PICED Frequently Asked Questions Software Version 4.
PICED FAQ Copyright Notice © 2012 Schneider Electric (Australia). All rights reserved Trademarks Clipsal is a registered trademark of Schneider Electric (Australia) Pty Ltd.
PICED FAQ Table of Contents Section Page Contents 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 ......................................................................................... 2 Typographic ................................................................................................................ Conventions 5 C-Bus ................................................................................................................ 5 C-Bus Units ..........................................................................
PICED FAQ 1 Contents C-Bus / C-Gate / Serial Port Can't Control C-Bus Serial COM Port(s) are not listed in the PICED software. The PICED software can't connect to C-Gate.
PICED FAQ Why am I having problems connecting to C-Touch ? Why am I having problems communicating with C-Touch ? Why can't I download to C-Touch ? How do I calibrate the C-Touch screen ? How can I use C-Touch as a PC Interface ? Why does my C-Touch Project appear different on C-Touch ? Why is the end of some text missing ? Why do long ramp times not work ? What are the different parts of the firmware ? What is the start-up sequence ? Using with Remote Controls Getting Screen Images Keeping Project Changes
PICED FAQ Using a PAC as a PCI PAC Status LED Why doesn't my logic work ? Can't connect to PAC PAC Serial Ports How much logic is possible ? Programming PAC via Serial Port PAC Battery Connections Other Diagnosing System Problems How Many ...
PICED FAQ 1.1 Typographic Conventions Menu Items The menu selections in this document follow a simple menu description notation. If the user is using the Frequently Asked Questions Software and chooses, for example, the menu Edit, then from the resulting menu chooses Select and then from that menu chooses Select All then this process will be described as Edit | Select | Select All as a shorthand description of this operation. Certain menu items offer several options, any one of which may be selected.
PICED FAQ Serial COM Port(s) are not listed in the PICED software. Solution The problem can be fixed by updating the registry as follows : · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Close down PICED. Click on the START menu. Click on Run. Type in "regedit" and click on OK to start the Registry Editor. Select the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Hardware\DeviceMap\SerialComm key (it may be different on different operating systems). You will see a list of COM ports. Select the Edit | New | String Value menu item.
PICED FAQ If C-Gate takes longer than 5 seconds to respond to PICED, then PICED will assume that C-Gate is not present. One cause of long delays is a slow Internet connection. This can only be fixed by using a faster connection. The other cause of long delays is Domain Name Server (DNS) lookups when there is no Internet connection established. If your computer has an Ethernet card installed, some drivers will not realise that there is no connection to the Internet available.
PICED FAQ If you are familiar with C-Gate commands, then you can enter them. See the C-Gate documentation for more details. When finished, select the Disconnect item from the Connect menu. 1.2.1.5 How to Connect to Remote C-Gate Problem How do you connect to C-Gate on a remote Computer ? Solution The IP Address of the remote computer needs to be entered into the PICED Project Details form.
PICED FAQ · Use the Diagnostic Software Traffic Analyser to look at the amount of traffic and error rates Solution #4 You may have several faulty units. Check the C-Gate log for units which have failed. Note that the View | Component Label | Show Network States menu item can be used to show the state of the network associated with each Component in your project. 1.2.1.7 C-Gate Messages The C-Gate log file records details of what is happening on C-Bus.
PICED FAQ 1.2.2.3 Commands not Going Across Bridges Problem Commands sent by PICED to the local network are not being forwarded across C-Bus Bridges or the wireless gateway. Solution You are using an old PC Interface or CNI. The firmware needs to be V3.12 or later to support the "Local SAL Mode" which is needed to make commands cross the bridges in Application Connect Mode. Refer to the C-Bus Networks document available from the Schneider Electric (Australia) web site for more information. 1.
PICED FAQ such as Philips Pronto remotes, Pocket PC's and Palm devices. Step 1 - Establish IR Code numbers The installer needs to establish what the manufacturer's IR code and IR data codes are for the remote control buttons to be linked to the touch screen. This is easily carried out by entering the Diagnostics page on an installed C-Bus Touch Screen, then from this page going to the 'Unit Data' page, as shown below.
PICED FAQ Make a note of these codes for each remote control button to be used. Step 2 - Make Association Set up the association between a touch screen component and a remote control key as follows. · Create a touch screen component using PICED software, for example a button. · Open the Component Properties form. · Select the Remote Control tab. · Select the IR Remote Control Enabled check box. · Enter the Manufacturer Code and Key Code established in Step 1.
PICED FAQ Notes A component can only be remote controlled if the page it is on is showing. To enable a Component to be remote controlled regardless of which page is showing, place the Component on a Theme Page and use that Theme Page for all pages in the project. This will ensure that the Component is always available without having to copy it to every page. You can use an invisible component to control something via IR if you don't want a whole lot of components visible on each page. 1.3.1.
PICED FAQ Cause If you have C-Bus Firmware version 4.0 (see the C-Touch start-up screen), it may be that you have more than one burden enabled on the network. With version 4.0 of the PC Interface chip (inside C-Touch) it is possible to have burdens enabled with any unit address. Prior to version 4.0, the burden was only enabled for unit address 1. Solution Ensure that there is no more than one burden set on the network. 1.3.1.
PICED FAQ 1.3.1.7 C-Touch Resetting Problem C-Touch is resetting itself. Solution 1 If the a C-Touch unit continuously resets itself, the initialisation of the C-Bus interface has probably failed. The most likely causes are : · No clock on the C-Bus network · Poor communication on C-Bus (check the burden) · Low C-Bus Voltage (less than 20V) and/or low temperature (less than 5ºC) If the unit has version 0.
PICED FAQ Problems with connecting to C-Touch from the PICED Software.
PICED FAQ 1.3.1.11 C-Touch Transfer Problems Problem Problems with transferring project data to or from C-Touch. Solution Assuming that you can connect to C-Touch, one cause of problems with transferring projects to the C-Touch unit is that the memory has worn out. The Flash memory in C-Touch (units manufactured prior to 2006) is only guaranteed for 100 rewrite cycles. It is unlikely that a C-Touch would be reprogrammed this many times in a normal installation, but units used for training could be.
PICED FAQ serial output driver. If you are having problems using C-Touch as a PC Interface, ensure that the software you are using sets DTR high and RTS low or vice versa. The PICED Software does this for you when you connect to the Touchscreen. A simple method to initialise the handshaking lines to enable C-Touch to be used as a PC Interface is : 1. Start the PICED Software 2. Select Connect to C-Bus from the Options menu. 3. Disconnect from C-Bus (repeat step 2). 4.
PICED FAQ 1.3.1.15 Long Ramp Times Problem Ramp times greater than 3 minutes do not work properly. Solution This was a problem with C-Touch Version 1.1 firmware. Upgrade to version 1.2 or later. 1.3.1.
PICED FAQ Solution The C-Touch start-up sequence is shown in the diagram below : The start-up steps are as follows : 1. On power-up or reset, the Monitor starts running. 2. The Monitor initialises the C-Touch hardware. 3. The Monitor then checks the Application checksum. 4. If the Application checksum is OK, it then loads the Application, and you will hear it beep. 5. If the Application checksum is not OK, you will hear it ticking, which indicates that the Monitor is still running. 6.
PICED FAQ 1.3.1.17 Getting Screen Images Any of the C-Touch screens can be captured as follows : 1. Connect to C-Touch (select Transfer | Connect to Unit) 2. Upload the display (select Transfer | Transfer C-Touch Display) 3. Save the display (select Tools | Reports | Save Screen) 4. Return to normal usage (select Transfer | Show C-Touch Display) 1.3.1.18 Keeping Project Changes Problem How to you keep the changes a user has made to Scenes and Schedules when you update the project ? Solution 1.
PICED FAQ Solution The functional benefits of using a Colour C-Touch over using HomeGate on a touch panel PC are : - Colour C-Touch supports the C-Bus Infrared remote control - Colour C-Touch has sophisticated backlight control to adjust the backlight according to ambient conditions (this can be quite important) - Colour C-Touch includes special software to simplify the project download process - Colour C-Touch software supports some additional Special Functions (Cleaning Mode, Utilities) which are not req
PICED FAQ 1.3.2.6 Screen Saver Problem How can the Colour C-Touch have a Screen Saver ? Solution The simplest method is to write some logic code to cycle between pages containing photographs or other images. A method for doing this is shown on the C-Bus Forums. 1.3.2.7 Problems with displaying HTML If you are having problems with displaying HTML (such as web cameras) on the colour C-Touch, refer to Problems with displaying HTML.
PICED FAQ 3. You can see the various networking parameters, such as IP Address and subnet mask 4. Click on the button appropriate to your set-up to change settings 1.3.2.8 Ethernet Connectors Problem Are the front and rear Ethernet connectors connected together ? Solution Not directly. They are independent to allow both connectors to be used at the same time. This allows you to have the Colour C-Touch connected to a network via the rear connector and still program it via the front panel connector. 1.3.2.
PICED FAQ You may have some software which is causing communication problems. For example, using secure remote VPN from Check Point is known to cause problems. Note that Schneider Electric (Australia) can not provide specific technical support for Ethernet networking problems. You will need to obtain assistance from your network administrator. See Also Firewall Settings 1.3.2.10 DLL Error Messages Various error messages can appear in the Colour C-Touch log. The more common messages are explained below.
PICED FAQ 1.3.2.12 Keeping Project Changes Problem How to you keep the changes a user has made to Scenes, Schedules, Irrigation and System IO when you update the project ? Solution 1. Transfer the project from the unit to PICED (using the C-Touch Colour Transfer Utility). 2. Make changes to the project. 3. Transfer the project from PICED to the unit. 1.3.2.
PICED FAQ 1.3.3.3 Using a PAC as a PCI Problem How can a PAC be used as a PC Interface ? Solution The USB driver for the PAC maps the USB connection to a serial port. When you plug a PAC into the USB port of your computer, a serial port will be assigned. You can then use this serial port with any software which is expecting a connection to a PCI, and the PAC will operate as a PCI.
PICED FAQ 1. The serial ports (for sending debugging messages) 2. The User LED (for showing simple status) 3. Sending messages to PICED to warn of errors The Transfer | Control Unit | Log PAC Messages menu item can be used to monitor any PAC Error Messages and the PAC usage. See the logic manual for more details on using the PICED software debugging features. Note that you can create pages and components in a PAC project, even though the PAC doesn't use them.
PICED FAQ The alternative is to use a cable as shown below. You will need to use a power supply to supply power for the PAC serial ports when using this type of cable, as the handshaking lines are not able to supply power to the PAC. The loop back connections on the PAC end don't actually do anything as these same connections are made internally and so these can be left off. For more information about null modem cables, see http://www.lammertbies.nl/comm/info/RS-232_null_modem.html 1.3.3.
PICED FAQ 1. Perform a manual estimation of the amount of time logic will take (as a % of the PAC capacity) 2. Run the logic in PICED to estimate how long it will take 3. Run the logic in the PAC and monitor it with PICED to see how long it is taking. The Transfer | Control Unit | Log PAC Messages menu item can be used to monitor any PAC Error Messages and the PAC usage. 4. Observe the PAC Status LED.
PICED FAQ Cause When the images are captured for transfer to the C-Touch Spectrum, they are drawn on a background colour and then a copy of this is taken. Any pixels in the captured image in this colour are assumed to be transparent. If a pixel in the image corresponds to the colour used for the background, then it will be drawn as transparent. Solution Open the Project Details form and select the C-Touch tab.
PICED FAQ 1.4 Other 1.4.1 Creating Projects 1.4.1.1 Enter topic text here. Creating Projects Quickly Problem How do I create new projects quickly ? Solution Themes It doesn't need to take a lot of time to create attractive PICED Projects. See the help file for hints on good design practices. Themes in particular can be used to create attractive projects quickly.
PICED FAQ How can I impress my friends and relatives ? Solution #1 Use some of these C-Bus features: · Intelligent, automated control of your home: · Scenes · Schedules · External and internal occupancy sensors (PIRs etc) · Use logic to make your home do what you want · Use your Colour Touch Screen to: · Show that you have e-mail · Show weather forecasts and other web data · Play games and puzzles (see templates) · Show pages for special occasions (see templates) · Measure useful information and display it
PICED FAQ 2 cups cream 170g butter 1/3 cup Orange Juice 1 tablespoon orange rind Combine ingredients in large saucepan. Stir over low heat without boiling until sugar is dissolved. Bring to boil and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened. Serve hot pudding with sauce, cream and/or ice cream. Serves 14. 1.4.1.
PICED FAQ See also Creating Projects Quickly 1.4.1.4 Can't Edit Components Problem I can't edit some components. Solution If you can edit a component, but you can not move it, then check that you do not have the Page | Lock Components set If you are unable to select or edit the components on a page, there are several possible causes : · You do not have the appropriate Access Level to edit the components · The Component may be on a Theme Page. You will need to select the Theme Page to edit the component.
PICED FAQ language. This font needs to be included when transferring the project. There is no capability for other language support for system generated text (System pages, clocks etc). Some names are displayed on system pages of the C-Touch unit.
PICED FAQ Solution #2 Use a Web Cam Image Component to show the JPEG images from a web cam. In this case, the software continually retrieves JPEG images from the web cam and displays them, one after the other.
PICED FAQ same PC and see if it works. Solution #4 Check that the URL is correct. Enter the URL into a web browser and see if it works. Solution #5 Check that the gateway and other internet settings are correct. Open a web page with Internet Explorer on the same PC and see if it works. If it doesn't work, select Start | Control Panel | Internet Options to set up the correct details.
PICED FAQ Alternatively, logic code can be written to create delays between actions. 1.4.2.2 C-Bus Command Queue Problem Why does it take several seconds to execute a large Scene ? Cause Approximately 40 ON/OFF commands can be sent to C-Bus per second. If you have a large scene with 120 Group Addresses, it will take up to 3 seconds to send all of these commands.
PICED FAQ 1.4.2.3 Portable Scene Editor Problem How can you create a portable Scene editor (like a mixing desk) ? The goal is to be able to move around a large site adjusting and storing Scenes. Solution The best solution is to have all Scenes stored in a single device on C-Bus such as a Black and White C-Touch or Colour C-Touch. This will be referred to as the Master C-Touch. The Scenes in the Master C-Touch are then triggered remotely from other devices.
PICED FAQ The Master C-Touch needs to be set up to : 1. Contain all of the Scenes for the site, each with a Trigger Group 2. Buttons to store each Scene (using the Scene Store Special Function). These buttons need to be set up to be remotely activated via C-Bus. The project on the portable device needs to contain the following : 1. A slider for every Group Address in the site 2. Buttons to trigger each of the Scenes stored in the C-Touch 3.
PICED FAQ 6. Select Preset Level Note that this is showing the state of the last selected Scene where the Scene Triggers are Mutually Exclusive. Refer to the main help file Scene Status Indication topic for more details. 1.4.2.5 Scene Toggling Problem How can two Scenes (for example, an "on" and "off" Scene) be controlled from one button ? Solution 1. Create the two Scenes in any unit (touch screen, key switch etc) 2.
PICED FAQ Solution The PICED software supports the following graphic formats : · Bitmap (BMP) · Windows Meta Files (WMF) · JPEG · Icons (ICO) · Enhanced MetaFile (EMF) · GIF · PNG To use other image formats (such as PCX), you will need to use a graphics program (such as Microsoft Photo Editor) to convert the file format to one of the supported formats. A free graphics tool you can download is IRFANVIEW. 1.4.3.
PICED FAQ · fonts.com Notes You should ensure that you do not use fonts which are copyrighted. Any fonts used must be installed on the computer running the PICED software. You can also create text effects using various graphics programs or : · Word Art in Microsoft Word · http://www.grsites.com/logo/ Creating and Using Customised Buttons The PICED software has the ability to display a wide range of button styles. It also comes with samples of custom button images.
PICED FAQ be seen, the pink areas of the original image are transparent when the image has transparency set. In the example below, the bottom left pixel has been accidentally set to be black instead of pink. This causes the image to look different to what was expected when transparency is set. This can be a particular problem with black and white images as shown below and can cause the image to look "inverted".
PICED FAQ 1. The Page background is drawn OR the Theme Page is drawn 2. The Page Components are all drawn in the order in which they occur 3. Any Logic graphics are drawn on top Essentially, this behaves as a series of "Layers" which may hide each other. Note that if a Theme Page has a parent Theme Page, then the parent will be drawn first. See also Optimising Drawing Speed 1.4.3.5 Slow Operation If the PICED screen update is slow it is generally related to the computer processor being too busy.
PICED FAQ C-Gate Log C-Gate also has a log which can be enabled. This provides more details about what is happening on C-Bus than the PICED log. Diagnostic Software The C-Bus diagnostic software can be downloaded from the Schneider Electric (Australia) web site. It can provide insight into what is happening on C-Bus. Techniques As every problem is unique, it is hard to give specific advice.
PICED FAQ If the command was sent as part of a Scene, this will be shown. For example, a log line showing : 09/05/2005 12:16:31 PM C-Bus Tx : Set Kitchen On (User Click) means that at 12:16:31 PM on 09/05/2005, the "Kitchen" group was switched on, and the source of the command was a user click. 09/05/2005 12:19:01 PM C-Bus Tx : Ramp Porch to 60% over 4s (Schedule "Night Time"/Scene "Welcome Home") means that this command was originated by Schedule "Night Time" which triggered Scene "Welcome Home".
PICED FAQ 1. Details of your computer - processor, memory, hard disk - operating system version 2. Project files - PICED project file - C-Bus Project File 3. Log files : - PICED log file - Diagnostic Software log file - Diagnostic Software Traffic Analyser report - C-Gate log file Refer to the Advanced Fault Diagnosis document (found in the PICED\Manuals folder) for much more information on this topic. 1.4.
PICED FAQ Note that if a PC Interface is being used as the connection to C-Bus, the PC will require at least one spare RS232 serial port. If a CNI is being used as the connection to C-Bus, an Ethernet card will be required. Processor Usage For colour C-Touch projects, the more demanding the requirements of the Project, the more of the Colour C-Touch processor time will be used. The main requirements for the processor are the Page graphics and the Logic Engine.
PICED FAQ Problem 2 The PICED project doesn't look right or aspects of it have changed. Solution 2 It is possible that the PICED project file was opened with an older version of the PICED software than that with which it was created. For example, if you create and save a project using PICED V3.3 and you then open it with PICED V3.2 or earlier, the component borders will all be missing (amongst other things). 1.4.
PICED FAQ 20123 C-Gate Secure Port TCP Port Bi-directional Allow only PC's on the same subnet (unless specifically required) 1.4.11 Use with Windows Vista It is possible that problems will be encountered with the Windows Vista User Account Control (UAC). If you get error messages related to "permissions", this is likely to be the cause of the problem. This can also cause problems with connecting to the Colour C-Touch.
PICED FAQ To allow the software to always run with the elevated permissions, right click on the PICED software short-cut (as above) and select properties. In the properties form, select the Compatibility tab. Select Run this program as an administrator. Click on OK.
PICED FAQ Now each time you run the software it will run with administrator privileges. You will be prompted by the Vista UAC each time the software is run and you must select Allow. I trust this program. I know where it's from or I've used it before (as above). Using the Task Scheduler to automatically start the software To run the PICED software automatically when a Windows Vista PC starts/re-starts, the Task Schedule Manager can be used.
PICED FAQ Confirm that you wish to run the Microsoft Management Console by selecting the Continue button when prompted. You should now see the Task Scheduler form. Select Create Basic Task from the right hand side Actions list. The Create Basic Task Wizard will be shown. Provide a name for your new task. Click the Next button.
PICED FAQ Select the Task Trigger to be When the Computer Starts. Click the Next button. Note : If your computer requires you to log on, then you should select the option When I log on, otherwise your application will fail to run. If log-in is required at startup, then the automatic re-start of the software when the computer re-starts will not be possible unless you automate the log-in process. Select the task action as Start a program. Click the Next button.
PICED FAQ The Start a Program page will be displayed. Enter a path to the Schedule Plus software, or select the browse button and locate the Schedule Plus Program located in the installed directory (default C:\Clipsal\Schedule Plus). Add the require command line arguments for Schedule Plus start up actions to the "Add Arguments (optional)" box (see Command Line Parameters for details). Click the Next button. A summary of the task will be displayed.
PICED FAQ The properties of your new task will be shown. From the General tab, select Run with highest privileges. Select the conditions tab and disable all options.
PICED FAQ Select the Settings tab. Select only Allow task to be run on demand and If the running task does not stop when requested, force it to stop. Click on OK to finish.
PICED FAQ menu. The task can be tested by selecting your task and selecting the Action | Run menu item. Once the application is running correctly, you should test the entire process by re-starting the computer and ensuring that the process works as required. Installation Path Windows Vista prefers that applications be installed in the Program Files folder. This can cause problems for the current version of the Frequently Asked Questions software.
PICED FAQ USB 21 using as PCI 21 using with CN 21 Index COM Port 5 Command Queue 39 Compatibility 50 Components can't edit 35 How Many 36 A Administrator 52 Appearance wrong 44 Computer Requirements 49 Confirmation 50 Connecting to Colour C-Touch Connection Problems 15 Contents 2 Copying 34 C-Touch Backlight 14 Calibration 17 Connections 15 Current 14, 31 Downloading 17 multiple units 13 PCI 17 Project 18 Ramp Times 19 Resetting 15 Ticking 15 Version 14 Applications 9 How Many 36 Asian Languages 35 B
PICED FAQ Ethernet connectors Colour C-Touch 24 K F Files 50 Firewall settings Keyboard short cuts 32 L 51 Languages Layers Drawing Firmware 19 Fonts 43 Forum 60 LED Status G Graphic Formats Graphics slow 25, 46 wrong 44 Logic PAC 42 27 Multiple C-Touch 26 13 N Help 60 HomeGate compard with Colour C-Touch 21 Networks 9 How Many Non-English 23, 37 I Images 42, 43 C-Touch Spectrum Screen 21 30 32 Infra Red 10 Internet web cams 36 IR 10 IR Remote Control 27 Master Unit 5, 13 Memory 49 M
PICED FAQ PAC virtual serial port keyboard 26 Pages Copying 34 How Many 36 PC Interface 10 PCI Colour C-Touch C-Touch 17 using PAC 27 21 Permissions 52 Please Program 15 Ports 51 Problems diagnosing 46 18 R Task Scheduler 52 TCP/IP 51 Templates 32, 34 Themes 32 Ticking 15 Time 31 PAC 26 Transfer Problems 17 U RAM 49 Ramp Times 19 Remote Control 10, 22 Resetting 15 S Update 50 Upgrade 50 Uploading Problems USB 21 17 V Scenes 13, 32 Delays 38 Edit 40 How Many 36 pulses 39 Status 41 time taken 3
