Lisle Digidown Blue User manual

Operating Instructions
Digital Tachograph Combined Download Device
with Bluetooth Upload Function

Introduction
The Digidown device downloads data from digital tachograph vehicle units
(VUs) from all current tachograph manufacturers. Data downloaded from
the VU is stored in a Secure Digital memory card, normally known as an
SD card.
Three types of download are available:
ALL VU Downloads all contents from the VU
LATEST VU Programmable1. Options include the last 1, 2 or 3 months
of data plus a selection from events & faults, detailed
speed and technical information and can include a
download of a driver card inserted in the VU.
CARD Downloads a Driver Card inserted into the VU
Pressing the relevant button starts the Download. Download status is
indicated by the 3 LEDs positioned by the buttons.
After the required data has been downloaded then the data can be
uploaded via Bluetooth to wherever it is required. This can be via a
Digidown Base box direct to the relevant place or via a suitable Bluetooth-
enabled mobile phone to anywhere in the world.
Initial Set Up
In order to operate successfully, the Digidown requires an SD card to be
inserted into the slot in the side of the device. A suitable ready-formatted
SD card is supplied with the unit2. When a suitable memory card has been
inserted into a Digidown and the Digidown is connected to a VU it checks
the card format and then indicates that it is ready for use.
When using the Bluetooth upload function in conjunction with a mobile
phone then the correct destination e-mail address must be recorded on the
SD card. Please see the separate sheet for information on this set up
process.
In order to read tachograph cards direct into the unit and send data via
Bluetooth a pair of AA-size batteries is required (supplied with the unit).
Please observe the correct polarity when inserting the batteries.
1Please contact your dealer to discuss the options available.
2Whilst the Digidown will work correctly with most types of SD memory card (provided that they are
formatted FAT16), Lisle Design can only guarantee operation with those memory cards supplied by Lisle
Design.

Insertion and removal of the SD card
When in use, a suitable SD card must be inserted into the slot in the side
of the Digidown. To insert the card, push it into the slot in the side of the
Digidown until it latches in place. To remove the SD card from the
Digidown (for instance in order to read it using a different memory card
reader) the protruding end of the memory card should be pushed back into
the Digidown. This will release the SD card and it will spring out for easy
removal. DO NOT try to remove the latched memory card by pulling on
the end of the card.
VU Download Process
Please note that for any download from a digital tachograph VU to work, a
Company, Workshop or Control card must first be inserted in the VU. In
the case of some VUs the vehicle ignition must be switched on.
Connect the Digidown to the 6-pin Download connector on the front of the
VU. Please note that Digidown should NOT be connected to an analogue
(chart-recording) tachograph.
On connection, the Digidown will check the presence and format of the SD
card and then indicate that it is ready for operation by blinking briefly each
of the Digidown LEDs in turn. Pressing any of the buttons will initiate the
download indicated by the button’s label.
During download, the LED by the button pressed will flash repeatedly
about twice each second. Successful completion will be indicated by the
LED blinking briefly about once every second. Please note that the
download of data from a VU can take a considerable time, potentially in
excess of 30 minutes. Data download from newer VUs is generally much
quicker. Downloading using ‘Latest VU’ can reduce the download time
considerably.
NOTE: DO NOT disconnect the Digidown or remove the SD card during a
download. Doing so may cause file errors on the SD card.
‘Download Fault 12’ When downloading data from some SiemensVDO
digital tachographs the message ‘Download Fault 12’ may occasionally be
shown on the tachograph display. This can safely be ignored. Allow the
download to finish and then press ‘OK’ to cancel the error message.
Driver Card Download Process
Driver cards can be downloaded via a VU. In this case the relevant driver
card must be inserted into one slot of a VU and a Company, Workshop or
Control card must be inserted into the other slot. Once again the Digidown
should be connected to the 6-pin download connector on the front of the
VU.

Once the Digidown is connected and indicating that it is ready to download,
press the ‘Card’ button on the Digidown to start downloading of the driver
card in the VU.
During download, the LED by the button pressed will flash repeatedly
about twice each second. Successful completion will be indicated by the
LED blinking briefly about once every second. Download of data from a
driver card in a VU generally takes a small number of minutes to complete.
The Digidown Blue provides the facility for driver, company, control and
workshop cards to be read direct into the unit. With the Digidown
disconnected from other equipment, insert the card to be downloaded (chip
down) into the smart card slot in the side of the unit. The unit will first
check that the SD card is satisfactory and will then download the
tachograph card.
During card download direct into the unit, the LED by the ‘Card’ button will
flash repeatedly about twice each second. Successful completion will be
indicated by the LED blinking briefly about once every second. Download
of data from a driver card direct into the Digidown Blue takes in the region
of 1 minute (depending on the tachograph card).
A driver card (or any other type of tachograph card) may be downloaded
into the Digidown Blue and into its SD card whilst the unit is connected to
a PC’s USB port. In this case the required power is taken from the USB
connection. If the Digidown Blue is always connected to a USB port when
downloading tachograph cards then the internal batteries are not required.
Data upload via Bluetooth
After downloading of data from a VU or direct from a tachograph card that
data can be sent back to base or to a service provider via Bluetooth.
Data upload using the Digidown Base box
The Digidown Base box itself (when enabled with the Digidown Host
Software) is continually ready to receive data from a previously paired
Digidown Blue unit. When downloading from a VU or card has been
completed press the Bluetooth button on the Digidown Blue unit. Initially
the associated blue LED will light whilst the unit checks for files available
for upload. The blue LED will then start flashing slowly (about once every
2 seconds) whilst it makes the connection to the Digidown Base box. If
you are in range of the Digidown Base box then it will generally flash 3 or
4 times. Once the connection has been made then the flashing will
become much quicker (about twice per second) as the available files are
uploaded.
Once uploading has been completed the Bluetooth LED will switch to
blinking briefly about once per second.

Please note that files are uploaded one by one. As a result there is a slight
pause in the flashing between uploading of one file and uploading of the
next.
For further details please see the Digidown Host User Guide.
Data uploading using a mobile phone
Please see separate sheet.
Reading the SD card
The SD card can be read via the USB port on Digidown3. Once connected
to a PC via the USB port, the Digidown will appear as a standard
removable disk drive.
Alternatively data on the SD card can be read and/or copied by removing
the SD card from the Digidown and plugging it into a separate SD card
reader available from Lisle Design or from major computer or camera
shops.
Mounting Bracket (see diagrams on separate sheet)
The Digidown Blue may be supplied with a bracket allowing the unit to be
fixed down to a counter or other horizontal surface. A second (smaller)
bracket is supplied to cover the memory card slot.
When installing the mounting bracket, the smaller bracket should first be
attached to the larger bracket using the longer countersunk screws (M3 x
10mm) and the 5mm spacers. The bracket should then be attached to the
selected surface, e.g. counter, shelf etc. with appropriate screws (not
supplied). The Digidown Blue unit can then be attached to the main
bracket using the supplied pan head screws (M3 x 8mm). Note that the
memory card cover may be omitted if access is required to the memory
card whilst the Digidown unit is attached to the bracket.
If a USB cable is to be attached permanently to the Digidown Blue whilst
attached to a mounting bracket, then the cable may be passed through
one of the holes in the bracket before the unit is attached to the bracket.
Choice of SD Memory Card
The Digidown Blue will work successfully with most types of SD memory
card. A few SD card types are unfortunately not suitable as they do not
conform fully to the SD card specification. Cards supplied by Lisle Design
are to be preferred as they have been selected for optimum performance
in this application.
3The required drivers are included as standard in Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7 and 8. For use with Windows
98 a driver software file is required. Please contact your dealer for more details.

2Gbyte memory cards are supplied as standard by Lisle Design (although
lower memory capacities are entirely adequate for this application). Larger
capacity memory cards are not suitable for use with the Digidown Blue.
For any SD memory card to work with the Digidown Blue it must be
formatted FAT16 (which Windows calls ‘FAT’).
SD Card directory structure
When a newly formatted SD card is inserted into a Digidown Blue and the
unit is connected to a VU, the format of the memory card is first checked.
The Digidown Blue then creates a directory structure on the card.
Two top-level directories are created:
‘DIGIDOWN’ and
‘UPDATES’
‘Digidown’ has 2 sub-directories:
‘VU’ where VU downloads are stored and
‘CARD’ where driver card downloads are stored.
This process is automatic and generally takes just a few seconds.
Downloaded Data
The downloaded data appears on the SD card in the ‘\digidown\vu’ or
‘\digidown\card’ directory depending on download type. The Digidown
Blue unit creates long filenames for each download, in the form of:
VU file: M_YYYYMMDD_HHMM_AA12BBB_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.DDD
M denotes a VU file. The next 2 sections are the date and time of the
download. This is followed by the vehicle registration (AA12BBB) and
identification numbers (xxxx...).
Card file: C_YYYYMMDD_HHMM_A_SMITH_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.DDD
C denotes a card file. The next 2 sections are the date and time of the
download. This is followed by the driver name and number.
Alternatively the Digidown Blue can be programmed to use short file name
formats or alternative long file name formats.
Whatever the file names, the contents of the downloaded files are exactly
according to the digital tachograph regulations.
LED status / Error indication
The LEDs are used to show the status of the download and any error. The
patterns used are:

Normal Operation –3 red LEDs:
Each of the red LEDs blinking briefly in turn
Power is on and Digidown is ready
Single LED flashing about twice per second
Digidown is busy downloading data
Single LED blinking briefly about once every second
Successful completion of download
‘All VU’ and ‘Card’ LEDs on
Digidown is in USB mode.
Normal Operation –Bluetooth:
Blue LED flashing slowly
The unit is trying to connect to a Digidown Base box or to a
mobile phone
Blue LED flashing about twice per second
Digidown is busy uploading data
Blue LED blinking briefly about once every second
Successful completion of upload
Error Conditions:
Each of the LEDs stepping smoothly from one to the next
There is no SD card in the unit.
All three LEDs flashing together
There is a problem with the SD card
Single LED (Red or Blue) double-blinking about once every second
Successful completion of current activity and the batteries will
shortly need replacing.
Single LED permanently on
Download failure
All three LEDs permanently on
Batteries need replacing
Single LED on briefly (approx 3s)
Button pressed while Digidown is busy
Blue LED permanently on
The upload has failed or there are no files to be uploaded.
Blue LED goes off when the Bluetooth button is released
There is no SD card in the unit.
Suggested Actions on Error Condition
SD Card Error: Check card is correctly inserted
Check card Lock Switch is in the unlocked position
Check card is not full
Check card is formatted as FAT16
(Windows refers to this format as FAT)
Low battery Replace the two batteries in the unit.

Download Failure: Ensure that a Company, Control or Workshop card is
inserted in the VU and that vehicle ignition is switched
on. Retry download
Button Press Error: No action required - original download will continue.
Upload failure Check that there are files to be uploaded
Check that the unit is in range of the Digidown Base box
Check that the Digidown Base box is enabled
Check that the associated phone is in Digidown Blue mode and
check any message on the phone’s display.
Choice of Batteries
Two AA-size batteries are needed to power the unit when downloading
tachograph cards direct into the unit. When downloading data from a VU
or reading the SD card via the USB port then the internal battery is
disconnected and power is taken from the VU/USB port.
The Digidown Blue is designed to be used with alkaline batteries. A pair of
cells will generally be good for downloading tachograph cards some 2000
times before needing replacing.
Other battery types may be used provided that they supply in the region of
1.5V per cell. The Digidown Blue takes a very small current whilst
operating. There is therefore little merit in using alkaline cells designed for
high-current applications.
Rechargeable cells may also be used, e.g. nickel cadmium (Ni-Cd) or nickel
metal hydride (Ni-MH), but users need to be aware that many types of
rechargeable battery do not perform well in low current applications and
may self-discharge in a few weeks. There are also potential difficulties
when they have been used a few times as the capacity of one cell can end
up quite different from the capacity of the other. This will result in the
battery life being much shorter than expected.
Upgrade of the Digidown
The software within the Digidown can be upgraded when appropriate
without the need to return it to a dealer.
Similarly the programming of the ‘Latest VU’ button can be updated
without the need to return the Digidown to a dealer. Contact your dealer
for details.
For more
information
please contact
Lisle Design Ltd, New Technology Centre,
North Haugh, St. Andrews KY16 9SR, Scotland
Tel. [phone] Fax [phone]
E-mail [email protected] Web www.lisledesign.com
Digidown Blue Operating Instructions V1.4 © Lisle Design Ltd 2014
Subject to change without notice