COPYRIGHT (C) PFU LIMITED 1999, 2000 Happy Hacking Cradle Driver Manual Release Date: Mar/27/2000 ========================= 1. About the "HHC driver" ========================= The "HHC driver" is software that works with the PalmOS to allow you to connect a Happy Hacking Keyboard (or similar) to your 3COM PalmIII series, or IBM WorkPad series organizer. It will enable most applications to accept keyboard input. The main characteristics of the "HHC driver" are: * It is a low-level system extender, NOT an application, and so enables keyboard input for most applications. * On-screen text may be selected by holding the keyboard's Shift key down and using the cursor keys, just as with a normal desktop computer. The "HHC driver" requires the following environment to run: * Compatible Devices: PalmIII, PalmIIIx, PalmIIIe, PalmVII WorkPad 8602-30, 8602-30X, 8602-30J * Compatible OS: PalmOS 3.0 or higher * Compatible Keyboards: Happy Hacking Keyboard Happy Hacking Keyboard Lite 104-Key Keyboard 101-Key Keyboard ================= 2. Usage Cautions ================= * As it requires a keyboard to be connected to the serial port the "HHC driver" cannot be used in conjunction with other keyboard drivers or applications that demand exclusive use of the serial port. It also means that the keyboard may not be used while a network connection is active. * Use in conjunction with the infra-red (IrDA) port is also not allowed. 1. The IR receiver must be turned off. 2. The keyboard cannot be used to initiate an IR data transfer. * This driver may not work with some keyboards, or may work for a while and then fail. If this happens, try disabling the keyboard checking function (see Section 5. for details). * Delete key functionality is emulated by a 'right 1 character then backspace' combination. Accordingly, at the end of a document use of the delete key will result in a backspace operation. * As 101-key and other non-Meta/Windows-key keyboards require the Control key be assigned as the Command key, Windows bindings may not be used (see Section 5. for details). * While the "HHC driver" has been validated for use with a wide variety of applications, it has NOT been tested for compatibility with ALL applications, and so 100% usability cannot be guaranteed. If you have problems with any application, please contact the PFU America Customer Support Group. ========================= 3. Using the "HHC driver" ========================= +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Note: Refer to the accompanying "Happy Hacking Cradle User's Guide" | | for a detailed description of how to install the "HHC driver" | +----------------------------------------------------------------------+ (1) Setting up for keyboard use Before you can use the keyboard you must follow four simple steps: Step 1 Connect the keyboard Attach the keyboard's connector cable to the Happy Hacking Cradle's keyboard connector. Step 2 Turn the Happy Hacking Cradle ON Move the Happy Hacking Cradle's Selector Switch to the KB(ON) position. Check that the LED flashes twice, then turns off. If the LED flashes continuously, or does not flash at all, the Cradle's batteries should be replaced. Step 3 Switch the serial port If you are using 3COM's IR Enhancement, IrLink, or some other software that utilizes the IR port, then the "Cradle (Serial Port)" setting should be selected. If the IR port is selected, the keyboard will not be usable. If you are not using IR Enhancement, IrLink, etc. or are using IBM's "IrSynchro", then this step may be skipped. Step 4 Start the HHC driver Tap the Home icon to bring up the list of available applications. Find the "HHC driver" icon and tap it to set it running (this also opens the Keyboard Driver screen). After the "HHC driver" has started, press the "Start" button. The message "Now you can type" should appear, indicating that keyboard access has been enabled. This screen allows for test input from the keyboard, so try typing something and check that what you typed appears in the test area. Refer to section 6. "Troubleshooting" if there are any problems. (2) Tidying up after keyboard use After you have finished using the keyboard you should follow these three simple steps: "1. Stop the HHC driver"; "2. Turn the Happy Hacking Cradle OFF"; and "3. Disconnect the keyboard". Step 1 Stop the HHC driver The HHC driver may be stopped by any of the following four methods: a) Tap the Home icon to bring up the list of available applications. Find the "HHC driver" icon and tap it to open the Keyboard Driver screen. Press the "Stop" button. "Driver stopped. Now you can HotSync" should appear on the screen, indicating that the HHC driver has been disabled. b) Entering the "Alt+CMD+q" key combination from the keyboard will also stop the HHC driver. c) If the Selector Switch on the side of the Happy Hacking Cradle is moved to the Serial(OFF) position while the Palm device is in the Happy Hacking Cradle, the HHC driver automatically shuts off. d) Remove the Palm device from the Happy Hacking Cradle. Step 2 Turn the Happy Hacking Cradle OFF Move the Happy Hacking Cradle's Selector Switch to the Serial(OFF) position. This completely isolates the Palm device from the keyboard, and in this state it is ready to HotSync as needed. Step 3 Disconnect the keyboard Detach the keyboard from the Happy Hacking Cradle. +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Note: | | * CMD refers to the Command key | | - On a 104-key keyboard the Windows key is used as a CMD key | | - The Happy Hacking Keyboard uses the <> key (Meta key) as a CMD key | | - On a 101-key keyboard the Control key is mapped as the CMD key | | (one of the "Keyboard Driver Settings", see Section 5. for details) | | * If the "Disable Keyboard Check" option is set the driver will not | | automatically shut itself off when the Selector Switch is moved to | | the Serial(OFF) position, but will have to be turned off manually | +-------------------------------------------------------------------------+ ============================== 4. Data entry via the keyboard ============================== (1) Text Input Text may be entered just as with a regular desktop computer, and if a key is held down for a given period, it will start auto-repeating. If the Shift key is held down and the Up/Down/Left/Right Cursor keys are pressed, the entry cursor moves on the screen, highlighting any text under it as it goes. The Left/Right Cursor keys will move the entry cursor one character left/right, while the Up/Down Cursor keys will move the entry cursor up/down a whole line at a time. (2) Special Key Combinations Pressing combinations of the Shift, Alt, CMD and Control keys with other keys allows a number of special functions to be invoked: Shift+Cursor key : Selects an area for Copying/Cutting Alt+n : Same as tapping the New button Alt+o : Same as tapping the OK/Done button Alt+d : Same as tapping the Detail button Alt+c : Same as tapping the Cancel button Alt+e : Same as tapping the Edit button Alt+b : Switches the backlight On/Off Alt+f : Opens the Find/Search dialog box (same as tapping the Search icon) Alt+l : Starts the Launcher (same as tapping the Home icon) Alt+Up Cursor : Scrolls up one screen (same as tapping the Up scroll button) Alt+Down Cursor : Scrolls down one screen (same as tapping the Up scroll button) CMD+Up Cursor : Moves the entry point to the previous field (when entering addresses, etc.) CMD+Down Cursor : Moves the entry point to the next field (when entering addresses, etc.) CMD+Alphanumeric : Executes the equivalent menu shortcut (note: as Command-Beam is not usable, CMD-b is ignored by the driver) Alt+Esc : Opens the HHC driver Alt+CMD+q : Stops the HHC keyboard driver Alt+Control+q =================== 5.Advanced Settings =================== The driver provides a variety of adjustable settings for the keyboard. (1) Basic Driver Settings Tap the Home icon to bring up the list of available applications. Find the "HHC driver" icon and tap it to open the Keyboard Driver screen, then press the "Setting..." button. The settings screen should appear. "Click Sound" sets the key click sound: * OFF : No key clicks (default setting) * Hi : a high pitched click when a key is pressed * Med : a medium pitch click when a key is pressed * Low : a low pitched click when a key is pressed "Enable Windows Key Bind" lets you use the standard Windows key bindings: * Control+z : Undo * Control+x : Cut * Control+c : Copy * Control+v : Paste * Control+a : Select All (these bindings are only enabled for applications able to use these commands) "Map Control as Command" changes the Control key function: If this checkbox is checked, the Control key will be assigned as the CMD key. To enable use of key commands this setting should be checked if you have a 101-key or other non-Meta/Windows-key keyboard. Note1: the default setting is unchecked. Note2: if this option is set, the "Windows Key Bind" editing functions are disabled. "Disable Keyboard Check" disables the keyboard connectivity check function: If this checkbox is checked, the keyboard driver will not stop even if the Happy Hacking Cradle is turned OFF. This function is provided to allow the Happy Hacking Cradle to be used with some PC keyboards that otherwise would not work (the driver does not load, or soon fails, or the cursor keys do not work, etc.), but means that the driver has to be turned off manually. Note1: if the driver is running when this setting is changed the driver will automatically turn itself off, to use the driver with the new setting, just tap the Start button. Note2: while this option is set, the "Repeat Initial Delay" and "Repeat Speed" settings can not be changed. "Repeat Initial Delay" sets the key repeat start time: * Long : keys start repeating only after a long delay * Medium : keys start repeating after a medium delay (default setting) * Short : keys start repeating after a short delay * Off : keys do not repeat "Repeat Speed" sets the key repeat rate: * Slow : keys repeat at a slow pace * Medium : keys repeat at a medium pace (default setting) * Fast : keys repeat at a rapid pace The test field may be used to check the effects of the different settings. Pressing the "OK" button will save the new settings. Pressing the "Cancel" button will revert any changed settings to their previous state. (2) Function Key Settings A different function may be assigned to each of the various function keys (F1 - F12). The following categories of functions are available, and each category has its own set of available settings (assignable functions): 1. None The function key is disabled. 2. Launch Application The function key launches the application assigned to it. Installed applications are searched for and then appear in the available settings list. 3. Launch DA The function key launches the DA (Desk Accessory) assigned to it. Installed DAs are searched for and then appear in the available settings list. A DA is a resident application. More information is available at the following URL: http://member.nifty.ne.jp/yamakado/da/index.htm 4. Insert Phrase The function key inserts the string of characters assigned to it. 5. Editing Command The function key executes editing command assigned to it. 6. Push Button The function key emulates pushing the button assigned to it. Tap the Home icon to bring up the list of available applications. Find the "HHC driver" icon and tap it to open the Keyboard Driver screen, then press the "FN Key..." button. A function key list should appear. The initial default function key assignments are as follows: F1: - OK - F7: App: Date Book F2: - CANCEL - F8: App: Address book F3: Push:New F9: App: To DO List F4: Push:Detail F10: App: Memo Pad F5: Push:Edit F11: App: Launcher F6: Push:Note F12: App: Calculator When each function key's setting is tapped the "Function Key Setting" screen appears. Select one of the function categories from the list in the upper area, then when the list of available settings appears in the lower area, assign the desired item, then press the OK button to confirm the new setting. Example: Editing Command <- Selected Category OK <- Selected Setting When "Category" is tapped the following list is shown: None Launch Application Launch DA Insert Phrase Editing Command Push Button ================== 6. Troubleshooting ================== * Keyboard Compatibility If the design of the keyboard is such that the signals it sends differ in certain ways from those expected by the driver the following situations may be experienced 1. when a key is pressed a short beep is heard and the driver turns itself off 2. the cursor and other non-alphanumeric keys do not work 3. phantom text input occurs, even though no keys have been pressed Use of the "Disable Keyboard Check" option may provide relief from these problems. * Failed Driver Startup Very occasionally, if the Start button is tapped at the exact same instant that the Happy Hacking Cradle is turned on, the driver may startup with the Start button showing as is (it should change to a Stop button). If this happens, turn the Happy Hacking Cradle off to force the driver to automatically shut down, then tap the Start button to start it up again. * Driver Startup Messages >> "Successfully started. Now you can type." Means : The HHC driver is now running and the keyboard may be used. >> "Failed in starting. Serial port is used by other application. Please soft reset and retry." Means : The HHC driver was not able to start because the serial port is being used by some other application. Causes : Another keyboard driver is running. : The Modem or IR Link, etc. is being used. : A debugger is running. Action : If the cause is known, then resolve the problem and try to start the HHC driver again. : If the cause is not known, do a Soft Reset and then try to start the HHC driver again. >> "Failed in starting. Please soft reset and retry." Means : The HHC driver was not able to start. Cause : Unknown error. A memory shortage may be the cause. Action : Do a Soft Reset and try to start the HHC driver again. >> "Failed in starting. Keyboard is not connected." Means : The HHC driver was not able to start because the keyboard is not responding. Causes : The keyboard may not be connected properly. : The Happy Hacking Cradle's Selector Switch may be in the SERIAL(OFF) position. : The Happy Hacking Cradle's batteries may need replacing. Action : Resolve the problem, then try to start the HHC driver again. =============== 7. Support Info =============== Happy Hacking Cradle support, including download of the most recent version of the driver for download, is available via the following URL: http://www.pfuca.com E-mail about the Happy Hacking Cradle may be sent to the following address: hhc@pfuca.com ------------------------------------------------------ * Palm, PalmIII, PalmIIIx, PalmIIIe, PalmV and HotSync are registered trademarks of Palm Computing, Inc. * WorkPad and PS/2 are registered trademarks of the IBM Corporation. * Windows is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation. ------------------------------------------------------ ========================== Appendix. Key Binding List ========================== Key Combination Function Emulated ----------------------------------------------------------- Shift+Cursor key Selects an area for Copying/Cutting Alt+Esc Opens the HHC driver Alt+b Switches the backlight On/Off Alt+c Same as tapping the Cancel button Alt+d Same as tapping the Detail button Alt+e Same as tapping the Edit button Alt+f Opens the Find/Search dialog box Alt+l Opens the Application Launcher screen Alt+n Same as tapping the New button Alt+o Same as tapping the OK/Done button Alt+Up Cursor Scrolls up one screen Alt+Down Cursor Scrolls down one screen Alt+CMD+q Stops the HHC keyboard driver CMD+Up Cursor Moves the entry point to the previous field CMD+Down Cursor Moves the entry point to the next field CMD+a to z Executes the equivalent menu shortcut (varies according to the current application) When the "Enable Windows Key Bind" option is set AND the "Map Control as Command" option is NOT set, the following key combinations access the various editing functions: Key Combination Function Emulated ----------------------------------------------------------- Control+z Undo Control+x Cut Control+c Copy Control+v Paste Control+a Select All Note: these bindings are only enabled for applications able to use these commands.