COMxL RS232C Help



Product Description

COMxL RS232C  is an easy-to-use and very-helpful Add-Ons for
MS Excel 97/2000 's user. It lets you  link your instrument   to your
Excel worksheet directly via RS232C port. The readings of your
instrument can go/fill-in anywhere you want to them to go by just
simply highlighting the range (a defined range). The moving
direction of fill-in Data can be selected (top-down or left-to-right)

Key features:
* Import instrument's DATA via RS232C port to MS Excel worksheet  
* Ease to setup for instrument with RS232C port and use.  
* Date&Time stamping
* Send ASCII command to instrument to download its DATA  
* Timer sampling for DATA input
* Pop-up message for  Upper/Lower Limits warning  
* Send a set of commands from File "CmmdsListFile.txt" to instrument
* Send Command from clipboard to instrument or other computer  
* Send Text in the clipboard to instrument or other computer  
* Commands list and Upper/Lower Limits list availabl  
*  Send a set of commands in a text File to instrument  
*  Import DATA from a text file
* Smart data-format for finding DATA from input-string with ease
* COMMAND of waiting for few seconds is available
* Support geting multi-DATA seperated by a seperating-character from one input line

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Somethings New in latest version (2.20.000)


1) Wait_COMMAND "CMMD_WAIT(#)" for waiting few (#) seconds for instrument respond is available
2) Support geting multi-DATA seperated by a seperating-charater from one input line

Note for appliaction:
* For new feature 1), when you send a set of commands, you can use it to wait
  for responding from instrumnet, then send next.

* Using new feature 2), you can get more than one DATA from one input line
  the seperating-character maybe is Comma("," or Chr44), Table (Chr9) or any ASCII character(Chr###)

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Installation

A) Install COMxL RS232C program
For New user:
    1)   Unzip comxl22f.zip to a temperory director(C:\cmxltmp)
    2)   Run "Setup.exe" from the directory
For updating user(If VB6 rumtime files already installed):
   1) Create a directory such as "C:\COMXL" and simply
   2) Unzip comxl220.zip (extract all files) to the directory


B). Add-Ons COMxL RS232C in your Excel
    1) Run MS Excel
    2) From its menu: Tools => Add-ins => Browse. Find and select "COMxL.xla"
       from the sub directory of COMxL RS232C, click button "OK", then
       tick it, then click button "OK".
    3) In your Excel's menu, you will find "COMxL" => "COMxL RS232C"

Note: COMxL RS232C need VB6 run-time files (OCX) to run it. If you PC does not
  
     have them, please download and install its full  package
       Download place 1:  SimTel.net (comxl22f.zip)
       Download place 2:  http://briefcase.yahoo.com/gyesoft

       Download place 3:  http://www.lye-tech.com
 
 

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System setup

About Communication parameter

Parameters include Three parts:
1)RS232C port's settings
2)In-coming string data format
3)Terminating-Character and seperating-Character

Example: [LYE01]Com2:9600,N,8,1!XOnXoff!(S=+/-,L=9)Tm0=CRLF,Tm1=Chr9

Part-one(necessary):
[LYE01] - LYE01 is instrument/device name
Com2:9600,N,8,1!XonXoff! - RS232C port's settings

Part-two(necessary):
(S=+/-,L=9) - Data start with "+" or "-" and its lenght is 9 charactors

Note: Other format in part two:
.(Range[4 - 12]) means that the Data is charators of from 4 to 12 in the in-coming string
.(all) means the whole in-coming string as the DATA
.(S=01A,L=Auto)
"S=01A" means the prefix of Data is "01A"
"L=Auto" means Data-length will be auto-detected by COMxL
.(Range[4 - Auto]): End of Data (start at 4) will be auto-detected by COMxL

Part-three(Optional):
Tm0=CRLF,Tm1=Chr9
. "Tm0=CRLF" means the input-string terminated by "CRLF"
. "Tm1=Chr9" means the seperating-character is Chr9 (Table Character)
Note: The terminating-character must only be "CR" or "CRLF".
The seperating-character may be any ASCII Character
For example, For CSV format: "Tm1=," or "Tm1=Chr44"

Follow above rule, you can create your own communication parameters based-on your
instrument user manual

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Operation

1). Open your Excel File and highlight the range you want Data to fill in
2). Run "COMxL RS232C" from Excel's menu: COMxL => COMxL RS232C
3). Connect RS232C port by click button "Connect (F1)" in COMxL's Operation Panel
4). Input Data to your Excel File from instrument or download Data by sending a
    command to instrument

Note: Before you connect RS232C port (Step 3), you maybe need set tools' communication
      parameters at first time or when you want to change the settings, you also can
      select the moving direction of Data in your Excel sheet.

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Support

Homepage: http://www.lye-tech.com  
Author  : Ye Gang
Email   : gyesoft@yahoo.com

OnlineHelp  : COMxLHelp.html
 

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F.A.Q

Q1. What is requirement of  input-string format of instrument  for this software?
A:  1)The string's last character must be a CR (carriage  return) or CRLF(carriage  return + line feed) ,
      2) One of both following has to be known in the string,
           * The real  DATA's starting characters (S) and its length (L), For Example,  (S=01A, L=9)
           * The real DATA's location , for example (Range[4 - 12])
     3) If you want whole string  as your DATA, just let the format setting empty "()", or set to "(all)"  

Q2. How to set the Download Command for "Load Data (F5)"?
A:  Download Command is the instrument's command (Characters) that can be sent from PC via RS232 port
      to download instrument reading. For example, the command string in box is "A +CR +LF",
     that means the command is Charater "A" + "carriage return(CR)" + "linefeed(LF)".

Q3. How to use Date/Time Stamping with instrument's DATA?
A:  To use Date/Time Stamping, You have to select more than one column/row for your range to fill-in the DATA,
      if the moving direction is "left-to-right", the Date/Time stamping will auto-fill-in at last column in your selected
     range, if "top down" direction, will auto-fill-in at last row.

    Example: Three (3) data consider as one set of data (one row), every set of data need a date/time-stamp (at end of the row)
    Step:
        1) Select a range with 4 columns(3+1=4) and maybe 5 rows (5 sets data) in Excel worksheet
        2) Run COMxL from Excel menu
        3) Set moving direction to "left-to-right", Enable Date/Time Stamp in "CommSettings"
        4) Connect instrument by click "Connect" button

Q4. How to set the settings for timer sampling instrument's DATA?
A:  The settings is [s!n], "s" means interval in second between samplings, "n" means number of the DATA
      you want to collecte to your excel worksheet. For example, every 5 second you want to get one DATA
      from instrument, total DATA are 20,  the settings should be [5!20].

Q5. Why count "the DDE linking problem"  and how to solve?
A:  1) VB6 runtime files (OCX files) not enough  
     Please download full package of COMxL RS232C from http://www.lye-tech.com , and used it to install it
     2) Excel not installed properly.  
     Sometime maybe you can normaly use Excel, but can not use "DDE" technology linking with COMxL RS232.
     It may be because some Excel's files were missing or damaging. Re-install Excel is one of way you can try to do.
     3) OS (Win95/98/NT/2000) not installed properly or Hardware environmnet (Mother-board) not stable.
     Re-install your OS is one of way you may try to do. Or install COMxL in other-PC to test it

Q6. Why count "Foreign application won't perform DDE method or operation" and how to solve ?
A:  Because COMxL can not understand some key-words in some Non-English language (such as,German, French and Spanish)
     When you count above Error message, please use COMxL in English environment (OS: Win95/98/NT/2000 and Excel)

     COMxL working in Japanese and Chinese evironment (OS and Excel)  is OK.

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Order & Registration

(Note: Please see our web site: http://www.lye-tech.com  for detail and latest information)
 

COMxL RS232C Registration
Registration fee US $: 59

System-1
======================================================
At ShareIt!
If you would like to register COMxL RS232C at ShareIt! , you can enter the
registration online on the Internet at
http://shareit1.element5.com/programs.html?productid=131222.
Alternatively, you can go to http://www.shareit.com and enter the
program number there: 131222.
If you do not have access to the Internet, you can register via phone,
fax or postal mail. Please print out
the following form, and fax or mail it to:

ShareIt!
element 5 AG / ShareIt!
 Vogelsanger Strasse 78
 50823 Koeln
 Germany

Phone:  +49-221-2407279
Fax:    +49-221-2407278
E-Mail:     register@shareit.com

US and Canadian customers may also order by calling 1-800-903-4152.
(Orders only please! We cannot provide any technical information about
the program.)

US check and cash orders can be sent to our US office at:

ShareIt! Inc.
PO Box 844
Greensburg, PA 15601-0844
USA

Tel. 724-850-8186
Fax. 724-850-8187
 

Registration form for COMxL RS232C

Program No.: 131222

Last name: ___________________________________

First name: ____________________________________

Company: ____________________________________

Street and #: ______________________________________

City, State, postal code: ________________________________

Country: _______________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________

Fax: ________________________________________

E-Mail: ______________________________________

*** Please do not forget to include your e-mail address. ***
*** We will use e-mail to communicate with you. ***

How would like to receive the registration key/full version?

e-mail - fax - postal mail

How would you like to pay the registration fee:

credit card - wire transfer - EuroCheque - cash

Credit card information (if applicable)

Credit card: Visa - Eurocard/Mastercard - American Express - Diners
Club

Card holder: ________________________________

Card No.: ___________________________________ Expiration Date: ________
 

Date / Signature: ___________________________
 

System-2
======================================================
At RegNow!
If you would like to register COMxL RS232C at RegNow! , you can enter the
registration online on the Internet at
https://www.regnow.com/softsell/nph-softsell.cgi?item=3336-1
 

System-3
======================================================
At RegNet
If you would like to register COMxL RS232C at RegNet , you can enter the
registration online on the Internet at
https://secure.reg.net/product.asp?ID=6539
 

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Warranty

LIMITED WARRANTY

The evaluation ("shareware") version of the COMxL RS232C is provided
for evaluation only, on an "as is" basis.  The registered version is
provided with a 30-day money-back guarantee, provided all materials are
returned, and -- in the case of the editor -- no products have been
distributed with included COMxL RS232C files.  This Excel Add-Ons is
intended for use by MS Excel's user, who want to import Data through
RS232C port from instrument directly.   Users are advised to do so.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, GYE SOFTLAB
DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES RELATING TO THIS SOFTWARE, WHETHER EXPRESSED
OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  NEITHER GYE SOFTLAB
SOFTWARE NOR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION,
PRODUCTION, OR DELIVERY OF THIS SOFTWARE SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY
INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE
OR INABILITY TO USE SUCH SOFTWARE, EVEN IF GYE SOFTLAB HAS
BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR CLAIMS.  IN NO EVENT
SHALL GYE SOFTLAB'S LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES EVER EXCEED THE
PRICE PAID FOR THE LICENSE TO USE THE SOFTWARE, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM
OF THE CLAIM.  THE PERSON USING THE SOFTWARE BEARS ALL RISK AS TO THE
QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE.

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License for Use and Distribution

LICENSE TERMS APPLICABLE TO ALL USE OR DISTRIBUTION

The COMxL RS232C and all associated software and documentation are
copyrighted products of LyeSoftLab and are protected by
United States copyright law and also by international treaty provisions.

All rights not expressly granted here are reserved to GYE SoftLab.
The use or distribution of these products is expressly
prohibited, except as authorized by the terms of this agreement.

You may not use, copy, rent, lease, sell, modify, decompile,
disassemble, otherwise reverse engineer, or transfer the licensed
program except as provided in this agreement.

U.S. Government Restricted Rights:  Use, duplication, or disclosure
by the U.S. Government of the computer software and documentation in
this package shall be subject to restrictions as set forth in
subdivision (b)(3)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer
Software clause at 252.227-7013 (DFARS 52.227-7013).  Manufacturer is
LyeSoftLab, BLK212, Bukit Batok Street 21, #08-251, Singapore 650212.
 

LICENSE TERMS APPLICABLE TO TRIAL USE OF EVALUATION VERSION

LyeSoftLab grants you a limited license to use this software
for evaluation purposes for a period (not to exceed 60 uses).

During this evaluation period, you may make full use of the COMxL RS232C.

If you continue using this software after the evaluation period
(60-uses),  you MUST make the prescribed registration payment (US$59) to
LYE SoftLab through the World Wide Web - your credit card information
is sent directly to the credit card processor in a SECURE manner.
 

LICENSE TERMS APPLICABLE TO USE OF REGISTERED VERSION

The software and the disks on which it is contained are licensed on
a non-exclusive basis to you, the purchaser, for your own use.  You
are not obtaining title to the software or any copyright rights.
 

You may use the licensed software on a single personal computer system,
and make as many copies as needed for backup and archival purposes.
If you need to use these products on more than one computer, please
contact us concerning site licenses.

LIMITED DISTRIBUTION LICENSE

Permission is granted to individuals charging no fees, and to BBSes,
User Groups, Mail-Order Disk Vendors, CD-ROM publishers, and BBS
File-Distribution Networks regardless of fees, to distribute the
COMxL RS232C, provided they convey a complete and unaltered copy of
the shareware version of this product, and provided they claim no
ownership of these products.

Permission to distribute these products is not transferable, assignable,
saleable, or franchisable.  Each vendor wishing to distribute these
products must independently satisfy the terms of this limited
distribution license.

LYE SoftLab may revoke any permissions granted here, by  
notifying you in writing.

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