VisorCentral.com - Cell Phone Cable-Springboard Adaptor

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VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Communications (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=20)
-- Cell Phone Cable-Springboard Adaptor (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=17809)

Posted by Random1 on 08-23-2001 09:09 PM:

Cell Phone Cable-Springboard Adaptor

It seems all of the currently available cell phone/PCS adaptor cables work only from the hotsync port. Because of this, a keyboard can't easily be used while surfing the net or writing email.

I was talking with The Supply Net (thesupplynet.com) today about this and they seemed interested in developing a solution. However they weren't sure how much interest there would be in a Springboard version of their current cables.

Personally I think it would be a great module. Would anyone else be interested in this solution?

Posted by MarkEagle on 08-23-2001 10:49 PM:

I'd love one!!! Even a simple RS232/TTL interface module would be great! The only problem I see is coming up with an easy way to connect to all the various cell phone types out there. For example, my StarTAC is a TTL device so it connects directly to the HotSync connector without the need for a powered conversion circuit thayt a true serial interface phone would require. Maybe the best solution is a Springboard module that provides the actual HotSync connector and interface so that all existing connection methods (including my homemade cable) would still work. This, of course, would have to allow 2 serial devices (phone and keyboard) to be used concurrently (I'm not sure it that's possible without a hardware interface).

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Posted by Random1 on 08-23-2001 11:16 PM:

I've seen Visors use both keyboards and Springboard modems at the same time. I don't think there should be any problem using two serial devices at the same time. At worst it would require a small software hack.

Posted by MPM on 08-24-2001 09:45 PM:

But only if the HotSync port device is a keyboard...

quote:
Originally posted by Random1
I've seen Visors use both keyboards and Springboard modems at the same time. I don't think there should be any problem using two serial devices at the same time. At worst it would require a small software hack.

Keep in mind that on Visors with Palm OS 3.1 (standard Visor and Visor Deluxe) using two serial devices at the same time will only work if the one on the HoySync serial port is a keyboard. And this might only be true for the Stowaway.

Here is why: In Palm OS 3.1 there can only be one serial "port" open at once, and that port can only be the serial port on the HotSync connector. But Handspring modified OS 3.1 to add API function calls to "redirect" the serial driver to a different port, i.e. a Springboard serial port module or a Springport modem. But there can still only be one serial device running at once.

So why does the Stowaway work with a Visor Phone or a modem module? Simple, the Stowaway does not use the Palm OS serial driver. So it can talk to the keyboard on the HotSync serial port while the Palm OS serial driver is talking to a modem/serial port in the Springboard module.

Note that Palm OS 3.5 has the New Serial Manager that eliminates all these restrictions, so this limitation should not be present on the Platinum, Prism, or Edge.

I don't know if any of the other keyboards out there use their own driver or rely on the serial driver in the Palm OS.

Posted by mgflorez on 08-24-2001 10:34 PM:

Didn't Innogear or CardAccess threaten to come out with a cell phone adapter with its 6 pack or ThinModem? Maybe not, but is it possible to add an adapter to the ThinModem Springboard, like the telephone line jack adapter, that allows cellular phone hookups?

Posted by jhappel on 08-24-2001 10:58 PM:

I , for one, would love to have a Springboard adaptor for the cable to my Startac so that I could use my Stowaway while online. That's the only complaint I've had about using a cable to connect my VPR to my Startac.

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Jonathan

Posted by MarkEagle on 08-24-2001 11:21 PM:

Re: But only if the HotSync port device is a keyboard...

quote:
Originally posted by MPM
I don't know if any of the other keyboards out there use their own driver or rely on the serial driver in the Palm OS.

As far as I know, all external keyboards use a keyboard driver. The Visor also uses the KBD line on the hotsync connector to determine that it is connected to one.

quote:

Keyboard Detect - KBD
This active-low pin is held low in order to indicate the presence of a keyboard or a serial cradle. While KBD* is held low, the handheld expects data to be sent on the RXD pin. Refer to the next section on keyboard support for information on the keyboard data packet structure supported by the handheld.

When this signal is asserted in Visor, a keyboard daemon is automatically launched to support keyboard input. The signal is detected when the handheld is placed in the cradle. If the handheld is reset while in the cradle, the daemon will not be re-launched. When Hotsync is asserted, this signal is also polled to determine which communications library should be used.

The use of KBD is also how the external keyboards get their power (through the TXD line):

quote:

Transmit Data/Power - TXD
TXD connects directly to the CPU�s UART. Note that TXD is TTL level, not RS-232 level. This signal is used for asynchronous serial communications between the handheld and a cradle or peripheral. TXD is an output from the handheld and an input to a cradle or peripheral. Internally, this pin is the output of the gate with the series resistor. This pin provides up to 3 mA maximum at 2.7 V when KBD* is asserted for low-power peripherals, such as keyboards. Short circuit current is 6mA minimum.

__________________

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Posted by autocode1 on 08-25-2001 06:17 AM:

Couldn't they design a keyboard that uses IR to communicate with the
visor?

Posted by tedx on 08-26-2001 04:55 AM:

I want there to be some solution so I can use my 8290 as a modem via infared while im using my stowaway keyboard. I just bought the keyboard a few days ago and was bummed to find out i couldn't use both at the same time. So I ordered a thinmodem.. but i had an idea..

what if there was an adapter for a nokia phone that would plug into the phones serial port and on the other end have a female phone cored (RJ-11)adaptor so you could plug your phone into your thinmodem while you are on the go..

Posted by tedx on 08-26-2001 04:55 AM:

after searching the net i couldn't find anything similar to what i described

Posted by Anomaly on 08-26-2001 10:20 PM:

I don't know enough to be positive, but I thought I read that the problem with that set-up is that the modem is analog and the phone is digital.

Posted by Tastannin on 08-27-2001 03:10 AM:

Doesn't Xircom make Springboards that let you connect to various Nokia, Siemens, and other makes of cell phones?

How well do those work?

Posted by Jay on 08-27-2001 07:55 PM:

I'd buy a springboard like this.

As a a matter of fact, I just today cancelled my Yada Yada, after 3 months of not being able to connect or get through to the help desk.

Now I have to get a new cell phone and a cable. But I figure, hey, the $40 a month I'm saving on YY will pay for the new equipment in no time.

Jay

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