This page is intended to guide users on how to set up and use a USB-to-Serial adapter cable to communicate with and control a YuJa Hardware Hub via the RS-232 protocol. Once properly connected and functional, command signals can be sent serially from a control device to the hub. Commands sent can be used to start impromptu lecture captures and control the recording state of the Hardware Hub.
Setup
- A USB-to-Serial adapter cable is used with a DB-9 Male connector to send signals between the Hardware Hub and the control device. Any cable should suffice; however, the following cables are tested and compatible with the YuJa Hardware Hub. Note: Since the serial head of the cable is a DB-9 male connector, it must connect with a DB-9 female connector.
- To set up the connection between the YuJa Hardware Hub and the control device, follow the steps below.
- Insert the USB head of the cable into one of the USB sockets of the YuJa Hardware Hub.
- Connect the serial head of the USB-to-Serial adapter to the appropriate connector of the control device.
- Once the connections are made, the YuJa Hardware Hub can be controlled by sending various commands serially.
Please review the precautions below before attempting to send any commands to the YuJa Hardware Hub.
Usage
There are a few basic commands used to control the hub serially. The commands available will depend on the control device being used. The commands are listed below along with their functionality.
- Start: Start a new impromptu capture. You cannot start another capture session if there is already an ongoing one. If a started capture session is paused, it will resume instead.
- Stop: Stop an ongoing capture. This will end the capture immediately. If there is no started capture, nothing will happen.
- Pause: Pause an ongoing capture. This will momentarily halt the capture, and can be resumed by sending another "Start" command. If there is no started capture, nothing will happen.
- Extend: Extend an ongoing capture by 30 minutes. The extension length increment is currently fixed at 30 minutes and maybe customizable in future versions. Capture sessions within 1 minute of completion cannot be extended. If no capture has begun, nothing will happen.
Initial Test to Verify Proper Connectivity and Functionality
Once everything has been set up, a simple test can be done to verify that the YuJa Hardware Hub is being communicated correctly. If all of these steps are completed successfully, the YuJa Hardware Hub should then be functioning correctly and usable. Feel free to test the other commands by sending them to the Hardware Hub and verifying that the appropriate action was performed.
- Ensure the Hardware Hub is running and has a status of "Connected".
- Send a "Start" signal command from the control device.
- Verify that an impromptu capture has successfully been started. The status of the Hardware Hub should change to "Recording".
- Send a "Stop" signal command from the control device.
- Verify that the started capture has been stopped. The status of the hub should return back to "Connected".