Software And IT Development Services By Photonplay

Programmable, Robust and Customizable Variable Message Signs Are the Signs of the Future

When you think of lighting that catches attention, you think of Las Vegas. However, lighted displays are now becoming more widespread with the accent on functionality. Almost all such displays one comes across at railway stations, airports, bus terminals, in stock exchanges and in public places comprise of scrolling LED displays capable of being programmed through a strong ITS integration. It is this mix of designing LED matrix in any size with custom pixel pitches and resolution combined with programming that has made them so flexible and adaptable to a variety of situations and purposes.

One can see ITS powered variable message signs used in:

• Parking displays: These parking displays stationed on roads leading to city approaches display availability of parking lots in the vicinity and vacancy in each lot, guiding drivers and saving them the inconvenience of running around.
• Road and Highway informational VMS signs: Placed on roads at strategic points such as bends or tunnels or even portable temporary VMS types, these LED based programmable signage can display custom messages such as “hairpin bend ahead”, “tunnel ahead”, “landslide ahead” or even give motorists information about weather conditions in large characters visible from a distance in bright sunlight.

A VMS comprises of LED's arranged in a matrix in custom pixel pitches. What makes them so flexible and highly functional is the programmable features. Integrated with a CPU unit, these static LED turn dynamic. The matrix can display a fixed message. It can be programmed to scroll the message if the message length exceeds the width of the matrix. There are possibilities such as flashing LED to act as warning signs for motorists, for instance. One can just as easily mix a number of messages, overlaying one with another one as is found in stock ticker displays that scroll stock prices while also displaying other information.

Programming is at the heart of variable message displays and adds to their flexibility and functionality. Cost is another feature. Today’s requirement dictate sophisticated software programs to run the display through an easy to use interface and control either through wired or wireless networks along with data aggregation. Software programming adds to the cost but a manufacturer with in-house software capabilities and expertise in embedded systems would be able to deliver much more by way of customization and give best returns on money at a far lower investment. 

Dynamic Real Time LED Stock Ticker Displays Power Stock Trading

LED ticker displays used for showing stock prices in real time are nothing new. They have been around and even today, while the front end in terms of LEDs used, has improved, the backend programming has remained more or less the same. Most users are satisfied since the main purpose is to display stock prices in real time through feeds such as Reuters and Bloomberg.

Dynamic real time LED stock ticker displays in general use usually comprise of an integrated LED matrix and controller unit housed in a weather-sealed, dust-proof metal enclosure. A LAN socket allows connection to a network and to obtain feeds that the LEDS display. Set it up and your brokerage agency adds a service customers appreciate. Real time display for traders on stock exchange floors means they can take quick, spot decisions and profit (or cut losses).

Depending on the area and the number of people a suitable size may be chosen. Usually the smallest size is 6x63 inch followed by a slightly larger one at 6x100 inches. Large trading floors would benefit by use of 6x126 and 6x180 inch displays that are visible from longer distances and able to show prices or more stocks. These units, coupled with feed services can display prices of stocks, metals, commodities and indices, one alternating with the other to give full information to traders.

Single color LED stock ticker is affordable and serves the purpose. However, RGB, full color units with pixel pitch of 10mm are perfect in terms of impact and cost. Graphics capable, these RGB units have a higher impact and a better impact on the mind since various company logos and stock prices can be displayed in various colors.

Most such LED tickers are more or less the same. Photonplay stock tickers are a cut above the rest in that:

• LEDs are chosen with end purpose in view and Photonplay can deliver solutions with varying pixel pitch, resolution and matrix
• Cabinets are metal, weather sealed and dust proof for total protection of sensitive components inside
• Text color, character size and display format can be preset.
• Easy to install with a LAN cable plugging into a PC or a network, and,
• The Tickerplay software is purpose developed by in-house software division for ease of use and wider possibilities. Users are provided an easy to use interface that allows them to program the scrolling speed and feeds to be displayed and also add stock indexes. In addition, users can superimpose custom messages or offers or run ads along with stock prices, creating value addition. 

Photonplay Software Development Applied to Diverse Areas, a Pointer to Versatility of the Company

It is usual for software development companies to focus on business related software. Photonplay started on that route and is today established software & IT services provider known for its expertise in several key areas. Its specialty is custom software development based on the premise that one size does not fit all, especially not when it comes to software for business productivity. Photonplay relies as much on its teams of in-house software experts as it does on offshore specialists. The objective is to deliver cutting edge technological solutions at affordable rates and with this in perspective; the company has adopted the dedicated team model. If it is software alone, the dedicated team comprises of software developers and analysts. If it is a hardware-software integrated requirement, a dedicated team may have electronic engineers, system architects and software engineers working collaboratively on a project. Other areas of expertise are embedded software and system development as well as validation and testing.

All these are prime strengths of the company. Photonplay could have chosen to focus entirely on software development for business and productivity.  It does have a regular division offering services to banking, government, oil and gas and manufacturing sectors. The technologies employed include SAP, Ruby on Rails, .NET and Python.

Photonplay has gone a step further to leverage its expertise in software development. With broad vision, the company employs its skills in embedded software, testing and hardware-software integration to enter new areas and redefine established paradigms. It branched out into parking management, LED stock tickers and display solutions, bus route display systems, data base integration and fleet management.

The result is that the company’s hardware and software development capabilities have created modern, advanced units in LED signages, LED scrolling displays, LED tickers, LED parking guidance, LED traffic signs, LED radar speed control units each segment that are a cut above the competition. Quality is a given; it is the flexibility, modular arrangement, customization features and software that are key differentiators marking out these products as being more affordable and more user friendly, meeting tomorrow’s needs today.  A no-compromise approach means fully reliable products that work day in, day out.

Situations change and systems must evolve to adapt. Photonplay, with its own in-house hardware-software capabilities, anticipates the future and develops products keeping in mind the future. This visionary approach results in future-proof products today at affordable prices with inherent scalability backed by support in a number of countries across the world for signage and other products. Clients have expressed appreciation for the incredible value Photonplay software-hardware services have delivered as also support, so much so that quite a few have chosen the company for long term projects.

Modern Variable Message Signs Influence Motorists and Evoke Desired Responses

This is the age of dynamic traffic management with LED signage leading the way in informing and warning motorists. Studies have shown that static, printed signs are largely not noticeable and are ignored by motorists. They do not serve the purpose. Further, recent studies by MIT researchers have shown that dynamic messaging systems are noticed and majority of motorists comply with the messages displayed on bright LED displays. These modern display units are proving to be the best way to inform, guide and warn motorists with a variety of text and icon based messages.

Variable message signs offered by Photonplay conform to international standards and employ latest hardware technologies as well as improved software implemented by the company’s IT and software solutions division. These ITS enabled variable message systems display information such as lane designation, traffic updates, tunnel or curve ahead, toll gates and parking, to name only a few of the possible uses. Photonplay VMS systems comply with UNI CEI EN 12966-1 standards and are versatile in that the company offers stationary devices as well as portable VMS units that can be set up on roadsides or installed on vehicles for temporary use. LEDs are inherently low power devices and with advanced technology included in Photonplay displays, the brightness automatically adjusts according to ambient light conditions for optimal visibility. Studies have shown that blinking or flashing lights or extremely high brightness can distract drivers. In this perspective automatic brightness control offers the best of both worlds: gets the driver’s attention without being too distracting. Users can program the display to flash or to remain steady and to display appropriate text and/or icons.

Benefits for traffic management authorities

Traffic authorities using these VMS units are assured of high visibility and know that majority of drivers will read and follow directions displayed on the signs. Flexible units with ease of operation allow operators to change the message making one unit versatile enough to display a variety of messages to warn, inform or direct motorists to take appropriate action.

Benefits for motorists

Warnings such as turning ahead, tunnel ahead, landslide ahead, roadblock ahead or a warning to slow down, visible from a distance helps motorists take action in time. They could save time, fuel and energy that would otherwise have been spent in retracing the route in case of a landslide. They can avoid fines for exceeding speed limits.

To cap it, VMS units from Photonplay make roads safer and give peace of mind to motorists as well as traffic authorities.  

Sophisticated, Integrated Display Systems For Stock Tickers, Traffic, Radar and Parking Guidance

LEDs are at the heart of display systems with their low power consumption, long life and high visibility under bright ambient light conditions. Display systems can be static or dynamic with the latter being preferred to display a stream of information. By itself a display unit cannot achieve much. However, tied to powerful yet easy to use software and a computer or dedicated hardware, LED displays become versatile devices finding wide applications as real time stock ticker tapes, traffic signs and guidance systems, bus route displays, traffic radar speed displays and parking guidance systems.

Photonplay offers sophisticated integrated display systems for all the above mentioned applications. These systems are a cut above the rest in that the front end is driven by matched hardware and software for best-in-class performance at affordable prices. Another differentiation is Photonplay’s expertise in customization backed by its specialization software development. An end user can specify parameters and engineers customize components for trouble-free operation and ease of use.

The front end

From single color matrix modules to multi color RGB, there is a wide choices when it comes to LED display systems. Customizing selection of the right type of display for the purpose makes a lot of difference to the impact. For instance, traffic direction signage and parking guidance systems benefit by use of high bright amber LEDs arranged in a large sized matrix for clear visibility even from a distance. Indoor use in subdued light could call for use of softer LEDs with wider viewing angles. Stock ticker displays and other information systems take on a modern look and have higher appeal when multi color RGB LEDs are used. Color and brightness apart, the other defining factors are pitch and matrix. Higher resolution displays incorporate smaller LEDs arranged closer together allowing better display of smaller characters and graphics. Plain text can do with less resolution. Matrix is defined as the number of LEDs horizontally and vertically. A large sign with higher resolution will have more LEDs and consequently consume more power but such signs can display finer text and graphics. Photonplay works with LED matrix manufacturers to customize matrix and pixel resolution according to a client’s requirement thus delivering better impact and value for money. 
 

The back end

 A display is not of much use. It is the hardware-software combination that differentiates it. In this respect Photonplay’s undoubted capabilities in software-hardware integration result in standout display systems. A strong software base, engineers with skills of hardware integration and a commitment to deliver a highly satisfactory user experience make for units that have high performance coupled with ease of use. Photonplay designs and implements back end software with an easy to use graphical interface. This allows operators to program the display and make immediate changes without much technical knowledge. Further, the front end can be tied to the back end through cabling, through a wireless system or include microcontroller units inside the unit.

LED Stock Ticker Tape For Up To The Minute Financial Information

Latest information drives financial markets, especially stock markets. Stock ticker tapes can be displayed on a TV screen or on electronic LED type displays. These LED matrix moving displays can be single color, two color or full color types with varying pixel resolutions according to viewing distances. Of the two methods the LED matrix displays are more popular and versatile since text and numerals can be larger in size, view able from longer distances even in bright ambient lighting conditions.  

LED stock ticker displays commonly found in dealing rooms and market floors are usually linked to newswires services such as Reuters or Bloomberg to show up to the minute prices of shares and stocks. Traders rely on the information being accurate and update in order to make buying or selling decisions. In such instances the newswires system of smart stock ticker for business proves to be more reliable. The same system can be implemented in stock ticker for colleges. Multi-functional financial stock tickers may also be configured to display time of various world time zones to further facilitate traders and help them take advantage of markets when they open for trading.

However, it is not always a requirement that LED tickers be linked to a newswires service. Banks may use the same hardware but in their case the purpose may be to use it in a teller system. Working as a stand alone unit or configured to work with a computer in the background, these LED matrix displays can display the token number and call a customer to a teller window that is free. On completion of a transaction the teller pushes a button to call up the next token in queue.

In addition to the basic function of displaying stock prices and time in various zones, the same display can serve other purposes. Users can configure LED stock ticket displays to make public announcements, display promotional messages and for advertising various services. Such messages may be pushed to the LED matrix from an in-house computer system.

While single or two color moving matrix displays are effective as well as affordable, the trend these days is to install full color higher resolution financial stock tickers with graphics capabilities. In these systems it is also possible to display logos and images for even more impact. A variety of such ticket systems are available that can be wall mounted types or free standing types with LED matrix chosen for indoor or outdoor use. Photonplay manufactures a variety of high technology, sophisticated LED stock ticker tapes customization to user’s specific requirements. 

Versatile Multi-functional LED Matrix Displays For Indoor and Outdoor Applications

Static displays in the form of posters and hoardings attract much less attention. This is the age of dynamic displays capable of attracting and capturing attention of target audiences. Your brand image imprints itself strongly and has a lasting impact with the use of digital dynamic displays, whether used indoors or outdoors.

Flexible and versatile these LED matrix displays are capable of displaying text, presentations, video and audio or just plain static images in a slide show. Available in various resolutions and configurations, the LED message display board is the front end to sophisticated wired or wireless computer system. You can program the unit with a content management system to display specific images or messages at specific times, thus increasing the impact and response. Hoardings fade, banners and posters may be torn off but these displays are durable and versatile, allowing you to display fresh contents with changing times.

Applications are diverse.

• A simple LED moving display can be used on roads and in shopping malls to direct people to appropriate locations by giving suitable information.
• A large dynamic LED video screen can be used as digital signage outdoors for advertising purposes to display video even in bright ambient conditions.
• Suitable matrix displays can also be used indoors in shopping malls and retail stores to display product demos or even used interactively as a shopping tool.
• Branded shops find the LED display panels flexible and appropriate to create the right impact.
• Indoor sports arenas, conferences and TV studios are other areas where these displays fit in perfectly and give visitors as well as participants a large screen visual of ongoing events or a presentation.
• Exhibitions and trade shows make widespread use of flat panel LED matrix displays to grab attention of visitors and create a lasting impression.

Photonplay offers turnkey digital signage solutions incorporating LED display panels sourced from top quality, reliable and trusted providers in China and Hong Kong. Clientele covers users in Europe, Asia, USA and the UK. The totally sealed, weather-proof panels are just one part of the package that includes a computer or DVR at the back end, wired/wireless connection and a content management system. Photonplay takes care of design of custom LED displays, program or content development, installation, training and maintenance on site or off site. What makes Photonplay the preferred choice as the source of top quality LED video screens is total support, assured quality and consultancy services in retrofitting displays seamlessly into existing structures or as a new installation. In each case our design engineers factor in all aspects for maximized impact, best viewing angles and maximized ROIs.