Piehl Systems - ADS User Manual

Piehl Systems
Model ADS-1 / ADS-2
Docking Station User Manual
(Draft 3/31/2002)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Getting Started
3. Basic Operation
4. Maintenance
5. Troubleshooting
6. Specifications
7. Warranty Information

ADS User Manual - 2002 edition
onHand is a trademark of Matsucom Inc.
HalfKeyboard is a trademark of Matias Corporation

1. Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the Piehl Systems Advanced Docking Station for the Matsucom onHand. The unit is designed to provide your onHand with amplified sound and a connector for an external keyboard. Before you begin, please make sure your package includes the following:

- Piehl Systems Advanced Docking Station
- 9V AC adaptor
- Serial I/O cable (model ADS-2 only)
- Modem cable (model ADS-2 only)

This manual will provide instructions on the maintenance and use of your docking station. Software is not included with this package, but can be downloaded from the Internet. Please visit www.piehlsystems.com to locate compatible software.

The following describes the various parts of the docking station:

- Docking Button - retracts the docking pins from the onHand
- Metal Buttons - permits the use of ENTER/MENU buttons while docked
- Pick-up wire - receives audio from the back cover of the onHand
- Volume Control - adjusts the sound volume and powers the unit ON/OFF
- Input jack - allows use of the amplifier for other applications
- Ext.Spkr jack - output to external speaker and/or modem cable
- DC 9V jack - connection to the AC adaptor to recharge the unit
- Rear I/O jack - connection to a keyboard or other serial device

2. Getting Started

Set up

This section explains how to use the docking station and some of the things you can do to maximize its use.

Connect plug the AC adaptor into a wall outlet and plug the adaptor cable into the docking station's DC 9V jack. This will power the unit and begin recharging the internal battery.

Next, you can dock your onHand with the station as follows: While keeping the unit level, make sure the metal buttons on the right-hand side of the unit are extended outward to avoid interfering with the onHand. Hold in the docking button, place the onHand in the station, and release the button.

To remove the onHand, just hold in the docking button and lift the onHand out of the station.

After docking, if the onHand's buttons are not aligned with the metal buttons because the onHand was not fully in the station, remove the onHand and repeat the procedure. DO NOT use force to press the onHand into the docking station, since severe damage to the onHand buttons may result.

Powering up

Use the volume control to power up the unit. Gradually increase the volume until a ticking sound is heard from the speaker.

The sound indicates that the unit is turned on and functioning normally. Various rates of ticking, along with tones or chirps may occur whenever you press buttons and run applications. To operate without amplified sound, simply reduce the volume to the minimum level. If the audio is not working, please go to the Troubleshooting section.

Audio and Buttons

As you use onHand programs (Filer, Schedule, etc.), the MENU and ENTER buttons are now accesible by pressing on the metal buttons. The onHand audio (internal beeper) is also amplified by the unit for all programs, including scheduled alarms.

Using a keyboard

To connect a keyboard, first run a program which has external keyboard support (such as Zetamath). While the program is running, an external keyboard (such as the Matias HalfKeyboard) can be connected to the I/O port on the back of the docking station. Compatible software should switch automatically between the keyboard and the onHand buttons whenever a keyboard is connected or disconnected.

3. Basic Operation

Keyboard Use

Various keyboards and applications might differ in their handling of keystrokes. The keyboard driver provided by Piehl Systems includes a configuration file (KEYBOARD.INI), which indicates how a keyboard and an application should talk to one another.

After placing a compatible KEYBOARD.INI file in your onHand SYSTEM folder, keyboard-enabled applications will expect certain communications codes to be sent by the keyboard to represent certain keys.

If your keyboard does not support certain keys, see the Specifications section of this manual.

Exiting an application

After exiting a keyboard-enabled application, the onHand might immediately go into "docking mode". Simply unplug the keyboard (or un-dock) to resume normal use of onHand applications.

If you are running on battery power, be sure to turn off the docking station power using the volume control after using the unit.

Battery Recharging

The docking station battery can be recharged at any time, regardless whether the onHand is docked, by plugging in the AC adaptor.

The adaptor can be connected continuously, if desired. However, when the onHand is docked and the station is left on AC power for a long duration of time, the use of a surge-protected power strip is recommended.

Docking with a PC (model ADS-2 only)

The included serial cable connects to the keyboard port and provides a way to interface with a PC in a manner identical to the regular onHand docking station. This allows the various onHand utilities and synchronization tools to be used with the Advanced Docking Station.

To use the serial cable, plug the cable into the keyboard I/O port and into your PC. Make sure the ADS-2 power is turned on and then proceed with running your interface software just as you would with the regular onHand docking station.

Modem Use (model ADS-2 only)

To send an e-mail using a compatible program, run the e-mail program to prepare your message and select the SEND option.

When the program reports "PRESS ENTER TO BEGIN SENDING", adjust the volume on the ADS-2 to a medium level.

Acoustic Transmission: This method enables the use of a cellular phone or a pay phone. Dial the telephone number of the e-mail service. When a carrier tone is heard, hold the telephone handset to the speaker and press ENTER. Wait for the tones to finish and listen for a confirmation/error tone before removing the handset and hanging up (or press END on your cellular phone).

Direct Connect: Connect the modem cable to your line and/or handset connector and dial the telephone number of the e-mail service. When a carrier tone is heard, press ENTER. Disconnect after the communication tones have finished and you have heard the applicable confirmation/error tone.

For more information, please refer to the instructions accompanying your onHand e-mail program.

4. Maintenance

This section explains the maintenance of your docking station to ensure years of trouble-free use.

AC/DC power

The unit contains an internal nickel metal hydride battery, which initially is not fully charged. When using your docking station for the first time, or anytime the battery is nearly discharged, connect the AC adaptor during use and allow the battery to recharge overnight before operating the unit on battery power.

Use only the supplied adaptor to recharge the unit. To operate the docking station using the internal battery, the AC adaptor must be unplugged from the unit.

Battery Replacement

If your battery is not maintaining adequate power during sustained use, a replacement may be needed.

Although the internal battery can be recharged hundreds of times, replacement with an equivalent 9-volt NiMH battery is recommended. DO NOT replace with an alkaline or other non-rechargeable battery, since the battery can leak or explode.

To replace the battery, remove the screw holding on the back cover and carefully pull the cover away from the unit. Replace the 9-volt battery with an equivalent rechargeable battery (NiCd or NiMH only).

Replace the cover, making sure not to pinch the wires into the case or into the volume control. Replace and tighten the cover screw.

5. Troubleshooting

If you are having trouble, please check the following steps to locate the problem. If the problem persists, please send a message describing the problem to the e-mail address at the end of this manual.

Audio Problems

1. Make sure the volume is turned up to a significant level.

2. Check your power cord. If using the battery, try switching to the AC adaptor until your battery recharges. Make sure the adaptor is plugged into a live wall outlet or power strip.

3. If you are running on battery power, make sure the AC adaptor is unplugged from the docking station.

4. Remove the onHand and repeat the docking process.

5. If the problem is intermittent and re-docking sometimes fixes the problem, lift the center of the copper pick-up wire slightly to provide stronger contact with the back of the onHand.

Keyboard Problems

1. Check the volume control to make sure the unit's power is on.

2. Make sure the keyboard is connected to the docking station.

3. Check your power cord. If using the battery, try switching to the AC adaptor until your battery recharges. Make sure the adaptor is plugged into a live wall outlet or power strip.

4. If you are running on battery power, make sure the AC adaptor is unplugged from the docking station.

5. Remove the onHand and repeat the docking process.

6. If the keyboard might be locked up or will not wake up from power saving mode, unplug it from the I/O port and reconnect.

7. Verify that you have a valid KEYBOARD.INI file in your SYSTEM folder and that the software version you are running is keyboard-enabled.

6. Specifications

Advanced Docking Station

Weight: 227g (8 oz.)
Operating Temperature: 0C to 35C (32F to 95F)
Power input: 9.0 VDC
Maximum Current: 200 mA

I/O port

(Matias HalfKeyboard wire colors are in parentheses)

1. (GRY) +6.1V power to keyboard
2. (BLU) onHand Transmit data (connect to keyboard's RXD)
3. (BLK) Ground
4. (YEL) onHand Receive data (connect to keyboard's TXD)

Lines are numbered left-to-right as viewed looking into the I/O jack on the docking station.

NOTE: Although the RJ-11 connector is similar to a telephone connector, these connectors should NEVER be directly connected to a telephone device or a telephone network.

Key Code Specifications

To ensure compatibility among keyboards and applications, the following key combinations are defined:

Alt-A = Caps Lock
Alt-E = Up key
Alt-D = Down key
Alt-S = Left key
Alt-F = Right key
Alt-W = Page Up
Alt-X = Page Down
Alt-R = Home
Alt-Z = Esc
Ctrl-I = Tab
Ctrl-M = Enter (or Return)
Ctrl-H = Backspace

For programs requiring use of the onHand MENU and ENTER buttons, the keyboard should emulate those buttons using the following keyboard keys:

onHand ENTER button: Ctrl-M or Enter (or Return)
onHand MENU button: Alt-Z or Esc

If a particular program does not need require character input (such as a video game), it might also support the following:

onHand ENTER button: Space bar
onHand MENU button: Ctrl-I (Tab) or Ctrl-H (Backspace)

The Piehl Systems keyboard driver will also track whether the Shift, Ctrl, or Alt keys are pressed in the event that specialized movements are needed (strafe mode, pitch/roll/yaw flight controls, etc).

7. Warranty Information

Piehl Systems warrants the Advanced Docking Station free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of original purchase. The warranty applies only to the original purchaser of the unit and is void if the unit is modified, repaired by an unauthorized agent, or connected to any equipment other than devices specified in this manual.

Where applicable, incidental and consequential damages are not covered by this warranty. Piehl Systems shall not be held liable for any damages exceeding the cost of the repair or replacement of the product sold.