CIRCUITWERKES: Sicontroller Revision History

New Features & Revision History:

Version 1.24.23
-Autoconnect issue of splash screen obstructing error messages fixed

Version 1.24.22
-Extended single row tab count to 50 sites

Version 1.24.21
-Removed firmware version override
-Popup meters now correctly reflect online status

Version 1.24.20
-Export and file naming fixes

Version 1.24.19
-Support for SiPeriph32 added
-Significantly improved web connect mode
-Persistent relay re-trigger while engaged added in web connect mode

Version 1.24.18
-Fixed incorrect processing of blank security keys

Version 1.24.17
-Shortened close momentary relay timeout from 60 seconds to 3 and added dynamic timeout

Version 1.24.16
-Filters for dialout phone numbers implemented.
-Fixed redraw of disabled channels (meter/relay/status 7&8)
-Fixed baud rate setting and added more descriptive instructions to changing it.
-Added ability to modify baud rate in the software only without affecting the hardware.
-Changed how the software and firmware handles baud rate set.
-Added timeouts and reversion.
-To avoid potential lock ups, new software will not work with firmware v1.72 or below

Version 1.24.15
-Fixed phone number enabled/disabled on download.
-Consolidated Update and Close buttons in the Master Phone List dialog.

Version 1.24.14
Adds programmable "ON" times for relays when the Sicon-8 is being accessed using very short DTMF tones that are too quick to operate equipment. From the Telco configuration page, users can program a minimum ON time up to 2.5 seconds.

Version 1.24.12
Fixed bug affecting automatic time sync in multi-site mode.

Version 1.24.11
Fixed problems with Event Scheduler dates: pre 2000 and post 2068 (due to the overflow)

'Version 1.24.10
Fixed PC auto sync time feature.

Version 1.24.09
Fixed TCP/IP communication for meter readings/labels request
Removed redundant calibration channel reselect to avoid confusion for channel selection during the setup
Added additional flags for timeouts to ensure unknown data is flagged as a timeout.

'Version 1.24.08
Added meter and label re-request for the same group in TCP/IP mode

Version 1.24.07
Fixed latchable operated in momentary mode relay label display
'Fixed event action drop down index parse

Version 1.24.06
Fixed relay label population in the event scheduler; added dynamic latch relay processing in the event scheduler

Version 1.24.05
Added global mute/unmute reference reading, removed X10 CM17A support (requires fw v1.66+)
'Fixed channel reloading in the calibration form, in turn, fixing invalid data upload on automatic "upload changes" when config form is closed
'Fixed missing keyword processing from disconnect subject email and additional body content (postpend)
'Fixed invalid retention of relay restrictions for controller user class
'Fixed incorrect latchable relay on/off caption usage
'Fixed action indexing in events, added latchable relay detection for all relay open/close actions

Version 1.24.04
Added meter and label re-request for the same group in TCP/IP mode, fixes Webserver connect bug where readings didn't update.

Version 1.24.03
Fixed TCPIP connection problem with cached data. Added timeouts for invalid data in addition to data not received.

Version 1.24.02
Fixed alarm (not) blinking, on meter/status displays. Added customizable relay ON/OFF colors

Version 1.24.01
Fixed disabled access codes on incorrect access code and moved the button to connectivity tab. Fixed tooltips popup zorder, renamed hardware passwords to hardware access codes

Version 1.24.00
Requires firmware version 1.60. Changed events to support all 32 channels. Fixed serial problem introduced in FW v1.59.

Version 1.23.37
Added channel specific flags for non iterative content, such as headers/footers for logging

Version 1.23.36
Added Remote/Local switch via serial

Version 1.23.35
Due to problematic INET connections, removed it completely and replaced with winsock

Version 1.23.34
Changes to webserver connection's INET's to download in chunks vs all at once. Speeds up connection process and improves reliability.

Version 1.23.33
Changed the "Event Scheduler Calendar" because of a MS bug in the calendar DLL that caused the dates to not display on some newer systems.

Version 1.23.32
Various tweaks to make Webserver communications more robust.

Version 1.23.31
Changed e-mailing of alarms so that recurrent alarms result in e-mails each time. Previously, e-mailing only occurred if the alarms were different or if the triggering alarm had been cleared.

Version 1.23.30
Complete redesign of firmware loader. Added features.

Version 1.23.29
Fixed /replaced a Windows API that was causing intermittent problems. The API caused data on one form to sometimes appear on others while also causing some data to not change properly when updating.

Version 1.23.28
Added dynamic sybject/additional/log entry information and the legends
' Fixed calibration form problem with linked data to the configuration form

Version 1.23.27
Fixed que size problem for progress bar calculation, fixed event scheduler controls disabling and not reenabling. Fixed emailing problem where alarms would not e-mail/SMS message if delay was set to zero. Fixed missing/greyed out meter labels accidently introduced in previous version.

Version 1.23.26
Added line seized/release, dialout started (and phone number idx) notify processing (fw v1.52+ required for this feature). Added hide of meter/relay/status controls. Fixed a problem with meter dialog resizing

Version 1.23.25
Added timestamp to email's subject for alarms so all the alarm display forms will benefit from showing timestamp with each alarm as well. Optimized gdi redrawing for speed.

Version 1.23.24
Multi-site fixes all over the code. Users with multiple units should see a huge improvement in stability and operability.

Version 1.23.23
Change min password length to 1.

Version 1.23.22
Fixed multisite unloading problem, change errorlog function in all the projects to incude version with each entry
' Bunch of minor visual changes in regards to higher DPI settings

Version 1.23.21
Added status event triggers. Modified timeout code. Added warning, critical, and status (warning and critical) alarm muting.

Version 1.23.20
Added voice unit index selection in the meter telemetry (synced with calibration form). Fixed a problem with group request where a variable was passed by value, not reference

Version 1.23.19
Fixed silence sensor readings. Onboard audio sensor mapped to incorrect memory addresses

Version 1.23.18
Added new code for script processing. Fixed script run resolution.

Version 1.23.17
Fixed a problem with events upload where full grid upload would auto-cancel.
Hardware data log has been rewritten in the firmware and the software no longer downloads
the log as a whole; instead it downloads one entry at a time for each command request

Version 1.23.16
Fixed a problem where logging would revert back to HTML if a file is not found.
Added separate printer alg for HTML printing

Version 1.23.15
License.dat for multi-sites included by default with the setup package now.
Fixed custom email-SMS carrier problem
Added factory events reset for events.
Fixed a problem with unit labels when information is downloaded for multiple expansion packs via webserver connection
Multiview for multiple expansion packs fixed
Everything related to upload/download of settings (events and config) has been merged into shared module and functions.
Added dtmf cutoff timer (voice record cut off) as a user programmable feature
Exported SMS carrier list into carrierlist.txt so the user can add their own carriers

Version 1.23.14
Visual themes fix. Moved SMTP, imgList and timer controls

Version 1.23.13
Fixed alarm box problem with resizing that could crash the software under some alarm conditions. Added incorrect filename check (invalid symbols). Fixed webserver IsConnected routine

Version 1.23.12
Fixed webserver communication problems. Expansion pack processing and gui redraw problems.

Version 1.23.11
Fixed working in offline mode and added firmware override for undetermined sicon fw versions

Version 1.23.10
Fixed webserver communication. Fixed incorrect channel loading in frmConfiguration (all loading/saving routines affected in the frmConfiguration)

Version 1.23.09
Fixed visual alignment of frames for communications in settings
Fixed SMTPMailer control (also reflected in other projects). To properly struct an email header

Version 1.23.08
Fixed email delivery for HTML type of logs (incorrect formatting)

Version 1.23.07 (requires firmware version 1.45/1.46)
Fixes a software bug that failed to properly set the maximum number of bad password attempts. If the variable was set to zero, the Sicon-8 would answer and then instantly drop the call.

Version 1.23.06
Fixed double loggin and incorrect log auto-delivery/print

Version 1.23.05 (requires firmware version 1.45/1.46)
CAUTION: Do not use this version of the software to program any previous versions of the Sicon-8 (no FW older than 1.42) or they will not work.

Fixes a bug in the e-mailing handler that caused only one alarm to be e-mailed if multiple alarms simultaneously occurred. Fixes two bugs in the e-mailing of logs. One prevents e-mailing of logs if the period between logging is too long. The other caused duplicate entries to appear in the logs.

Version 1.23.03
Fixed a problem with channelstab unloading. Don't place any controls that will be sized in the container of the tab control. Have tab control the frames' zorder instead

Version 1.23.02
Added offline mode, which allows to configure ALL 32 channels even without expansion packs. Download/Upload updated. Down/Up 32 channels menu added. Ctrl+click removed

Version 1.23.01
Fixed a menu freeze problem

Version 1.0.22
Fixed multisite bugs with alarms (alarm dialog dissapeared, all alarm processing assumed single site, incorrect notify on disconnect operation, etc)
Update DTMF and Serial password locations. Master dtmf access code is indexed as a last location now, not first. Version 22 is a major revision, revisisons are auto incremented on compiles.

Version 1.0.21
Amendments for firmware changes forced from hardware changes (temperature sensor, silence sensor). New hardware version introduced with onboard temp sensor and audio sensor. Firmware autodetects which type of PCB is being used.

Version 1.0.20
Fixed user management code for all user management functions. Fixed telephone access enable/disable for admin/super accounts bug.

Version 1.0.19
Fixed default label upload where only 1-8 chans were uploaded regardless of expan count. Should upload all 32 chans on default upload regardless of expan count

Version 1.0.18
Added address change notify and defaults are now imaged in the seeprom. Serial meter read is a different command now. This command change was done to keep webserver backwards compatible to the firmware. Fixed voice/codec problems. Not using SYNC for play audio API' will result in not hearing all the audio wavs from each row.

Version 1.0.17
Resized configuration window. Added log now on alarm, added append symbols for alarms in logs

Version 1.0.16
Alarm fix dealing with inproper alarm handling when saving

Version 1.0.15 (requires firmware version 1.38)
CAUTION: Do not use this version of the software to program any previous versions of the Sicon-8 (no FW older than 1.37) or they will not work.

Added support to firmware updater for an improved firmware bootloader that has been added to firmware version 1.38 which is crash resistant. The combination of firmware v1.38 and software version 1.15 allows the bootloader to recover from a crash or failed upload and to restart the bootload process, in an emergency recovery mode, whenever an upgrade fails. There are no other changes from v1.14 and v1.15 can be used with firmware 1.37, except that the v1.37 bootloader cannot take advantage of the crash recovery option.

Version 1.014 (requires firmware version 1.37)
CAUTION: Do not use this version of the software to program any previous versions of the Sicon-8 (no FW older than 1.37) or they will not work.

Added time restriction to emails alerts.

Increased channel email count from 5 to 20 & total emails from 20 to 50

Fixed email feedback messages and this info is displayed in the log window now.

Added debug mode for Sicontroller. Debug mode must be selected at program startup & continues until whole program is exited.

Version 1.013

Added time restriction to emails. Increased channel email count from 5 to 20, total emails from 20 to 50

Fixed email feedback messages and this info is displayed in the log window now.

Version 1.012 (requires firmware version 1.37)

Completely rewritten data storage method of Firmware v1.37 requires a comparable change in the software.
CAUTION: Do not use this version of the software to program any previous versions of the Sicon-8 (no FW older than 1.37) or they will not work.

Fixed a minor bug where some configuration check boxes were not uploaded when the "Upload changes only" option was used. These were uploaded when "configuration only" and "All" were selected.

Fixed a bug in the calibration data download.

Added debug window.

Dialout Timer was added.

Offline password merged with online password

Version 1.010 (requires firmware version 1.36)

Adds user access to several, previously hard coded, timers.

Automatically downloads the hardware error log and appends it to the general error log if a hardware error is detected. Clears the hardware error log after download.

Version 1.00.8

Adds support for setting controller level relay restrictions.

Fixes a bug that can cause the software to lock up when alarms occur during logging operations

Adds optional e-mail and visual notification of loss of connection with the Sicon-8.

Adds an optional forced reconnect that will cause the software to retry connection every 30 seconds if the connection is lost.

Adds channel labels to the e-mailed alarm notifications.

Adds units labels to software logging options

Adds independant labels for Status On/Off conditions. Independant labels display in software only.

Adds forced software logging to the event scheduler

Fixes an e-mailed alarm bug that caused only the first e-mail address on th elist to receive the notification.

Adds the ability to play an optional sound when alarms are detected.

Version 1.00.5

Adds spreadsheet style multi-site viewer so that you can see all of your major site data for multiple sites at a glance.

Adds the ability to change serial data rates in conjunction with the version 1.32 Sicon-8 firmware.

Adds latching relay setup to the Event sceduler.

Fixes a bug that crashed the software when the "about" function or the multi-site viewer were started.

Version 1.00.3

Adds "pips" and tooltips to the meter and status displays that show and describe how alarms are configured.

Adds support for External clock sync.

Adds user-defined PTT (push to talk) relay option.

Adds ability to reverse DTMF relay commands * and # from the software (can also be done via DTMF).

Requires Firmware version 1.31, or newer.

Version 1.00.2

Interfaces more easily with the Sicon-8 alarm system.

Works with the new long relay labels.

Adds the ability to read the Web server's DHCP assigned IP address, which is displayed in the configuration menu's Web server adress box and in the "messages" box.

Adds a function to the configuration menu for setting which relay will be assigned for "Push to Talk" operations.

Adds a function to configuration that lets you set a status input up to sync the Sicon-8's clock to the nearest minute.

Implements a new data encryption method that vastly improves the speed of data handling in the Sicontroller software. The new encryption means that previous versions of the Sicontroller software cannot load or read workspace or site files saved from this version.

Numerous internal changes to the software to match housekeeping in the latest Sicon-8 firmware means that this version of the software could be destructive if used with older versions of the firmware. For that reason, the Sicontroller software will not connect to an older firmware version, except for the firmware updater function.

This version of the software requires version 1.30, or higher, firmware. Cannot be used with firmware older than v1.30.

Version 0.995

Adds functionality for operating latching relays via the software. Adds user-defined "On" and "Off" labels to each of the latchable relays.
Adds an indicator to each relay button showing the state of the relay (green = on).
This software requires firmware v01.23 or newer to operate.

Version 0.994

Right click here to download Sicontroller software installer (version 0.994).

This is the last version of the Sicontroller software that will fully work with firmware v1.22 or 1.21. Users should upgrade their firmware before using v.995.

Fixes a bug, introduced in v0.993, that prevents users from calibrating their Sicon-8 meters using the software. Changes the audio file storage list to a universal export format (this means that old audio lists won't load or work anymore and have to be recompiled). You can also send us your old file list and we can convert it for you.

Version 0.993

Fixes a bug in deleting/saving alarms that could result in a Sicon-8 lockup under multiple alarm conditions. Changes the human interface to deleting alarms. Fixes a bug in the way telephone numbers are stored where an extra DTMF digit was being dialed at the end of the number string. Buttons and forms now take on the look of the local operating system (Vista, XP, 2000, etc.).

Version 0.990

A help file (pdf) is now included with the script tool that lists the available dedicated scripting command set.

E-mailing of logs and alarms can now be done either directly from the Sicontroller software or via Outplook Express. The Outlook Express function is helpful when dealing with SMTP servers that require secure logins. Note that OE must be already configured for SMTP server, etc. Also you must uncheck the warning "when other applications try to send e-mail as me" box in the options setup for Outlook Express. Does not work with Outlook, just OE.

Version 0.989

Adds global variables to scripting. Global variable values are stored while the script is executing. They can be used to simplify the process of executing a script one time each time a specific event occurs.

Version 0.988

Allows setting the Sicon-8's internal scheduler to automatically reset the internal Web server at a user-defined fixed interval. This is recommended and useful for any remote site and especially wher ethe local router may occasionally disconnect the Web server. Resetting forces such routers to re-establish communications with the Web server.

Adds e-mailing of software-kept logs on a daily or weekly basis.

Changes formatting of software logs to make them more readable.

Allows e-mailing of alarm notifications for user-defined specific alarm conditions. Previously, alarm e-mails were sent out on a per-channel basis, but are now further divided by alarm type within the channel structure. Each type of alarm can initiate its own e-mail list.

Version 0.987

Fixes bug in the users setup that affected everyone except super-administrators and adds new restrictions to the forms accessible to controller and reader levels.

Version 0.986

Fixed a serious bug that could cause data to be incorrectly uploaded or downloaded from the Sicon-8. Users of earlier software revisions should migrate to v.986 immediately to avoid possible problems.f

Version 0.985

Added support for manually assigning IP addresses to the Ethernet Web server for use on networks that do not support DHCP. Misc. minor bug fixes. Improved scripting wizard.

Version 0.980, through 0.982

Improved support for scripting functions. Scripting now uses drop-down functions. Scripting is now site independant so that a script can operate more easily accross multiple sites. Fixed a bug that sometimes interfered with site saving when multiple sites are used.

Version 0.978

Major Update. All users should change to the version .978 (or newer) as soon as possible. This version fixes a several bugs, including a compiler bug that prevents the software from saving workspace and site files. This bug also causes Sicontroller to crash unexpectedly when making configuration changes to the Sicon-8. This release circumvents the compiler problem by using pcode, which is actually smaller and faster than the standard release versions. Added the ability (experimental) to select multiple files on the audio recorder form and upload them or play them back in batches. This function is preliminary and probably contains bugs, but they should not be anything too serious. Please let us know if you encounter any strange behaviour using this function.

Version 0.976

V0.976 changes the way meter alarms and min-max scales are handled. Previously, alarms would be defaulted if a warning alarm had a greater value than the corresponding critical alarm. For instance, it would be impossible to set an upper critical alarm for a value of 5 if the upper warning alarm had a value of 6. If that happened, the Sicontroller software immediately defaulted the alarms to the factory settings. This change allows users to set alarm values to anything they want. In addition, it is now possible to set the meter min value greater than or equal to the max value. If you do, the analog meter won't work and will display a warning message, but the software will allow it.

Changed the way pauses are entered into telephone dialing strings. Previously, users clicked a pause button. They now use a hotkey and assign a pause from the drop down menu. Pauses are now visible in the dialing string as well.

Fixed a bug in the site save/load routine that sometimes prevented saved sites from loading. This bug was caused by an encryption/decryption problem where the file's password was not properly encoded under some conditions.

Moved the "Status Alarm Enabled" checkbox in the channel configuration menu to a location away from the warning alarm setup to avoid user confusion.

Version 0.975

NOTE: Version 0.975 * higher use a different configuration format from previous releases of the Sicontroller software. As a result, the previous installations must be completely uninstalled, including much of the data stored in the "data" subfolder of the Sicontroller directory. If you have used a previous version of the software and wish to save your settings, use the "export" function in the "Site" menu to save the settings, then perform the un-install process selecting the option that removes configuration data. After you have installed the current version of the software, you can use the "import" function to restore your configuration data. If you have no data that you want to save, then you may simply delete the contents of your data subfolder prior to installing the latest version of the software. For recent versions of the Sicontroller, uninstalling the old configuration data can be done by making sure that the 'Delete all data' box is checked in the uninstaller program. For older versions of the Sicontroller, you will have to manually locate the "sicontroller/data" folder and delete all files except for those with the .vsf and .txt extensions.

This version fixes several minor, but longstanding bugs, including the ability to store meter values as negative numbers. It also fixes the invalid checksum error that pops up occasionally when uploading or downloading data from your Sicon-8. This version uses a new format of .SFF flash file for upgrading the firmware of your Sicon-8. Previous versions of the sff file will not work with this version.

A new universal site configuration format has been developed for saving your site files. This version is now indepenant of the software version that you are using. Because the formatting is now radically different, you should use the export function to save site data before installing the version 0.975. You will have to re-enter your passwords and user account names when you start the new version, however, these will be portable thereafter. You can then import your old configuration data or you can download the data directly from your Sicon-8 hardware, if that is available to you. The export and import functions will remain for those that wish to export site configurations without giving users access to their account information.

Among the many other new features of v0.975 are the following:

1. Allow the user to switch between mouse-down to operate a relay and CTRL+Mouse-down to operate a relay. This avoids accidently operating a relay when using a touchpad type of mouse.

2. Fixed a minor bug where the date overflows the text box in the configuration menu if the month has two digits.

3. Added the ability to display only 0, 1 or 2 digits after the decimal point. Previous versions showed three decimal places.

4. Added the ability to change the color of the status lights on a per channel basis. So, channel 1 might be our generic green and dark, but channel 2 might be green and red, channel 3 might be yellow and blue, etc..

Version 0.972

Modem to modem communications is now supported. It is possible to set up an auto-answering modem on the Sicon-8 end, connected to its serial port and then dial into the Sicon-8's modem using our software. This is an alpha release of the modem to modem functions and is not guaranteed to function with all modems, but it has worked with several that we have tested in-house. The host PC to modem communications must be set for 38,400b, N, 8, 1 with no flow control. The actual connect speed of the two modems is not critical. The modem used at the Sicon-8 end must be an auto-answer type and must not be set to require DCE/DTE control from a terminal program. We have tested the Sicon-8 using a US Robotics Sportster modem with hardware switches to configure the modem's mode, however, modems with serially (software) controlled switches should work, provided that they are set correctly in advance.

This version of the firmware also features some additional enhancement of the communications routines that improve the ability to stay connected to the Sicon-8.

Saved configuration data from v9.71 or below cannot be used for this version. If you have a previous version of the software and want to save your setup data, use the export function in the "Site" menu to save your configuration before upgrading to this software version.

Version 0.970

Scripting is now enabled, but untested and undocumented. Uses very powerful, but sometimes complex, Visual Basic scripting. Virtually anything can be done using scripting, including complex tasks requiring monitoring of meter and status values feeding decision trees. If you can write VB scripts, feel free to explore.

Version 0.961
The firmware updater program has been added to the Sicontroller. There is no longer a need to download or install a separate program in order to upgrade your Sicon-8's firmware. The new update feature uses Sicon firmware Files (.sff).

Known or suspected bugs in the current software release:

The Sicon-8 hardware does not correctly calibrate the meters if the the meter minimum scale value is something other than zero. This is actually not a bug. It happens because internally, the Sicon-8's meters are all referenced to zero, as are almost all transmitter related readings. The Sicontroller software lets you set minimum scale values below zero, but if the sensor output voltage goes negative, the scale may be off. A future revision of the Sicon-8's firmware will allow for non-zero referenced metering and the software will fully implement that change when available..

Audio upload problem. Sometimes, one or more audio files does not upload correctly. When done uploading audio, simply play all of the audio back and verify that it is okay. You can do this by connecting an amplified speaker to the audio out jack or by plugging a phone into the front panel programming port. Then highlight the audio track to test in and push the playback button (the one with the arrow). You will hear the recorded audio played back to you. If you find a track that failed to upload properly, just upload any bad or missing audio again. This happens only rarely.

Some new users have reported difficulty in connecting to their Sicon-8s for the first time. There could also be several (non-Sicon related) reasons why this sort of thing occurs, including a bad serial cable, wrong com port selected, bad USB-to-serial adaptor (very, very common), mistook the software password for the hardware access code (see tips below) and others. If the problem is not one of the afore mentioned and you cannot seem to connect to your Sicon-8 for the first time, we would like to hear about it. Please e-mail or call us.

Installation Tips and Tricks:

You can download the software and explore it, even if you're not connected to the actual Sicon-8. Labels and other configuration data can be saved and then uploaded to the Sicon-8 when you are actually connected.

You will next use the software to connect to the Sicon-8. Once connected, you can easily reconfigure everything on the Sicon-8 in just a few minutes.

The Sicontroller software has its own security keys and accounts which are not the same as the access codes for the Sicon-8 hardware. You must setup passwords for the Software AND the hardware before you can control or setup your hardware. In addition to user passwords, the Sicontroller software requires the Super-Administrator to create a "site key" which is a security measure designed to keep others from staling your software site definition files and using them without knowing your passwords. Once the Site Key has been set, you will only need to routinely enter your user names and associated passwords. Again, the software accounts are not the same as the hardware access codes. When first installing the software, you must (at least) setup a master user account (consisting of a user name and password) and a site key (for the software client) and then you have to know the default serial access code of the Sicon-8 which is 12345678. The serial access code is entered when you open the configuration menu and push the buttom named "Access Codes". Obviously, you should change the master serial password in your Sicon-8 before putting it into real-world service. Note that the serial password is not the same as the DTMF password. Entering your DTMF access code won't get your PC access to the Sicon-8.

When you get to the audio section of the Sicontroller program, you will need to upload any custom or new audio to the unit. If you are upgrading from a 16 channel version of the firmware or are planning to upload the entire word array, it will take about 20 minutes and you will need to have downloaded the audio WAV files and (optionally) the audio configurations file below. The custom wav files that had recorded can then be dropped onto the Sicontroller's audio grid and uploaded to the unit as well.