Serial Comm - Scrolling Text board

I am in the process of making Serial Comm -> Scrolling Text board.

Here are the specs:
9600, 8 bit, 1 stop, RS-485, ASCII
128 char display buffer (max message size)
128 + 5 char receive buffer
adjustable scroll speed 10-40fps (20fps default)
5x7 character set
8 outputs (since chars have 7 rows, only 7 will be used unless we use 8x8 font)
up to 256 LEDs (WS2811) per strip (will fit 42 5x7 chars)

solid color or predefined color palettes (each char or each char's column could have a unique color)

You will need USB(RS-232)->RS-485 dongle on the PC side.

Each message will begin with a "{" start byte ( I would allow ASCII chars in the range 32-122, {|}~ will be used to control MSP430.)
Second byte will select solid color or a palette , color# = ASCII# - 32.
Third byte will select scroll speed, speed = ASCII# - 22 (limited between 10fps and 40fps)
Fourth byte space
Then up to 128 ASCII chars (actual message to display)
The last byte is "}" end of message byte

Sending "|" would pause the message at the beginning of the display. Another "|" would continue scrolling it.
Sending "~" would stop and reset MSP430 and the display

For example: Sending { Hello world!} from the Terminal would play "Hello world!" at 10fps in color #0.

serial-text-diag.pngserial-text.png

Attached Images

• serial-text-diag.png (6.7 KB)
• serial-text.png (87.0 KB)