AirClock User Guide
Table of Contents
System Requirements
Installation
Evaluation Period
Registration
What is AirClock?
Infrared Overview
Using the Clock
Setting up the Alarm
Setting up a Wake-up Appliance
Testing the Infrared Signal
Waking Up
Preferences
Troubleshooting
AirClock has the following system requirements:
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Any handheld running Palm OS 3.0 or greater - this includes models from Palm,
Handspring, Sony, HandEra, Samsung, Kyocera, Acer, and Symbol.
- At least 100k of free memory
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Note: AirClock's infrared remote control capabilities are not yet available for
Palm OS 5 handhelds nor the Sony Cliés NR70, NR70V, T650C and T665C
Installing AirClock is easy. You can download it from
www.airspell.com/airclock/download.
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Decompress the file you just downloaded using:
- WinZip under Windows
- StuffIt Expander on the Mac
- The gzip and tar commands under Linux or other operating systems
- Set your handheld in its cradle
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Locate the file named AirClock22.prc and install it on your handheld by using the
install option in the Palm Desktop program on your computer and then performing a HotSync
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After the installation is complete, go to the Palm Application Launcher and tap
the AirClock icon to launch AirClock.
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Another option is having a Palm OS handheld user beam AirClock to you.
AirClock can be evaluated at no cost for 15 days. The trial version of AirClock
is fully functional. When the trial period has expired, you can purchase a registration
code to unlock the application.
Once the trial period ends you can purchase a registration code
here.
Once the purchase is complete, you will immediately receive a registration code
by email. Simply select Register AirClock in the Options menu
of AirClock. Then enter the registration code and press OK.
First of all, AirClock is an Alarm Clock. Whether you use it as a desktop clock or
while you are traveling, AirClock gives you the current time and date and let
you set alarms. The modern design and fonts used make it easy to read. But what
differentiates AirClock from any other clock you've seen is its infrared capabilities.
Instead of simply ringing when it is time to wake up, AirClock can start your
Television, play your favorite CD, turn on the radio... And all those great features
are accessible via an easy to use interface!
- Simple - "Set and forget" simplicity with all common functions just one tap away
- Elegant - Use it as an elegant desk, bed or travel alarm clock
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Powerful - Alarm clock gently wakes you by playing one of various MIDI ring tones
and/or by turning on your television, radio, CD player or any other appliance equipped with an
infrared remote control
AirClock uses the infrared/IrDA port of your handheld to control appliances equipped with infrared.
Usually, the IrDA port is used to beam applications and contacts between users. In that context,
IrDA works at high speed and is optimized to transfer data, but the distance is limited and it
requires precision in the direction.
Consumer IR is the technology used in most of the remote controls found on the market.
The range is much longer and the signal is less sensitive to variations in the direction.
AirClock has the ability to record and play back infrared signal using a complex technology
developed here at AirSpell. Emulating Consumer IR on IrDA works perfectly but the operating
range of your PDA running AirClock will be shorter than for a typical remote control and the
angle will be narrower.
AirClock's main screen is divided into various areas. All the functions are accessible by
directly tapping in those areas. The same functions are also available by using the menus.
- Alarm - Allows you to set up the alarm
- Appliances - Allows you to set up your wake-up appliance
- Time - Support for 12/24 format. Tapping on the Time area will let you change the time
- Date - Tapping on the Date area will let you adjust the date
Using the Set Alarm screen, you can adjust the time of the alarm and activate or deactivate it.
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Shortcut - To quickly turn the alarm on or off, you can also directly tap the
Alarm On/Off label on the main AirClock screen
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Alarm Time and Days - The alarm will ring on the days you selected at the
time you set until it is turned off
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Sound preferences - See Preferences to adjust the
alarm ring, volume and duration
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Alarm Title - This text field allows you to enter a 12-character description
for the alarm
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Note 1: When a wake-up appliance is set, AirClock still makes your handheld ring as a
backup (unless Ring Volume is off in the preferences)
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Note 2: If alarm vibration and LED blinking are enabled in the Palm OS system preferences,
AirClock will use those two extra means of notification on top of ringing the alarm
AirClock has the ability to wake you up by turning on any appliance equipped with an
infrared remote control. After you select such an appliance in the list, AirClock will
act as a learning remote and capture the signal coming from your remote control. Once
the infrared signal is captured, AirClock will be able to "replay" the signal to
properly turn on the appliance. The overall process is as simple as 1-2-3: 1. Set alarm,
2. Record infrared signal, 3. Test infrared signal.
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Recorded - Appliances whose infrared signal has been recorded are shown
with a plus sign (+)
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Overwrite - To re-record the infrared signal for an appliance, first
tap the Clear IR button to erase the existing signal
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CD Player - AirClock is also able to control a CD player. In that case,
the Play button (rather that the ON/OFF button) needs to be recorded.
Once setup is completed, leave your CD player ON, positioned on your desired
track. When the AirClock alarm starts, it will simply start the Play function of
your CD player
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Safe - Even so the selected appliance will wake you up,
a ring tone will always ring as a backup, as long as the volume is not set to OFF
in the preferences
Each time you setup a new Appliance with AirClock, it is important to test the
infrared signal. Making the test will guarantee you that your appliance will
properly turn on at the desired alarm time. As explained in the
Infrared Overview section, the infrared range provided
by your handheld is shorter and narrower than the one of a traditional remote
control. Placing your handheld close to the appliance and directly aimed at
it will dramatically increase the success of the operation.
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UP button - At anytime when using AirClock, you can test the infrared
by pressing the UP button on your handheld
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Appliance OFF - Before trying to turn on an appliance, make sure the
appliance is turned off (does not apply for a CD player in which case the Play function
is recorded - CD players must remain ON)
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Positioning - Best results are obtained when the handheld is placed one foot
away from the appliance. Also, leaving your handheld on a flat stable surface is highly
recommended
When AirClock starts the Alarm, your handheld will automatically turn on and a wake-up screen
with the current date and time is displayed.
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Snooze - The snooze option will ring the alarm again 9 minutes later
Note: Selecting snooze won't turn off the wake-up appliance.
The Preferences menu of AirClock allows you to customize four different parameters.
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Ring Tone - Choose between all the sounds installed on your handheld,
including midi sounds that you might have installed
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Ring Volume - Choose between System, Off, Low,
Medium or High
System will use the volume already defined in the system preferences
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Ring Duration - Choose between Short, Average
or Long
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Color Scheme - For color handhelds, choose between Classic,
Blue Backlight, Black & White, Yellow on Blue,
Blue on Green or Custom. If you select Custom, tap
the two rectangles in the preview region to adjust the text and background colors
- For monochrome systems, choose between Black on White and
White on Black
Ring Tone, Ring Volume and Ring Duration will affect the way
the sound is played when your alarm rings.
Note: When a wake-up appliance is set, AirClock still makes your handheld ring
as a backup (unless Ring Volume is off.)
The list of suggestions below might help you if you encounter problems using AirClock.
For more information, visit the AirClock Frequently Asked Questions page
which will answer most questions you might have.
You can also contact our support group at support@airspell.com
if you are still experiencing difficulties.
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Recording the infrared signal - If you are having problems recording the infrared signal:
- Locate the infrared port on your handheld (usually at the top but sometimes on the side
like on some HandSpring models)
- Place both the remote and handheld on a flat surface that is not too brightly lit
- Carefully align the remote infrared emitter with your handheld infrared port
- Try different distances between the remote and handheld units, typically an inch to a foot (2 to 30 cm)
- Ensure both remote and handheld batteries are full
- Press the remote control button at least for two seconds
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Testing the infrared signal - If the infrared signal does not turn on your appliance:
- Bring your handheld two feet from the appliance you are trying to turn on
- Aim the handheld infrared port straight at the appliance infrared receiver
- Repeatedly press the Up button and try different locations and orientations for your
handheld till the appliance turns on
- Try recording the remote control infrared signal again
- Compatibility
- Bang & Olufsen, Kenwood, and a few other brands might not be compatible with AirClock
- AirClock only works with appliances using infrared, not radio frequencies
- The infrared remote control capabilities of AirClock are not yet available for Palm OS 5
handhelds nor the Sony Cliés NR70, NR70V, T650C and T665C
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