InfoBoards can also operate as a Scheduled Countdown Timer to display a countdown to begin before the start of a school period. Countdown events are set from the Bell/Timer Schedule assigned to the InfoBoard Group.
Countdown events are activated by the periods set in the Bell/Timer Schedule assigned to an InfoBoard Group.
The number of seconds before a countdown begins at the start of a period is configured from the InfoBoard Group. By default, set to begin 120 seconds before each period's start time.
Setting updates are downloaded to an InfoBoard at the time interval set in its Config Change Interval setting (default 5 every minutes).
A Timer Schedule defines when an InfoBoard activates a countdown event. An event starts before each period set in the timer schedule. If you need to update a timer schedule, refer to steps 2 and 3.
A schedule can have both default and exception schedules. A default schedule is the countdown schedule for the majority of the year. An expectation schedule is for days that countdown events are to be different from the default schedule. If you need to update a timer schedule, refer to steps 2 and 3.
After the schedule is created, it can then be assigned to an InfoBoard Group. All InfoBoards assigned to the group will display countdown events.
During this step, you will create a new Bell/Timer Schedule.
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Go to Scheduling > Bell/Timer Schedules.
If you have an existing schedule that is similar to the new schedule you are creating, you can copy an existing schedule.
From the bottom of the list, select + New.
Enter the Name of the schedule.
Select a Business Unit. By default, assigned to the account Business Unit.
During this step, you will set up the default schedule as the countdown schedule for the majority of the school year. If you have schedules that vary by the day of the week, you will need to create a default schedule for each of the schedules.
Enter the Schedule Name.
Select each day of the week the schedule is to be effective on.
From the School Year From, set the date range the schedule is effective; [the start date] to [the end date].
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Select a display color for the schedule. The color is displayed on the schedule calendar and the School Calendar Report to identify the schedule's effective dates.
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Add the schedule's periods, select Add Period(s). A schedule can have up to a maximum number of 48 events.
You can set the schedule to automatically generate repeat periods or create each individual period.
During this step, you will create an exception schedule for those days the countdown schedule is to be different from the default schedules or when you do not want any countdown events during a time period when school is not in session. An exception schedule's effective date or date range is set by its assignment date range.
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When periods are added to an exception schedule: countdown events are activated for each period set in the schedule for the assignment date range and will override all default schedules.
For example, you have a winter and spring exam schedule that both have the same schedules. You would create two assignments in the exception schedule, one for the winter exam dates and one for the spring exam dates.
If the schedules are different for the winter and spring exams, you would then create two separate exception schedules.
When periods are not added to an exception schedule: countdown events do not activate during the date ranges set in its assignments. For example, you may not want countdown events during spring or summer break or when school is not in session.
From the bottom menu, select Add Exception.
Select a display color for the schedule. The color is displayed on the calendar view to identify when the exception schedule is effective for each day of the month. Do not set the color the same as a default schedule, you want the color to identify the type of schedule.
Enter the Schedule Name.
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From Add Assignments, enter the Description of the exception, date range the schedule is to be effective and select Add To List. Verify the assignment is listed.
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If you need to countdown events during the assignment date range, select Add Periods(s). If you do not want the events activated during the assignment date range, do not add periods.
You can set the periods to autogenerate or create individual periods.
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Select Save.
The exception schedule overrides the default schedules for the date range set in its assignment.
During this step, you will assign the new Bell/Timer Schedule to the InfoBoard Group assigned to the InfoBoards that are to display countdown events.
Go to Devices > InfoBoards.
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From the bottom menu, select InfoBoard Groups.
From the list, select the Name link of the group. Its profile is displayed.
Select Show Advanced Options.
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Assign the Bell/Timer Schedule. From the Scheduled Countdown section, verify the number of seconds before each period's start time is set correctly.
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Select Save.
By default, InfoBoards connect to OneVue every 5 minutes (Config Change Interval setting) to download setting updates. When set to every 5 minutes, it can take up to 5 minutes for a message or setting update to be displayed on an InfoBoard.