Vernier Data Pro User Manual
Data Pro
Data Collection using PALM OS Devices,
™
Guidebook
Vernier Sensors, and LabPro
Version 03/31/05
Vernier
Beaverton,
Software & Technology
13979 S.W. Millikan Way
Oregon 97005-2886
(503) 277-2299
Toll-free (888)837-6437
www.vernier.com
info@vernier.com
Data Pro Guidebook 2002-2005 Vernier Software & Technology. All
rights reserved. You are entitled to reproduce parts of this book for use in
your school only. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any
other manner without written permission of Vernier Software except in the
case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Vernier LabPro and Logger Pro are registered trademarks of Vernier
Software & Technology in the United States of America. PalmOne, Zire,
and Tungsten ar e trademarks of palmOne, Inc. Palm OS a nd HotSync are
registered trademarks of PalmSource, Inc. Data Pro and Graphical Analysis
are copyrighted by Vernier Software & Technology. The term Macintosh is
a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Windows is registered
trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Published by
Vernier Software & Technology
13979 S.W. Millikan Way
Beaverton, Oregon 97005-2886
(503) 277-2299
FAX (503) 277-2440
www.vernier.com
info@vernier.com
First Edition 2002
Fifth Printing
Printed in the United States of America
Data Pro Guidebook
Table of Contents
Data Pro Guidebook ...........................................................................................3
Introduction.........................................................................................................3
Required Equipment and Supported Palm OS devices............................................................................... 3
Connect Equipment and Load Data Pro onto your Palm OS Device..............4
Install Data Pro Software on your Palm OS device.................................................................................... 4
Tips and Troubleshooting for Data Pro Installation......................................................................... 4
Connect the Equipment............................................................................................................................... 5
Provide Power to LabPro............................................................................................................................ 6
Data Pro Tutorials...............................................................................................6
Overview.......................................................................................................................................... 6
LabPro Tutorial 1: Temperature Measurement with Data Pro ........................7
LabPro Tutorial 2: Non Auto-ID Sensor and Selected Events Mode..............9
LabPro Tutorial 3: Events with Entry and Boyle’s Law................................11
LabPro Tutorial 4: Collect Motion Data..........................................................13
LabPro Tutorial 5: Data Pro as a Stand-Alone Graphing Program..............15
The Data Pro Program in Detail.......................................................................17
Overview.................................................................................................................................................. 17
QUICK START........................................................................................................................................ 17
THE Data Pro Menu................................................................................................................................. 18
THE START OPTION............................................................................................................................. 19
THE SETUP OPTION ............................................................................................................................. 20
Sensors........................................................................................................................................... 20
Data Collection Modes................................................................................................................... 20
Modes Unique to Specific Digital Sensors (Photogate, Radiation Monitor, Drop Counter).......... 24
Calibration of Sensors.................................................................................................................... 25
THE GRAPH OPTION............................................................................................................................ 26
THE ANALYZE OPTION....................................................................................................................... 31
The quit option ......................................................................................................................................... 32
Transferring Graphs and Data to Your Computer..........................................33
Printing Directly from your Palm OS Device ..................................................35
Appendix A: Battery and Adapter Information ...............................................37
Appendix B: Vernier Sensors for Data Pro.....................................................39
Appendix C: Support and Service Information..............................................41
Product Support........................................................................................................................................ 41
International Orders.................................................................................................................................. 41
Product Service......................................................................................................................................... 41
Other Vernier Services ............................................................................................................................. 41
Palm Handheld Information...................................................................................................................... 41
Dana by AlphaSmart Information............................................................................................................. 41
Appendix D: Data Pro Troubleshooting Guide...............................................42
Appendix E: Data Pro Sensor Setup Default Settings...................................43
Introduction
This guidebook provides step-by-step instructions for collecting data using a Palm™
handheld or Dana by AlphaSmart device with LabPro1–a portable data collection device–
and Vernier sensors. The Data Pro software supports all Vernier analog and digital sensors
(except the Rotary Motion Sensor, Blood Pressure monitor, and DCU).
By following this guidebook, you will:
• identify the necessary equipment
• connect the equipment
• load the data collection program, Data Pro, on your Palm OS device
• collect data by following the provided tutorials
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORTED PALM OS DEVICES
To collect data with a Palm OS® device and a LabPro, the following materials are needed:
• Palm OS Device, Palm OS 4.0 or newer recommended:
− palmOne Universal-connector handheld: m125, m130, m500, m505, or m515
− palmOne OS5 Universal-connector handheld: Zire 71, Tungsten T, Tungsten T2,
Tungsten T3, Tungsten C, Tungsten W, Garmin iQue 3200/3600
− palmOne Multi-connector handheld: Tungsten T5
− Dana by AlphaSmart
• Palm Desktop software (version 4.0 or newer) installed on a Windows or Macintosh
computer
• Palm Handheld Data Collection Package, which includes:
− Data Pro software on CD
− Palm-to-LabPro cable
− Palm-to-LabPro cradle or pouch
Note: The DP-DANA package for Dana includes only the Data Pro software on CD
(the USB cable that is included with either Dana or LabPro is used)
• LabPro System: Includes LabPro interface, AC power supply, LabPro User’s Manual,
Serial and USB cables, and Voltage Probe.
• Vernier Sensors. Sensors can be divided into two basic types—analog and digital.
Examples of analog sensors are Temperature Probes, pH sensors, Force Sensors, etc.
Up to four analog sensors can be connected to LabPro. An example of a digital sensor is
a Motion Detector, Radiation Monitor, Drop Counter, or Photogate. Up to two Motion
1
LabPro can also be used as a calculator or computer interface. Serial and USB cables (to connect LabPro to a
Mac or PC computer) and a calculator link cable are included with LabPro. Further LabPro resources,
LabPro Manual and L abPro Technical Reference Guide, ar e available from Vernier www.vernier.com.
Data Pro 3
Detectors or Photogates can be connected to LabPro. It is also possible to use the
Motion Detector with any analog sensor.
Optional (but recommended)
• Four AA batteries for portable data collection.
• Logger Pro or Graphical Analysis (versions 3.1 or newer) software.
Connect Equipment and Load Data Pro onto your Palm OS Device
INSTALL DATA PRO SOFTWARE ON YOUR PALM OS DEVICE
1. Connect a Palm HotSync cradle to your Windows or Macintosh computer, then place
your Palm handheld in the cradle (or simply use a HotSync cable). Turn on your
computer. In the case of Dana by AlphaSmart, simply connect the Dana to your
computer using the USB cable supplied with Dana or LabPro.
2. Perform a HotSync with each Palm OS device into which you wish to install Data Pro.
This step creates a Palm User folder in the Palm Desktop computer software for each
Palm OS device. If you are performing a first HotSync with a new device, you will be
prompted for a username. Give the unit a unique username of up to six characters in
length with no spaces. This simplifies identifying the user folder on the computer.
3. Place the Data Pro CD into the CD-ROM drive.
Windows computers (Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, ME, or XP)
In many cases, the installation will launch automatically; otherwise, choose
Settings → Control Panel from the Start menu. Double-click on Add/Remove Programs.
Click the Install button in the dialog box.
Macintosh computers (Mac OS 9.1 or newer)
Double-click the Install Data Pro icon on the CD.
4. The Data Pro installers will launch on your computer, and a series of dialog boxes will
step you through the installation. We recommend that you accept the default choices.
When prompted for printer support, select your handheld device (or None).
5. To install Data Pro on your Palm OS device, press the HotSync button on the Palm
cradle or cable (or press the function and sync keys on Dana). Wait for a message on
your device indicating that the process is complete.
6. Check to make sure that Data Pro is correctly installed on your Palm
OS device. Tap the Applications icon on the Palm OS device, and
you should see a Data Pro icon similar to the one shown at the right.
This means you have successfully loaded the Data Pro application
onto your Palm OS device!
Tips and Troubleshooting for Data Pro Installation
1. Did You Install and HotSync Your Current Palm OS Device?
A common error is not to have previously installed Palm Desktop software, or not to have
previously performed a HotSync with the Palm OS device on which you are installing.
4 Data Pro
2. Are You Installing Data Pro to Multiple Palm OS devices?
If you have more than one Palm device on which you are installing Data Pro software,
follow the same directions as outlined in the previous section. It is important to have
previously performed a HotSync with each of the Palm devices before running the Data
Pro installer—the HotSync ensures that a user’s folder is created for each of the devices.
When installing Data Pro, a Data Pro folder is created in each of the Palm User folders on
that computer; this way, as you do a HotSync for each Palm device, Data Pro will be
transferred to that Palm device, one at a time.
As an alternative to performing a HotSync with each device, you may beam the necessary
files from one device to another. To do this, however, you must have installed a beaming
utility such as Filez, available from www.palmgear.com, on the sending Palm OS device.
Install Filez, and then beam the following files to the receiving device:
Data Pro
DPsLkUp
DPStrings
Match Pro
MathLib
For Dana users, in addition to the previous five files, you will need to beam the following:
UsbBusDriver.PRC
vUSBLabProDriver.PRC
vUSBPrintDriver.PRC
CONNECT THE EQUIPMENT
Palm Handheld and pouch
1. Insert the bottom end of the LabPro into the top opening of the pouch.
2. Insert the large end of the cable into the lower end of the Palm handheld until it is firmly
in place.
3. Slide the bottom of the Palm handheld into the transparent pocket of the pouch and pull
the elastic band over the top edge of the Palm handheld.
4. Plug the small end of the cable (the serial connector) into the serial socket on the right
side of the LabPro unit.
Palm Handheld and cradle
1. Obtain the black plastic cradle included in this package. Locate the two grooves on either
side of your LabPro interface. Starting at the lower end of the LabPro (with the Vernier
logo), slide the Palm cradle in the grooves of the LabPro until it locks into place.
2. Obtain the Palm-to-LabPro cable included in this package. Insert the flat end of the cable
into the lower end of the Palm handheld until it is firmly in place.
3. Insert the upper end of the Palm handheld under the upper end of the cradle, then press the
lower end of the handheld into the lower end of the cradle, so it fits under the four
latches on the cradle.
4. Plug the small round end of the cable (the serial connector) into the serial socket on the
right side of the LabPro unit.
Data Pro 5
AlphaSmart by Dana
1. Obtain the USB cable that is included with either Vernier LabPro or AlphaSmart Dana.
2. Plug the square end of the USB cable (the “B” end) into the USB socket on the right side
of the LabPro unit.
3. Plug the flat end of the USB cable (the “A” end) into the USB socket on the back side of
the Dana unit (labeled as “printer”).
PROVIDE POWER TO LABPRO
Batteries or AC power can power LabPro. To use LabPro with the AC power supply, plug
the round plug on the 6-volt power supply into the side of the interface. Shortly after
plugging the power supply into the outlet, the interface will run through a self-test. You will
notice a series of beeps and blinking lights (red, yellow, then green) indicating a successful
power up. Note: If batteries have previously been installed, this series of beeps and blinking
lights will not occur.
To use LabPro with batteries, remove the battery compartment cover from the underside of
the interface. Insert four alkaline AA batteries and replace the compartment cover. Shortly
after connecting to power, the interface will run through a self-test. You will notice a series
of beeps and blinking lights (red, yellow, then green) indicating a successful power up. If the
self-test is not successful, make sure that the batteries are installed correctly and that they are
still useable.
Data Pro Tutorials
Overview
The tutorials will teach you how to use the Data Pro program. They will explore various data
collection modes using a variety of sensors. There are five tutorials that cover the most
widely used forms of data collection: time graph data collection, Events with Entry data
collection, and using the LabPro as a stand-alone device (without a Palm connected).
• Data Pro can automatically recognize an auto-ID sensor, identify the channel to which it
is connected, load a default experiment appropriate to the sensor, and show the current
reading. It often eliminates the need to go through a sensor setup procedure. This is
covered in Tutorial 1. You will learn how to start Data Pro and deal with possible
problems that may arise. Note: It is important to start with Tutorial 1, as it provides
necessary setup information.
• You may have older sensors that do not have the auto-ID ability. The directions for
setting up older sensors are given in Tutorial 2. You will also learn how to collect data in
the Selected Events mode for any sensors.
• You may not want to take timed data at all. If you wish to record one data point at a
time, Tutorial 3 will guide you through the Events with Entry data-collection mode.
• Tutorial 4 will show you how to set up and collect data with the Motion Detector.
• Perhaps you don’t have a LabPro with you, but want to use Data Pro as a stand-alone
graphing program. Tutorial 5 will show you how this is done.
6 Data Pro
LabPro Tutorial 1: Temperature Measurement with Data Pro
A good way to get acquainted with Data Pro is by performing a simple experiment. This
particular tutorial will investigate the response time of a Temperature Probe using the Data
Pro program in Time Graph mode. Just follow the four easy steps and you are on your way
to becoming comfortable with LabPro.
MATERIALS
Palm OS device Vernier Stainless-Steel Temperature Probe
LabPro interface One 250-mL beaker or cup
Data Pro program 100 mL hot water
PROCEDURE
1. Connect the Palm OS device to the LabPro using the interface cable.
2. Plug the Stainless Steel Temperature Probe into Channel 1 of the LabPro.
3. Be sure the LabPro unit is powered (using its AC power supply, or 4 AA batteries).
4. Press the power button on the Palm OS device.
5. To start up the Data Pro program, tap , the Data Pro icon, on the
Applications screen of the Palm OS device.
6. You are now on the Main screen of Data Pro. Tap
to reset the
program. With an auto-ID sensor, Data Pro will identify the sensor and
show correct readings. It also shows the default mode, e.g., Time Graph, and tells the
default data-collection parameters (e.g., 1 second/sample, 180 samples).
7. You are now ready to collect data. Tap
During data collection,
.
you will see the minimum and maximum temperature values displayed
for the y-axis temperature range. In addition, the live reading of the
Temperature probe will be displayed in the upper-right side of the
graph. Wait about five seconds and place the Temperature Probe into
the cup of hot water. Data collection will stop after 180 seconds (or if
you tap
before the 180 seconds has elapsed).
Data Pro 7
8. After the data collection is complete, an autoscaled graph of the
data will appear. To examine the data points on the displayed
graph, tap or any data point. As you move the examine line,
the temperature values are displayed to the right of the graph.
Move the cursor to find the highest temperature and record the
time value. How long did it take for the Temperature Probe to
stabilize at the water’s temperature?
9. To view data on a data table, you can simply tap , the Data Table toolbar button.
Once you are on the Data Table screen, you can use the scroll bar to the left of the data
table to scroll up and down the data table.
10. Tap , the graph button, to return to the Graph screen.
11. Tap to return to the Main screen to do another tutorial. Tap to exit the
Data Pro program.
To summarize: To collect time-graph data with an auto-ID sensor, you simply start Data Pro
and tap . Other data collection methods, using different modes, will be discussed in
the tutorials that follow.
8 Data Pro
LabPro Tutorial 2: Non Auto-ID Sensor and Selected Events Mode
LabPro will automatically identify newer auto-ID sensors; however, you may have a number
of older sensors that you want to use. These are sensors with a 5-pin round DIN plug, which
require a DIN-BTA adapter to connect to LabPro. The DIN-BTA is a small plug with a
5-pin round
these sensors is not a problem, since only a few extra steps are required to get your data.
This tutorial will show you how to set up any non auto-ID sensor (pH is just an example)
and collect data using the Data Pro program in monitor mode. Additionally, the tutorial will
instruct you on the use of the Selected Events mode of Data Pro. Selected Events mode can
be used with all sensors, not just non-auto-ID sensors.
MATERIALS
Palm OS device pH Sensor with a DIN-BTA adapter.
LabPro interface A number of liquids in which to measure
Data Pro program pH (cola or any soft drink, milk, vinegar,
distilled water window cleaner, etc.)
DIN plug on one side, and a white, flat British Telecom plug on the other. Using
PROCEDURE
1. Connect the pH Sensor to the DIN-BTA adapter, then plug the adapter into Channel 1.
Use the interface cable to connect the Palm OS device to the LabPro interface. Firmly
press in the cable ends.
2. Turn on the Palm and start the Data Pro program. If you are on the Main screen, tap
to clear any sensors and default settings. (Or, if you are not on the Main screen,
simply tap Data Pro at the top of screen, and choose New from the pull-down menu.)
You will notice that Data Pro did not recognize your pH Sensor this time. That’s
because you have one of the older, non auto-ID sensors that LabPro cannot detect. It
must be set up manually.
3. To manually set up the sensor, first tap . You should see the Setup
screen shown at the right. Here you can change the sensor and units of
measurement. To add a non-auto-ID pH Sensor to Channel 1, tap
.
4. A list of probes will appear. Use the scroll bar until you reach pH, then
tap pH. By choosing a sensor type, Data Pro loads the default calibration
and data collection rate for that sensor. This manual setup is the same for
all non-auto-ID sensors.
Data Pro 9
5. Whether or not you are using a non-auto-ID sensor, you now need to
change the data collection mode. While you are on the Setup screen,
let’s change the data collection mode to Selected Events. (If you’re
using an auto-ID pH sensor, tap to reach this screen.) Tap the
Mode: Time Graph button, and choose Selected Events from the list.
This allows you to collect individual readings using a button,
instead of taking time-graph data. It also assigns a sample number (1, 2, 3…) to each pH
reading.
6. Tap to return to the Main screen.
7. The pH Sensor should now be displayed on the Main screen. The pH
value is displayed in the upper right-hand corner, as shown here. Data
Pro acts as a meter on the Main screen, and the screen updates about
once every second. The new data-collection mode is also indicated on
this screen.
8. Remove the pH Sensor from the sensor storage solution bottle by unscrewing the lid.
Carefully remove the bottle, leaving the cap on the sensor body. Rinse the tip of the
sensor with distilled water and place the sensor tip into a beaker containing tap water.
9. Tap to begin collecting data. Take the pH measurement of your
different liquids. Place the tip of the pH Sensor into a liquid to be
sampled. Watch the live reading in the first cell of the displayed data
table. When it stabilizes, tap . This will save the pH value along
with a sample number, 1. Between measurements, rinse the sensor with
distilled water. Switch liquids. Continue to take readings using the
button. Tap when you have finished collecting data, then
tap to view a graph of pH vs. sample (n).
10. When you are done, rinse the sensor with distilled water and
return it to the sensor soaking solution. Stay on the Main screen to
do another tutorial, or tap to exit Data Pro program.
10 Data Pro
LabPro Tutorial 3: Events with Entry and Boyle’s Law
The Events with Entry mode collects reading from a sensor each time you tap and
then asks you to enter a corresponding value for that sensor reading (e.g., a volume or a
concentration). This tutorial will guide you through the setup procedure of an experiment
using Events with Entry and investigate the relationship between the pressure and volume of
a gas.
MATERIALS
Palm handheld 20-mL gas syringe
LabPro interface Data Pro program
Vernier Gas Pressure Sensor
PROCEDURE
1. Prepare the Gas Pressure Sensor and an air sample for data collection.
a. Plug the Gas Pressure Sensor into Channel 1 of the LabPro. Use the interface cable to
connect the Palm to the LabPro. Firmly press in the cable ends.
b. With the 20-mL syringe disconnected from the Gas Pressure Sensor, move the piston
of the syringe until the front edge of the inside black ring (indicated by the arrow in
the figure shown above) is positioned at the 10.0 mL mark.
c. Attach the 20-mL syringe to the valve of the Gas Pressure Sensor. The Vernier Gas
Pressure Sensors have a white stem protruding from the end of the sensor box—
attach the syringe directly to the white stem with a gentle half-turn.
2. Turn on the Palm and start the Data Pro program. If you are on the Main
screen, tap
to clear any sensors and default settings. (Or, if you are
not on the Main screen, tap Data Pro at the top of screen, and choose New
from the pull-down menu.) Notice how the program automatically
identified the Gas Pressure Sensor (an auto-ID sensor). It displays the
channel it is connected to and the current reading, in units of kPa. Note: If
you are not using an auto-ID sensor, you will need to set it up manually.
See Tutorial 2 for directions on doing this.
3. Set up the Palm OS device and interface for a Gas Pressure Sensor.
a. On the Main screen, a live pressure reading should be displayed for
the Gas Pressure Sensor in
b. Tap
.
CH1 (in units of kPa).
c. On the setup screen (see right), tap the Mode button, and then choose
Events with Entry mode.
Data Pro 11
.
d. Enter the x-axis label (Volume) and unit (mL). You can enter this
information using the onscreen keyboard (tap “abc”), or by using the
Graffiti writing area.
e. Tap twice to return to the main screen.
4. You are now ready to collect pressure and volume data. It is easiest if one
person takes care of the gas syringe and another operates the Palm device.
a. Tap to begin data collection.
b. Move the piston so the front edge of the inside black ring (as shown
here) is positioned at the 5.0-mL line on the syringe. Hold the piston
firmly in this position until the pressure value displayed on the Palm
device screen stabilizes (in this example, the number to the right,
194.32 kPa).
c. Tap and enter “5”, the gas volume (in mL) on the screen (using
the numerical keyboard displayed on the screen). Tap to store
this pressure-volume data pair.
d. To collect another data pair, move the syringe to 7.5 mL. When the
pressure reading stabilizes, tap and enter “7.5” as the volume.
Tap .
e. Continue with this procedure using volumes of 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, 17.5,
and 20.0 mL.
f. Tap when you have finished collecting data, then tap to
view a graph of pressure vs. volume.
5. To examine the data pairs on the displayed graph, tap or any data
point. As you move the examine line, the pressure and volume values of
each data point are displayed to the right of the graph.
6. Now you can perform a curve fit on the displayed data. First tap
Notice that the graph still looks the same, but the menu displayed below
the graph has changed, as shown here: .
7. Tap . The Curve Fit screen is displayed. Tap the Choose Equation
button and choose Power. The curve fit statistics for your data are now
displayed for the equation Y = AX^B, where A is a proportionality constant
and B is the exponent of X (volume) in the equation. Note: The
relationship between pressure and volume can be determined from the
value and sign of the exponent, B. RMSE is the root mean square error.
8. Tap to display the regression curve on the graph of pressure vs.
time.
9. Tap to return to the Graph screen, then tap again to return to
the Main screen. Tap
to exit Data Pro.
12 Data Pro
LabPro Tutorial 4: Collect Motion Data
The Vernier Motion Detector measures the distance to an object using echoing ultrasonic sound
waves. Data Pro then calculates the velocity and acceleration. This tutorial will show you how to
use a Motion Detector and make a graph of a walking person.
MATERIALS
Palm OS device Data Pro program
LabPro interface Motion Detector
PROCEDURE
1. Place the Motion Detector so that it points toward an open space at least 4 m long.
2. Connect the Vernier Motion Detector to the DIG/SONIC 1 port of the LabPro interface.
Use the interface cable to connect the LabPro to the Palm. Firmly press in the cable ends.
3. Turn on the Palm and start the Data Pro program. If you are on the Main
screen, tap to clear any sensors and default settings. (Or, if you are
not on the Main screen, tap Data Pro at the top of screen, and choose
New from the pull-down menu.)
4. Slowly move your hand to and from the Motion Detector and watch the
right-hand corner of the screen as Data Pro gives a live readout of the
distance (in meters). Keep your hand at least 0.4 m from the detector; if
you get closer than that the readings will be unreliable.
5. The sensor is set to collect data for five seconds. Tap to collect
data. Or, you can press the left-most key on your Palm OS device to start
collecting data. You will notice a fast clicking sound coming from the
Motion Detector. Wait one second, and then walk slowly away from the
Motion Detector. Stop for a moment, and then walk toward the Motion
Detector. The screen will give a sampling message.
6. After data collection is complete, you will be presented with a graph of
distance vs. time.
walk back and forth
in front of
Motion Detector
Data Pro 13
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