IrLink v1.5 for Palm III
User Guide
01/01/2000
DISCLAIMER
IrLink V1.5 -- Copyright (c) 1998-2000 IS/Complete,
Inc. -- All Rights Reserved.
NO WARRANTIES. IS/Complete, Inc. expressly
disclaims any warranty for this product. This program is NOT
free software. You cannot redistribute it without permission from IS/Complete,
Inc. This product and information and any related documentation
is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied,
including, without limitation, the implied warranties or merchant ability,
fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. The entire risk
arising out of use or performance of this product and information remains
with you.
NO LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES. In no event shall IS/Complete,
Inc. be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation,
system crashes, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption,
loss of business information, or any other pecuniary loss) arising out
of the use of or inability to use this product, even if IS/Complete,
Inc. has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Because some
States/jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability
for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply
to you.
3Com, Graffiti, HotSync, and Palm Computing are registered
trademarks of 3Com Corporation or its subsidiaries. Palm III, Palm OS,
and PalmPilot are trademarks of 3Com Corporation or its subsidiaries.
Other brand and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks
of their respective owners
Table
of Contents
1. Before You Get
Started
2. About IrLink
3. What IrLink Can Do
4. Installation
Pre-Requisites
5.
IrLink Installation
6. How To Use IrLink
7. Q & A
8. IrLink Examples and
Instructions For Your Target Devices (IR HotSync instruction included)
9. How to report
IrLink bugs
1.
Before You Get Started: [top]
-
This version of IrLink does not work with Palm OS 3.3.
Please wait for v1.6 if you have Palm OS 3.3 device
-
Please do not use IrLink to install IrLink.
-
If you are using our full featured evaluation version of
IrLink, the evalution peroid is 30 DAYS. After 30 days of trying,
this software will no longer works even you roll back the date. If
you like our software, please register it at http://www.iscomplete.com
-
Perform a full backup using cradle before install IrLink.
-
If at any time you need to delete IrLink: please make
sure to uncheck 'Redirect Cradle', go back to your main Palm screen, click
on the menu option, click on delete, choose IrLink from the menu option,
and click on the Delete button. Or you can delete IrLink and perform a
soft reset immediately to clean up the cradle redirection. You may
experience some difficulty with cradle HotSync if you delete the IrLink
while the IrLink is set to intercept cradle (USB/Serial). In such
cases, please perform a soft reset. The system will be back to normal.
2.
About IrLink: [top]
IrLink is software which allows you to use your Palm and
your cellular phone to dial into the Internet simply by using an Infrared
signal. It eliminates the need of a physical cradle or serial/USB
cable which is usually needed to connect your Palm and cellular phone.
You can also use IrLink with your Palm to HotSync with your notebook or
iMac/PowerMac G3 wirelessly via Infrared port.
IrLink is a general utility/tool (a kind of middleware) to re-direct
cradle (USB or serial) communication to IrDA communication without the
need of code changes from the developer. It supports
cradle (USB or serial) re-direct to IrDA communication and cradle re-direct
to HP Serial IR.
IrLink is the only software that makes your Palm
talk to Nokia 8810 or Ericsson SH888 (or other model that is compatible
with DI27) without a cable, dial-up to your ISP, retrieve email, or browse
the net without waiting for a new OS or a new patch from the vendor.
At this time, IrLink is not compatible with Nokia 61XX models.
The "on-the-fly" port redirection feature will ease IR HotSync between
Palm
and Notebook/iMac/PowerMac G3 and mixed use with the other devices/applications
that use the cradle.
3.
What IrLink Can Do [top]
-
AutoSync (Unattended HotSync). Schedule your Unattended
HotSync via IrLink or Datebook. Once this feature is enabled, you
can leave your Palm in your cradle, or aim Palm's IR port to your PC's
IR port, you will able to retrieve/backup your data during the night ...
-
On-the-fly cradle (USB or Serial) to IR redirection. You
can preset the communication protocol per individual application or simply
use 'ASK ME' to make your decision on-the-fly.
-
Smart detection of the cradle/modem HotSync Button.
When the HotSync Button (on cradle or Palm Modem) is pressed, IrLink will
switch to cradle regardless of what you have set in IrLink.
-
Tail Device Friendly. IrLink is compatible with many
tail devices, i.e. keyboard for Palm. You can enjoy IR HotSync without
missing your appointments.
-
Port Switching Notification. IrLink will report which
communication port/protocol is currently active when an application has
enabled the communication port.
-
IrDA Device Discovery. IrLink has a built in IrDA
Device Discovery function for you to check and detect any device that is
IrDA compliant. It is the easiest way to figure out whether your
infrared (IR) device is functional or not.
-
IR HotSync. You can carry less while you are traveling.
If your notebook doesn't have a USB port but has an IR port, backing up
your important data is possible.
-
Easy Link Test. Provides a simple link test by sending
lines of output to the target device. You can test the cradle,
IrDA 1.0, or HP SIR.
-
HotSync Button Emulation with AltCtrlHack (IS/Complete).
You can simulate the HotSync Button to do a single button IR HotSync.
-
Beam receiving off. When you are in the IrLink program,
the beam receiving will be turned off temporarily. This can prevent
PC IR scanning from interrupting IR HotSync.
Notes:
-
HP SIR -- HP Serial IR or Raw IR, is the lowest layer (Physical
Layer) of the IrDA 1.0 standard. For IrDA standard, please visit www.irda.org
4.
IrLink Pre-Installation [top]
-
Before you begin the installation of IrLink onto your Palm,
you should familiarize yourself with how to install programs onto it (i.e.,
check out their help area at www.palm.com)
-
You need to have the latest version of
IrLink
and LicenseMgr onto your
PC/Mac. (these will be links to the actual files)
-
Click
here to download 3com’s Ir Enhance Update onto your PC/Mac.
Please extract it for later use.
-
Make sure you either have a cradle for your Palm plugged into your PC/Mac,
or are familiar with beaming applications from another Palm, and have one
available with IrLink and LicenseMgr and 3Com’s Update on it.
5.
IrLink Installation onto your Palm [top]
-
On your computer, click on the Palm Desktop icon. Click on
the Install button. Choose the Add button. Open the AMX.prc,
IrLib.Prc, SerIrComm.prc, LicenseMgr.prc and
IrLink.prc files you downloaded earlier. When
all three are listed, choose the Done button. You should receive a notice
that these files will be HotSynced the next time this action is performed.
-
On your Palm, choose the HotSync icon. Choose either Local
or Modem Sync according to your setup (Local means you have a cradle plugged
into your PC/Mac).
-
You will get a pop-up message asking you to reset your Palm
after HotSync is completed. Click on the Reset button. You should now be
able to see an IrLink icon on your Palm.
-
Please follow the instructions below in order to use IrLink
effectively.
-
Some Quick Links for your setup if you are familiar with
IrLink
-
Infrared PPP Dial Up to ISP, Ericsson SH888I888//DI27
,
or Nokia 8810/7110
-
IR HotSync with your PC or iMac classic, or PowerMac G3 via
IrDA
-
IR HotSync with NT/Unix or other OS via HP
SIR
6.
Using IrLink v1.5 [top]
-
Click on the new IrLink icon on your Palm.
-
In order for your Palm to start using the Infrared signal
instead of the cradle, check the "Redirect Cradle" check box. (see figure
6a)

(figure 6.a)
-
You now must choose an appropriate Infrared redirect option
for your computer. Your choices are the following:
-
IrDA 1.0 (literally Infrared Data Association 1.0) means
that in order to communicate with your computer you must have an IrDA IrCOMM
Driver installed; (If you have chosen IrDA 1.0 and an error message pops
up, you have not properly installed 3Com’s
IR Enhance Update on your Palm. Please click
here and follow the instructions again.)
|
 |
(figure 6b)
|
(figure 6c)
|
-
HP SIR (literally Hewlett-Packard Serial infrared) means
you will communicate through the lowest physical layer of the IrDA 1.0
standard.
-
MIXED/Menu means you can set your
preference as to whether you want each application individually on your
computer to be updated by using the Cradle, IrDA 1.0, or HP SIR whenever
you perform a HotSync. (see figure 6c)
-
The last option on each individual application is Ask Me.
It allows you to choose the method of communication every time you HotSync.
This is called on-the-fly cradle to infrared redirection. By default, you
will hear a countdown beeping sound when the Ask Me dialog appears. The
countdown length can be set to 5/10/15/20 seconds by clicking on your Menu
option on the bottom of your Palm and choosing Preferences. On the lower
part of your screen, you will see the Ask Me defaults. You can even choose
to Mute the countdown sequence. (see figure 6d)
|
|
(figure 6c)
|
(figure 6d)
|
-
If you go back to your initial IrLink screen, you will see
a set of diagrams called "Quick Launch". These options allow you to choose
the method for which your Palm will communicate with your PC. When you
choose "Quick Launch" you will go directly into HotSync mode. Choices include
(see fugure 6a):
-
Net Panel: If you want to connect to a Network;
-
Local: If you want your PC and Handheld to directly communicate with each
other through the Infrared port, or;
-
Modem: If you want your PC and Handheld to communicate through the modems.
Each of these options has it’s own setup procedures. Please follow them
accordingly.
-
On your initial IrLink screen, choose the Menu option in
the lower left-hand corner of the screen. Under Options you will see the
following categories:
-
Send Test: This option allows you to see if your communication
selections are working properly. Follow the instructions as they are displayed.
-
Device Discovery: This option allows you to quickly identify the type of
device you are attempting to communicate with: i.e., another Palm,
Palm, Cellular Modem, IR Printer, and any other IrDA compliant device.
-
AutoSync: This option allows you to schedule an automatic daily HotSync
via IrLink via the cradle, IR, IR modem or network. In order to set up
this option:
-
Click on the AutoSync option from the Menu.
-
Check the Enable AutoSync check box.
-
Choose the type of communication method (Local or Modem)
-
Choose the time of day you want the computers to perform
the HotSync under Daily HotSync Time;
-
Choose the Apply button. The port protocol and next scheduled
HotSync date and time will appear on your screen.
-
Choose OK or Apply to save your configuration.
-
Choose Cancel not to apply changes.
-
You will be able to perform a AutoSync by cradle even
the Cradle redirection is disabled.
-
Known issue: If there is a pending Date Book alarm message,
the AutoSync will be blocked until you acknowledge the appointment.
-
Mixed Setup: This option is discussed above.
-
Preferences: This option allows you to customize how your
handheld tells you which type of communication protocol it is using. If
you click on the Menu button again in the lower left-hand corner, and choose
Preferences, you will see the Notification Effects window. Simply choose
a sound or visual effect you would like to have for each type of protocol.
(see figure 6d)
-
About IrLink: This option tells you the version of IrLink
you are using and some other miscellaneous information.
NOTES: When you are in IrLink and the "Ask Me" dialog appears,
Beam Receiving will temporarily be disabled to prevent the "Waiting for
sender…" message box from coming up. This will prevent a racing condition
if you try to communicate with your PC/Mac via Infrared.
Please also note that whenever you want to disable
IrLink, uncheck the "Redirect Cradle" check box.
Feature in Experimental Stage
A new feature of IrLink v1.5 is called Scheduled HotSync.
This allows you to schedule on the Date Book application of your Palm at
exact time and many times per day for the HotSync to take place, instead
of using IrLink AutoSync feature which can have only daily schedule.
Please follow the instructions below to perform this new feature.
-
Click on the Date Book icon on your Palm.
-
Click on the date and time you would like your computers
to HotSync.
-
Type in the following line to schedule a local HotSync: !HotSync,Local
and to schedule a remote HotSync: !HotSync,Remote
-
Please be advised that there are no leading or trailing
spaces on these lines, and it is case sensitive.
-
Once you have typed in this line, click on the Details button,
and click on the Alarm check box.
-
To perform this scheduled HotSync your "Redirect Cradle"
check box must be checked, and you must use the MIXED configuration.
Known issue: If there is a pending Date Book
alarm message, the HotSync will be blocked and ignored. You will still
see the HotSync schedule as an alarm message regardless of a successful
HotSync or not.
7. Q
& A: [top]
Q1: How can I use IrLink with GSMTools (v1.21) ?
Ans.: Go to Menu/Options/SMS Preferences, uncheck the
IrDA connection to phone.
Q2: How do you make IR HotSync co-exist with OmniRemote without switching
back and forth ?
Ans.: Select MIXED option on redirection method, go to MENU/MIXED, search
for HotSync, set it to IrDA 1.0.
Q3: I don't like the Splash Screen. Is there any better way to do
this ?
Ans.: Go to MENU/Preferences. You can either disable the notification
effect of your choice or you can select sound or flash to avoid any visual
effects.
Q4: Why do I need notification ?
Ans.: Many applications will use RS-232 and Infrared in a mixed way.
This is the easiest way to know what you are using and what went wrong
when you encounter any communication difficulties.
Q5: When I set IrLink to IrDA option, TailLightTM; silent
alarm doesn't work. How do I work around it ?
Ans.: Same as Q2.
Q6: The Mixed List doesn't have any Hack program. Will IrLink support
Hacks ?
Ans.: Hacks are very special, so we have to handle them differently.
When a Hack is activated, the owner of the Hack is the program you are
in. For example: For AlarmHack, if you are in Date Book, when
the alarm was triggered, the owner of the AlarmHack becomes Date Book.
If the alarm was triggered when you are in the MemoPad, the owner of the
AlarmHack will become MemoPad. We have no way to tell the owner the
code segment during run time. In this version, IrLink will handle
hacks that redirect the sound and alarm to the cradle correctly.
8.
IrLink Examples: [top]
-
Infrared PPP Dial Up to ISP (Palm and Ericsson SH888/DI27
[details],
or Nokia 8810 [details])
-
IR HotSync with your PC or iMac classic, or PowerMac G3 via
IrDA[details]
-
IR HotSync with NT/Unix or other OS via HP SIR [details]
-
IR Modem HotSync (IrDA)
-
IR PPP connection to your Win95/NTTM
and become part of a network (IrDA)
-
IR PPP connection to your Win95/NTTM
and become part of a network (HP SIR)
-
Palm to Palm PPP connection (IrDA)
-
Palm to Palm PPP connection (HP SIR)
-
Palm to Terminal emulator (HP SIR)
-
Palm to Terminal emulator (IrDA)
-
Palm Terminal (telnet) Dial-Up (IR Cell Phone Modem)
-
Palm to Visor, Palm , Cellular Modem, IR Printer, or IrDA
compliant device discovery
-
Palm Clipboard Contents Send to Win98/95 (use RemoteClip
Hack (R)) via IR
9.
How To Report IrLink Bugs: [top]
Please report to IrLink@ISComplete.com
with the following information. Please be as detailed as possible if you
encounter any bugs when you use IrLink with your Visor:
-
Version of IrLink (if not v1.5)
-
The make and model of your target device (i.e. Nokia 8810,
SH888, Notebook...)
-
The firmware number or OS version of your target device if
the device is a cellular phone (i.e. Nokia 8810 v4.05)
-
The procedures to re-produce the error
-
The error message or symptoms on Palm
-
The error message or symptoms on your target device (i.e.
Call disconnected, no response)
-
Lists of your pilot Hacks for Hackmaster
-
Modem Preference (if you are using IrLink to dial up to your
ISP)
-
Palm III Network Preference (if you are using IrLink to dial
up to your ISP)
THANK YOU and ENJOY IT !!!
Please visit our web site at www.ISComplete.com!