Alert + Heartbeat Mode

The Alert + Heartbeat mode limits the supported click types in order to prioritize sending a message when the built-in button is clicked, disables the ability to accidentally cancel messages to ensure messages are delivered, and also sends an additional message at regular intervals indicating that the button is still able to connect. In addition, the button can be configured to remain connected for a brief period in order to send additional messages without reconnecting to the network.

Configuration

The Alert + Heartbeat mode is available only for buttons with firmware version 3134 or later. Buttons with an earlier firmware version will ignore these settings and continue operating in their current operation mode.

To configure your button for Alert + Heartbeat mode:

Follow the Configuration instructions for configuring Soracom LTE-M Button settings.
Select the Alert + Heartbeat mode option:

You can configure the following options for Alert mode:
- Uplink frequency - The frequency to send Heartbeat messages.
- Auto sync - For buttons with firmware version 3134 or later, automatically sync once a day.
- External I/O mode - Configure the external I/O accessory port:
  - Disabled
  - Edge Detection
  - Pulse Detection
- Enable debounce - Enables debouncing for Edge Detection and Pulse Detection external I/O modes to reduce false triggers.

After configuring Soracom LTE-M Button settings, follow the instructions to sync your button.

Messages

When the Soracom LTE-M Button operation mode is configured as Alert + Heartbeat, the button will send the following types of messages:

Alert message, indicating the type of event that triggered the message
Heartbeat message, reporting the current status of the button
Status message, reporting the current status and configuration of the button

Behavior

Firmware 3134

Input	Action	External I/O mode
Input	Action	Disabled	Edge Detection	Pulse Detection	Temperature Sensor
Built-in button	Single short click^*1	LED blinks one short orange blink: ☀ Sends an Alert message with detect type `Single short click`
	Double short click
	Single long click
	Extra long click	LED blinks three short green blinks: ☀☀☀ Sends a Status message to report the current status and configuration
2-wire accessory	Connected^*1		LED blinks one short orange blink: ☀ Sends an Alert message with detect type `Falling edge`	Starts a timer and waits for the wire to disconnect
2-wire accessory	Disconnected^*1		LED blinks one short orange blink: ☀ Sends an Alert message with detect type `Rising edge`	Calculates the timer and performs the same action as the built-in button
Internal timer	Uplink frequency^*2	Sends a Heartbeat message to report the current status
Internal timer	Every 24 hours	If Auto sync is enabled, sends a Status message to report the current status and configuration

^{*1 - If the Network standby option is enabled, the button will stay connected to the network for the configured number of seconds in order to send additional Alert messages without reconnecting, and will automatically disconnect once all message have been sent.

*2 - The Uplink frequency is specified when configuring the operation mode as Alert + Heartbeat.}

LED indicator

While the button is sending an Alert message, Heartbeat message, or Status message, the LED will blink to indicate the progress:

LED blink pattern	Description	Progress
☀──☀──☀── (repeating)	Slow green blinking	The button is connecting to a network
☀☀☀☀ (repeating)	Fast green blinking	The button has connected and is sending the message
☀────────	Extra long green blink	The button successfully sent the message
☀────────	Extra long red blink	An error occurred

If the button has trouble sending a message, it will try one more time before giving up. For more information, refer to the Troubleshooting section.

Refer to the LED Reference for descriptions of additional indicators.

Additional messages

If the built-in button is clicked or the external I/O is triggered while the button is sending an Alert message, the button will send another Alert message for each additional click or trigger it detects.