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Protocol Index

Port Settings
Protocol Notes

Common Commands
Reporting Commands
Setup Commands

Pseudo-Code
Find Timer Example

Developer Requirements

Protocol Updates:

07/95 added Status 04
07/96 added Status 05

 

Also see Connecting Multiple Timers to a computer

 

 

 

The FST Serial Protocol is established using a standard Null Modem cable between the FST Timer and a Serial Port on the computer.

 

Serial Port Settings
Baud Rate
2400
Data
8
Parity
None
Stop Bits
1

Command Format Notes

nn
 Two digit number representing a Station on the FST Timer
mm
 Two digit number representing Minutes
ss
 Two digit number representing Seconds
   
  The word Station represents the position on the FST Timer each tanning unit is connected to. For a FST 600 the stations are 1 through 6; for a FST 1200 the stations are 1 through 12, etc.
  The $ dollar character (ASCII 36) must begin all commands
  The carriage return character (ASCII 13) must end all commands, this is not represented in the chart below

Return Value Notes
h
 A digit representing hours
m
 A digit representing minutes
s
 A digit representing seconds
#
 A digit representing sessions
   
  The % percent character (ASCII 37) begins all return values
  The Carriage Return character (ASCII 13) ends all return values
   
  All commands will return %ERROR if an illegal command is received by the Timer
  The carriage return character (ASCII 13) ends all return values, this is not represented in the chart below

Common Commands
Command
Format
 Return Value
Write Session Time to Station
$WnnMmmSss
 %GOOD if OK
Force Station to Start
$Fnn
 %GOOD if OK
Clean Station
$Cnn
 %GOOD if OK
(Kill) Force Station to Stop
$Knn
 %GOOD if OK
Return value takes several milliseconds longer to return when Timer Beep is enabled
Get Station Status
$Snn
 %01 if Available
%02 if Running
%03 if Needs Cleaning
%04 if Undress Period Active 1
%05 if Paused 2
Get Time Remaining for Session
$Rnn
 %mmm,Ss
Returns %000,00 when in Undress Period
Get Time Remaining for Session
$RTnn
 %mmm,Ss
returns time written when in Undress Period
 
Reporting Commands
Command
Format
 Return Value
(Elapsed Time) Total Time Recorded on Station
$Enn
 %hhhh,mm
(Elapsed Time) Total Computer Time Recorded on Station
$ECnn
 %hhhh,mm 3
Total Number of Sessions for Station
$Nnn
 %####
Total Number of Computer Sessions for Station
$NCnn
 %#### 3
Total Time on Lamps
$LTnn
 %hhhh,mm
(Clear) Reset Lamp Time
$LCnn
 %GOOD if OK
 
Setup Commands
Command
Format
 Return Value
Set Auto-Start (Undress Period)
$TAnnMm
 %GOOD if OK
Set High Time (Maximum Session Time)
$THnnMmm
 %GOOD if OK
Set Default Time (Normal Session Time)
$TDnnMmm
 %GOOD if OK
Set Fan Delay Time
$TFnnMm
 %GOOD if OK 2
Enable Timer Beep
$BONnn
 %GOOD if OK 4
Disable Timer Beep
$BOFFnn
 %GOOD if OK 4
Enable Timer Front Panel (set, up & down buttons)
$PONnn
 %GOOD if OK 4
Disable Timer Front Panel (set, up & down buttons)
$POFFnn
 %GOOD if OK 4
Stations may still be shut off manually by holding in the Set button
 

Footnotes

1 Multi-Station Timers require eeprom version 8.07+
2 Available with FST 1000 Timers only
3 Not available with FST 1000 Timers
4 Send command to any station (typically 1) for 6, 8, 12, or 16 Timers

 

Pseudo Code Example

  • Open serial port
  • Initialize port settings (baud rate, etc.)
  • Flush serial port
  • Write status check command for station 1 to serial port;
      "$S01" + chr(13)
  • Wait about 50 milliseconds
  • Read 4 bytes from serial port;
      Timer return value is "%03" + chr(13)
  • Close serial port
  • Format return value into English
      Bed #1 needs cleaning!

Find Timer Example

Developer Requirements

To have your software added to our compatibility list you must do the following:

  • Provide a utility to Find the Timer

    This utility simply checks the Status for a valid return value. The Stations to check are 1, 17, 25, 33, 37, and 49. By checking the status on each of these stations, your software will be able to detect if a FST Timer is installed and if DIP switches 1 or 2 have been changed. FST Company's Find Timer Utility may be licensed for distribution with your software.

  • FST Company can loan you a Timer for testing purposes

    When you have completed testing your software, it may be purchased for resale or return it to us.

  • Provide a full and unrestricted copy to F.S.T. Company for testing

    After your software is successfully tested we will add it to our software compatibility list

  • Having a compatible software program qualifies you for distributor pricing!
 
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Page last updated January 9, 2002
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