PROGRAM MANAGER & KERNEL. CipherLab 8700 Series, 8770 Series, 8790 Series
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Chapter 4
PROGRAM MANAGER & KERNEL
This chapter will give you an account of the mobile computer’s
Program Manager
and
Kernel
that manage multiple programs and firmware upgrade.
IN THIS CHAPTER
4.1 Program Manager ...................................................... 87
4.2 Kernel ...................................................................... 92
4.1 PROGRAM MANAGER
The mobile computer supports multiple applications and languages. By the menu of
Program Manager
, the mobile computer allows storing up to six programs plus an activated one currently in use.
If there is no application program stored in the mobile computer, the
Program Manager
will display on the screen when the mobile computer is powered on.
Warning!
Program Manager
is provided for the program management in an administrative level. Non-administrative access to this menu should be properly warded off.
To access Program Manager:
1)
Turn off the mobile computer.
2)
Press [8] + [Power] simultaneously.
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4.1.1 DOWNLOAD
Select this item to loads programs for the mobile computer. When this item is selected, it first lists the programs currently stored on the mobile computer with size information.
The program name allows up to 12 characters while program size is reflected in kilobytes.
Multiple application programs are downloadable to the mobile computer through a variety of interfaces. When downloading finishes, you are prompted to input a new name for that program. If there is no need to rename it, simply press [Enter] to leave the name unchanged and quit the rename field.
Each entry listed in the
Download
submenu represents a program that has been downloaded to the mobile computer. An entry is comprised of three elements: (1) The numbering, (2) the file name, and (3) the file size. They are detailed as follows:
The numberings from 1 to 6:
Among the numberings from 1 to 6, each represents a memory sector available on the mobile computer for a program to occupy. When a program is downloaded to occupy a memory sector, a suffix letter will display after the numbering of that memory sector to represent the file type of that program. There are two types of program:
- “b” for BASIC program (.SYN)
- “c” for C program (.SHX)
The file name: The file name of the downloaded program displays here.
The file size: The file size of the downloaded program displays here. It is given by kilobytes.
At the bottom of this
Download
submenu, there are two lines:
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Chapter 4 Program Manager & Kernel
The line starting with “ACT” indicates the program that is activated and in use on the mobile computer at the moment. This is the program that is executed when the mobile computer’s system starts up.
The line starting with the letter “f” is a reserved line to display the font file (.SHX) in use by the mobile computer at the moment.
Note: For a custom font file (.SHX) or a BASIC program (.SYN), it can only be downloaded via
System Menu
|
6. Load Program
.
MEMORY SECTOR (1 ~ 6)
A vacant cell in
Download
submenu represents a memory sector that is available for a program to occupy.
Download a program file to an available memory sector:
1. Press the navigation keys [Up] and [Down] to move between the items. Press [Enter] to select one.
2. Select a desired interface for downloading.
3. Connect the interface cable if required.
4. On your PC, run the utility ProgLoad.exe. Make necessary configuration on its user’s interface, select the program to download, and press OK button to proceed. The mobile computer will start to download the selected program.
5. To abort the action, press [ESC]. Then press [ESC] again to return to the submenu.
Download a program file to an occupied memory sector:
If no more memory sector is available, you have to remove a downloaded program to make storage space for the new one.
1. Press the navigation keys [Up] and [Down] to move between the downloaded programs. Press
[Enter] to select one to remove.
2. The program information displays on the screen.
Press the modifier key [ α ] to switch to upper-case alphabetic input mode:
Press the capital letter [C] and follow the steps below to download a program file.
Press the capital letter [D] if you simply want to delete the program.
3. Select a desired interface for downloading.
4. Connect the interface cable if required.
5. On your PC, run the utility ProgLoad.exe. Make necessary configuration on its user’s interface, select the program to download, and press OK button to proceed. The mobile computer will start to download the assigned program.
6. To abort the action, press [ESC]. Then press [ESC] again to return to the submenu.
From the menu, you'll see the program has been deleted but no new program is present
(because you have canceled the download action).
ACTIVE STORAGE MEMORY SECTOR (“ACT”)
Only the application program that needs to be activated immediately should be downloaded to this memory sector.
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Download to Memory Sector “ACT”:
1. Press the navigation key [Down] to move down to the active memory sector, “ACT”, which may be unoccupied already. Press [Enter] to select it.
2. Select a desired interface for downloading.
3. Connect the interface cable if required.
4. On your PC, run the utility ProgLoad.exe. Make necessary configuration on its user’s interface, select the program to download, and press OK button to proceed. The mobile computer will start to download the assigned program.
If the active memory sector has already been occupied by an application program, the newly downloaded program will overwrite the old one and come to activation immediately.
4.1.2 ACTIVATE
Select this item to activate a program on the mobile computer. When this item is selected, it first lists all the spare programs stored on the mobile computer that isn’t active at the moment.
Select any one from the list (from 1 to 6) or select the SD card. The selected program will be copied to the active memory sector and replace the current one.
Note: A font file cannot be activated.
As soon as a program is activated, the mobile computer shuts down. When you power it on again, a screen appears showing the message
<New Program Start>
, take the following action to keep or clear out the files in the SRAM:
TO CLEAR FILE SYSTEM
Press [ESC] to clean out the files in the SRAM. In this case, no data (transactions, settings, etc.) is kept on the mobile computer when the new program comes into play.
TO KEEP FILE SYSTEM
To keep the files, simply press any key other than [ESC].
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4.1.3 UPLOAD
Backs up any or all of the programs stored on the mobile computer to a host computer or another mobile computer. This is helpful for cloning software between multiple mobile computers.
Note: To clone all of the programs, the target mobile computer cannot have any other program downloaded except the active one, which means its memory sector 1 ~ 6 must be empty!
For the uploading procedures, please see those of downloading programs as they are similar.
The transmission interfaces of “USB Virtual COM”, “SD Card” and “USB Virtual
COM_CDC” are not available when “Terminal” is selected for the Target Machine.
The transmission interface “SD Card” isn’t available when “PC” is selected for the
Target Machine.
This screen is not available if you select
“2.All Programs” from the previous screen.
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4.2 KERNEL
The kernel resides in the innermost core of the system. It has the highest security and is always protected by the system. When the application program is corrupted and
System
Menu
fails at the same time,
Kernel Menu
provides an access to fix the system.
Warning!
Kernel Menu
is intended for the system management of administrator’s level. Non-administrative access to this menu should be warded off.
To access Kernel Menu:
1)
You need to power off the mobile computer first. When the last session is in
System
Menu
or
Program Manager
, simply turn off the mobile computer; otherwise just reload the battery pack.
2)
Press [1] + [7] + [Power] simultaneously.
Chapter 4 Program Manager & Kernel
4.2.1 KERNEL INFORMATION
Delivers the important system information that helps diagnose the system.
Kernel Menu | 1. Information
H/W
Hardware version
S/N
M/D
BL
KNL
DEV
Serial number of the mobile computer
Manufacturing date
Bootloader version
Kernel version
The 5-digit code stands for the combination of the hardware installed in the mobile computer. See the coding rule at
3.1.1 Understanding Device Code
.
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4.2.2 KERNEL UPDATE
Updates the kernel and bootloader. Such update may be necessary to improve system performance, or for the mercy of other considerations. Refer to
.
To download a kernel (K8700.shx) or bootloader (BL8700.shx) update, the procedure is the same as that for downloading a program.
Any attempt to download an older version of bootloader will be rejected.
The system will restart itself right after downloading.
Warning: Whether during the downloading of kernel update or during the system re-start right after the kernel update, the mobile computer mustn’t be powered off as it could lead to the permanent crash of the kernel.
Note: When RS-232 is selected for the transmission interface, the mobile computer stays in download mode for about 30 seconds only. The preparation (such as connecting the RS-232 cable) and the kernel update should be done before the download mode expires.
Files downloadable through
Kernel Menu
|
2. Kernel Update
are as listed below:
.SHX Program
Firmware File
Download one of the following firmware files:
Kernel update:
Bootloader update:
K8700.shx
BL8700.shx
SETTINGS
Interface
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Chapter 4 Program Manager & Kernel
Options
RS232
USB VCOM
Bluetooth
SD Card
USB VCOM_CDC
Description
By selecting RS232 interface, you need to configure baud rate settings both on your PC and the mobile computer.
By selecting USB Virtual COM for the transmission interface, your PC and the mobile computer should be connected with a USB cable before the update can be done.
By selecting Bluetooth for the transmission interface, you select to approach a Bluetooth enabled device for kernel update.
By selecting SD card for interface, you select to access the SD card inserted in the mobile computer to carry out kernel update.
By selecting USB Virtual COM_CDC for the transmission interface, your
PC and the mobile computer should be connected with a USB cable before the kernel update can be done. This option is available only when USB Virtual COM_CDC is in use.
Baud Rate
Available baud rate options: 115200/57600/38400/19200/9600 bps
KERNEL UPDATE VIA BLUETOOTH
1)
Go to
Kernel Menu
|
4. System Menu
|
7. Bluetooth Menu
|
3. Security
, and configure the following Bluetooth settings first.
Authentication
PIN code
2)
Go to
Kernel Menu
|
2. Kernel Update
and select Bluetooth.
3)
Start the pairing procedure from your PC, for example, click [Pair Device] and/or
[Connect Bluetooth Serial Port].
4)
On your PC, run the download utility ProgLoad.exe. In [Comm setting] group box, make the following settings:
- Select RS-232 for [Comm type], so as to access Bluetooth SPP.
- Configure [COM port] properties according to the Bluetooth COM port created on your PC. Go to
start
|
Control Panel
|
System
|
Hardware
|
COM & LPT
to check it up.
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KERNEL UPDATE VIA SD CARD
In SD card directory, press the navigation keys to move between the files. Press
[Enter] to select a file and view its information.
1)
If the desired program file(s) has been copied to your SD card, go to
Kernel Menu
|
2. Kernel Update
and select
SD Card
. A list of all the files existing under the directory “\Program” on the SD card will display, as shown above:
2)
Press the navigation keys [Up] and [Down] to move between the files.
3)
Press [Enter] to view the information of the program file.
4)
Press [Enter] again to confirm downloading the selected program file to the mobile computer.
5)
Press [ESC] to abort the download task.
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Chapter 4 Program Manager & Kernel
4.2.3 BURN-IN TEST
Launches the burn-in test that is intended for factory’s manufacturing purpose.
Warning! You should not perform this test.
4.2.4 SYSTEM MENU
Refer to
for details. This menu item is exactly the same as the
System Menu
for system configuration.
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