting].
• When the “Scroll to the end of this message” check box is cleared, playback of scroll messages is forcibly
terminated after the specified duration is reached even if playback is not finished yet (effective when the
content type is scroll message).
• If the same content files are placed in the playlist successively, play is resumed after returning to the top of
the content files after the play time has expired.
3) Background
If the content is a still image file and you have checked the “Keeping aspect ratio” option button, you can
specify a background color for the content.
Click the color swatch to display the [Color] dialog box and change the background color.
Click the box next to “Transparent” to make the background transparent.
The background color for the background frame cannot be set to transparent.
4) Volume Control
The volume can be set.
37
Program Editor
Creating programs
5) Layout
• “Keeping aspect ratio”, “Not keeping aspect ratio”, and “In original size” option buttons
You can select “Not keeping aspect ratio” when the content type is a still image or Flash.
You can select “In original size” when the content type is a still image.
• “Temporarily, move frame” check box
To change the screen position of the content temporarily, check this check box and click [Position Setting].
The position and size of the frame can be specified for each content. The screen position must be set within
the background frame.
6) Picture Transition
When the content type is still image, the effect at screen switching can be set.
Select the effect from each pull-down menu.
If you check the “Via background” check box, the effect of displaying the background color at the time of
screen switching is added.
7) Parameters (for EXE file)
Displays parameters for EXE files.
●Setting the scroll message
Set scroll message content, order of play and duration of play.
A scroll message file containing text to be displayed in the scroll message must be prepared in advance. For
details about how to create a scroll message file, refer to p.40.
1. Click the [Message1] or [Message2] tab.
2. From the “Content Folder” tree, select the folder where
the scroll message file you want to use is located.
Confirm that the [Message] tab is selected. If the tab is not
selected, click on it.
• You can also display the content file specified with
“File Path On Viewer PC” on the [Viewer Path] tab.
Specify the absolute path of the target PC or the
relative path of the My Contents folder ( p.100).
F
3. Select the scroll message file you want to use from the
“Content File” list.
Only scroll message files (.tlp) and conditional content for
scroll message files (.dct) can be used with Message1 and
Message2.
• Click while holding down [Ctrl] or [Shift] to select
multiple scroll message files at the same time.
• You can preview scroll message files. Scroll
message file previews are available in full screen
mode only. ( p.36)
F
38
Program Editor
Creating programs
Clicking the buttons at the bottom of the “Content File” list performs the following actions:
Icon
Menu option
Description
Create New Scroll
Launches Scroll Message Editor and allows you to create new scroll
Message
messages.
Launches Scroll Message Editor and allows you to edit the scroll
message selected in the “Content File” list.
Edit Scroll Message
Delete Scroll Message
Deletes the scroll messages selected in the “Content File” list.
add blank scroll
message
A hidden section can be added to the playlist. Like other content files,
the duration and order of play can be set for hidden sections.
For more details about Scroll Message Editor, refer to p.40.
4. Click
.
Scroll message files are added to the end of the playlist.
For more details about the playlist, refer to p.36.
In step 3, you can also register scroll message files
by double-clicking them, or dragging them from the
“Content File” list to the “Playlist”.
5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 as necessary. You can set other scroll messages in the same manner.
39
Program Editor
Creating programs
Creating scroll message files
Create a message to be displayed in a scroll message.
1. Click the [Message1] or [Message2] tab, and then click
Scroll Message Editor will launch.
1) Title bar
under the “Content File” list.
2) Menus
3) Toolbar
4) Settings window
1) Title bar
A file name will be displayed.
When Scroll Message Editor launches, the title bar will read “Untitled”. When a file is saved, it will change to
the name of the file. When content of an opened file is changed, the title bar will display an asterisk (*) after
the file name.
40
Program Editor
Creating programs
2) Menus
Menu options are as follows:
Menu option
Description
Opens a new scroll message file.
Create New Scroll
Message
Open Scroll Message
Loads a saved scroll message file.
File
Save Scroll Message
Overwrites the currently edited scroll message file.
Save Scroll Message As
Saves the currently edited scroll message file under a different name.
Exits Scroll Message Editor.
Exit
Cut
Cuts the text string selected in the “Scroll message edit box”.
Copies the text string selected in the “Scroll message edit box”.
Copy
Edit
Pastes a text string that has been cut or copied into the “Scroll
message edit box”.
Paste
Undo
Undoes the last action performed in the “Scroll message edit box”.
Displays a preview of the currently edited scroll message file.
Press [Esc] to close the preview. If a window other than the window
for scroll messages is clicked during the preview, it cannot be
terminated even if the [Esc] key is pressed. Click the preview once
and then click the [Esc] key.
View
Preview Scroll Message
About Scroll Message
Editor
Help
Displays version information for Scroll Message Editor.
3) Toolbar
The toolbar buttons (icons) perform the following actions:
Icon
Menu option
Description
Loads a saved scroll message file.
Open Scroll Message
Save Scroll Message
Overwrites the currently edited scroll message file.
Displays a preview of the currently edited scroll message file.
Press [Esc] to close the preview. If a window other than the window for
Preview Scroll Message scroll messages is clicked during the preview, it cannot be terminated
even if the [Esc] key is pressed. Click the preview once and then click
the [Esc] key.
About Scroll Message
Displays version information for Scroll Message Editor.
Editor
4) Settings window
For more details, continue reading from step 2.
2. Enter a text string that you want to use in a scroll
message into the “Scroll message edit box”.
The longer the text string is, the more memory will be used.
We recommend starting a new line at a suitable interval so
that lines do not get too long.
41
Program Editor
Creating programs
Checking the [Use HTML tag] check box allows you to use
the following HTML tags in the “Scroll message edit box” to
define the font color, size and other styles.
Tag
Explanation
Defines the text. Takes the COLOR, SIZE and FACE attributes which respectively define the
text color, text size and typeface.
<FONT>
<B>
Defines bold text.
<I>
Defines italic text.
<U>
Defines underlined text.
Defines strikethrough text.
Defines bigger text.
Defines smaller text.
<S>
<BIG>
<SMALL>
3. Set the “Message Format”.
Set the display direction of text, font and text color.
1) Next to “Orientation”, select the display direction of text.
2) To change the font, click [Select Font] and choose a font
from the [Font] dialog box.
• You must have the same font installed on the target PC.
• Depending on the type of font used, text size may not be acquired correctly resulting in scrolling
being interrupted.
3) Set the “Text Color.”
In the [Color] dialog box that appears when clicking the rectangle in which a color is displayed, the color
can be changed.
4) Select “Decoration” from the “None,” “Bordering,” or “Shadowing” option button.
If “Bordering” or “Shadowing” is selected, the text color can be changed in the [Color] dialog box that
appears when clicking the rectangle of “Decoration Color”.
4. Set “Background.”
Set the background of scroll messages.
1) Set “Background Color.”
The color can be changed in the [Color] dialog box that
appears when clicking the rectangle in which a color is
displayed.
2) Checking the “Use Transparent” check box allows you to make the background color transparent.
Drag the “Rate” slider to the left or right to set the transparency (10 steps available).
• Do not check the check box when you do not want to make the background color transparent.
Even if the slider is set to opaque at the right end, the background does not become completely
non-transparent.
• When the check box is checked, the color set for the background itself is made transparent.
Therefore, if “Text Color” and “Decoration Color” are the same as “Background Color,” “Text Color”
and “Decoration Color” are also made transparent.
• If transparent/semi-transparent scroll messages are located on a video, the desired effect may not
be obtained.
42
Program Editor
Creating programs
5. Set “Scrolling.”
Set the scroll direction and speed of scroll messages.
1) Select the “Direction” from “Leftward,” “Rightward,”
“Upward” and “No Move” option buttons.
• If the “Vertical” option button is selected in
“Message Format,” the “Leftward” or “Rightward”
option button cannot be selected.
• If “No Move” is selected, scroll messages are displayed at the center of the specified range line by
line. (The portion that is outside of this range is not displayed.)
2) Drag the “Speed” slider to the left or right to set the scroll speed (10 steps available).
• Even if the scroll message speed is set at the same value, the actual scroll speed may differ
depending on the performance of the PC.
• When the “Use Transparent” check box is checked, the scroll speed may be lower compared with
that of opaque scroll messages. It is recommended that tests be conducted by actually displaying
scroll messages before operation.
Settings to be made when the “No Move” option button is selected
3) Set “Display Time of Each Line.” (0 to 9999 seconds)
Scroll messages are displayed line by line. Set the display time.
4) Set whether to perform fade-in and fade-out.
To display scroll messages so that the currently displayed scroll message fades out and the next scroll
message fades in when switching between scroll messages, check the “Use Fading in/out When Telop
Switches.” check box.
If fade-in/fade-out scroll messages are located on a video, the desired effect may not be obtained.
6. Click [Save Scroll Message] from the [File] menu.
Or click
.
The [Save As] dialog box will appear.
7. Enter a new name in “File Name” and click [Save].
The creation of the scroll message file is now complete.
43
Program Editor
Creating programs
●Setting audio and music
Set audio and music (background music) for program display.
If two or more content files containing audio are set in different frames, both will play.
1. Click the [Sound] tab.
2. From the “Content Folder” tree, select the folder where
the content files you want to use are located.
Confirm that the [Sound] tab is selected. If the tab is not
selected, click on it.
You can also play back the content file specified
with “File Path On Viewer PC” on the [Viewer Path]
tab. Specify the absolute path of the target PC or
the relative path of the My Contents folder ( p.91).
F
3. Select the content you want to use from the “Content
File” list.
For a list of compatible audio file types, refer to p.30.
• Click while holding down [Ctrl] or [Shift] to select
multiple content files at the same time.
• Audio cannot be positioned in a layout. If you
select a movie for the content file that will be used
as audio, a movie preview will be displayed in the
[Content Preview] window, but only audio will be
used when the program is actually displayed.
• Clicking the “add no sound portion” button (
) at the bottom of the “Content File” list will allow
you to add a soundless portion to the playlist. Settings for duration and order of play can be set for
soundless portions in the same way as for other content files.
4. Click
.
Content files are added to the end of the playlist.
For more details about the playlist, refer to p.36.
In step 3, you can also register content files by double-clicking them, or dragging them from the
“Content File” list to the “Playlist”.
44
Program Editor
Creating programs
●Setting the PIP window
Set the frame size, aspect ratio, input source, and audio source for the PIP frame. This function can be used
only with the SHARP LCD monitor (PN series).
1. Click the [PinP] tab.
2. Select the “Monitor Model Name”.
3. Set values for each item.
A list will appear when you click on a cell in the “Value”
column.
If using a PN-655 monitor
* Items displayed vary according to the “Monitor Model
Name”.
1) Select “Size”.
Monitor sizes vary according to aspect ratio.
2) Select either “16:9” or “4:3” from the “Aspect Ratio” list.
* Select this according to the video or images that you
want to display.
3) Select “D-Terminal”, “Composite (Video)”, or
“Component” for the “Input Source” option.
4) Select either “PC” or “AV” for “Sound Source”.
5) “Direction” can only be set to “Landscape”.
* The video signal may cause misalignment with PIP location and size.
●Saving a program
Save program
Use this option when you want to save the currently edited program under its original name.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Save Program].
You can also save by clicking
.
A confirmation message for creating a thumbnail will appear.
When “Program Editor” is started, the title bar will read “Untitled”. If you attempt to save at this
stage the [Save Program] dialog box will be displayed. For the remaining steps, please refer to
step 2 of “Save program as”.
2. When you want to create a thumbnail, click [Yes]. When you do not
want to create a thumbnail, click [No].
When you click [Yes], a small program preview for creating a thumbnail
will appear. Do not perform any operation before this preview screen
disappears.
For more details about the program thumbnail, refer to p.46.
If you have already created a thumbnail, the program thumbnail is not deleted even if you click
[No]. The previous thumbnail is displayed.
45
Program Editor
Creating programs
Save program as
Use this option when you want to save the currently edited program under a different name.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Save Program As].
The [Save Program As] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the program folder in which the program is to be
saved.
For more details about the program folder, see the following.
3. Enter a new name in “Program Name” and click [Save].
A confirmation message for creating a thumbnail will appear.
4. When you want to create a thumbnail, click [Yes].
When you do not want to create a thumbnail, click [No].
When you click [Yes], a small program preview for creating a thumbnail
will appear. Do not perform any operation before this preview screen
disappears.
For more details about the program thumbnail, see the following.
If you have already created a thumbnail, the program thumbnail is not deleted even if you click
[No]. The previous thumbnail is displayed.
Program thumbnails
When a program thumbnail is created, it is displayed in the
[Open Program], [Save Program As], [Delete Program], [Import
Program], and [Export Program] dialog boxes and the [Program]
tab of the timetable editor.
• There are cases in which a video is not displayed.
• If the PIP function is used, the PIP portion is not
displayed.
Program Folder
• Programs can be saved in different program folders according
to the type of program.
• The programs in the selected program folder are displayed in
“Program List of Selected Program Folder.”
•
In the menu that appears when right-clicking the program storage folder, the following operation can be performed.
• Insert:
Adds a new program folder under the selected folder.
Enter a new name in the [Program Folder Name]
dialog box and click [OK].
• Delete: Deletes the selected folder. If the selected folder
contains a program, it cannot be deleted.
• Rename: Changes the name of the selected folder. Enter a new name in the [Program Folder Name] dialog
box and click [OK].
• The “Programs” folder in the first level cannot be deleted or renamed.
• If the selected folder contains a program, it cannot be deleted.
• By dragging and dropping the folder, the location of the folder can be changed.
• By dragging and dropping a program in “Program List of Selected Program Folder” to another folder, the
program can be moved.
46
Program Editor
Creating programs
●Opening a program
Load a program that you have already saved and use it.
Editing only the places you want to change in an existing file and saving the file under a new name is an
effective way to create programs.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Open Program].
You can also open a program by clicking
.
The [Open Program] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the program folder containing the program.
3. From the “Program List”, select a program, and click
[Open].
The program you selected will be loaded into Program Editor
and you will be able to edit it.
Take care when saving the program you have edited using the [Save Program] option, as the
changes you have made will be reflected in the original file.
●Checking a program
Check a program using the program preview function.
Two previews with the same data will be displayed.
1. If you want to preview a program at its original size, click
[Preview Program [Original size]] from the [View] menu.
You can also preview a program by clicking
.
A preview of the currently edited program will be displayed at
its original size.
• Previews can also be displayed by pressing [F5].
• If you want to use the program preview function on
a more detailed setting, check “Set Configuration
before Preview Program” on the [View] menu.
• This enables you to set specific dates and
times, specific panel displays and other program
conditions and display previews.
If you want to preview a program at screen size, click [Preview Program [Fit screen]] from the [View]
menu.
You can also preview a program at screen size by clicking
.
A preview of the currently edited program fitted to the size of the screen will be displayed.
2. Check the preview.
PowerPoint and scroll messages will be displayed in the foreground, regardless of display priority order.
Set PowerPoint data so that it plays repetitively by setting slide transition to advance slides automatically
(automatic slideshow).
Do not use the mouse or keyboard (e.g. to click on a window etc.) during program display. Doing so may
change the window display order or alter the content to be played.
• To close the preview, click the preview window and press [Esc].
• If the program screen size is larger than the display resolution of the monitor, the preview cannot
be displayed in full screen mode.
47
Program Editor
Creating programs
●Preview Program Display Settings
If you check “Set Configuration before Preview Program” on the
[View] menu, the “Preview program setting” screen (*a screen
image displayed on the screen) will be displayed during the
program preview. You can set the following conditions, and if
you click the “Preview” button, the preview will occur under the
conditions you have set.
• Preview this program after a set amount of time has passed:
Displays the program preview after a specified amount of time
has passed. The very first content to be played will play from
the beginning of that content, starting at the specified time and
playing for the amount of time set on the Playlist. There are
cases where the very first content to be played will end abruptly,
and the preview will continue on to the next content.
• Preview this program after setting reference conditions for conditional content:
Click “Play Condition Setting” to set conditions
• “Play date”
• “Play Time”
• “Panel name”
• “Group”
:
:
:
:
:
Sets the date on which the program will be played.
Sets the time at which the program will be played.
Sets the panel on which the program will be played.
Sets the group with which the program will be played.
Sets comments on the panel on which the program will be played.
• “Comment”
• Display this program preview over the edges of multiple monitors:
Displays the program preview over the edges between panels when using multiple monitors
* Think of the edges as rough estimates.
• “Model name” : Select the monitor model name.
• “Composition” : Select the multi-monitor setup.
●Deleting a program
Delete unnecessary programs.
1. Click [Delete Program] from the [File] menu.
The [Delete Program] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the program folder containing the program.
3. Select a program from the “Program List” and click
[Delete].
4. Click [Yes].
The selected program has now been deleted.
5. Click [Close].
48
Program Editor
Creating programs
●Displaying program properties
Change program names and program colors.
1. Click [Properties of Program] from the [File] menu.
You can also display and change program properties by clicking
The [Properties of Program] dialog box will appear.
.
Information about the “Program Name”, “Duration”, “Color of
Program”, “Option”, and “Data Path” is displayed.
•
•
The “Program Name” can be changed.
Click the color swatch to display the [Color] dialog box
and change the program color.
•
If you check the “The layout edit is locked.” check box,
layout editing is disabled. Check this check box when
you want to prevent the layout from being changed due
to a mistake during the operation of Program Editor.
The “Color of Program” is the color used to display
the program in the Timetable Editor.
2. Click [OK].
“Duration” may be different from the actual duration.
49
Program Editor
Creating programs
●Importing/exporting a program
Exporting a program
The export function is used to write out a program so that it can be used with this product on another PC.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Export Program].
The [Export Program] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the program folder containing the program.
3. From the “Program List”, select a program, and click
[Export].
The [Select the folder to export] dialog box will appear.
4. Specify the directory where you want to save the file,
enter a “File name”, and click [Save].
The [Export Program] dialog box will appear.
A screen like the one on the right will appear during
the export. Click [Cancel] to cancel the export.
5. Click [OK].
The program export is now complete.
50
Program Editor
Creating programs
Importing a program
The import function is used to load an exported program that has been created with this product on another PC.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Import Program].
The [Select the program to import] dialog box will appear.
2. Select a (.prg) file to import, and click [Open].
The [Import Program] dialog box will appear.
A screen like the one on the right will appear while
the import is being prepared. Click [Cancel] to
cancel the import.
3. Select the program folder in which the program is to be
saved.
4. Enter a “Program Name”, and click [Import].
5. Click [Yes].
The program will be saved with the name you entered.
The program import is now complete.
51
Conditional Content Editor
Conditional Content
When creating Playlists with the program editor, most of the content is the same, and in many cases, multiple
Playlists with only one differing part are created. In these cases, you can display Playlists with only the differing
part changed according to specified conditions when using conditional content.
Basic Screens for SHARP Digital Signage Software Conditional Content Editor
●Launching SHARP Digital Signage Software Conditional Content Editor
1. Click the [Start] button on the Windows Taskbar, and then click “All Programs” – “SHARP Digital
Signage Software” – “Tools” – “Conditional Content Editor” in order.
This will launch “Conditional Content Editor.”
●Basic Screens for SHARP Digital Signage Software Conditional Content Editor
1) Title bar
2) Menus
3) Toolbar
4) Tabs
5) Settings Window
1) Title bar
Displays the file name. When Editor launches, the title bar will read “Untitled.” When a file is saved, it will change
to the name of the file.
When content of an opened file is changed, the title bar will display an asterisk (*) after the file name.
* You can register and edit Playlists by selecting “Replace to Conditional Content” from the program editor
Playlist.
52
Conditional Content Editor
Basic Screens for SHARP Digital Signage Software Conditional Content Editor
2) Menus
The following are the contents of the [File], [View], and [Help] menus.
Menu option
Description
Create New Conditional
Content
Opens a new file.
Open Conditional Content Reads saved conditional content.
Save Conditional Content Saves the currently edited conditional content.
Save Conditional Content
File
Saves the currently edited conditional content under a different name.
As
Exit
Quits Conditional Content Editor.
Show Content Preview
Displays a preview of the currently edited conditional content in a
window
window the size of the preview window.
View
Updates content from the content folders in the event that content
files have been added to or deleted from the Conditional Content
Folder since SHARP Digital Signage Software was launched.
Refresh
About Conditional Content
Editor
Help
Displays version information for Conditional Content Editor.
3) Toolbar
The function of each button (icon) is as follows.
Icon
Menu option
Description
Create New Conditional
Content for Background/ Creates new conditional content for background/frames.
Frames
Create New Conditional
Creates new conditional content for scroll messages.
Content for Messages
Create New Conditional
Creates new conditional content for sound.
Content for Sound
Open Conditional
Reads saved conditional content.
Content
Save Conditional
Saves conditional content.
Content
4) Tabs
When you click any of the [Content], [URL] or [Viewer Path] tabs, you will go to the setting window for that
tab.
5) Settings Window
Set details for the tab that you selected.
53
Conditional Content Editor
Creating Conditional Content
Creating Conditional Content
●Compatible Content File Formats
The following file formats can be used as content.
Types of Conditional
Content
Compatible File Extensions
.jpg, .jpeg, .gif, .png, .bmp, .avi, .mpeg, .mpg, .wmv, .asf, .mov, .swf, .ppt,
.pps, .htm, .html, .exe
Background, Frame
Scroll Messages
Audio
.tlp
.wav, .mp3, .au, .aif, .aiff, .wma, .mid, .midi, .mov
●Configuring Conditional Contents
Set project names, playback start dates, and Target PC panel attributes for conditional content.
Condition List
Content Folder tree
Content File List
Play Condition
54
Conditional Content Editor
Creating Conditional Content
1. From the “Content Folder” tree, Select the folder where the content files you want to use are
located.
The [URL] Tab
Displays the HTML of a specified URL as content.
Enter a URL that can be referenced by the Target PC.
If your PC can connect to the Internet, clicking [View URL] will
connect to the URL you have entered.
Check that you have connected properly and that the URL
has been displayed correctly.
If the URL is incorrect, a dialog box like the one on the right
will appear.
[Viewer Path] Tab
Displays the content file specified with [File Path On Viewer PC]. You can specify an EXE file. Enter a path
that can be referenced by the target PC. For an EXE file, “Parameters” can be added.
• When displaying large content files that are not frequently updated, save the files on the target PC
in advance and only enter the paths that refer to them. This will help reduce the time it takes to send
program contents.
• Specify the absolute path of the target PC or the relative path from My Contents Folder (refer to p. 100).
• The following parameters can be used.
%L : X coordinate of top left corner of frame
%T : Y coordinate of top left corner of frame
%W : Width of frame
%H : Height of frame
• This software only launches or closes specified executable files at a specified time. It does not guarantee
the actions of any executable files it launches.
• Depending on the specifications of the file that is executed, it may not be able to launch or close
correctly, or it may not be able to display windows in the correct position.
2. Select the content files you want to use from the Content
File List.
Refer to Page 54 for file formats compatible with backgrounds
and frames.
• You can check content file previews in the [Show
Content Preview Window] window. (refer to p. 56)
• If using HTML content, make sure that images,
movies and other files referred to in the HTML
code are transferred to the same location, or a
subdirectory of the same location, where the HTML
file itself is stored (attached files).
These can be added from content file properties.
(refer to p. 57)
Make sure that all attached files are defined by their
relative paths in the HTML file.
55
Conditional Content Editor
Creating Conditional Content
3. Click the
icon.
Content files are added to the end of the condition list.
For more details about the condition list, refer to Page 59.
• In Step 3, you can register content files by double-
clicking them or by dragging them from the Content
File list to the [condition list].
• The content files from the conditions list can be copied by dropping and dragging them while
holding the [Ctrl] key.
Preview Content
You can preview content files in the [Show Content Preview
Window] window.
Click [Show Content Preview Window] from the [View] menu
to preview the files.
Previews from the following types of files will not be displayed
immediately. To preview these files, click the relevant icon
displayed in the [Show Content Preview Window] window.
(Click the text string if previewing a scroll message.)
• Files with a size of 2 MB or higher
• Video files
• PowerPoint files (Preview displayed in full screen mode)
•
Scroll message files (Preview displayed in full screen mode)
• Set PowerPoint data so that it plays repetitively
by setting slide transition to advance slides
automatically (automatic slideshow).
• Do not use the mouse or keyboard (e.g. to click on a window etc.) during program display. Doing
so may change the window display order or alter the content to be played.
Conditional Content
Content conditions are checked and only the first content that matches those conditions is displayed. The list
plays in order starting from the top, and contents that do not match conditions are skipped.
The duration is the amount of time it takes to play content.
Content files on the playlist with the longest durations are displayed on the Maximum Duration List.
There are cases where the maximum duration is different from the actual duration (for example, when “Play
Next content” is set in the “play setting”)
56
Conditional Content Editor
Creating Conditional Content
Clicking the buttons on the top right of a playlist performs the following actions:
Icon
Menu option
Description
Show the properties of the
content
Displays the properties of the currently selected content file.
See below for more details.
Set content playback
conditions
Sets playback conditions for selected content.
For more details, refer to Page 59.
Moves the selected content file one place forward (up) on the list.
(You cannot move multiple content files.)
Move content upward
Move content downward
Delete content
Moves the selected content file one place backward (down) on the list.
(You cannot move multiple content files.)
Deletes the selected content files from the conditions list.
You can delete content files by pressing the [Delete] key.
Properties of content
From the playlist, select a content file, and click
to display the [Properties of Content] dialog box.
The following settings may be checked and adjusted:
1) Content File Path
Displays the path to the content file.
• Clicking [Attached Files] will allow you to add a file or files
from the [Attached Files] dialog box that appears.
• Clicking [Change] will allow you to change the file via the
[Open] dialog box that appears.
If using HTML content, make sure that images,
movies and other files referred to in the HTML
code are transferred to the same location, or a
subdirectory of the same location, where the HTML
file itself is stored. Make sure that all attached files
referenced in the HTML file are defined by their
relative paths.
2) Duration
The duration of play can be set.
• When the content type is video, audio, or scroll message, you can set the operation to be performed
when playback of the content is finished before the specified duration is reached. To set this, click [play
setting].
• When the “Scroll to the end of this message” check box is cleared, playback of scroll message is forcibly
terminated after the specified duration is reached even if playback is not finished yet (effective when the
content type is scroll message).
57
Conditional Content Editor
Creating Conditional Content
3) Background
If the content is a still image file and you have checked the “Keeping aspect ratio” option button, you can
specify a background color for the content.
Click the color swatch to display the [Color] dialog box and change the background color.
Click the box next to “Transparent” to make the background transparent.
The background color for the background frame will be displayed as black if the background color
is set to transparent.
4) Volume Control
The volume can be set.
5) Layout
• “Keeping aspect ratio”/ “Not keeping aspect ratio” / and “In original size” option buttons
You can select “Not keeping aspect ratio” when the content type is a still image or Flash.
You can select “In original size” when the content type is a still image.
• “Temporarily,move frame” check box
To change the screen position of the content temporarily, check this box and click [Position Setting]. The
position and size of the frame can be specified for each content.
6) Picture Transition
When the content type is still image, the effect at screen switching can be set.
Select the effect from each pull-down menu.
If you check the “Via background” check box, the effect of displaying the background color at the time of
screen switching is added.
7) Parameters
Displays parameters for EXE files.
58
Conditional Content Editor
Creating Conditional Content
Play Condition Setting
From the conditions list, select a content file and click
to display the [Properties of Content] dialog box.
Select files from the list and right-click them. The display will remain visible even when [Set Play Condition] is
selected.
The following settings may be checked and adjusted:
1) Condition Name
You can set the playback condition name
2) Term
You can set the beginning and end dates.
3) Time
You can set the beginning and end times.
4) Date
You can set the playback date.
5) Day
You can set the day of the week for playback.
You can select multiple days of the week (e.g. Sunday-
Monday).
6) Week
You can set playback to occur on a certain week of every
month. You can select multiple weeks out of every month
(e.g. first and third weeks).
7) Panel name
You can use the [OK] button to set playback to occur on the panels that include the characters you
entered or to play back on the panels that do not include those characters.
8) Group
You can use the option button to set playback to occur or not to occur in the groups that contain the
characters you enter.
9) Comment
You can use the option button to set playback to occur on the panel configured with the comment that
includes the characters you entered, or to play back on the panels that do not include those characters.
• You can hide content by clicking the
icon on the bottom left of the screen.
icon on the bottom left of the screen.
• You can turn the sound off by clicking the
•
You can skip conditional content and play the next playlist by clicking the
on the bottom left of the screen.
• By setting the playback conditions, the selected playback conditions will appear in the frame below
the conditions list.
Conditional Content and Total Duration
Program Information
(Total Duration: 40 seconds)
Monday’ s Program
(Total Duration: 40 seconds)
Tuesday’ s Program
(Total Duration: 45 seconds)
Wednesday’ s Program
(Total Duration: 50 seconds)
Other Programs (Not M-T-W)
(Total Duration: 40 seconds)
Still Image (5 seconds)
Still Image (5 seconds)
Still Image (5 seconds)
Still Image (5 seconds)
Still Image (5 seconds)
Conditional Content
(10 seconds)
Monday’ s Content
(10 seconds)
Tuesday’ s Content
(15 seconds)
Wednesday’ s Content
(20 seconds)
Unconditional Content
(10 seconds)
Video (20 seconds)
Video (20 seconds)
Video (20 seconds)
Video (20 seconds)
Video (20 seconds)
Still Image (5 seconds)
Still Image (5 seconds)
Still Image (5 seconds)
Still Image (5 seconds)
Still Image (5 seconds)
Monday’ s Content
Tuesday’ s Content
10 seconds
15 seconds
Wednesday’ s Content 20 seconds
Unconditional Content 10 seconds
The Program Editor will reflect the maximum duration from within the total duration when you close the Conditional Content Editor.
59
Timetable Editor
Creating/Editing a Timetable
Set programs created with Program Editor to display at a set hour of the day.
The main Timetable Editor window
●Launching Timetable Editor
1. Click
on the Launcher window.
“Timetable Editor” will launch.
When Timetable Editor launches, a new blank timetable with no programs assigned will be displayed.
Timetables are completed after program is set on this screen.
Timetable Editor can also be launched by going to the Windows Taskbar and clicking [Start],
[All Programs], [SHARP Digital Signage Software], [Tools], and then [Timetable Editor].
●The main Timetable Editor window
1) Title bar
2) Menus
3) Toolbar
4) Tabs
5) Program/Panel
Control list
6) Timetable
1) Title bar
The name of the timetable will be displayed here.
When Timetable Editor launches, the title bar will read “Untitled”. When a timetable is saved, it will change to
the name of the timetable. When content of an opened timetable is changed, the title bar will display an asterisk
(*) after the timetable name.
60
Timetable Editor
The main Timetable Editor window
2) Menus
Menu options are as follows:
Relevant
page
Menu option
Description
Opens a new timetable.
Loads a saved timetable.
Create New Timetable
-
Open Timetable
Save Timetable
Fp.66
Overwrites the currently edited timetable.
Fp.65
Fp.66
Fp.67
Saves the currently edited timetable under a different
name.
Save Timetable As
Delete Timetable
Allows the user to specify and delete saved timetables.
Tests the currently edited timetable. Note that all the
registered timetable data and schedule data is erased
in the SHARP Digital Signage Software standalone
version (PN-SS01).
File
Preview Timetable
Fp.66
Properties of Timetable
Import Timetable
Displays timetable properties.
Fp.67
Reads a timetable that has been exported from another
PC so that it can be used.
Fp.69
Writes out a timetable so that it can be used on another
PC.
Export Timetable
Fp.68
Exit
Exits Timetable Editor.
-
-
Select All
Selects all programs in the timetable.
Deletes the selected programs from the list.
Programs may also be deleted by pressing [Delete].
Delete
-
-
Copy
Copies the selected program.
Edit
Pastes the copied program into a timetable.
If a program in the timetable is selected, the copied
program will be allocated immediately after it finishes. If
no programs are selected, it will be pasted at 00:00.
Paste
-
Sets the timetable to a target time span (start and finish
times). This is used for setting business hours as a time
span, etc.
Option
Help
Set Timetable Span
Fp.65
About Panel Support
Displays “Table of supporting panel controls.”
Displays version information for Timetable Editor.
Fp.63
About Timetable Editor
-
3) Toolbar
The toolbar buttons (icons) perform the following actions:
Relevant
page
Icon
Menu option
Description
Loads a saved timetable.
Overwrites the currently edited timetable.
Open Timetable
Fp.66
Save Timetable
Fp.65
4) Tabs
Clicking a tab switches to the settings window for each item.
5) Program/Panel Control list
When the [Program] tab is selected, the program folder, program thumbnails, and program list are displayed.
For more details about the program folder and program thumbnails, refer to p.46.
When the [Panel Control] tab is selected, the list of panel control commands is displayed.
6) Timetable
Displays a timetable.
61
Timetable Editor
Creating a timetable
Creating a timetable
●Registering a program in the timetable
1. Check that the [Program] tab is selected.
If it is not, click the [Program] tab to select it.
The program list will be displayed here.
There are four categories in the list: “Program Name”,
“Duration”, “Screen Size”, and “Screen Position”.
The color of the icon in front of the “Program Name”
represents the “Color of Program”. Click [Properties
of Program] from the [File] menu in “Program
Editor” to change it. ( p.48)
F
Program folder Program thumbnails
2. Select the program folder containing the program.
3. From the“Program Name”, select a program, and click
,
or alternatively, double-click the program.
The [Add Program to Timetable] dialog box will appear.
4. Set the “Play back time”.
This is the time of day when the program will be played.
Specify times between 00:00 and 24:00.
5. Click [OK].
The program will be registered to the timetable.
Programs may also be registered by dragging
them from the “Program Name” to the “Timetable”.
Registered programs can be changed in the
Timetable. ( p.64)
F
6. Repeat steps 2 to 4 as necessary and set all the
programs that you want to display over the course of the
day.
62
Timetable Editor
Creating a timetable
●Registering panel control in a timetable
1. Click the [Panel Control] tab.
A list of panel control commands will be displayed.
There are two categories: “Command Name” and “Input Source”. Commands are as follows:
Command
Turn On Display *1
Turn Off Display
Description
Turns the panel (monitor) power ON.
Puts the panel (monitor) into standby mode.
Switch Input Source
(Input “No.”)
Switches the panel (monitor) input source.
Switch the input source of the panel (monitor) to “TV input”. The channel at the
time of switching to the TV cannot be specified. The channel that was selected by
the TV immediately before switching is displayed.
TV *2
*1 It cannot be used with the LB-46GX35 and LB-52GX35.
*2 It cannot be used with the SHARP LCD monitor (PN series) and the LB-1085.
• The commands supported by the panel (monitor)
can be checked with “Table of supporting panel
controls.”
• To display “Table of supporting panel controls,”
click the button (
) “About Panel Support” at the
lower left of the panel control command list. Or, click
[About Panel Support] from [Help Menu].
The contents of “Table of supporting panel controls” are as follows:
Menu option
RC-232C
Description
Indicates the cable to be used for the connection (straight cable or cross cable).
Indicates transmission speeds supported.
LAN
Indicates whether LAN connection is supported.
Turn On
Indicates whether the “Turn On Display” panel control command is supported.
Indicates whether the “Turn Off Display” panel control command is supported.
Turn Off
Get Status
H/W Error Detection
Time Synchronization
Input “No.”
TV
Indicates whether Get Status ( p.101) is supported.
F
Indicates whether IDP hardware error detection is supported.
Indicates whether Time Synchronization ( p.91, 92) is supported.
F
Indicates which input of the panel (monitor) is supported.
Indicates whether TV input is supported.
63
Timetable Editor
Creating a timetable
2. Select the panel control command you want to use from
the “Command Name” and click
.
The [Add Panel Control Command to Timetable] dialog box
will appear.
3. Set the “Time”.
This is the time that the command will be executed.
Specify times between 00:00 and 24:00.
4. Click [OK].
The panel control command will be registered in the timetable
and the control command icons (Turn On Display:
, Turn
Off Display: , Switch Input Source:
displayed to the right of the timetable.
, TV:
) will be
Commands may also be registered by dragging them from the “Command Name” to the
“Timetable”.
5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 as necessary and set all the panel control commands that you want to execute
over the course of the day.
64
Timetable Editor
Creating a timetable
●Adjusting a timetable
Clicking the buttons on the top right of the timetable performs the following actions:
Icon
Menu option
Preview Program
Description
Displays a preview of the selected program at its original size.
Preview Program
Displays a preview of the selected program fitted to the size of the
screen.
(Fit Screen)
Properties for Program/
Command
Displays the properties of the selected program/panel control command.
Deletes the selected programs/panel control commands from the timetable.
Programs/panel control command may also be deleted by pressing [Delete].
Delete Program/Command
Copy Programs/
Panel Control Commands
Copies the selected program/panel control command.
Positions the copied program/panel control command into a timetable. If a
program in the timetable is selected, the copied program will be allocated
immediately after it finishes. If no programs are selected, it will be pasted at 00:00.
Paste Programs/
Panel Control Commands
Click a program or panel control command positioned on the
timetable to select it.
Drag a resize handle to adjust the playback time/time for the
program or panel control command and confirm the changes
visually.
The program and the panel control command can be moved by
dragging an area other than the resize handle using the mouse.
Changing the timetable span
1. From the [Option] menu, click [Set Timetable Span].
The [Timetable Span] dialog box will appear.
2. Set the “Start” and “End” times.
Specify times between 00:00 and 24:00.
3. Click [OK].
The new times will be reflected in the timetable.
65
Timetable Editor
Creating a timetable
Adjusting the scale
Select intervals of 5, 10, 15, 30 or 60 minutes from the “Scale”
list.
●Saving a timetable
Save timetable
Use this option when you want to save the currently edited timetable under its original name.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Save Timetable].
You can also save a timetable by clicking
.
The timetable file will be overwritten and saved with the same name.
When “Timetable Editor” is started, the title bar will read “Untitled”. If you attempt to save at this
stage the [Save Timetable] dialog box will be displayed. For the remaining steps, refer to step 2 of
“Save timetable as”.
Save timetable as
Use this option when you want to save the currently edited timetable under a different name.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Save Timetable As].
The [Save As] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the timetable folder in which the timetable is to be
saved.
3. Enter a “Timetable Name” and click [Save].
The timetable will be saved with a different name.
●Opening a timetable
Load a timetable that you have already saved, and use it.
Editing only the places you want to change in an existing file and saving the file under a new name is an efficient
way to create timetables.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Open Timetable].
You can also open a timetable by clicking
.
The [Open Timetable] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the timetable folder containing the timetable.
3. From the “List of Timetable”, select a timetable, and
click [Open].
The timetable you selected will be loaded into Timetable
Editor and you will be able to edit it.
Take care when saving a timetable you have edited using the [Save Timetable] option, as the
changes you have made will be reflected in the original file.
66
Timetable Editor
Creating a timetable
●Checking a timetable
Check a timetable using the program preview function.
All the registered schedule data and timetable data is erased in the SHARP Digital Signage Software
standalone version (PN-SS01).
1. From the [File] menu, click [Preview Timetable].
A preview of the timetable will be displayed.
2. Check the preview.
• To close the preview, click the preview window and press [Esc] to stop the display, and then delete
the schedule information from the Client Scheduler of the task tray. ( p.99)
F
• If the program screen size is larger than the display resolution of the PC monitor, the preview will
not be able to display the entire program screen.
●Deleting a timetable
Delete unnecessary timetables.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Delete Timetable].
The [Delete Timetable] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the timetable folder containing the timetable.
3. From the “List of Timetable”, select a timetable, and
click [Delete].
4. Click [Yes].
The selected timetable is now deleted.
5. Click [Close].
●Changing timetable name and timetable color
1. From the [File] menu, click [Properties of Timetable].
The [Properties of Timetable] dialog box will appear.
Check the “Name” and “Color”.
•
•
The “Name” can be changed.
Click the color swatch to display the [Color] dialog box
and change the timetable color.
The “Color” is the color used to display the
timetable in Schedule Editor.
2. Click [OK].
67
Timetable Editor
Creating a timetable
●Importing/exporting a timetable
Exporting a timetable
The export function is used to write out a timetable so that it can be used with this product on another PC.
Exported timetable data includes programs registered in timetables.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Export Timetable].
The [Export Timetable] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the timetable folder containing the timetable.
3. From the “List of Timetable”, select a timetable, and
click [Export].
The [Select the folder to export] dialog box will appear.
4. Specify the directory where you want to save the file,
enter a “File name”, and click [Save].
The [Export Timetable] dialog box will appear.
A screen like the one on the right will appear during
the export. Click [Cancel] to cancel the export.
5. Click [OK].
The timetable export is now complete.
68
Timetable Editor
Creating a timetable
Importing a timetable
The import function is used to load an exported timetable that has been created with this product on another PC.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Import Timetable].
The [Select the timetable to import] dialog box will appear.
2. Select a (.tbl) file to import, and click [Open].
The [Import Timetable] dialog box will appear.
A screen like the one on the right will appear while
the import is being prepared. Click [Cancel] to
cancel the import.
3. Select the timetable folder in which the timetable is to be
saved.
4. Enter a “Timetable Name” and click [Import].
If the same program already exists on the PC
where the import is to be used, a confirmation
dialog box will appear. Choose whether to overwrite
the existing file or import the file under a new name.
5. Click [Yes].
The timetable will be saved with the name you entered.
The timetable import is now complete.
69
Schedule Editor
Creating/Editing Schedules
Set timetables created with Timetable Editor to display on a set day.
The main Schedule Editor window
●Launching Schedule Editor
1. Click
on the Launcher window.
“Schedule Editor” will launch.
When Schedule Editor launches, a new blank schedule with no timetables assigned will be displayed.
Schedules are completed after timetable is set on this screen.
Schedule Editor can also be started by going to the Windows Taskbar, and clicking [Start], [All
Programs], [SHARP Digital Signage Software], [Tools], and then [Schedule Editor].
●The main Schedule Editor window
1) Title bar
2) Menus
3) Toolbar
4) “Timetable” list
5) Calendar
1) Title bar
The name of the schedule will be displayed here.
When Schedule Editor launches, the title bar will read “Untitled”. When a schedule is saved, it will change to the
name of the schedule. When content of an opened schedule is changed, the title bar will display an asterisk (*)
after the schedule name.
2) Menus
Menu options are as follows:
Relevant
Menu option
Description
Opens a new schedule.
Loads a saved schedule.
page
-
Create New Schedule
File
Open Schedule
Fp.74
70
Schedule Editor
The main Schedule Editor window
Relevant
page
Menu option
Description
Save Schedule
Save Schedule As
Delete Schedule
Overwrites the currently edited schedule
p.74
F
p.74
F
p.75
F
Saves the currently edited schedule under a different name.
Allows the user to specify and delete saved schedules.
Allows the user to display and change the schedule
name.
Properties of Schedule
Import Schedule
p.75
F
F
F
File
Reads a schedule that has been exported from another
PC so that it can be used.
p.77
Writes out a schedule so that it can be used on another
PC.
Export Schedule
Exit
p.76
-
Exits Schedule Editor.
Adds the timetable that is selected in the “Timetable”
list to the schedule.
Add Timetable to Schedule
p.72
F
Delete Timetable from
Schedule
Deletes the timetable that is selected in the “Calendar”.
Timetable may also be deleted by pressing [Delete].
p.73
F
Edit
Copy Timetable
Paste Timetable
Select All
Copies the selected timetable.
-
-
-
Pastes the copied timetable into a schedule.
Selects all timetables in the schedule.
Displays the month before the month that is currently
displayed in the calendar.
Show Previous Month
p.73
F
Displays the month after the month that is currently
displayed in the calendar.
Show Next Month
p.73
View
F
F
Show This Month
Refresh
Displays the current month in the calendar.
Updates the “Timetable” list.
p.73
-
-
Help
About Schedule Editor
Displays version information for Schedule Editor.
3) Toolbar
The toolbar buttons (icons) perform the following actions:
Icon Menu option
Open Schedule
Relevant
page
Description
Loads a saved schedule.
p.74
F
p.74
F
p.73
F
-
Save Schedule
Delete Timetable
Copy Timetable
Paste Timetable
Overwrites the currently edited schedule.
Deletes the timetable that is selected in the “Calendar”.
Timetable may also be deleted by pressing [Delete].
Copies the selected timetable.
Pastes the copied timetable into a schedule.
-
4) “Timetable” list
The timetable folder and the list of timetables created with Timetable Editor are displayed.
In the list of timetable, there are two categories: “Name” and “Last Modified Time”.
The color of the icon in front of the name of each timetable represents the “timetable color”. Click
[Properties of Timetable] from the [File] menu in “Timetable Editor” to change it. ( p.73)
F
5) Calendar
Timetables are positioned on the calendar to create schedules.
71
Schedule Editor
Creating a schedule
Creating a schedule
●Registering a timetable in the schedule
Timetable folder
1. Select the timetable folder containing the timetable.
2. Select a timetable from the “Timetable” list and click
or alternatively, double-click the timetable, or from the
[Edit] menu, click [Add Timetable to Schedule].
,
The [Add Timetable to Schedule] dialog box will appear.
3. Set a “Span”.
This is the length of time that the program will be played for.
Specify dates between 1/1/2005 and 12/31/2020.
If you do not set the “Option” area, the time schedule will be
added to the entire span from “Start” to “End”.
Use the “Option” settings to add timetables to specified days
or weeks.
•
•
•
If you check the “Select the day(s) of the week below:”
check box and the “Sunday” to “Saturday” check boxes,
the timetable will only be added to the specified days of
the week during the span.
If you check the “Select the week(s) of the month
below:” check box and the “1st week” to “6th week”
check boxes, the timetable will only be added to the
specified weeks during the span.
If you specify both “Select the day(s) of the week below:”
and “Select the week(s) of the month below:”, the timetable
will only be added to days that meet both sets of conditions.
For example, setting “Select the day(s) of the week below:” to “Wednesday”, and “Select the week(s) of
the month below:” to “2nd week”, would add the timetable to the second Wednesday of every month.
4. Click [OK].
The timetable will be registered in the schedule.
Timetables may also be registered by dragging
them from the “Timetable” list to the “Calendar”.
Registered timetables can be changed in the
calendar. ( p.64)
F
5. Repeat steps 2 to 3 as necessary and add all the
timetables that you want to display to the schedule.
72
Schedule Editor
Creating a schedule
The calendar
The calendar can display dates between January 2005 and December 2020.
Days on which a timetable is registered show the “timetable color” and the “timetable name”.
The buttons and lists at the top of the calendar perform the following actions:
Icon
Menu option
Description
Show Previous Month
Displays the month before the month that is currently displayed.
Select Year
Displays the year selected for the month that is currently displayed.
Displays the month selected for the year that is currently displayed.
Displays the month after the month that is currently displayed.
Displays the current month.
Select Month
Show Next Month
Show This Month
• Click while holding down [Ctrl] or [Shift] to select multiple days at the same time.
• Select a timetable and press [Delete] to delete it from the calendar.
Timetables are registered to different days depending on where they are dragged on the calendar.
Days that already have timetables registered to them will not be overwritten.
4) All
2) Weekday titles
1) Dates
3) Week titles
1) Dates :
Timetables will be added to the day to which they are dragged.
2) Weekdaytitles: Timetables will be added to the day of the week to which they are dragged for the currently
displayed month.
3) Week titles:
Timetables will be added to the week to which they are dragged for the currently displayed
month.
4) All :
Timetables will be added to every day of the currently displayed month.
73
Schedule Editor
Creating a schedule
●Saving a schedule
Save schedule
Use this option when you want to save the currently edited schedule under its original name.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Save Schedule].
You can also save a schedule by clicking
.
The schedule file will be overwritten and saved with the same name.
When “Schedule Editor” is started, the title bar will read “Untitled”. If you attempt to save at this
stage the [Save Schedule] dialog box will be displayed. For the remaining steps, refer to step 2 of
“Save schedule as”.
Save schedule as
Use this option when you want to save the currently edited schedule under a different name.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Save Schedule As].
The [Save Schedule As] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the schedule folder in which the schedule is to be
saved.
3. Enter a “Schedule Name”, and click [Save].
The schedule will be saved with a different name.
●Opening a schedule
Load a schedule that you have already saved, and use it.
Editing only the places you want to change in an existing file and saving the file under a new name is an efficient
way to create schedules.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Open Schedule].
You can also open a schedule by clicking
.
The [Open Schedule] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the schedule folder containing the schedule.
3. From the “List of Schedule”, select a schedule, and click
[Open].
The schedule you selected will be loaded into Schedule
Editor and you will be able to edit it.
Take care when saving a schedule you have edited using the [Save Schedule] option, as the
changes you have made will be reflected in the original file.
74
Schedule Editor
Creating a schedule
●Deleting a schedule
Delete unnecessary schedules.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Delete Schedule].
The [Delete Schedule] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the schedule folder containing the schedule.
3. From the “List of Schedule”, select a schedule, and click
[Delete].
4. Click [Yes].
The selected schedule will be deleted.
5. Click [Close].
●Changing schedule name
1. From the [File] menu, click [Properties of Schedule].
The [Properties of Schedule] dialog box will appear.
Check the schedule name and change it if you wish.
2. Click [OK].
75
Schedule Editor
Creating a schedule
●Importing/exporting a schedule
Exporting a schedule
The export function is used to write out a schedule so that it can be used with this product on another PC.
Exported schedule data includes programs and timetables that are registered to the schedule.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Export Schedule].
The [Export Schedule] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the schedule folder containing the schedule.
3. From the “List of Schedule”, select a schedule, and click
[Export].
The [Select the folder to export] dialog box will appear.
4. Specify the directory where you want to save the file,
enter a “File name” and click [Save].
The [Export Schedule] dialog box will appear.
A screen like the one on the right will appear during
the export. Click [Cancel] to cancel the export.
5. Click [OK].
The schedule export is now complete.
76
Schedule Editor
Creating a schedule
Importing a schedule
The import function is used to load an exported schedule that has been created with this product on another PC.
1. From the [File] menu, click [Import Schedule].
The [Select the schedule to import] dialog box will appear.
2. Select a (.sch) file to import, and click [Open].
The [Import Schedule] dialog box will appear.
A screen like the one on the right will appear while
the import is being prepared. Click [Cancel] to
cancel the import.
3. Select the schedule folder in which the schedule is to be
saved.
4. Enter a “Schedule Name”, and click [Import].
If the same program name or timetable name
already exists on the PC where the import is to be
used, a confirmation dialog box will appear. Choose
whether to overwrite the existing files or import
them under a new name.
5. Click [Yes].
The schedule will be saved with the name you entered.
The schedule import is now complete.
77
Panel Management and Option
Panel Management and Option
When distributing programs to multiple panels with the Network Version, you must first set the panels.
Managing panels
This function is only available with the Network Version.
●Launching Panel Control Management
1. Click
on the Launcher window.
The [Panel Management] dialog box will appear.
●The main Panel Management window
1) The “List of registered
panel” tree
2) Buttons
1) The “List of registered panel” tree
Displays a list of all registered panels.
Panel icons ( ) can be dragged and dropped inside this list to change their attribution (“(All Panels)” or an
“arbitrary group”).
The number of panels that can be managed depends on the license. (Maximum limit is 100 panels)
78
Panel Management and Option
Managing panels
2) Buttons
The buttons perform the following actions:
Name
Description
Adds a new panel to be managed.
Adds a new group.
Relevant page
Add Panel
Add Group
Edit
Below
F
p.80
F
Changes the content of the selected panel or group.
Deletes the selected panel or group.
Below, p.80
F
Delete
p.81
p.81
-
F
Manual Control
Exit
Sets panels and control commands to be controlled manually.
Closes the [Panel Management] window.
F
●Adding/editing a panel
1. Click [Add Panel] to add a new panel to manage.
The [Add Panel (Panel PC)] dialog box will appear.
Click [Edit] to edit an existing panel.
The [Edit Panel (Panel PC)] dialog box will appear.
The settings for the [Add Panel (Panel PC)] and [Edit Panel (Panel PC)] dialog boxes are the
same. Panels can also be edited after they have been added.
2. Set the options.
1) Panel name (Compulsory)
Choose a name that will make it easy to identify the
panel. (Names must be within 50 characters)
2) Group
In the Group box, select a group to add the panel to.
If you do not want to assign the panel to any particular
group, select “(none)”. Panels that are not assigned to
any particular group will be added under “All Panels”.
Clicking [Add Panel] while the “List of registered
panel” tree group or a panel assigned to a group is
selected will add the panel to the respective group.
3) Host name or IP address (Compulsory)
Sets the host name or IP address of target PC which can be accessed from the server.
It is not possible to create two or more panels with the same host name or IP address.
79
Panel Management and Option
Managing panels
4) MAC address
Set the MAC address for the target PC if you want to turn it on from the controller PC.
5) FTP Setting
Enter the “User name” (within 30 alphanumeric characters), “Password” (within 30 alphanumeric
characters), and “Port number” (1-32000) that you set for the target PC FTP settings.
• FTP settings for adding a panel can be set in advance. ( p.83)
F
• If you have installed the Viewer Version, a unique FTP Server will be installed, and started as a
service. The default TCP/IP port numbers are 20 and 21. If this port number is already used by
another service, change the port number. The FTP settings of the target PC Client Scheduler
must use the same port number. ( p.101)
F
6) Power Control
If you want to turn the power of the target PC on or off at a specified time, select the “Specify to power
on/off the panel through the server at the designated time”, and set the “Time to start” and “Time to
end”. (Times can be specified in increments of 5 minutes)
3. Click [Add] or [Cancel].
●Adding/editing a group
1. To add a group, click [Add Group].
The [Add Group] dialog box will appear.
To edit a group, select the group you want to edit and click [Edit].
The [Edit Group] dialog box will appear.
• A group can be created within a group
• It is not possible to create two or more groups with the same name.
2. Select the parent group.
3. Enter a “Group name”.
(Names must be within 50 characters)
4. Click [Add] or [Cancel].
80
Panel Management and Option
Managing panels
●Controlling a panel manually
Set this option when you want to control the target PC manually.
When controlling the target PC manually, (when turning on the panel PC), the Wake On LAN function
that operates by Magic Packets sent from the target PC must be enabled.
If the target PC is outside the same LAN segment, Magic Packets may not get through depending on
router specs and settings. Contact your network administrator for more details.
1. Click [Manual Control].
The [Manual Control for the Panel (Panel PC)] dialog box will appear.
2. Check the check boxes next to the panels or groups that
you want to control.
Select a “Control Command”.
The following three control commands can be sent:
• PC Power ON
• PC Reboot
• PC Power OFF
3. Click [Execute].
The control command will be sent.
●Deleting a panel or group
1. Select the panel or group that you want to delete.
If you select a group, all the panels assigned to that
group will be deleted.
2. Click [Delete].
A confirmation dialog box will appear.
3. Click [OK].
81
Panel Management and Option
Option
Option
Option allows you to check product version information and to set values for adding panels in advance.
●Launching Option
1. Click
on the Launcher window.
The [Option] dialog box will appear.
●Checking version information
The [Version] tab displays version information.
Registering a license code
If you input a temporary license code when installing, you will only be able to use the software for a two-month
trial period. Register your license code before the end of the trial period.
1. Click [Register].
The [Register License Code] dialog box will appear.
2. Enter your “license code” and click [Register].
If using Windows Vista/7, click [Allow] (for Windows
Vista) or [Yes] (for Windows 7) if a User Account
Control window appears.
82
Panel Management and Option
Option
●Adding default panel settings for panels
Set default values for FTP settings that are applied to all newly-added panels.
1. Click the [FTP Setting] tab.
2. Set the [Default to Add the Panel].
• User name (within 30 alphanumeric characters)
• Password (within 30 alphanumeric characters)
• Port number (1-32000)
The initial default values are:
• User name: ftp
• Password: ftp
• Port number: 21
• If you have installed the Viewer Version, a unique FTP Server will be installed, and started as a service.
The default TCP/IP port numbers are 20 and 21. If this port number is already used by another service,
change the port number. The FTP settings of the target PC Client Scheduler must use the same port
number. ( p.101)
F
• The port number should also be changed if there are security issues.
83
Schedule Distribution Tool
Distributing schedules
Distribute schedules created with Schedule Editor to the target PC.
The main Schedule Distribution Tool window
●Launching Schedule Distribution Tool
1. Click
on the Launcher window.
“Schedule Distribution Tool” will launch.
Schedule Distribution Tool can also be started by going to the Windows Taskbar and clicking [Start], [All
Programs], [SHARP Digital Signage Software], [Tools], and then [Schedule Distribution Tool].
●The main Schedule Distribution Tool window
1) Distribution settings button
2) Tabs
3) Distribution Reservation/
Log window
1) Distribution settings button
Launches a wizard for system and distribution method settings.
2) Tabs
Clicking a tab switches to the list window for each item.
3) Distribution Reservation/Log window
Displays details for the selected tab.
84
Schedule Distribution Tool
Distributing schedules
Distributing schedules
Schedules can be distributed in the following ways:
• Distributed to a target PC via a network (Network Version only)
• Distributed to your own PC
• Distributed via USB memory or other external device
The maximum total size of schedules (including programs and content) that can be distributed with
Schedule Distribution Tool is 2 GB. Data greater than this size cannot be distributed.
●Distributing via a network
Distribute schedules to the target PC via a network.
These instructions only apply to the Network Version.
1. Click [Distribute schedule or program to the panel].
The [Selection of Distribution Methods] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the “Distribute the schedule through the network”
option button, and click [Next].
The [Selection the Schedule to Distribute] dialog box will
appear.
3. Select a schedule.
If you would like to add the selected schedule to the current
schedule on the target PC, check the “Add this schedule on
the running schedule in the target panel” check box. If the box
is not checked, the current schedule on the target PC will be
replaced with the currently selected schedule.
Schedule replacement is performed in units of
days. It cannot be changed to units of hours.
4. Click [Next].
The [Selection of the Distribution Target] dialog box will appear.
85
Schedule Distribution Tool
Distributing schedules
5. Check the check boxes for all the panels and/or groups
that the schedule is to be sent to.
Clicking the buttons in the top right of the window will allow
you to add or edit panels and groups in the same way as the
[Panel Management] window ( p.78).
F
The buttons perform the following actions:
Button
Name
Description
Relevant page
Add Panel (Panel PC)
Adds a new panel to be managed.
p.79
F
F
Add Group
Adds a new group.
p.80
Changes the content of the selected panel or
group.
Edit Panel/Group
Delete Panel/Group
p.79-80
F
Deletes the selected panel or group.
p.81
F
6. Click [Next].
The [Selection of the Distribution Date Time and Option] dialog box will appear.
7. Select a “Distribution Date Time”.
• “Distribute now” option button
Distributes schedule as soon as the distribution wizard
exits.
• “Distribute at specified date time” option button
Distributes schedule at the set date and time.
8. Set “Distribution Options”.
• “Power ON the panel PC before the distribution” check box
Distributes the schedule after turning the target PC on if it is not
already turned on at the time of distribution.
• “Power OFF the panel PC after the distribution” check box
Turns the target PC power off after the schedule has been distributed.
9. Click [Next].
A [Confirmation] dialog box will appear.
10. Check the distribution settings, and click [Finish].
The distribution or distribution reservation will be executed.
Distribution data can be packaged and saved as
a single file that includes schedule information
including programs, timetables, and content.
Click [Save the Package], and in the [Save the
Package] dialog box that appears, specify a
directory to save the file to. Then enter a “File
name”, and click [Save]. There is usually no need to
use this function.
86
Schedule Distribution Tool
Distributing schedules
11. If you selected the “Distribute now” option button in step
7, a screen like the one on the right will appear. Check
that the distribution was successful and click [Close].
If you selected the “Distribute at specified date time”
option button in step 7, a screen like the one on the right
will appear. Click [OK].
• Schedule and program distribution may take some time. If you perform simultaneous distribution to
multiple panels, data is actually sent sequentially. For this reason, there may be some time difference in
schedule and program distribution.
• Old schedules are no longer required after new schedules have been sent. Unnecessary schedules and
their associated content will be automatically deleted the next time Client Scheduler starts.
●Distributing to your own PC
These instructions only apply to the Standalone Version.
1. Click [Distribute schedule or program to the panel].
The [Selection of Distribution Methods] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the “Distribute the schedule to your PC (My
computer)” option button, and click [Next].
The [Selection the Schedule to Distribute] dialog box will
appear.
3. Select a schedule.
If you want to add the selected schedule to the current open
schedule on your PC, check the “Add this schedule on the
running schedule in the target panel” check box. If the box is
not checked, the currently open schedule on your PC will be
replaced with the currently selected schedule.
4. Click [Next].
A [Confirmation] dialog box will appear.
87
Schedule Distribution Tool
Distributing schedules
5. Check the distribution settings, and click [Finish].
The distribution will be executed.
Distribution data can be packaged and saved as
a single file that includes schedule information
including programs, timetables, and content.
Click [Save the Package], and in the [Save the
Package] dialog box that appears, specify a
directory to save the file to. Then enter a “File
name”, and click [Save]. There is usually no need to
use this function.
6. A screen like the one on the right will appear. Check that
the distribution was successful and click [Close].
●Distributing with USB memory or other external storage device
• Do not remove the USB memory or other external storage device from your PC until the transfer is
complete.
• Certain USB devices and other external storage devices may not be able to distribute correctly.
• Set the target PC to “Normal mode.” If it is set to “Contents direct distribute mode,” schedules cannot be
distributed ( p.103).
F
1. Click [Distribute schedule or program to the panel].
The [Selection of Distribution Methods] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the “Distribute the schedule using external
storage such as USB memory” option button, and click
[Next].
The [Selection the Schedule to Distribute] dialog box will
appear.
88
Schedule Distribution Tool
Distributing schedules
3. Select a schedule.
If you would like to add the selected schedule to the currently
open schedule on the target PC, check the “Add this
schedule on the running schedule in the target panel.” check
box. If the box is not checked, the currently open schedule
on the target PC will be replaced with the currently selected
schedule.
4. Click [Next].
The [Selection of the Drive to Transfer] dialog box will appear.
5. Select the drive to which you want to transfer the schedule to.
6. Click [Next].
A [Confirmation] dialog box will appear.
7. Check the distribution settings, and click [Finish].
The distribution will be executed.
Distribution data can be packaged and saved as a single
file that includes schedule information including programs,
timetables, and content.
Click [Save the Package], and in the [Save the Package]
dialog box that appears, specify a directory to save the
file to. Then enter a “File name”, and click [Save]. There is
usually no need to use this function.
8. Click [Yes].
A confirmation dialog box will appear again.
9. Click [OK].
10. Remove the USB memory or other storage device from
the PC.
If you clicked [No] in step 8, remove the device via the Safely Remove Hardware icon ( ) in the
Task Tray.
11. Connect the USB memory or other external storage device to the target PC.
The schedule will be automatically distributed. The USB memory or other external storage device will
automatically stop when the distribution is complete. Check the message, and remove the device.
89
Schedule Distribution Tool
Displaying break-in programs
Displaying break-in programs
●Distributing via a network and making a break-in display
• This function is only available with the Network Version.
• If ordinary schedule distribution and break-in distribution overlap, the break-in distribution has the higher
priority in processing.
1. Click [Distribute schedule or program to the panel].
The [Selection of Distribution Methods] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the “Distribute the program through network and make a
break-in display” radio button, and click [Next].
The [Selection of the Break-in Program] dialog box will appear.
3. Select a program, and click [Next].
The [Selection of the Distribution Target] dialog box will appear.
4. Check the check boxes for all the panels and/or groups that the
schedule is to be sent to.
Clicking the buttons in the top right of the window will allow you
to add or edit panels and groups in the same way as the [Panel
Management] window ( p.78). For a description of button actions,
F
refer to p.86.
5. Click [Next].
The [Display Time and Periods of Break-in Program] will appear.
90
Schedule Distribution Tool
Displaying break-in programs
6. Set the “Display Time of Break-in Program” area.
• “Display the break-in program as soon as distribution has been
completed” option button
Displays the program as soon as the distribution wizard exits.
• “Start the break-in program at the time specified” option button
Starts program display at the set time.
7. Set a “Display Time”
8. If you want to perform panel control operations before
and after a break-in program, check the “Conduct panel
control before and after the program display” check box,
and click [Next].
The [Specification of Panel Control Command] dialog box will
appear.
If you do not want to perform panel control operations before and after a break-in program, clear the
“Conduct panel control before and after the program display” check box, and click [Next].
A [Confirmation] dialog box will appear. Proceed to step 11.
9. Set the [Panel Control Command].
“Before Display the Break-in Program”
• “Power ON the panel before display the program” check
box
Turns the panel on before displaying the break-in
program.
* It cannot be used with the LB-46GX35 and LB-52GX35.
• “Switch the panel input before display the program as
below” check box
Switches to the specified input before displaying the
break-in program.
“After Display the Break-in Program”
• “Power OFF the panel after display the program” check box
Turns the panel off after the break-in program has finished.
• “Switch the panel input after display the program as below” check box
Switches to the specified input after displaying the break-in program.
10. Click [Next].
A [Confirmation] dialog box will appear.
11. Check the distribution settings, and click [Finish].
The break-in program display or display reservation will be
executed.
By packaging distribution data, program information
containing break-in programs and other contents
can be saved as a single file.
Click [Save the Package], and in the [Save the
Package] dialog box that appears, specify a
directory to save the file to. Then enter a “File
name”, and click [Save]. There is usually no need to
use this function.
91
Schedule Distribution Tool
Displaying break-in programs
12. A screen like the one on the right will appear. Check that
the distribution was successful and click [Close].
• If the set time has already passed the break-in program
will not be displayed.
• Once the break-in program has been displayed in the
target panel for the amount of time specified in “Display
Time”, the panel will return to the original program.
Display will resume from the start of the program that
would otherwise have been playing when the break-in
program ends.
• Whether a break-in program has ended is checked every minute (at second 00). The point at which the
display of the break-in program ends and the original program starts is the first second 00 after the end
of the break-in program.
• Only one break-in program can be registered. Programs distributed later will be given priority.
●Distributing to your own PC and making a break-in display
This function is only available with the Standalone Version.
1. Click [Distribute schedule or program to the panel].
The [Selection of Distribution Methods] dialog box will appear.
2. Select the “Distribute the break-in program to your PC
(My computer)” option button, and click [Next].
The [Selection of the Break-in Program] dialog box will
appear.
3. Select a program, and click [Next].
The [Display Time and Periods of Break-in Program] will
appear.
92
Schedule Distribution Tool
Displaying break-in programs
4. Set the “Display Time of Break-in Program” area.
• “Display the break-in program as soon as distribution has
been completed” option button
Displays the program as soon as the distribution wizard
exits.
• “Start the break-in program at the time specified” option
button
Starts program display at the set time.
5. Set a “Display Time”
6. If you want to perform panel control operations before and after a break-in program, check the
“Conduct panel control before and after the program display” check box, and click [Next].
The [Specification of Panel Control Command] dialog box will appear.
If you do not want to perform panel control operations before and after a break-in program, clear the
“Conduct panel control before and after the program display” check box, and click [Next].
A [Confirmation] dialog box will appear. Proceed to step 9.
7. Set the [Panel Control Command].
“Before Display the Break-in Program”
• “Power ON the panel before display the program” check box
Turns the panel on before displaying the break-in program.
* It cannot be used with the LB-46GX35 and LB-52GX35.
• “Switch the panel input before display the program as
below” check box
Switches to the specified input before displaying the
break-in program.
“After Display the Break-in Program”
• “Power OFF the panel after display the program” check box
Turns the panel off after the break-in program has finished.
• “Switch the panel input after display the program as below” check box
Switches to the specified input after displaying the break-in program.
8. Click [Next].
A [Confirmation] dialog box will appear.
9. Check the distribution settings, and click [Finish].
The break-in program display or display reservation will be
executed.
By packaging distribution data, program information
containing break-in programs and other contents
can be saved as a single file.
Click [Save the Package], and in the [Save the
Package] dialog box that appears, specify a
directory to save the file to. Then enter a “File
name”, and click [Save]. There is usually no need to
use this function.
93
Schedule Distribution Tool
Displaying break-in programs
10. A screen like the one on the right will appear. Check that
the distribution was successful and click [Close].
• If the set time has already passed the break-in program will not be displayed.
• Once the break-in program has been displayed in the target panel for the amount of time specified in
“Display Time”, the panel will return to the original program. Display will resume from the start of the
program that would otherwise have been playing when the break-in program ends.
•
Whether a break-in program has ended is checked every minute (at second 00). The point at which the display of the
break-in program ends and the original program starts is the first second 00 after the end of the break-in program.
94
Schedule Distribution Tool
List of Reserved Distribution/List of Distribution Log
List of Reserved Distribution/List of Distribution Log
●List of Reserved Distribution
Click the [Reserved Distribution] tab to display the list of currently reserved distributions. There are five
categories: Schedule Name, Distribution Target, Reserved Date Time, Power ON, and Power OFF. Clicking on a
category will organize the reservations in ascending or descending order.
Deleting reserved distributions
Reserved distributions can be deleted by any of the following three methods:
• Select a reservation and click the button at the top right of the list (
).
• Right-click on a reservation, and from the menu that appears, click [Delete the Reserved Distribution].
• Select a reservation and press [Delete].
Updating
Reserved distributions can be updated by either of the two following methods:
• Right-click in the Reserved Distribution List, and from the menu that appears, click [Refresh the Information].
• Press [F5].
●List of Distribution Log
Click the [Distribution Log] tab to display a distribution log of schedules and break-in programs.
There are eight categories: Schedule Name, Distribution Target, Complete Date Time, Type, Result, Start Date
Time, Data Size, and Detail Information. Clicking on a category will organize the reservations in ascending or
descending order.
95
Schedule Distribution Tool
List of Reserved Distribution/List of Distribution Log
Deleting the entire distribution log
The entire contents of the distribution log can be deleted by either of the following two methods:
• Right-click in the Distribution Log, and from the menu that appears, click [Delete All Distribution Log].
• Press [Delete].
A confirmation dialog box will appear. Click [OK].
Updating
The distribution log can be updated by either of the two following methods:
• Right-click in the Distribution Log, and from the menu that appears, click [Refresh the Information].
• Press [F5].
Outputting CSV File of Distribution Log
The distribution log can be output as a CSV file.
1. Right-click in the Distribution Log, and from the menu that appears, click [Output CSV File of
Distribution Log].
The [Select the CSV file you want to write down] dialog box will appear.
2. Enter a “File Name”, and click [Save].
96
Server Scheduler
Schedule Management
This function is only available with the Network Version.
Server Scheduler
Server Scheduler controls reserved distribution schedules that have been reserved with “Schedule Distribution
Tool”, and distributes schedules to the target PC at the scheduled time.
Server Scheduler is automatically started when Windows launches.
When Server Scheduler launches, an icon ( ) is displayed (and resides permanently) in the Task Tray.
Do not exit Server Scheduler unnecessarily.
97
FTP Server/Client Scheduler
Schedule Reception/Program Display
This function is available on the Viewer Versions.
This section gives details for target PC settings when schedules and programs are distributed from the controller
PC using the Network Version.
FTP Server
The FTP Server receives schedules and break-in programs from the controller PC, and passes them to the
Client Scheduler.
●Launching the FTP Server
The FTP Server launches automatically when Windows is launched.
To check if the FTP Server service is started or not, use the following method:
• If using Windows XP
1. From the Windows Taskbar click [Start], [Control Panel], [Performance and Maintenance],
[Administrative Tools], [Services].
The [Services] window will appear.
2. Check that the status of “SHARP LCD Monitor FTP Server” under “Services” is “Started”.
If the service is not started click “Start the Service”.
• If using Windows Vista
1. Right-click on an empty area of the Taskbar, and from the menu that appears, click [Taskbar].
The [Windows Task Manager] dialog will appear.
2. Click the [Processes] tab and confirm that “FTPD.exe” is displayed.
• If using Windows 7
1. Right-click on an empty area of the Taskbar, and from the menu that appears, click [Start Task
Manager].
The [Windows Task Manager] dialog will appear.
2. Click the [Processes] tab and confirm that “FTPD.exe” is displayed.
98
FTP Server/Client Scheduler
Client Scheduler
Client Scheduler
Client Scheduler is used on the target PC.
It loads the schedules and break-in programs that have been received by the FTP Server, and controls the
Program Viewer to display specified programs at the specified time.
●Launching Client Scheduler
Client Scheduler is automatically launched by “Startup” when Windows launches.
When Client Scheduler launches, an icon ( ) is displayed (and resides permanently) in the Task Tray.
●Client Scheduler menu
The menu that appears when the icon in the Task Tray is
right-clicked performs the following actions:
Setting
Clicking the [Setting] menu displays the [Setting of Client Scheduler] dialog box. The tabs in this dialog box
contain the following settings:
[Program Viewer] tab
Contains detailed settings for the Program Viewer.
• You can view programs even when there are no
programs being displayed by checking the “Paint the
program view area, if no program played.” check box. Set
the display content by clicking [Paint Setting].
· [Dark blue] option button
Displays the area defined by “Display area” settings in
dark blue.
· “Content file” option button
Sets the content file path, display method, and
background color from the [Setting of the contents file]
dialog box that appears when [Setting] is clicked.
1) Click [Ref], and select a content file. You may select
any file format that is supported by this product.
2) Select a “Display mode” from the “Keeping aspect
ratio”, “Not keeping aspect ratio”, or “In original size”
option buttons.
3) Set the “Background color”.
· “Program” option button
Click [Import], and select an existing program. You may
select programs that have been exported with Program
Editor.
99
FTP Server/Client Scheduler
Client Scheduler
• The area set under the [Display Area] tab will be the display area (except when a program is specified).
• “Smooth contents change” check box
Check this check box to switch between contents smoothly by preparing the playback of the next
content before the end of the current content. Also check this check box when it is necessary to
synchronize the content display between frames.
Clicking [Preload Setting] allows you to set the content that is to be read in advance.
• Making the switching of contents smooth will
increase the load on the CPU and the memory use
amount. It is recommended that tests be conducted
by actually displaying programs before operation.
• When performing advanced reading of a content
that can be played with Windows Media Player,
the video accelerator is disabled. Check that your
PC has enough performance to display contents
without the video accelerator.
• If a content that can be played with Internet
Explorer is read in advance, Flash contents and
banners embedded in the content may be started
from the middle.
• “Set limit of print screen area” check box
When you are outputting multiple screens on a target PC,
the Screen Capture function captures the entire desktop.
Check this box to capture just a part of the screen output.
Click [Area Setting] and define the area you want to
capture.
• “Don’t move focus while program viewer starts” check box
This box is usually left unchecked.
Check this box if you do not want the Program Viewer focus to move when you launch the Program
Viewer.
• “Hide task bar while showing” check box
When this check box is checked, the task bar is hidden when Program Viewer is launched and it is
re-displayed when Program Viewer is closed.
• “My Contents folder”: Enter the path of the folder in which contents to be distributed in advance are to be
saved.
The initial default values are:
• My Contents folder: C:\Program Files\SHARP\SHARP Digital Signage Software\My Contents\
(For Windows Vista/7, C:\Program Data\SHARP\SHARP Digital Signage Software\My Contents\)
100
FTP Server/Client Scheduler
Client Scheduler
[Display Area] tab
• “Display area for distributed program”
When the display area of the program and the resolution
of the panel are different, this tab allows you to display the
program regardless of the display area set for the program.
Check the “Always display the distributed program in the
following area” check box and set the area in which the
program is to be displayed.
[Power Control] tab
Manages power on target PCs currently being configured.
• “Shutdown on the designated time” check box
Check this box to turn off the target PC at the specified time.
• “Reboot on the designated time” check box
Check this box to restart the target PC at the specified time.
[FTP Server] tab
Sets the FTP Server.
• “User name”: Must be kept within 30 alphanumeric
characters.
• “Password”: Must be kept within 30 alphanumeric
characters.
• “Port Number”: Enter a value between 1 and 32000.
If you have installed the Viewer Version, a unique FTP Server will be installed, and started as a
service. The default TCP/IP port numbers are 20 and 21. If this port number is already used by
another service, change the port number. The FTP settings of the panels registered with “Panel
Management” on the control PC must use the same port number. (Fp.80)
[Panel Control] tab
• “No panel” option button
Panels will not be controlled.
• “Single panel” option button
Click [Connection Setting] and select the panel control
method (RS-232C/LAN).
• [Connection Setting]
Select either “RS-232C” or “LAN” from the [Connecting
interface] option buttons.
Setting
Description
Default
COM1
9600
COM port
COM1~COM256
RS-232C
LAN
Baud Rate
9600, 19200, 38400
Host name or IP Enter the host name or the IP address of the panel to be
-
address
controlled within 32 alphanumeric characters.
Enter a data port number between 1025 and 65535 for the
panels to be controlled.
Data port
10008
Enter the username, if one exists for the panels to be
controlled, in 8 characters or less.
User name
-
-
Enter the password, if one exists for the panels to be
controlled, in 8 characters or less.
Password
101
FTP Server/Client Scheduler
Client Scheduler
• [Test connection]
Check the connection to confirm that the panel can be controlled. After the connection is established
successfully, the model name of the panel is acquired and displayed. Perform operation with the power
of the panel turned on. To control the panel with the LB-1085, be sure to check the connection once. The
panel cannot be controlled unless a “Test connection” is performed.
• “Multiple Panels” option button
You can select and control panels from up to 25 panels. You can also set power control, entry method,
timing, and PIP functions. In addition, you can acquire the status of each panel and other information.
• [Connection Setting]
A list of connected panels appears when you click
[Connection Setting].
Add panels to the list the first time you use this function
by clicking [Add].
Setting
Description
Default
COM1
9600
COM port
Baud Rate
COM1~COM256
RS-232C
LAN
9600, 19200, 38400
Host name or IP Enter the host name or the IP address of the panel to be
-
address
controlled within 32 alphanumeric characters.
Enter a data port number between 1025 and 65535 for the
panels to be controlled.
Data port
10008
Enter the username, if one exists for the panels to be
controlled, in 8 characters or less.
User name
-
-
Enter the password, if one exists for the panels to be
controlled, in 8 characters or less.
Password
Select IDs in order to identify panels when PCs are connected
in a daisy chain.
(Do not connect in a daisy chain), 1-255
(Do not
Panel IDs
connect in a
daisy chain)
• “Power ON the panel before starting up this software.” check box
When this check box is checked, the power of the panel is turned on when the Client Scheduler is
started.
* The function of turning on the power of the panel cannot be used with the LB-46GX35 and
LB-52GX35.
• “Power OFF the panel before exiting this software.” check box
When this check box is checked, the power of the panel is turned off when the Client Scheduler is
terminated.
• “Synchronize the panel time with PC time before starting up this software.” check box
When this check box is checked, the clock of the panel is set to the time of the target PC when the Client
Scheduler is launched.
102
FTP Server/Client Scheduler
Client Scheduler
[USB Distribute] tab
Sets the details of USB distribution.
• “Show time of the dialog to cancel distribution”
If you set a time longer than one second, the distribution
cancel dialog box is displayed when USB memory or
another external storage device is inserted.
If you click [Yes] in the distribution cancel dialog box,
distribution is canceled. Remove USB memory or
another external storage device using the safe removal
icon ( ) in the Task Tray.
• “Normal mode” option button
Select this button to perform USB distribution with
“Schedule Distribution Tool” ( p.104).
F
• “Contents direct distribute mode” option button
Select this button to perform USB distribution with “Contents direct distribute mode” ( p.104).
F
• “USB memory’s folder to distribute”
If you perform distribution with “Contents direct distribute mode,” enter the path of the folder of the USB
memory containing the content.
Displaying the log
Click the [View the Log] menu to display a log of Client Scheduler
operations.
The log can be cleared and updated.
Pausing a program
Clicking the [Pause to View Program] menu will pause the currently displayed program. When the program
is paused a check mark will be displayed to the left of the menu. Clicking [Pause to View Program] again will
restart program display.
Deleting Schedule Information
Click the [Delete Schedule Information] menu. A confirmation
message will appear. Click [Yes] to delete all registered schedule
information currently saved in Client Scheduler.
Deleting Break-in Program Information
Click the [Delete Break-in Program Information] menu. A confirmation message will appear. Click [Yes] to delete
all registered break-in program information currently saved in Client Scheduler.
Get data from management PC
Target PCs receive data from the controller PC when you click the [Get data from management PC] menu.
This function can only be used with “Pull-based data delivery.”
103
FTP Server/Client Scheduler
Distributing content directly by using USB memory or another external storage device
Version information
Click the [Version] menu. The Client Scheduler [Version] dialog
box will appear.
You may be asked to provide version information in
the event that you need to contact SHARP regarding a
problem with SHARP Digital Signage Software.
If you input a temporary license code when installing, you will
only be able to use the software for a two-month trial period.
Register your license code before the end of the trial period.
For instructions on how to register License Codes refer to p.82.
Exiting Client Scheduler
To exit Client Scheduler, click the [Exit Client Scheduler] menu.
Do not exit Client Scheduler unnecessarily.
Distributing content directly by using USB memory or another external storage device
The content can be displayed simply by inserting USB memory or another external storage device containing
copied content into the target PC.
• Do not remove the USB memory or another external storage device from the PC before transfer is
completed.
• Depending on the external storage device such as USB memory, distribution cannot be performed
successfully.
1. Set the target PC to “Contents direct distribute mode.”
1) Click the icon ( ) in the Task Tray in the target PC and click the [Setting] menu.
2) Click the [USB Distribute] tab and select the “Contents direct distribute mode” option button ( p.92).
F
3) Set “USB memory’s folder to distribute” as required.
4) Click [OK].
104
FTP Server/Client Scheduler
Program Viewer
2. Copy the content to be distributed to USB memory or another external storage device.
Copy the content to the folder set in Step 1-(3).
The contents placed in folders lower than the set folder are not displayed.
• In the Contents direct distribute mode, HTML files cannot be displayed.
• Contents are executed in ascending order of the file names.
By attaching a serial number such as “001,” “002,” …, at the head of each file name, the order of play
can be set.
• The play time of content is usually 10 seconds. For video, it is the time until play is completed.
By appending “_[numerical value]m” (minutes) or “_[numerical value]s” (seconds) to the file name of the
content, the play time of the content can be set (24 hours maximum).
[Example] If image_30s.jpg is specified, the content is displayed for 30 seconds.
• By placing Telop.txt (text file) in the specified folder, its contents can be displayed as scroll messages.
3. Remove the external storage device such as USB memory from the PC.
Remove it from the safe removal icon ( ) in the Task Tray.
4. Insert the external storage device such as USB memory into the target PC.
The content will be distributed automatically. After distribution is complete, the external storage device such
as USB memory stops automatically. Check the message and remove it.
Program Viewer
Program Viewer is used on the target PC.
It displays programs based on schedules and break-in programs loaded by Client Scheduler.
• To pause a program, right-click the Client Scheduler icon, and from the menu that appears, click [Pause
to View Program].
• To change advanced settings for Program Viewer, right-click the Client Scheduler icon and from the
menu that appears, click [Setting]. Settings can be adjusted from the [Setting of Client Scheduler] dialog
box that appears. ( p.99)
F
105
Key/Mouse Monitoring Tool
Key/Mouse Monitoring
This function is available with the Viewer Versions.
This section explains the function of switching displayed programs using keyboard and mouse operations.
Key/Mouse Monitoring Tool Window
●Launching the Key/Mouse Monitoring Tool window
1. From the Windows Taskbar, click [Start], [All Programs], [SHARP Digital Signage Software], [Tools]
and then [Key-Mouse Watcher].
The key/mouse monitoring tool launches and an icon (
Task Tray.
) is displayed (and remains permanently) in the
●Key/Mouse Monitoring Tool menu
From the menu that appears when the icon in the Task Tray is
right-clicked, the following operations can be performed.
Configuration
Set the operation mode of the Key/Mouse Monitoring Tool.
• “Disable” option button
Disables the operation of the Key/Mouse Monitoring Tool.
• “Screen Saver Mode” option button
If a keyboard or mouse operation is performed, display of
the program is stopped temporarily.
If a keyboard or mouse operation is not performed for a
certain period of time, the distributed program is displayed.
By clicking [Configuration], the following setting can be
performed.
The period of time before the program display is
resumed
The program display is resumed by pressing the [Ctrl],
[Alt], and [V] keys.
• “Change Program Mode” option button
By assigning an action to a combination of keys, the
action can be performed by key operation.
Up to 20 actions can be assigned.
Set the key assignment and action by clicking
[Configuration].
106
Key/Mouse Monitoring Tool
Key/Mouse Monitoring Tool Window
1) Click the option to be edited and click [Edit].
A dialog box will appear.
2) Set the options.
• “Key Setting”
Set the combination of keys to be registered.
• “Operation”
Set the action of the registered key.
• If you select “View preset program,” specify the ID number of
the preset program to be displayed in “ID of preset prg.”.
If the preset program has not been imported, specify the ID
number and import the program.
1) Enter a number in “ID of preset prg.”.
2) Click [Import].
3) Specify the exported program data and click [Open].
The program is imported to the specified preset number ID.
• If you select “Run application,” enter the path of the application to be executed in “Path.” It is also possible to
enter “Option.”
3) Click [OK].
• If the same key is assigned to different IDs, the assigned action is performed in ascending order of IDs.
• If the [Ctrl] key is pressed when PowerPoint Viewer is launched, PowerPoint content is not displayed in
the correct position. Take care when displaying a program containing PowerPoint content.
• “Change program, if a mouse event comes when it shows scheduled program.” check box.
When this check box is checked, actions are assigned to mouse operations so that actions can be performed
by operating the mouse.
1) Click [Detail].
“Assign for mouse input” will appear.
2) Set the options.
• “Operation”
Set the action of the registered mouse operation.
• If you select “View preset program,” specify the ID number of
the preset program to be displayed in “ID of preset prg.”.
If the preset program has not been imported, specify the ID
number and import the program.
1) Enter the ID number in “ID of preset prg.”.
2) Click [Import].
3) Specify the exported program data and click [Open].
• If you select “Run application,” enter the path of the application to be executed in “Path.” It is also possible to
enter “Option.”
3) Click [OK].
• “Program” refers to a scheduled program or a break-in program. When a preset program is being
displayed, the assigned action cannot be performed.
107
Key/Mouse Monitoring Tool
Key/Mouse Monitoring Tool Window
• “Play program again, if no input has come for a certain time” check box
When this check box is checked, the normal program is resumed if the key or mouse is not operated for a
certain period of time.
1) Click [Detail].
The “Configuration for Restart Program” dialog box will appear.
2) Set the options.
• “Time to restart program after last key event”
Set the period of time before program display is resumed.
• “Execute an application when the program restart.” check box
If you check this check box, enter the path of the application
to be executed in “Path.” It is also possible to enter “Option.”
3) Click [OK].
About
Displays the version of the Key/Mouse Monitoring Tool.
Exit
Exits the Key/Mouse Monitoring Tool.
108
Status Monitoring Tool
Monitoring status
This function is only available with the Network Version.
The Status Monitoring Tool allows you to check panel status and control target PC power.
The main Status Monitoring Tool window
●Launching Status Monitoring Tool
1. From the Windows Taskbar, click [Start], [All Programs], [SHARP Digital Signage Software], [Tools],
[Status Monitoring Tool].
“Status Monitoring Tool” will launch.
●The main Status Monitoring Tool window
1) Menus
2) Toolbar
3) Group tree
4) Panel list
1) Menus
Menu options are as follows:
Relevant
Menu option
Exit
Description
Exits Status Monitoring Tool.
page
File
-
Select all panels
Selects all panels displayed in the panel list.
p.112
F
F
Select panels without
response
Selects all panels in the panel list that are not responding
(including panels for which status has not been acquired).
p.112
Panel
Select panels with
response
Selects all panels in the panel list that are responding.
p.112
F
109
Status Monitoring Tool
The main Status Monitoring Tool window
Relevant
page
Menu option
Description
Power on Turns on the target PC of selected panels.
Reboot Restarts the target PC of selected panels.
Power off Turns off the target PC of selected panels.
p.113
F
p.113
F
p.113
F
Power control
of controller PC
Status acquisition of
selected panels
Panel
Starts status acquisition of selected panels.
p.112
F
Displays panel status details if only one panel is selected.
This function can be used only with the SHARP LCD
monitor (PN series).
Property
p.114
F
Operation environment
Displays the [Setting of operation environment] dialog box.
p.116
p.113
F
Panel setting without status Displays the [Panel setting without status acquisition] dialog
acquisition
F
box.
Changes the size of thumbnails displayed in the panel list
to Small.
Small
p.115
F
p.115
F
p.115
F
Changes the size of thumbnails displayed in the panel list
to Medium.
Thumbnail size Medium
Option
Changes the size of thumbnails displayed in the panel list
to Large.
Large
Starts status acquisition of all panels registered in Panel
Management (except for panels set without status
acquisition).
Start of status acquisition
p.112
F
Cancel of status acquisition Cancels panel status acquisition.
p.112
F
Help
About Status Monitoring Tool Displays version information for Status Monitoring Tool.
-
2) Toolbar
The toolbar buttons (icons) perform the following actions:
Icon Menu option
Power on
Relevant
page
Description
Turns on the target PC of selected panels.
p.113
F
p.113
F
p.113
F
Rebot
Restarts the target PC of selected panels.
Power off
Turns off the target PC of selected panels.
Displays panel status details if only one panel is selected.
Show the panel information This function can be used only with the SHARP LCD
p.114
F
monitor (PN series).
Changes the size of thumbnails displayed in the panel list
Small thumbnail
to Small.
p.115
F
p.115
F
p.115
F
Changes the size of thumbnails displayed in the panel list
Medium thumbnail
to Medium.
Changes the size of thumbnails displayed in the panel list
Large thumbnail
to Large.
Starts status acquisition of all panels registered in Panel
Start of status acquisition Management (except for panels set without status
acquisition).
p.112
F
F
Cancel of Status
Cancels panel status acquisition.
acquisition
p.112
110
Status Monitoring Tool
The main Status Monitoring Tool window
3) Group tree
Displays groups registered in Panel Management.( p.78)
F
When a group is selected, all the panels that belong to it (except for panels set without status acquisition) are
displayed in the panel list.
When “(Select all panels)” is selected, all panels (except for panels set without status acquisition) are displayed
in the panel list.
4) Panel list
Displays a list of all panels in the selected groups in the group tree (except for panels set without status
acquisition).
Panel icons and thumbnails change according to panel status.
Panel icon/thumbnail
Description
Displayed when the statuses of the panel and the target PC have not been acquired.
Displayed when there is no response from the target PC.
Displayed when there is a response from the target PC, but screen captures of the
currently displayed screen cannot be acquired.
Displayed when there is a response from the target PC and screen captures of the
currently displayed screen can be acquired.
* Thumbnails of acquired screen captures will be displayed. (It differs depending on
the display of the target PC.)
* To acquire an image capture of the screen, check “Acquisition of screen capture
displaying by controller PC” in the [Setting of operation environment] dialog box.
(Fp.105)
(Example image only)
This warning icon will appear
when there is an error in
acquiring IDP status (e.g.
power-off, hardware error,
etc.).
111
Status Monitoring Tool
Acquiring and displaying panel status
Acquiring and displaying panel status
●Acquiring status of selected panels
1. Select a group from the group tree, and then select a
panel from the panel list.
• To select all panels in the panel list, either click
[Select all panels] from the [Panel] menu, or press
[Ctrl] + [A].
• To select all panels in the panel list that are not responding (including panels for which status has not
been acquired), either click [Select panels without response] from the [Panel] menu, or press [Ctrl]
+ [Shift] + [A].
• To select all panels in the panel list that are responding, either click [Select panels with response]
from the [Panel] menu, or press [Ctrl] + [Alt] + [A].
2. From the [Panel] menu, click [Status acquisition of selected panels].
Status acquisition of selected panels will start.
• To acquire panel status for all panels registered in Panel Management (except for panels set
without status acquisition), click [Start of status acquisition] from the [Option] menu, or alternatively,
click
• To cancel panel status acquisition, click [Cancel of status acquisition] from the [Option] menu, or
alternatively, click
.
.
When panel status is acquired, panel icons and thumbnails
will change.
The image can be enlarged by double-clicking it.
112
Status Monitoring Tool
Acquiring and displaying panel status
●Setting panels for which status will not be obtained
It is possible to set panels for which status will not be acquired so that they will not be displayed in the panel list.
1. From the [Option] menu click [Panel setting without status acquisition].
2. Select panels from the “Panel list with getting status”.
3. Click [Add].
The selected panels will move to the “Panel list without
getting status”.
4. Click [OK].
To reset a panel so that its status will be acquired,
select it from the “Panel list without getting status”,
and click [Remove].
●Controlling target PC power
The target PC can be turned on and off, and restarted.
1. Select a group from the group tree, and then select a
panel from the panel list.
2. To turn the target PC on, from the [Panel] menu, click [Power control of controller PC] and then
[Power on], or alternatively, click
.
To restart the target PC, from the [Panel] menu, click [Power control of controller PC] and then
[Reboot], or alternatively, click
.
To turn the target PC off, from the [Panel] menu, click [Power control of controller PC] and then
[Power off], or alternatively, click
.
A confirmation dialog box will appear.
3. Click [Yes].
The process will be executed.
113
Status Monitoring Tool
Acquiring and displaying panel status
4. A screen like the one on the right will appear. Check that
the distribution was successful and click [Close].
●Displaying detailed information for a panel
1. Select a group from the group tree, and then select a
panel from the panel list.
2. From the [Panel] menu click [Property], or alternatively, click
The [Panel property] dialog box will appear.
.
3. Check the settings, and click [Close].
• To display “Panel (PN series) status,” check “Status acquisition of panel (PN series)” in the [Setting
of operation environment] dialog box ( p.116)
F
114
Status Monitoring Tool
Acquiring and displaying panel status
●Changing thumbnail size
It is possible to change the size of the thumbnails of the screen captures acquired from the panels.
1. Click the buttons on the toolbar.
(Small:
Or alternatively, from the [Option] menu, click [Thumbnail size], and select the size you want to use.
Small Medium Large
, Medium:
, Large:
)
115
Status Monitoring Tool
Setting the operation environment
Setting the operation environment
Set advanced settings for panel status acquisition.
1. From the [Option] menu click [Operation environment].
The [Setting of operation environment] dialog box will appear.
2. Set the options.
1) Check the “Response confirmation of controller PC
through ICMP ECHO packet” check box. (Compulsory)
The check box cannot be cleared.
• Timeout (seconds)
Sets the timeout value for confirming a response from
the target PC. Values of from 1-10 seconds can be
selected.
• Retry count
Sets the number of retries permitted when confirming
a response from the target PC. Values of from 1-10
times can be selected.
If there is no response, a delay of “timeout value x number of retries” seconds will occur.
2) “Acquisition of displaying program information” check box
Check this box to acquire information about the currently displayed program from the target PC.
3) “Acquisition of screen capture displaying by controller PC” check box
Check this box to acquire the currently displayed screen capture from the target PC. The acquired
screen captures will be displayed as thumbnails.
It may not always be possible to acquire screen captures of movies.
4) “Status acquisition of panel (PN series)” check box
Check this box to acquire information about the panel from the target PC.
This function can be used only with the SHARP LCD monitor (PN series).
5) “Acquisition of license information” check box
Check the check box to view the license code and the file version of the SHARP Digital Signage
Software viewer version.
6) “Auto acquisition under the following interval” check box
Check this box to automatically acquire panel status at regular intervals.
• Acquisition interval
Set the interval at which you want to obtain panel status. Values of 1-60 minutes can be set.
3. Click [OK].
116
PN-SS01/SS02/SV01 10D(2)
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