ShowTimeª Professional Remote Control
SofTware Group, Sine of the Times, Incorporated
1455 South 50 East, Orem, Utah 84058, email: SofT@byu.edu

Introduction
ShowTime is the world's first fully scriptable and schedulable remote control available for general public and consumer use.

It offers easy management of multiple electronic components, alarm scheduling, and creation of scripts (software programs).

Support
Currently only modern Sony equipment is supported.
ShowTime provides full functionality for:

Sony Amplifiers
Sony Tuners
Sony Compact Disc (CD) Players
Sony Digital Audio Tape (DAT) Players
Sony Cassette Tape (TAPE) Players
Sony Phono Record Players
Sony Televisions
Sony Video Tape Recorders (VTR)
Sony LaserDisc (LD) Players
Sony Video Cameras (SonyCAM)

In total, there are over 400 different infrared commands available within ShowTime.

Requirements
Newton MessagePad 1x0.  Only 1.3 ROMs have been tested.
130 kilobytes free RAM.

Usage
ShowTime is intended to be used as an advanced equipment manager.  It can be used as a standard remote control as well.

To use ShowTime, users are required to write Equipment Scripts.  These are common english commands which are run sequentially by ShowTime at the users request.  The commands are converted into infrared codes that are then sent to the equipment.

Users can write scripts for immediate or delayed (alarm) control of equipment.  Users can optionally save these scripts for later usage.  NOTE:  Scripts must be saved for delayed control of equipment.

Creating Scripts
The script area is the input field at the bottom of the screen.  This area is surrounded by a solid box.

To create scripts, users should use the command buttons on both sides of the box.  These command buttons provide users with all the commands that can be run by ShowTime.

The command buttons are:
AMP: Amplifier commands
TNR: Tuner commands
CD: General Compact Disc commands
CD+: Additional Compact Disc commands
DT: Digital Audio Tape commands
DT+: Additional Digital Audio Tape commands
TV: General Television commands
TV+: Additional Television commands
VR: Video tape recorder commands
VR+: Additional Video tape recorder commands
TAP: Audio Cassette tape commands
XTR: Phono, LaserDisc, Camera, and additional commands

To choose a command, simply select it from the lists provided.

Special notations used in the commands:
The # sign must be replaced by a number from 0 to 9 (Exceptions for CD Players: 1 to 10, and VTR: 1 to 3).

Commands will be sequentially added to the script area.  They must be separated by periods to work correctly.  This is done by ShowTime most times.

Testing a Script
To test if your script works correctly, point your Newton at the equipment you wish to control, and press the Test button.

Saving a Script
Scripts can be easily saved for later usage (eg. repetitive tasks).

1. Enter a name for the script next to the input line labelled Name.
2. Press Save.

Your script has now been saved.

Loading or Creating a New Script
The menu labelled Script allows you to load saved scripts, or create new ones.

To load a saved script, simply select it from the menu.  If you make any changes, make sure to press Save before exitting.

To create a new script, select New from the top of the Script menu.

Removing a Script
To delete a script, simply scrub out your commands in the script area, and press Save.  The script will be deleted.

Setting an Alarm
Saved scripts can be scheduled to run at various times.  Each script can be scheduled to run once within the next 24 hours.

To schedule a script, follow these steps:

1.  Enter the hour and minute you wish the script to run.  Ensure the correct format is selected (AM - 24 hour time, or PM).
2.  Press Set Alarm.

Your Newton will wake up automatically and run the scheduled script at the specified hour and minute.  It must be pointed at the equipment to perform the script tasks.

If you set an alarm again for a script, it overwrites the previous alarm set for the script.

Tips
Choosing the commands for creating scripts can be challenging at times.  The best way is to record your steps directly on the Newton as you perform the activities yourself.

Use logic when creating scripts.  For example, the following commands ensure that an Amplifier is turned off regardless if it was on or off prior to the script:

AMP Tuner. Delay 1 sec. AMP Power.

The first command switches the AMP to Tuner mode if it is on.  If the AMP wasn't on, the AMP is turned on to Tuner mode.  A delay is inserted to give time for the Amp to turn on and then respond to additional remote signals.  Finally the last step, AMP Power toggles the power, thus turning the Amplifier off.

Your Newton's infrared port can only control equipment from a distance of about 2 metres.  In addition, it must be pointed towards the equipment.  Ensure it is close enough, and there are no obstructions in it's way.

You can use the special commands delay 1 sec, and delay 1 min, for slower responding equipment.  These cause ShowTime to delay for the respecitive amout of time before sending the next command.

Using your Newton as a remote control can drain its battery power faster.  It is suggested that you leave your Newton plugged in if you are scheduling more than 2 scripts.

Answers to Common Questions
Will other equipment manufacturers be supported?  Yes, if user demand is high enough.  (Send us email).

Do all the codes work for all equipment?  No, depending on the age of the equipment (ie. older, or brand new), the codes do vary slightly.  Generally, the major commands remain the same.

Disclaimer
By using this software, you are agreeing that Sine of the Times, Inc. cannot be held liable for use or inability to use the software correctly or incorrectly.

Contact Information
This package was developed by University of Waterloo student Ashish Mishra.  Ashish is Vice President Internal and a Partner at Sine of the Times, Inc.

You can contact Ashish for answers to most technical or development questions.

To contact Ashish directly, email Amishra@eworld.com, or send mail to:
3520 Marydale Avenue, Cornwall, Ontario, K6K 1S8, Canada.

For all other requests, please direct your email and surface mail to the addresses provided at the beginning of this document.


Sine of the Times, Incorporated.
Innovation is our Passion.