Mobile Messenger Windows Event Triggers
Hardware (COM Port) Event Monitoring

What hardware can trigger an SMS message?

You can trigger a message with any of these devices - and many more:

1. An invisible Infra-Red beam security device such as the Maplin Infra Red Security Beam Circuit (http://www.maplin.co.uk/)
2. A magnetic reed door switch
3. The monitor output on your standard house or office alarm system
4. A temperature sensor
5. A light sensor
6. A water level monitor
7. The output of many other monitoring devices
8. Anything that provides an on/off switch connection
9. Almost anything that provides an output voltage that changes - for example from 0V to 5V.

How do I connect an on/off switch?

In brief:
If the COM port you wish to use is a 9-pin connector then connect the switch between pins 6 and 7.
If the COM port you wish to use is a 25-pin connector then connect the switch between pins 4 and 6.

In more detail:
You need to connect to a free COM port on your computer. You may well have a modem or mouse on one COM port so be careful to select a COM port that is not in use. Most computers have two COM ports at the back of the computer. The sockets are either "9 pin D-type" or "25 pin D-type" connectors. The serial ports are presented on male sockets - that is they have lots of pins sticking up - unlike the Parallel Port which is usually a 25 pin D-type female socket.

The program monitors the CTS pin on the COM port - that is pin 6 on both 9 pin and 25 pin connectors. If the voltage on that pin is between +3V and +12V it will be definitely be regarded as "ON" and if the voltage is between -3V and -12V it will be regarded as "OFF". On most PCs when the CTS pin is not connected to anything it is seen as OFF.

Conveniently most PCs provide about +10 V from the RTS pin and -10 V from the TxD pin. So a simple switch between two pins (the CTS and RTS pins) can be used to turn the CTS pin ON and OFF. And if a simple switch will work so will many other devices such as the magnetic reed switches used to tell if a door is open, Infra-Red beam sensors and "Motion Detectors" all of which provide a simple on/off switch connection.There is little if any risk in connecting such devices to your PC.

Some Alarm Systems may provide a switched output which can be safely connected to you PC. Others may provide a voltage output and in this case you should use an opto-isolator - see below.

What are the connections on my computer's COM port?

How do I connect up a device that provides an output voltage?

Disclaimer.
BE VERY CAREFUL to ensure that connecting a device to your computer will not damage the device or the computer. If in doubt ensure that a competent electrician and/or computer hardware expert advises you that it is safe to make the connection between your computer and the device. Applying any voltage greater than 12V to a COM port can seriously damage your computer. Always consider the use of an opto-isolator to protect both the device and your computer.

In brief:
If you are going to apply an external voltage to a COM port (for example from an external alarm system) then we strongly suggest that you use an opto-isolator to isolate the PC from the other device. Typical opto-isolators such as the 4N25, 4N27 or CNY17-3 costs about US$0.35 or GPB £0.50 and are widely available.

4N25		Connecting to a 9-pin COM port on the PC: Connect pin 5 on the opto-isolator to RTS - pin 7 on the PC Connect pin 4 on the opto-isolator to CTS - pin 8 on the PC Connect a 10k ohm resistor between TxD - pin 3 and CTS - pin 8 on the PC
		Connecting to a 25 -pin COM port on the PC: Connect pin 5 on the opto-isolator to RTS - pin 4 on the PC Connect pin 4 on the opto-isolator to CTS - pin 5 on the PC Connect a 10k ohm resistor between TxD - pin 2 and CTS - pin 5 on the PC

How do I check that everything is connected and working?

Launch Mobile Messenger and select

Configure -> Windows Event To SMS -> COM Port Event

If you have not got a licence for this service you will still be able to connect a device to a COM port and see if it operates the event trigger but no SMS messages will be sent out.

1. Select the COM port you wish to monitor.
2. Set the "Recipient" to one of our test numbers for example 447700912345. You will see the test messages in your Message History but they will not actually be sent out and you will not be charged.
3. Check the box marked "Enable monitoring"
4. Press the "Apply" button.

You can now confirm that when you join the RTS and CTS pins together the "Current CTS state:" changes from OFF to ON.

Checklist: What to do to use the COM Port Event monitor.

1. In the Mobile Messenger application on your PC select Configure -> Windows Event To SMS -> COM Port Event
2. Set the Message Delay to a few seconds - e.g. 5 seconds.
3. Fill in the "Recipient" and "Message" for the ON and OFF events - separate multiple recipients with a comma.
4. Make sure the "Enable monitoring" box is checked.
5. Press the Apply button.
6. You can then minimise Mobile Messenger into the task bar but be sure to leave Mobile Messenger running on your PC.
7. Login on the website www.csoft.co.uk using your Username and Password.
8. Under "Services" choose the option "Mobile Messenger" and select an evaluation or full licence for "Windows Event To SMS". This will become active, and available for your use, immediately.
9. Make sure that you have some credit in your account so that you can send messages.
10. Now each time the device turns ON or OFF an SMS message will be sent out.

If you have further question please see Mobile Messenger's Help section.