Text mode DOS programming can be provided for systems where speed, simplicity and reliable, repeatable timing are necessary without the cost or complexity of fancy drivers, or where an embedded PC is required without the expense of video hardware. Examples of our work include :

PC BIOS millennium compliance testing program and separate enforcement TSR software	Designed and implemented a prototype which was supplied to the customer who then wrapped it into an application giving it their corporate image. Tests carried out included: Millennium rollover is 2000 a leap year BIOS problematic at rollover only BIOS clock unable to handle Y2K at all The enforcement TSR installed itself into AUTOEXEC.BAT if the BIOS was found to be unsafe by the compliance test. It then loaded each time the system was started and monitored the DOS and BIOS time calls. Whenever an application attempted to read or write the time, the TSR replaced the time with a modified version that would appear correct to the user. This TSR worked under DOS, Windows 3 and Windows 95.
	Both programs were written as 16 bit command line applications using the MS Visual C++ 1.52 compiler.
printer buffer controller TSRs	A number of Terminate and Stay Resident (an early method of faking multitasking under DOS ) utilities for controlling standalone printer buffers. Functions such as purge, reset and select printer port were provided. The utilities would pop up over the screen when a hot-key sequence was pressed.
	All versions were written as 16 bit command line applications using the MS C 5 and 6 compilers.
	See the Windows section for details of later versions.
smartcard physical access systems	A text based system using an embedded database with bought in card reader/keypads and electronic door locks. The system provided for access via card or card and PIN, with time and date windowing. Full character-animated system status was displayed in real-time and audit logs were stored. This was a simple system controlling four doors at a secure industrial unit.
	The system was written as a 16 bit character based application using the MS C 7 compiler.
physical access/building security multiple redundancy system unit	A much larger system than the above (for a different client). The system had two connected PCs running access control and could control hundreds of doors, monitor smoke detectors and various alarm state inputs. Each PC and all the devices were hung off a modified RS422 bus and the individual devices were each controlled by a dedicated Echelon Neuron chip.
	The system was written as a 16 bit character based application using the MS C 7 compiler. Small Systems was only involved in parts of the development of this product.
physical access/building security touch screen based concierge unit	The concierge control unit for the above system was designed to be used without a keyboard or mouse. The application was fully graphical and the screen was touch sensitive so icons and a layout had to be designed that simply and clearly communicated action and status. A full embedded database was utilised to maintain tenant details. A later addition was the ability to control buildings that were not using the system unit above, but were already using another supplier's unit and had to be seamlessly integrated. A live video card was integrated that could be used to display the view from any of the CCTV cameras at the site.
	The system was written as a 16 bit character based application using the MS C 7 compiler.
operations control and service administration consoles for data broadcast (DOS version)	Implemented changes on two consoles used to maintain a databroadcast system providing dynamic quote data from the International Stock Exchange, London via the BBC to custom built teletext receivers anywhere in the UK.
	The systems were written as a 16 bit character based applications using the MS C 5 compiler.
	See the Windows section for details of later versions.
AKAI DRx digital recorder remote controller with stored cues	A greatly enhanced version of an old favourite - this is the third edition! The original mm productions StopBox has been used all over the world (see the embedded section for details) in theatres and shows for many years. The Mark III required many new features including named cues and floppy disk backup so a PC on a chip solution was designed. See the MIDI section for a full feature list. A custom front panel layout was designed, but a PC keyboard may be plugged in for convenience during text entry. Most front panel keys are duplicated on Function or Arrow keys. The 20x4 LCD allows navigation around the system using four soft-keys giving immense flexibility. Small Systems has worked with mm productions for many years providing MIDI and software expertise.
	This latest version has been written as a 16 bit character based applications using the MS Visual C++ 1.52 compiler. The PC on a chip has a 386 core running at 40MHz with 2MB RAM and 2MB Flash from which the application runs. The design for the hardware on which the chip is attached which includes the battery backed up memory, LCD, keypad and MIDI interfaces was provided by Small Systems.
	See the MIDI section for further details See the Embedded section for older versions

This site is ©2003 small systems engineering