Sony ERA-210P1 User Manual

Energy Station

Operating Instructions

ERA-210P1

4-652-092-11(1)

English

English

Français

Français

Deutsch

Deutsch

© 2000 Sony Corporation

For the Customers in the U.S.A.

Safety Information

Owner’s Record

The model number and serial number are located on the bottom of the station.
Record the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to the model and
serial number whenever you call upon your Sony AIBO Customer Link.
Model No. ERA-210P1
Serial No. ___________

For the Sony AIBO Customer Link, you call 1-800-427-2988 in the U.S. or
contact via email at [e-mail]

Warning

• To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

• To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to
qualified personnel only. (Contact the AIBO Customer Link on page 6.)

• Parents and Guardians—Periodically examine the transformer for conditions
that may result in the risk of fire, electrical shock, or injury to persons (such as
damage to the cords, blades, housing) and that in the event of such conditions,
the transformer should not be used until properly repaired or replaced.

• Not recommended for children under 8.

• Parents et tuteur—Vérifiez périodiquement si le transformateur ne présente
pas des conditions susceptibles de provoquer un incendie, des décharges
électriques ou des blessures aux personnes (comme des dommages aux
câbles, aux oreilles ou au boîtier) et, en présence de telles conditions, le
transformateur ne peut plus être utilisé avant son réparation ou
remplacement.

2

• Déconseillé aux enfants de moins de 8 ans.

Regulatory Information

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more
of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

You are cautioned that any changes or modifications not expressly approved in
this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.
The shielded interface cable recommended in this manual must be used with
this equipment in order to comply with the limits for a digital device pursuant
to Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC Rules.

En

3

For the Customers in Europe

Safety Information

WARNING

• To prevent fire or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

• To avoid electrical shock, do not open the cabinet. Refer servicing to
qualified personnel only. (Contact the AIBO Customer Link on page 6.)

• Parents and Guardians—Periodically examine the transformer for conditions
that may result in the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons (such as
damage to the cords, blades, housing) and that in the event of such
conditions, the transformer should not be used until properly repaired or
replaced.

• Not recommended for children under 8 when this unit is used with AIBO.

• Caution! Only allow children at least 8 years old to use the Energy Station.
Explain that the Energy Station is not a toy and must not be played with.
Give sufficient instruction so that the child is able to use the Energy Station
in a safe way.

• See also the Sony AIBO ERS-210 Operating Instructions.

4

Regulatory Information

This product has been tested and found to conform to the following Safety
Standards.

EMC Directive 89/336/EEC
EMI EN55022/94+A1/95+A2/97, EN55014/93 + A1/97+A2/99, EN50081-1/
92
EMS : EN55024/98, EN55014-2/97, EN61000-3-2/95, EN61000-3-3/95,
EN50082-1/97

Station has been tested all together as a system and found to conform to the
following Safety Standards.

EN60335-1/94 + A11/95 + A12/98 + A14/98
EN60335-2-29/96

CE (EMC) Marking Conformity Remarks

a) This equipment complies with EN55022.

Class B digital for use in following areas : residential, business, and light-industrial.

b)This product conforms with the following European Directive: 89/336/EEC (EMC

directive)

5

Customer Support

How can you contact the AIBO Customer Link?
In the United States:

1-800-427-2988
Email address: [e-mail]

In Europe:

English line: [phone]
German line: [phone]
French line: [phone]
Email address: [e-mail]

In Hong Kong:

[phone]
Email address: [e-mail]

In Singapore:

[phone]
Email address: [e-mail]

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
All rights reserved.

6

“OPEN-R” is the standard interface for the entertainment robot
system that Sony is actively promoting. This interface expands
the capability of the entertainment robot through a flexible
combination of hardware and interchangeable software to suit
various applications. AIBO ERS-210 and Energy Station ERA­210P1 conform to the OPEN-R version 1.1.

• “AIBO” and the AIBO logo, “OPEN-R,” and the OPEN-R logo are
registered trademarks of Sony Corporation.

• “Memory Stick,” “
Corporation.

• All other systems and product names are trademarks of their respective
holders. In this manual, “” and “” are omitted.

http://www.aibo.com/

,” and “ ” are trademarks of Sony

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8910

Table of Contents

Features of the Energy Station .......................................................12

Index to parts and controls .............................................................13

Charging AIBO’s internal battery pack..........................................15

Charging a spare battery pack ........................................................18

Checking AIBO’ s settings ..............................................................20

Making various settings .................................................................21

Setting the time zone ............................................................... 21

Setting the date and time ......................................................... 23

Setting the date and time display format ................................. 24

Setting the volume level of AIBO’s musical tone ................... 26

On handling the Energy Station .....................................................28

On cleaning.............................................................................. 28

Limited warranty (For the Customers in the U.S.A)......................29

Service procedure (For the Customers in the U.S.A).....................32

Troubleshooting .............................................................................33

Specifications .................................................................................35

Time zone table ..............................................................................36

11

Features of the Energy Station

The Energy Station ERA-210P1 (referred to as the “station” hereafter) is an
AIBO ERS-210-dedicated charging station that provides the following
functions:

• Charges AIBO’s internal battery pack whenever you place AIBO on the
station.

• Charges a spare battery pack at the same time it charges AIBO’s internal
battery pack.

• Provides a display panel that allows you to make various AIBO settings
without removing AIBO’s extremities.

• Provides a backlight for the display panel that allows the battery charging
level or the current time to be viewed under dark conditions.

Notes

• The Energy Station ERA-210P1 is the battery charger designed exclusively for
the lithium ion battery pack ERA-201B1. Do not use this station for charging
any other battery packs. (Refer to the operating instructions supplied with the
lithium ion battery pack.)

• ERA-210P1 Energy Station is only for use with the ERS-210 Series System and
should be powered only by the ERA-201P1 AC Adapter to charge the ERS-210
Aibo Robot and/or ERA-201B1 Battery Pack. (Refer to the operating
instructions supplied with the AC Adapter.)

12

Index to parts and controls

With the cover open

Display panel

13

1 MODE button

Press to change the item in the
display panel.

2 Charging terminals

Charges AIBO’s internal battery pack
whenever AIBO is placed on the
station. Makes contact with terminals
on AIBO’s stomach.

3 AC Adapter terminal (on the

bottom of the station)

Connect the AC adapter (the one
supplied with the AIBO or an
optionally available one) to this
terminal.

4 Cover
5 SET button

Press to set an item or cancel a
setting.

6 Spare battery insertion slot

Insert a spare battery pack here for
charging.

7 +/– buttons

Press the + button to increase the
value of a setting; press the – button
to decrease the value.

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8 “Memory Stick” holder

Store unused “Memory Sticks” here.

9 Year, month, day, time, time

zone, and volume level
indications

q; SUB BATT indicator

Appears only when a spare battery
pack is inserted in the station.
Indicates the charging level of the
spare battery pack.

qa AIBO icon

Appears when AIBO is placed on the
station. Indicates the charging level
of AIBO’s internal battery pack.

Charging AIBO’s internal battery pack

You can charge AIBO’s internal battery pack by placing AIBO on top of the
station. It is recommended that you recharge the battery pack at room
temperature (10° C to 30° C (50° F to 86° F)).

Preparing the station

Connect the AC adapter (supplied with AIBO or optional) to the station. Insert
the cord into the groove on the bottom of the station. The cord can come out
from either the front side or the back side of the station. Plug the cord into a
wall outlet.

*

* The shape of the plug may differ depending on the destination of shipment.

When the cord is pulled
When the cord is pulled toward
the front side of the station

Or

toward the back side of the

station

15

Place AIBO into pause mode or charging posture. Then put AIBO on
top of the station.

AIBO icon appears in the display and bars in the AIBO icon indicate the charging
level of the internal battery pack.

AIBO icon

Notes

• For details on AIBO’s charging posture, refer to the User’s Guide for the
respective AIBO-ware.

• The AIBO charging posture may not be displayed by certain AIBO-ware.

About charging conditions of AIBO

Charging automatically starts when AIBO is in either of the following
conditions:

• AIBO is in pause mode.

• AIBO is sleeping, etc.

Note

The second condition depends on the AIBO-ware being used.

16

While charging is taking place

The mouth in AIBO icon opens and

n

closes.

Notes

• If AIBO icon appears in the display and its mouth does not open or close,
charging is not done.

• To charge AIBO’s internal battery pack immediately while AIBO is in active
mode, press the pause button on its chest and place it on the station.

Charging level

Nearly empty Half full Almost full Full

When AIBO’s battery is fully charged

The AIBO icon in the display raises its right leg.

Note

If all the charging level bars flash simultaneously, it means the battery pack is not
charging properly. If this occurs, check that the battery pack is inserted correctly.
If the flashing continues, the battery pack may be defective. Stop charging the
battery pack immediately and contact the dealer from whom you purchased the
battery pack or AIBO Customer Link.

17

Charging a spare battery pack

You can charge a spare battery pack by inserting it into the station.

Open the cover of the station. Then insert the battery pack into the
spare battery pack insertion slot with the labeled side facing toward
you, and then close the cover.

While the battery pack is charging

The SUB BATT indicator appears in the display.
Bars in the SUB BATT indicator show the
charging level of the spare battery pack as
follows:

SUB BATT indicator

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Charging level

Nearly empty Half full Almost full Full

When the spare battery pack is fully charged

All bars in the SUB BATT indicator light up.

Notes

• Do not keep the charged battery pack in the station, as this may damage the
battery pack and the station.

• If all the charging level bars flash simultaneously, it means the battery pack is
not charging properly. If this occurs, check that the battery pack is inserted
correctly. If the flashing continues, the battery pack may be defective. Stop
charging the battery pack immediately and contact the dealer from whom you
purchased the battery pack or AIBO Customer Link.

19

Checking AIBO’s settings

While AIBO is on top of the station, use the mode button to check its settings.

MODE button

When the cover of the station is open

Each press of the MODE button changes the displayed information as follows:
Date and time t Time zone t Date and time display format t Volume
level of the musical tone

When the cover of the station is closed

Each press of the MODE button changes the display as follows: Date and time
t Volume level of the musical tone

Notes

• The display is blank when AIBO is not on the station. If AIBO is not on the
station and you attempt to change the displayed information by pressing the
MODE button, the AIBO icon will flash for several seconds.

• When the cover of the station is closed, the display panel lights up for about 10
seconds each time you press the MODE button. When the cover of the station is
open, the display panel lights up for about a minute each time you press the
MODE button.

20

Making various settings

When AIBO is on top of the station, you can set various items, such as the
clock and volume level of the musical tone.

Setting the time zone

By setting the time zone, you specify the difference in hours from the time at
the current location and the UTC (Universal Time Coordinated) time. The
difference is expressed as a whole number from –12 to +12. For example, the
time zone for Hawaii is –10. For details on the time zones of the world, see
“Time zone table” on pages 32 and 33.

1

Place AIBO on top of the station and open the cover of the station.

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2

Press the MODE button repeatedly until the time zone indication
appears.

3

Press the SET button to select the time zone.

The time zone indication starts to flash.

4

Use the +/– buttons to change the time zone. Then press the
MODE button.

The setting is entered and the time zone indication resumes.

Note

The time zone function does not support daylight savings.

22

Setting the date and time

1

Place AIBO on top of the station and open the cover of the station
(page 21).

2

Press the MODE button repeatedly until the date and time
indication appears.

3

Press the SET button to set the date and time.

The year indication starts to flash.

4

Use the +/– buttons to set the year. Then press the MODE button.

The month indication starts to flash.

5

Use the +/- buttons to set the month. Then press the MODE
button.

The day indication starts to flash.

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6

Use the +/– buttons to set the day. Then press the MODE button.

The hour indication starts to flash.

7

Use the +/– buttons to set the hour. Then press the MODE button.

The minute indication starts to flash.

8

Use the +/– buttons to set the minute. Then press the MODE
button.

The setting is entered and the date and time indication resumes.

Setting the date and time display format

Do the procedure below to specify the format in which the date and time is
displayed.

1

Place AIBO on top of the station and open the cover of the station
(page 21).

2

Press the MODE button repeatedly to display the current display
format.

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3

Press the SET button to set the date display format.

The date display format starts to flash.
The different formats are “YYMMDD” (year, month, day), “MMDDYY”
(month, day, year) and “DDMMYY” (day, month, year).

Year/month/day Month/day/year Day/month/year

4

Use the +/– buttons to select the display format. Then press the
MODE button to set the time display format.

The time display format starts to flash.

5

Use the +/– buttons to select a 12-hour clock or a 24-hour clock.
Then press the MODE button.

The setting is entered and the date and time format indication resumes.

25

Notes

• The date and time formats return to their default settings when the station is
disconnected from the wall outlet. Set the formats again when you connect the
station to a wall outlet again.

• The default setting for the date format is year, month, day. The default setting
for the time format is 12-hour clock.

Setting the volume level of AIBO’s musical tone

1

Place AIBO on top of the station and open the cover of the station
(page 21).

2

Press the MODE button repeatedly until the volume level
indication appears.

3

Press the SET button to set the volume level.

The current volume level setting starts to flash.

26

4

Use the +/– buttons to change the volume level. Then press the
MODE button.

The setting is entered and the volume level indication resumes. The volume
level can be set to four levels. If you select “0,” AIBO’s musical tone is
muted.

Notes

• To cancel the setting, press the SET button. The current settings are displayed
again.

• Settings cannot be made while AIBO is not on the station. If you attempt to
make a setting at this time, the AIBO icon will flash for several seconds.

• When the cover of the station is open, the display’s backlight will go on for
about a minute each time you press a button.

• If you close the cover of the station while making a setting, the setting will be
canceled and the current date and time or the volume level indication will appear
again.

27

On handling the Energy Station

• While AIBO is on top of the station, do not place any object near it that
might interfere with its movements.

• Do not touch the charging terminal directly with your hand. Doing so may
soil the terminal and cause poor contact.

• Do not insert anything other than the battery pack specified for use with
AIBO into the spare battery pack insertion slot.

• Do not press down hard on the station with your hand or elbow.

• Do not drop or shake the station as this may damage it.

• Do not leave the station in very hot places, such as a car parked in the sun, as
this may deform or damage it.

• Do not allow the station to get wet.

• For details on the battery pack or the AC adapter supplied with AIBO, refer
to the operating instructions supplied with AIBO.

On cleaning

• Clean the station with a dry, soft cloth.

• Do not use volatile solvents that may damage the station’s surface finish.

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For the customers in the U.S.A.

Limited warranty

SONY ELECTRONICS INC. (“SONY”) warrants this Product and its accessories
against defects in material or workmanship as follows:

1. PRODUCTS: For a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase, SONY will, at
its option, either repair or replace the defective parts and/or the Product (i.e., Energy
Station) with new or rebuilt replacements. After this one (1) year period, you must pay
all parts and labor charges.

2. ACCESSORIES: For a period of thirty (30) days from the date of purchase, SONY
will, at its option, either repair or replace defective parts and/or accessories (i.e., AC
adapter and battery pack) with new or rebuilt replacements. After this thirty (30) day
period, you must pay all parts and labor charges.

3. REPAIRS: For a period equal to the longer of (a) the remainder of the original
limited warranty period on the original Product or accessory, or (b) for 90 days after the
date of repair/replacement of Products or for 30 days after the date of repair/
replacement of accessories, SONY will repair or replace defective parts, accessories
and/or Products used in the repair or replacement of Products or accessories under this
Limited Warranty with new or rebuilt replacements.

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