ASP Portable Barcode Reader The ASP Portable BCR is designed and built in Australia by: ASP Microcomputers 456 North Road, Ormond, Victoria, 3148 Australia Telephone: (03) 9578-7600 FAX: (03) 9578-7727 email: solutions@asp.com.au World Wide Web: http://www.asp.com.au (ASP Microcomputers is a division of Grayline Holdings Pty. Ltd,.
Contents ASP Portable Barcode Reader......................................................................... 1 Getting Started................................................................................................. 2 Using the Wand ............................................................................................... 3 Scanning Hints................................................................................................. 4 The Keypad................................................
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 1 ASP Portable Barcode Reader The ASP Portable Barcode Reader is a battery powered hand-held unit designed for the collection of barcode and alpha-numeric keypad data. Its versatile design allows it to also be used as a fixed barcode reader, with either IBM-PC XT, AT or PS/2 keyboard interface or RS-232 interface, when connected to its "Home Base". The Home Base also automatically recharges the Portable BCR's built-in batteries when connected.
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 2 Getting Started If your Portable BCR has not been set up for your computer, we suggest you quickly read this section, with particular attention to Barcode Types on page 17 (to identify the type you are to use if not known) and The Keypad on page 5 so that you will be able to follow the set up instructions. Then turn to Setting Up Your Portable Barcode Reader on page 8. After set up, you should return to this section.
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 3 Using the Wand Most people will be able to properly use a wand with only a few minutes practise. Hold the wand in your hand like an ordinary pen or pencil, with your finger over the "press to read" switch. For the best performance, you should hold the wand on a slight angle - between about 10 and 20 degrees. This angle, between the wand and a line perpendicular to the barcode, is called the tilt angle.
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 4 Scanning Hints • Scanning speed is 3 to 30 inches per second, so scanning should be uniform and rapid; fast scans work best. • The wand should remain in contact with the label, but without pressure. • Start scanning in the white space before the label (about a centimetre from the bars), do not wander off part way along the barcode, and follow through into the white space following the barcode. • Relax your hand - a stiff or jerky action won't produce good results.
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 5 The Keypad The keyboard of the Portable Barcode Reader contains two shift keys; a GOLD key and a SILVER key. These shift keys are used to access the gold and silver characters shown on each key. The shift keys operate differently to a computer keyboard or typewriter - they are pressed once and released and then the required key is pressed, after which the keyboard returns to the normal unshifted state.
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 6 Use of the Comma Key The comma key can be used to delimit data fields. In the normal course, scanning a barcode representing A1000 followed by typing 10 ENTER on the keyboard would produce in memory: A1000 10 However, by scanning A1000 then typing , 10 ENTER, memory would contain: A1000,10 When downloading to your computer, having related data on the one line separated by a comma may make software programming easier.
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 7 Care of your Portable BCR Although the ASP Portable BCR is ruggedly built, damage is possible through misuse. These simple rules will cover most problems: • DO NOT connect or disconnect any of the plugs when the power is on. • NEVER drop the wand. It contains fragile components, and can easily be damaged even if dropped only a few inches.
8 ASP Portable Barcode Reader Setting Up Your Portable Barcode Reader Before you can start using your Portable BCR, it must be configured to suit your setup. The most important configuration options are the barcode type, which is set using Function 01, and output emulation, which is set using Function 02. Unless these two configuration options are set correctly, your Portable BCR will not operate properly. Function 01 is used to select the types of barcodes you will be reading.
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 9 Operation with the IBM-PC XT, AT or PS/2 To connect your Portable BCR to your computer, ensure that both the computer and the Portable BCR are turned off. Unplug the keyboard from the rear of the computer and plug it into the outside connector on the Home Base (labelled KEYBOARD). (For PS/2 models, you will need to use the short PS/2 adaptor cable.
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 10 Configuration Functions Listed below is a description of the Function codes which can be used to configure your Portable BCR. These functions are selected by pressing the FUNC key followed by the indicated 2 digit number. Configuration settings made using these functions are stored in the Portable BCR's battery-backed memory, and remain in effect even if the power is turned off.
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 11 05 Sets output options, such as delays after characters and carriage returns, prefix and suffix characters, the "end of file" character, and allows the setting of a delay between consecutive scans. Character and carriage return delays can be used to optimise the output from Function 11 to suit your computer and software. Character delays are in thousandths of a second and can be set to 0 to 255 (ie 0 to .
12 ASP Portable Barcode Reader 14 Displays stored barcode reads on the LCD display. 19 Erases storage memory (destroys memory contents). 20 Determines whether or not the time and date is stored in memory with each barcode scan. Answer YES to store time and date, or NO not to. Note that this function can work only if the Portable BCR is fitted with the extra-cost clock/calendar option. 21 Allows the time and date to be set.
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 13 26 Displays the active template if one is set, using the format described in Function 25. 28 Allows a unit number to be set, from 0 to 255. This facility can be useful when multiple units are used so that data from a particular unit can be identified. 29 Displays the barcode type and scan direction for the last barcode scanned. Under certain conditions, this information may not be available. 30 Lists the loaded custom program to the computer.
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 14 Technical Information Wand Connector Signals The wand connector used on all ASP Barcode Readers is a 9 pin male subminiature D connector suitable for use with the ASP WAND/2000.
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 15 ASP Y Cable Assembly Some RS-232 and Scan Code applications may require the Portable BCR to be operated in 'parallel' with a video terminal, so that input to the attached computer can come from either the video terminal or the Portable BCR. ASP's Portable BCR contains a special combining circuit which allows input to the computer to come from either the Portable BCR or the video terminal.
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 16 PCs with Non-standard Keyboards Certain PCs are not compatible with the IBM "standard" at the keyboard level, which means that the ASP Portable BCR cannot normally be used with them. Certain network software also modifies the keyboard signals in the server machine sufficiently to make it incompatible with the Portable BCR.
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 17 Barcode Types Product Codes - UPC, EAN and APN UPC (Universal Product Code), EAN (European Article Number) and APN (Australian Product Number) codes are compatible article numbering systems used for consumer products sold in retail outlets. Product codes are numeric only, and are assigned to manufacturers by a national organisation. Code 39 Code 39 was the first alphanumeric symbology developed. Widely used, it is now the "de facto" non-retail symbology.
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 18 Printing Barcode Labels ASP Microcomputers also supplies the Label+ barcode label printing software, which prints UPC/EAN, Code 39, Code 128, EAN-128, Code 93, Codabar, Interleaved 2-of-5 and ITF-14 labels on HP LaserJet or compatible laser printers on IBM-PCs or compatibles using the MS-DOS operating system. Contact ASP or your dealer for further details.
ASP Portable Barcode Reader 19 Warranty Prudent implementation of any data collecting system dictates that extensive testing for suitability and performance be carried out prior to commencing use.
