Adaptor Connector
Adaptor Connector
Adaptor Connector
Inside, Front
Adaptor Connector
Inside, Back
Mains Adaptor Andover Hand-held Operator's Terminal APT Projects T.R.E.P. System Prototype Comms Link Datapaker Diallers Digitron SF10 and SF12 Dynasys Barcomm 2 Dynasys Dynabar 232 M Dynasys Dynapen Dynasys Dyna/Poll 485 Dynasys Dynatouch 232 Dynasys Relay-Comm Extech Comms Modem Extech Comms Printer II KDG Mobrey Smart Harvester S.A.M.S. Intellikey MTL's CNF41 HART interface MTL's SCM62 Comms Module Paralink Phone Link Powamatics Powabak Powamatics Powamax Docking Station Powamatics Powapak Research Engineers Comms Adaptor Research Engineers I.S. Data Logger Sartech Arg5410 Beacon Tester Ses Data Systems Rugged Organiser Sony ITCH Sony LISA-1 and LISA-2 Sony PRM-1 Speech Synthesizer Touch Plus USB Comms Link Vendata JPX5 Wessex LoggerMate Cases Miscellaneous See also Part 1 - Products made by Psion.
The following device provides a DC socket for a mains adaptor to plug into, similar to Psion's own Mains Adaptor. However this one also connects the whole top slot bus to a male socket at the rear. I do not know what kind of device this would connect to.
This device was made recently by Olivier Gossuin. It draws its power from a micro-B USB socket.
This is a Hand-held Operator's Terminal made by Andover Controls. It has to do with telecom, but I do not know exactly what it was used for.
When Harvester Information Systems ceased, some of its people founded APT Projects Limited. Shown in these pictures are parts of the prototype version of the T.R.E.P. system (Time Recording for Excel Packages), which is a time and attendance system similar to S.A.M.S. but which includes door access.
The pictures show a box with a red and a green light, showing whether a door is locked or not, an organiser which has wires connected to its buzzer contacts, and the TREP pack. Not shown in the pictures is a magnetic card reader that would also be part of the system.
This is a new version of the Comms Link, and was made recently by Olivier Gossuin. A lead with a DB9 or DB25 connector needs to be soldered onto the points at the right of the board, and it needs a casing.
This cheap home-made device was made in order to save money on datapaks. Datapaks were relatively expensive, but the EPROM chips used inside the packs could be acquired much more cheaply. This device is essentially a pack which allows the EPROM chip to be easily switched out. It consists if a 32K datapak in which the chip has been replaced by a pair of ribbon connectors, which lead to an external socket for the EPROM. The socket has a lever to hold and release the chip.
These third party devices allow the Psion to dial a telephone number. They may even be able to act as a full modem, sending data over the phone line. They do not contain any driver software themselves, and need a separate software pack to make use of them. I own the software pack belonging with the dialler made by Widget, but do not have the software for the other diallers shown here.
This device by Digitron Instrumentation Ltd. allows up to four independent sensors to be attached for measuring temperature, pressure, humidity, or voltage. It also has a connector for communications to a PC or printer. It has no built-in software, so comes with a software pack to control the device. That software allows the measurements to be taken automatically at chosen intervals and logged on a pack.
The SF12 is the successor to the SF10, but is virtually identical. This one came with a manual and different kind of temperature sensor.
The Barcomm 2 by Dynasys is very similar to the Dynabar 232 M
and Dynapen,
in that it combines the Comms Link with a barcode reader, except that it has two
comms ports in the form of two 6P6C modular connector sockets.
It adds three items to the main menu - 'comms', the standard comms link menu,
'bcode' for accessing the bar code reader functions, and 'ports' for choosing the
comms port.
The Dynabar 232 M is a device that combines the Comms Link with a barcode reader pen built into the body. It adds two items to the main menu - 'comms', the standard comms link menu, and 'barcode' for accessing the bar code reader functions.
The Dynapen is a device that combines the Comms Link with an external barcode reader. It adds two items to the main menu - 'comms', the standard comms link menu, and 'barcode' for accessing the bar code reader functions.
The Dyna/Poll 485 by Dynasys is a system with which you could connect up to 254 Psion Organisers to a PC for real-time data collection. The Master Unit is connected to a PC, and the Station Unit is very similar except that it slots onto the back of the Organiser, into one of the pack slots. The system could be used for example as a staff attendance system where employees clock in or out at any of the Psion stations and the data was gathered directly at a central computer. The software pack has simple software for precisely this purpose.
This device combines a Comms Link with a touch connector. The touch connector is exactly the same as that of the Touch Plus device, so this may be a further development of that. It can apparently transmit or receive data through the connector, so you upload or download data just by tapping the touch connector against a console with the appropriate receiver.
This device combines a Comms Link with relay capability, i.e. the ability to switch on or off other electrical devices wired to it. It adds 'Comms' to the main menu, except in the first position instead of near last like a normal Comms Link.
This is the Comms Modem by Extech. This one includes the optional bar code reader attachment.
This is a combined Printer, Magnetic Card Reader, Bar Code Reader, and Comms Link. It is made by Extech Data Systems. Whereas Psion's Printer is thermal, this is a dot matrix printer that uses a small ink ribbon. The red button visible when the cover is removed is for feeding the paper through. The mains adaptor supplies 1000 mA at 9V.
This device by KDG Mobrey is used to read and control the MSP100, which is an ultrasonic liquid level sensor. It communicates via the HART Communications Protocol, like the CNF41 above, and similarly has two single-wire connectors. It comes with a flashpak containing software to control the device, as the device has no built-in software of its own.
S.A.M.S., the Staff Attendance Monitoring System by Harvester Information Systems, consists of a Psion Organiser (normally a P250) with a magnetic card reader, inside a metal housing. It was used as a modern version of a punch clock, where employees clock in and out of work by swiping a card through the reader. Its software allowed many kinds of reports to be generated. The VHS videotape contains a three and a half minute promo for the system. Harvester had sold 11 of these systems by the time the company folded.
The RAK (Restricted Authorization Key) device combines a physical key with
an infrared communications link that is used to program a lock. It does not have
a built-in ROM, but comes with a pack that provides the driver and further software for
using the key.
The Intellikey company still exists, and on its website
still has the RAK manual.
This device by Measurement Technology Ltd is used to read and control hardware that communicates via the HART Communications Protocol. It comes with a CAB18 cable which has hook connectors at the end that can easily attach to any exposed wires. It has been certified as being Intrinsically Safe for use in hazardous conditions, and is intended to be used in combination with the MTL611, a version of the LZ64 that has been similarly certified. It should apparently come with a datapak containing further software (DP101HS HART datapak) but I do not have that.
This device by Measurement Technology Ltd is a version of the Psion Comms Link which has been certified as being Intrinsically Safe for use in hazardous conditions, and is intended to be used in combination with the MTL611, a version of the LZ64 that has been similarly certified. Note that the printed circuit boards seem to have been coated to seal off the electronics from the air, and that it has no power socket. Its internal ROM contains the standard Psion Comms Link software (version 4.2).
The Paralink is similar to a Comms Link except that it connects to a a parallel bus
instead of a serial bus, which means it was primarily used for connecting to printers.
It was sold by Widget, though it was created by Silvertree Engineering Ltd.
The first paralink shown below has no internal software. The software was supplied
on a Datapak, which in this case was a French language version. It seems however that
English language versions at that time did already have built-in software. Later versions
of the Paralink had built-in software that was multi-lingual.
This device has lead ending in a modular 4P4C connector, the same as is used for phone lines. It also has a small on/off switch. I do not know what the device was used for, or who made it. It does not have built-in software, so would normally be controlled using a datapack containing the driver, which I unfortunately do not have. The four wires on the connector are in order from left to right:
Powabak is a top slot backup battery module made by Powamatics. It contains a rechargable 9V square battery which gets recharged when connected to a mains adapter. Unfortunately its battery cannot be easily replaced because the LED is glued in place.
This is the Powamax recharger docking station by Powamatics. It would come with a special
rechargable battery that had two extra contacts on its side. The Organiser's battery
cover is then replaced with the one shown here. When the Organiser is placed in the
docking station, the battery is connected to it and gets recharged. The organiser
would need to be without its keyboard cover.
Pictures of the battery and battery cover are in next section for the Powapak.
Powapak by Powamatics is a backup battery module built into the keyboard cover. It contains a rechargable battery which gets recharged when connected to a mains adapter. Of course, the cover can then no longer be closed over the keyboard. The organiser itself contains the same special battery and battery cover as is used with the Powamax docking station.
This device seems to allow communication similar to a Psion Comms Link, as it has the same plug. It has no built-in software however, and I don't have a software pack for it, so I don't know exactly what the device does.
This device is an Intrinsically Safe data logger. It is very similar to the Digitron SF10, but can have only one measurement device attached. It has no built-in software, but can be controlled using the Digitron SF10 Logger software.
This device communicates with the radio beacons used on ships that
are used for search-and-rescue (SAR) operations. It receives radio signals
at 406MHz, and also has an infrared LED and a co-axial cable connector.
With this device you can test whether the beacon is working properly before
you set off on a boat trip.
Almost all the electronics inside it is surrounded by metal casing blocking
most electromagnetic waves that could interfere with the signal. It has no
built-in software, but has a datapack with the necessary driver and software
on it.
Ses Data Systems made "Rugged Organiser" cases.
The RO1 is a hard protective case into which you can place the organiser
without its keyboard cover. The case fully protects the Organiser against
water and hard knocks, but still gives you access to the keyboard.
The RO2 is similar, but it has a built-in Comms Link. It also allows you
to attach a bar code reader.
The ChargePak is a battery pack that can be attached onto to RO case.
This is a top-slot device by Sony. Presumably it allows to Psion to be connected via the plug to some kind of Sony equipment in order to program the settings. The device does not have built-in software, and I do not have the software pack needed for using it.
The LISA interface (Links and Innerbus Service Adaptor) by Sony connects the organiser to some of Sony's Video 8 camcorders. It can recalibrate various settings such as the focus and shutter speed. It has no built-in software, so comes with datapaks containing the control software for the various camcorder models.
Here is an early version of the LISA-1. It seems to be missing a lead with minijack connector on the end, but it has two unconnected short wires inside that the lead should probably be connected to.
This is a slightly later version of the LISA-1.
This is the LISA-2. It is not clear what the differences are with the LISA-1, because it is used in exactly the same way.
This device by Sony provides the ability to send infra-red signals, allowing the Psion to control and program Sony televisions.
This device by Rovoreed provides has a small speaker, and can generate the sounds of English speech. It also has a socket for a standard 3.5mm mono headphone jack.
The Touch Plus device has a touch connector on its casing, and has an external touch connector
at the end of a wire attached to the device via a modular 6P4C connector. The device contains no
electronics, and the touch connectors are wired in parallel directly to the Psion. Each touch
connector consists of an outer metal ring and an inner contact. Apparently the Psion could send
and receive data through the touch connector, so you could upload or download data just by tapping
the touch connector against a console with the appropriate receiver.
I do not have the software for this device. See also the Dynatouch 232.
This is a Comms Link that connects directly to a USB port, instead of an RS232 port. It was given to me by Olivier Gossuin, who designed and created the electronics of this excellent device. I adapted the case of an existing Comms Link / Power Supply adapter to contain it.
The first version uses a mini-B USB socket for the data link, but does not draw power from it. It still has the same standard power socket as Psion's Comms Link.
This second version uses a micro-B USB socket, both for the data link and for its power supply. It no longer has a separate power socket. As with the previous version I adapted the case of an existing Comms Link / Power Supply adapter to contain it, and used a part from a datapack case to cover the hole from the power socket.
The Vendata JPX5 combines a bar code reader, a Comms Link, and a battery pack all into one unit. Unfortunately I am unable to open it without causing damage so I have no pictures of its insides.
This device is the LoggerMate by Wessex Electronics Consultants. It is a sensor of some kind, but its electronics are encased in a transparent silicone rubber and cannot be opened further. The circuit board in the top slot plug has writing that suggests it is an infrared sensor ("©1996 Psion IR Interface"). It has no built-in software, and I do not have the software pack needed to control the device.
Many kinds of Organiser cases were made, ranging from leather cases to suitcases. See also the Ses RO cases
