SOLA Data Connector

About this Manual

Congratulations on your purchase of the SOLA Data Connector. You have acquired SOLA application software that will make your work easier, more accurate and faster. These operating instructions will guide you step by step through the installation process, showing you how to start the application and connect your SOLA measuring device to it. It also explains the various setting options in detail. Follow the indications in these operating instructions to exploit the full potential of the SOLA Data Connector and to make your workflows more efficient.

1. Installation process

1.1 Download

This application requires the installation of .NET 7.0 Runtime. Download link: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/7.0

1.2 Languages

Select your desired language for the installation wizard. This is currently available in English and German.

1.3 Starting the installation process

Follow the steps below to install the program:

1. Open the file "SOLADataConnector-[version].msi". This starts the installation process.
2. Click the "Next" button to continue.

[Screenshot: SOLA Data Connector Setup Wizard - Welcome screen, showing 'Next' button highlighted by an arrow.]

3. Terms of Use

Read the Terms of Use carefully. By checking the box, you accept the Terms of Use and can then click "Next". You can also open the Terms of Use directly in the application at any time under "File".

[Screenshot: SOLA Data Connector Setup Wizard - End-User License Agreement screen, showing a checkbox for 'I accept the terms in the License Agreement' and a highlighted 'Next' button.]

4. Destination Folder

Now you can select the installation path. After that, click on "Next".

[Screenshot: SOLA Data Connector Setup Wizard - Destination Folder screen, showing default path 'C:\Program Files\SOLA\SOLA Data Connector\' and a highlighted 'Next' button.]

5. Installation

You will be asked if you want to proceed with the installation. Click "Install" to start the installation.

[Screenshot: SOLA Data Connector Setup Wizard - Ready to install SOLA Data Connector screen, showing a highlighted 'Install' button.]

6. Completion

You will receive a message that the program has been successfully installed. Click "Finish" to complete the installation process. Here you also have the option to open the application after installation. After you complete these steps, the program is installed and ready to use.

[Screenshot: SOLA Data Connector Setup Wizard - Completed the SOLA Data Connector Setup Wizard screen, showing a checkbox for 'Start SOLA Data Connector' and a highlighted 'Finish' button.]

2. Starting the application

2.1 Opening the program

Go to the Start menu of your computer and search for "SOLADataConnector". Click on the corresponding entry to start the program.

[Screenshot: Windows Start menu search results showing 'SOLA Data Connector' as the best match, with options to 'Open', 'Open file location', 'Pin to Start', 'Pin to taskbar'.]

3. The device window and the connection process

3.1 Access

Access to the device window is gained by clicking on the SOLADataConnector icon in your computer system bar. The device window consists of a list view displaying devices that are currently sending Bluetooth Low Energy displays.

3.2 Access to the device window

Follow these steps to connect to a device:

1. Click on the SOLADataConnector icon in your computer system bar.
2. The device window opens and shows a list of devices currently sending Bluetooth LE displays.

[Screenshot: Windows system tray showing a SOLA Data Connector icon and time/date.]

3.3 Connection to a device

1. Select a device from the list by clicking on it.
2. Click the "Connect" button to connect to the selected device.

[Screenshot: SOLA Data... window showing a device 'SOLA_Cito_223920' as 'Disconnected' with a 'Connect' button.]

[Screenshot: SOLA Data... window showing the same device 'SOLA_Cito_223920' as 'Connected' with a 'Connect' button.]

Connection Status

Once connected, a message will be displayed in the message area indicating that a device with a specific name is connected. Disconnection is done either by connecting to another device in the list, or by turning off the device. When a device is disconnected, a message is displayed in the message area.

[Screenshot: SOLA DataConnector message window showing 'Connected to: SOLA_Cito_223920'.]

[Screenshot: SOLA DataConnector message window showing 'Disconnected from: SOLA_Cito_223920'.]

Automatic connection

When connecting to a device, the Bluetooth address for that device is stored in the settings file. If the application is launched, and a Bluetooth address is stored in the settings file, the application will continuously try to connect to this device unless it connects to another device. Note: If the PC enters standby mode, it may take up to 10 seconds to restore the connection to the SOLA measuring device.

4. Settings

4.1 Configuring key combinations for entries on the SOLA measuring device

You can set key combinations in the SOLA Data Connector that trigger specific actions on your computer when you press the buttons on the SOLA measuring device. Each button on the SOLA measuring device can trigger its own key combination. Two options are available in the "Mode" drop-down menu: "Length unit" and "Key combination".

Length unit mode

If you select the "Length unit" option, the input fields for "Button 2 key combination" and "Button 3 key combination" are automatically hidden. In this case, you have the option of changing the units (mm or cm) using the buttons on your SOLA measuring device. You can select any key combination for "Button 1 key combination".

1. Click on the "Button 1 key combination" input field. This action deletes any previously determined key combination.
2. Now enter your desired key combination. This may consist of a maximum of two keys. When you press the keys, the application recognizes them and displays them in the input field. Examples can be found on page 17.

[UI Snippet: Showing fields for 'Button 1 key combination', 'Button 2 & 3 mode' with 'Length unit' selected, and 'Button 2 key combination' / 'Button 3 key combination' fields hidden.]

Key combination mode

If you select the "Key combination" option, the input fields for "Button 2 key combination" and "Button 3 key combination" are automatically hidden. You can select any key combination for "Button 1 key combination", "Button 2 key combination" as well as "Button 3 key combination".

1. Click on the input field assigned to the key on the SOLA measuring device. This action deletes any previously determined key combination.
2. Now enter your desired key combination. This may consist of a maximum of two keys. When you press the keys, the application recognizes them and displays them in the input field. Examples can be found on page 17.

[Diagram: Showing buttons labeled 1, 2, 3 with associated functions like 'SEND', 'mm', 'cm'.]

[UI Snippet: Showing fields for 'Language' (English selected), 'Button 1 key combination', 'Button 2 & 3 mode' with 'Key combination' selected, and 'Button 2 key combination' / 'Button 3 key combination' fields.]

Examples of possible key combinations

Enter: Adds a line break after entering the number. This is helpful in Microsoft Excel to confirm the entry and move to the next line.

Tab: Inserts a tab step after the number is entered. This is helpful in Microsoft Excel for moving to the cell to the right after entering the number.

Right (Right arrow key): Moves the cursor/focus to the right. For example, this is helpful for navigating between cells with the SOLA measuring device after entering a number.

Left (Left arrow key): Moves the cursor/focus to the left. For example, this is helpful for navigating between cells with the SOLA measuring device after entering a number.

4.2 Specifying the decimal separator

1. Click the input field for the decimal separator. This action deletes any previously determined character.

2. Now enter your preferred character to display floating-point numbers in the input field provided. You can use any single character, such as "." (dot), "," (comma), or any other character of your choice, which the application will accept and display in the input field. However, if you leave the decimal separator input field empty, the application will automatically use the decimal separator according to your computer's country settings.

Note: Depending on your choice of decimal separator, the measurement value may not be formatted as a number in Microsoft Excel due to regional format settings in Microsoft Windows.

[UI Snippet: Showing fields for 'Decimal separator', 'Delay in milliseconds', 'Convert to length unit'.]

4.3 Configuring the input delay

There is an input field in the configuration window for setting the input delay.

1. Click the input field for the input delay.
2. Enter the desired delay time in milliseconds. For example, an entry of "1000" corresponds to a delay of one second.

[UI Snippet: Showing fields for 'Decimal separator', 'Delay in milliseconds' (with value '0'), 'Convert to length unit'.]

4.4 Configuring the measurement unit conversion

The SOLA measuring device sends measurements in a specific unit, which can be configured on the device. It is also possible for the measurement to be converted to another length unit before the entry is sent. The settings window provides a drop-down menu for this selection. The user can select one of the following options: Do not convert (this means that the measurement is not converted and is left as it is on the device), Centimeter, Millimeter, Inch, Foot.

[UI Snippet: Showing fields for 'Decimal separator', 'Delay in milliseconds', 'Convert to length unit' with a dropdown menu showing options like 'Do not convert', 'Centimeter', 'Millimeter', 'Inch', 'Foot'.]

4.5 Language settings

You can change the language in the settings. To do so, select the desired language from the displayed list. You have the choice between German (Deutsch) and English. The application will now be displayed in the language you have selected.

[UI Snippet: Showing fields for 'Language' with a dropdown menu showing 'English' and 'Deutsch' options.]