Trigger event from serial port or other 2

[Alabaster]

Hope someone can help with this...
I have a simple data collection app that has 5 user input fields and 2 auto-incrimenting fields. I need the program to watch a serial port or something to see a dry contact close and then print the page, incriment the 2 fields, then wait for the next contact event. I have the program built and ready to go, but I have no external input (my sample waits for a ALT-1 event so far) can someone please point me in the right direction for getting mechanical external imputs into my application.

Thanks

Peter

 

[ADoozer]

so are you looking to make your own input device, (ie like the weatherfolk have on the news??

if you leave your email i can send you a simple schematic for an input device using a max232 chip?!?! this way you can use the oncomm event of the mscomm control,

if this isnt what your after, can you be a little more specific!!

good luck If somethings hard to do, its not worth doing - Homer Simpson

 

[TheVampire]

You don't need any special device.

You just need a switch connected to the ground of the port, ( Pin 5 ) and the CTS pin ( Clear to send, pin 8 )

In the OnComm event for the control, check to see if the event is a change in status of the CTS line

Private Sub MSComm_OnComm ()

If comEvCTS then
' code here to do wqhatever you want
End If

End Sub

If you need to pull CTS high to get a state change, you could place the switch between CTS and DTR.

Robert

 

[ADoozer]

yup... that would work too!!

heres a link to rs232 pinout!!

http://www.pin-outs.com/datasheet_11.html

If somethings hard to do, its not worth doing - Homer Simpson

 

[Alabaster]

Thank you everyone, I'll try that this week and see how things go.

Peter