Feedback Tally User Manual

Version: V2.0.0 - Edited: 6/15/25

Table of Contents

Device Setup Mode

Here is how to put the Feedback Tally into setup mode and reach the Setup Mode Webpage.

  1. Power on device with USB-C cable. (Indicator lights will spin Blue)
  2. Press the small button in the hole on the bottom of the device with a paperclip or sim-card tool. (Indicator lights will spin Green)
  3. On a Computer or Phone, connect to WiFi "Companion Buddy Setup".
  4. Use password "12345678" to connect.
  5. Go to "http://setup.companionbuddy.io" (Use http:// and not https://)

Simplifed Setup Instructions

Here is the basic setup instructions of what is needed to make the Feedback Tally show the background color of a button in Companion. More settings and configurations can be found further in this document, this is just a basic setup to get up and running.

  1. Put the device into "Setup Mode" (found in the "Device Setup Mode" of this document) and go to "http://setup.companionbuddy.io" (Use http:// and not https://)
  2. Click on "Network" to open network settings.
  3. Find "Available WiFi" and click the drop down.
  4. Find the desired network WiFi SSID and select it to put the WiFi password in.
  5. After the password is typed, click the "Save" button at the top of the section.
  6. Next, click on "Companion" to open the Companion settings.
  7. Under the "General" drop down, add your Companion IP address (ex 192.168.0.2).
  8. If you have a custom TCP Satellite port, change it here as well.
  9. Click the "Save" button at the top of the section.
  10. Press the "Publish Changes" button to send changes to the Feedback Tally. The device will restart and will show a blue inidcators, then a red indicator, then off when connected.

The rest of the settings are configured in the Companion GUI

  1. Under the "Surfaces" tab in the Companion GUI, find the new surface with type of "Buddy Feedback Tally".
  2. Click on "Settings" of the "Buddy Feedback Tally" to open the surface settings.

If the button 2/0/5 (Button numbers can found at the top over every button or ordered current page/horizontal offset/vertical offset) is the button the feedback tally is to replicate the background color of. Here is the next steps.

  1. Set Current Page to 2 - (2/0/5)
  2. Set Horizontal Offset to 0 - (2/0/5)
  3. Set Vertical Offset to 5 - (2/0/5)

The Feedback Tally should now be showing the background color of this button. Hooray! As the background changes, the device should also change colors.

This is a simplified setup, for a more detailed explination of settings and more features offered, continue reading this document.

Setup Mode Webpage

Here is how to set parameters the Feedback Tally needs to function including WiFi settings, Companion Settings, Firmware updating, and more. This sections explains how to navigate and use the Setup Mode Webpage.

Top Navigation

Publish Changes Button

This green button is at the top of setup section and publishes changes to Feedback Tally.

There will a Blue notification next to the button when changes are ready to be published.

  • Feedback Tally indicators should turn from Green to Blue when changes were taken correctly.

  • If Feedback Tally indicators do not turn from Green to Blue make sure the following is true.

    1. Make sure your device is still connected to the WiFi "Companion Buddy Setup".
    2. Make sure the Green Indicator lights are still spinning. (If not it means it is busy hosting the site so give it a second)

  • If Publishing fails, all settings are still saved and can be tried again.

  • The Setup Webpage does not always show a successful send (You will get an error as an alert), but if the Feedback Tally reboots and Indicator lights change from Green to Blue, the changes were taken successfully.

Cancel/Exit Button

This red button is at the top of setup section and takes the Feedback Tally out of setup mode. Indicator lights will change from Green to Blue.

ᯤ   Network

Here is where to set all WiFi network information including WiFi SSID, Password, IPv4 Settings, and more.

Top Navigation

Save Button

  • This button reads all text fields that were populated and saves them to be published.

Cancel Button

  • This button cancels all changes made to Network Settings and returns to main page.

Manually Add WiFi

Here is where to manually add a WiFi if the desired WiFi SSID does not show up in "Available WiFi" section.

  • SSID - Set the SSID of the WiFi
  • Password - Set the Password for this WiFi

These values will be automatically pulled when the "Save" button is pressed.

Available WiFi

Here is a list of all of the WiFi SSIDs that the Feedback Tally was able to pull automatically and can be selected.

  • Reload Button - Re-searches and Reloads all Available WiFi SSIDs.

Here is how to select the desired WiFi SSID.

  1. Click on WiFi SSID you are trying to connect to.
  2. Set the password for desired WiFi.

These values will be automatically pulled when the "Save" button is pressed.

WARNING: Only type in fields you want to try and connect to. All password fields typed in will be pulled into "Saved Networks".

Saved Networks

Here is where to control the saved networks that the Feedback Tally will automatically try to connect to. Useful for setups that travel between different WiFi network environments.

  • There are 3 available saved networks that the device will try and connect to.
  • Press the "Delete" button to remove a saved network to add another.
  • The Feedback Tally will try to connect to WiFis from top to bottom. (Put primary WiFi in first)

These values will be automatically pulled when the "Save" button is pressed.

IPv4 Settings

Here is where to set static IP vs DHCP IP.

  • Select between DHCP and static with the check mark.
  • Set all IPv4 Settings including IP, Gateway, Subnet, and DNS.
  • If Static IP fails to connect, the Feedback Tally will use DHCP automatically.

These values will be automatically pulled when the "Save" button is pressed.

⥦   Companion

General

Here is where to set all Companion specific parameters.

  • Companion IP - Must be an IPv4 address (ex. "192.168.0.4")
  • TCP Socket Port - Must be the TCP socket from Companion, not the new Websocket. (Default is 16622)

These values will be automatically pulled when the "Save" button is pressed.

Notice: Companion GUI Interface needs to be set to a network that the Feedback Tally can see or to "All Interfaces".

🖳   Device

Here is where to set Device specific parameters.

General

Here is where general device settings are set.

  • Ultra Bright Mode - Hardware V2.0+ required. Uses an internal temperature sensor to add up to 30% more brightness.

    WARNING: The device will not let itself catch on fire but will try to turn on Ultra Bright Mode as much as possible. This can lead to an oscillation between brighter and dimmer as the device heats up and cools down. If this oscillation causes an issue, turn off this setting.

This value will be automatically pulled when the "Save" button is pressed.

Indicators

Here is where to set whether you want a specific indicator to be shown. Useful for permanent installations where Companion can often be shut down.

  • WiFi Connecting - Blue spinning light when the device is connecting to a network.
  • Companion Connecting - Red spinning when the device is connecting to Companion.
  • Setup Mode Started - Green spinning when the device is in Setup Mode.

These values will be automatically pulled when the "Save" button is pressed.

⚒   Firmware

Here is where to control firmware versions. Inside the Vx.x.x.zip file downloaded from companionbuddy.io, you will find a Tally_Firmware_Vx.x.x.bin, a Filesystem_Vx.x.x.bin, as well as a README.md with another set of instructions. Tally Firmware is how the tally functions and communicates with WiFi and Companion. The Filesystem is how the setup mode page is hosted and persistent information is stored. Both are needed to run future version of the Feedback Tally.

Make sure to Unzip the Vx.x.x.zip file.

Tally Firmware

This is where you will update the Tally Firmware with the Tally_Firmware_Vx.x.x.bin file.

  • Click "Chose File" and select the Tally_Firmware_Vx.x.x.bin file.
  • Make sure the file chosen is the correct Tally_Firmware_Vx.x.x.bin file.
  • Click "Update Firmware" and follow instructions on popup.

WARNING: Do not unplug power during updating process, you can BRICK your tally light and will need to manually update firmware over the JST serial pins.

Filesystem

This is where you will update the Filesystem with the Filesystem_Vx.x.x.bin file.

  • Click "Chose File" and select the Filesystem_Vx.x.x.bin file.
  • Make sure the file chosen is the correct Filesystem_Vx.x.x.bin file.
  • Click "Update Filesystem" and follow instructions on popup.

WARNING: Do not unplug power during updating process, you can BRICK your tally light and will need to manually update filesystem over the JST serial pins.

⥮   Import/Export

Here is where to import and export config files. This feature is intended for both backups and easier setup of multiple Feedback Tally lights in the same environment.

Import Config

This is where to select and import configs to be published to the Feedback Tally.

  • Click "Chose File" and select the desired config.json file.
  • Make sure the file chose is the correct config.json file.
  • Click "Import Config" and the popup will close ready to publish changes.
  • All fields are now populate and can be changed as needed.

Notice: WiFi SSIDs and passwords are the only fields that will not be populated during the import config process. If you need to change the WiFi password, delete the saved network and re-add it. Otherwise, open the config.json and change it manually.

Export Config

This is where to export current config

  • Click "Export Config"
  • A config.json file will automatically be downloaded from the browser.

🖫   About

Here is where to see general information about the Feedback Tally.

  • COMPANION ID
  • FIRMWARE NUMBER
  • FIRMWARE NAME
  • FILESYSTEM NUMBER
  • FILESYSTEM NAME
  • SERIAL NUMBER
  • MAC ADDRESS
  • HARDWARE VERSION

Companion GUI Setup

Once the Feedback Tally is connected to WiFi and Companion, everything else is set inside the Companion GUI.

Settings can be changed under the "Surfaces" tab in the Companion GUI.

The surface ID will follow the format of “Buddy:ColonelSneakyRobotJacket3463” and the type will be “Buddy Feedback Tally”. The specific ID can be found in the Setup Mode Webpage under the "About" section.

Set Button Location

After choosing the button the Feedback Tally is going to show the background color of (ex. button 2/0/5 ) follow these steps.

  1. Under Surfaces, Click Settings
  2. Set the Current Page (2/0/5)
  3. Set Horizontal Offset (2/0/5)
  4. Set Vertical Offset (2/0/5)

Notice: Horizontal Rows and Vertical Columns start with 0 while Pages start with 1.

Set Brightness

The Feedback Tally brightness can be set between 0-100 in the Companion GUI. The "Ultra Bright Mode" adds 30% brightness to this value.

  1. Under Surfaces, Click Settings
  2. Change Brightness to desired brightness.

Notice: LED brightness levels are not perceived linearly so you will see more changes on the lower end of the brightness scale.

WARNING: The device will not let itself catch on fire but will try to turn on Ultra Bright Mode as much as possible. This can lead to an oscillation between brighter and dimmer as the device heats up and cools down. If this oscillation causes an issue, turn off "Ultra Bright Mode".

Normal Use

Once the spinning indicator lights stop, the Feedback Tally has connected to both WiFi and Companion. If there is still spinning lights, go to Trouble Shooting to see what the spinning color means.

Feedback should be within 250ms. If there is more delay than this, see Trouble Shooting.

Everything is based off the background color of the selected button inside of Companion.

Goodluck and have fun

Trouble Shooting

Indicator Colors

BLUE: Wifi Connecting.

  • Shown when device boots up.
  • If WiFi is lost, this will be shown.
  • Can be turned off in Devices/Indicators in Setup Mode.

RED: Companion Connecting.

  • Shown after WiFi is connected while opening socket to Companion.
  • If Companion is turned off, this will be shown.
  • If GUI Interface is not set to the "All Interfaces" or the network the device can see, this will be shown.
  • Can be turned off in Devices/Indicators in Setup Mode.

GREEN: Setup Mode On.

  • Shown after pressing small button on bottom to put device into Setup Mode.
  • Press button again to restart device.
  • Can be turned off in Devices/Indicators in Setup Mode.

Factory Reset

Factory resetting will remove all settings and give the Feedback Tally a new ID under surfaces in Companion.

  1. Press the small button on the bottom of the Tally Light using a paperclip or sim-card tool (Lights will change to spinning green).
  2. Release button.
  3. Press the button again and hold for 5 - 7 seconds until the light turns white.
  4. Release once the lights turn white.

The Feedback Tally will automatically reboot and be factory reset.

ITS NOT WORKING!!!

Uh oh, check if your question is answered here. If not, email support@companionbuddy.io for more support.

It is still spinning BLUE even though I have WiFi set correct.

  1. Make sure the WiFi is a 2.4GHz network and not a 5GHz.
  2. Make sure the SSID shows up under "Saved Networks" in the Setup Mode page.
  3. Factory reset, there are still some random character bugs we are working out and email if needed.

It is still spinning RED even though I have Companion set correct.

  1. Make sure the IP address is only the IP (192.168.0.4) and none of the "http://" or ":8000".
  2. Make sure the GUI interface is set to "All Interfaces" or network that both the Feedback Tally and Companion can see.