M1 Newsletter

March 2, 2005

Keypad Text Message Reminders

Text messages are entered in ElkRP on the texts screen, under automation.  To create a new text message, click the “New” button, enter the text, and click OK.  There are two boxes at the bottom of the edit texts screen that demonstrate how the text will appear on the keypad.  If the text is more than 16 characters long, it will alternate between these two boxes on the bottom line of the keypad.  Make sure that a word is not split across these two boxes, or your message may be confusing.  Text messages entered here share storage space with the rules.  Every 8 characters entered takes up one rule space.
Note: The Texts screen is also used for entering ASCII stings.  This will be addressed in a future application.

Filter Replacement
In this example, the customer will be reminded that it is time to replace the water filter.  This particular water filter should be replaced every 6 months according to the manufacturer’s specifications.  Adjust this time to meet the needs of your application.  Every six months, on the first day of the month, starting at 6:00 pm , the keypad will display the reminder message and beep until the star button is pressed.

This can also be useful for furnace filters, smoke detector batteries, etc.

Pool Maintenance
In the next example, the customer will receive a weekly reminder to perform the required pool maintenance.  The text message will be displayed on the keypad at 4:00 pm , every Wednesday.  The keypad will beep while the message is being displayed.  Pressing the star button will clear the message and silence the beeps.

Note that extra spaces have been placed between “needs” and “maintenance”.  This is to prevent the word “maintenance” from being split across the lines scrolling across the bottom of the keypad screen.

This could also be used for spas, ponds, etc.

Birthdays
This example demonstrates how a text message could be used to wish someone a Happy Birthday!  Whenever “Mr. Jones” disarms the system on his birthday (May 15^th in this example) the keypad will display “Happy Birthday Mr. Jones!” for 2 minutes (120 seconds).  To add a personal element to the message, the M1 will play the family singing Happy Birthday, which was recorded as a custom voice message, using keypad menu 8, and then programmed into Miscellaneous 1 in ElkRP.

This could be used for anniversaries and other special occasions, as well.

ELK RP Tip Of The Week

Move/Copy/Paste Rules
Rules are fired in sequential order.  It may be necessary to change the order of the rules to accomplish the desired operation.  Moving rules is very easy.  Simply highlight the rule you wish to move.  Click on the rule and hold the mouse button while you move the cursor up or down the list.  You will see a black bar moving in between the rules.  When the black bar is in the desired location for the rule, let off of the mouse button and the rule will be moved to that location. You can copy and paste rules as well.  This is a useful option when you have a lengthy rule that you want to modify, but you would like to keep the original rule.  Highlight the rule you wish to copy and click the copy button.  When pasting you will be given two options; insert before selection or replace selection.  Highlight the line directly below the location for the copied rule and click paste and insert before selection, or highlight the line to be replaced and click paste and replace selection.  You can not copy a rule from one account and paste it into a different account.

Got Questions or Ideas?
Email me at amy.strickland@elkproducts.com