MINIMAG TM Magnetic Stripe Reader Keyboard Wedge User’s Manual
Agency Approved Specifications for subpart B of part 15 of FCC rule for a Class A computing device. Limited Warranty ID TECH warrants to the original purchaser for a period of 12 months from the date of invoice that this product is in good working order and free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service.
THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OTHER THAN THOSE HEREIN STATED. THIS PRODUCT IS SOLD AS IS.
Table of Contents Section 1. Introduction Description 1 Section 2. Installation Host Connections 2 Section 3. Configuration Default Settings 3 Configuration Setup Steps 4 General Selections 5 Change to Default Settings 6 Review Settings 6 Message Formatting Selections 8 Magnetic Track Selections 9 Section 4. Data Editing Functions 12 Fields 13 Formulas 14 Setup Commands 15 Search Command 16 Send Command 19 Section 5. Operation Operating Procedure 21 Section 6.
Section 1 INTRODUCTION Description The MiniMag™ compact magnetic stripe reader can read 1, 2, or 3 tracks of magnetic stripe information. In addition, it has full data editing capabilities. When connected to the host computer as a keyboard wedge, the MiniMag is completely compatible with the host’s software. The decoded data appears to the host as if it were entered manually by the operator through the keyboard. This unit is fully programmable through the keyboard.
Section 2 INSTALLATION Host Connections The MiniMag reader is connected between the keyboard input port of the host computer and the keyboard itself using a “Y” adapter cable. The “Y” cable has a 5-pin DIN male connector on one end, and a 6-pin mini-DIN female on the other. The supplied adapter cable has a 5-pin DIN female connector on one end, and a 6-pin mini-DIN male connector on the other end. The adapter cable is used in all installations on one end of the “Y” cable or the other.
Section 3 CONFIGURATION The MiniMag reader must be appropriately configured to your application. Configuration settings enable the reader to work with the host system. These settings are programmed into the reader through the keyboard. Once programmed, these configuration settings are stored in the reader’s non-volatile memory (so they are not affected by the cycling of power). Default Settings The MiniMag reader is shipped from the factory with the default settings already programmed.
correct command, but before unplugging the reader, your selections for that command will remain programmed until you change them or reset all commands to default. When entering keyboard commands, type no more than two characters per second. When entering numbers, use the number keys above the alpha keys, not the number pad to the right of the alpha keys. After entering each group, wait one second before moving to the next group. All commands are case sensitive, so use lower case for all commands.
General Selections This group of configuration settings define the basic operating parameters of the scanner. Syntax: /e/d/fab1b2b3 where... Terminal Type Selections The MiniMag can be programmed to interface to a number of different terminal types. The terminal types supported are: b1=0 for PC-AT b1=1 for PS/2 Models 25 and 30 b1=2 for PS/2 Model 50 b1=3 for PS/2 Model 70 b1=4 for Macintosh Beep Volume The beep volume can be adjusted to two different levels, or turned off entirely.
b3=2 for 10 ms intercharacter delay b3=3 for 20 ms intercharacter delay b3=4 for 25 ms intercharacter delay b3=5 for 50 ms intercharacter delay EXAMPLE To set the terminal type to PC-AT, the beep to high, and the intercharacter delay to 5 milliseconds, enter: /e/d/fa021 Note: Two beeps will be heard if entered numbers are outside the allowable range. Change To Default Settings This command, /e/d/fn, returns all settings for all groups to their default values.
Reading and Decoding Settings This command will turn the MiniMag on or off, and set the decoding directions. If the reader is disabled, no data will be sent to the host. Syntax: /e/d/fub1b2 where... MSR Reading Settings b1=0 b1=1 MSR Reading Disabled MSR Reading Enabled Decoding Method Settings The MiniMag can support three kinds of decoding directions. With the bi-directional method, the user can swipe the card in either direction and still read the data on the magnetic stripe.
Message Formatting Selections Terminator Setting Terminator characters are used to end a string of data in some applications. Syntax: /e/d/fbb1where... b1 = 0 for b1 = 1 for b1 = 2 for b1 = 3 for none Preamble Setting Characters can be added to the beginning of a string of data. These can be special characters for identifying a specific reading station, to format a message header expected by the receiving host, or any other character string.
Magnetic Track Selections Track Selection There are up to three tracks of encoded data on a magnetic stripe. This option selects the tracks that will be read and decoded. Syntax: /e/d/fpb1where... b1=0 for Any Tracks b1=1 for Track 1 only b1=2 for Track 2 only b1=3 for Tracks 1 and 2 b1=4 for Track 3 only b1=5 for Track 1 and Track 3 b1=6 for Tracks 2 and 3 b1=7 for Tracks 1, 2, and 3 Note: If any of the multiple tracks fails to read for any reason, no data for any track will be sent.
Example: To set the Track Separator to TAB, enter /e/d/fq\ tab (13 keystrokes). Start/End Sentinel and Track 2 Account Number Only The MiniMag can be set to either send or not send, to invoke the Start/ End sentinel, and to send either the Track 2 account number only, or all the encoded data on Track 2. (The Track 2 account number setting doesn’t affect the output of Track 1 and Track 3.) Syntax: /e/d/fvb1 where...
Section 4 DATA EDITING The MiniMag has a data editing feature incorporated into its firmware. This feature allows the data read from the magnetic stripe to be sent to the host in the exact format expected by the host software, eliminating the need for modifications to the application software. The data (that is, the input record from the magnetic stripe) can be divided up into a number of separate fields, according to established standards (such as ISO, ANSI, AAMVA, and CDL).
Functions The following editing functions can be performed: Rearrange the Data: The fields within a track, created by established standards, can be transmitted to the host in any order desired, regardless of the order in which they occurred in the card track. Insert Character Strings into the Output Data Record: Character strings can be defined and inserted at any place in the data output record. Duplicate Fields: Fields within a track can be transmitted to the host as many times as desired, and in any order.
Fields By separating the input data record into smaller blocks (called “fields”), each block can be edited individually. Additional fields can also be added to the record, allowing specific functions, such as carriage returns or keyboard function keys, to be inserted at any point. (The field standards for ISO Credit Cards, California driver’s licenses, and AAMVA driver’s licenses are listed in Appendix D.
Formulas The set of instructions programmed into the MiniMag to edit data is referred to as the data editing “formula.” More than one formula (to a maximum of four) can be resident in the reader at one time. If more than one formula resides in memory, the reader will apply the first formula to the input data. If the scanned data matches the format (credit card, driver’s license, etc.) of the first formula, then it will apply the data editing functions and output the reformatted data to the host.
Data Editing Setup Commands The following commands are used to set the operating parameters of the data editing feature. Data Editing On/Off, Matched/Unmatched Syntax: /e/d/fe b1b2 where: b1 = 1 Data Editing On b1 = 0 Data Editing Off b2 = 1 if no formula matches card data, send out whole card data b2 = 0 if no formula matches card data, do not send anything Data Editing Added Field An output field is created containing the character string. Up to six fields can be defined.
means: Added field 1 = Idt Added field 2 = ; Added field 3 = \cr (carriage return) Added field 4 = \f1(function key F1) Added field 5 = \htITS(tab + ITS) Data Editing Search Command In working with a user-defined format that is not credit card, CA DMV, or AAMVA, the MiniMag will support any combination of the following five search methods: Length Match: For a particular track, indicate the minimum and maximum number of characters acceptable for the data editing formula.
Syntax: /e/d/fs[length_match]… [string_match]… [search_before]… [search_between]…[search_after]… where: length_match: = a{track_no}(minimum characters)(maximum characters) string_match: = b{Track_no}(offset)(length)(string) search_before: = c{track_no}{field_no}(times) (length)(string) search_between: = d{Track_no}(field_no)(times1) (length1)(string1)(t imes2)(length2)(string2) search_after: = e{Track_no}{field_no}(times)(offset)(field_len) (str_len)(string) track_no: = 1 | 2 | 3 field_no: = a...
The command: /e/d/fs c1a0101? d2b0101=0201= will generate two flexible fields: First Flexible Field: c: Search before method 1a: The first flexible field is in Track1 01: once search; 01: the length of searched string ?: searched string Second Flexible Field: d: Search between method 2b: The second flexible field is in Track2 01: once search 01: the length of first searched string = : the first searched string 01: once search 01: the length of second searched string = : the second searched string 18
Data Editing Send Command Send out the field according to the customer-defined order. Syntax: /e/d/ft [ccsmd] [dmvsmd] [aamvasmd] [flexsmd] where: ccsmd: = 7a{field}[{field}]…(credit card) dmvsmd: = 7b{field}[{field}]…(CA driver’s license) aamva: = 7c{field}[{field}]…(AAMVA) flexsmd: = 7d{field}[{field}]…(custom format) field: = {add_fd_tag}{field_no} | {track_no}{field_no} add_fd_tag: = 0 track_no: = 1 | 2 | 3 field_no: = a...z The following two examples show how to use the data editing commands.
The last line will generate two formulas, one for Credit Card and the other for DMV card. Example Two: /e/d/fn /e/d/fe 10 /e/d/fr \cr /e/d/fs c1a0101? d2b0101=0101= /e/d/ft 7d1a0a2b0a The first line “/e/d/fn” is to clear all previous settings. The second line “/e/d/fe 10” is to enable the data editing and will not send out original data if it does not match the formula. The third line “/e/d/fr \cr is to create an added field, “field a” .
Section 5 OPERATION The MiniMag reader is easy to operate. Just follow these simple steps: 1. Make sure the reader is properly cabled and is receiving sufficient power. (See Section 5, Troubleshooting, if there is a cabling or power problem.) 2. To read a card, slide the card, in either direction, through the reader slot, with the magnetic stripe facing the magnetic head (LED side). 3. While swiping the card through the reader, the LED will go off. 4.
Section 6 TROUBLESHOOTING The MiniMag reader is easy to install and use. Most problems encountered can be attributed to: • Incorrect Interface Cabling • Incorrect Configuration Setup • Bad Magnetic Stripe Quality General Procedures The troubleshooting process can be simplified by following these simple diagnostic procedures. 1. The unit should emit one long beep when power is first applied. If it does not, then the unit is not receiving power. 2.
Keyboard Interface Problems Installation of the reader is generally trouble free, but there are some things to watch for if you are experiencing problems. Do you have the proper cable? Most modern computers and terminals use a PC/XT/AT-compatible keyboard. However, the cable connecting it to the keyboard port may have variations in either the signal pins or the connector itself. Make sure that you have the proper cable for the computer/terminal with which you are interfacing.
Appendix A.
Appendix B. Function Code Table Character Keystroke Character Keystroke F1 \f1 End \end F2 \f2 Right \right F3 \f3 Left \left F4 \f4 Up \up F5 \f5 Down \down F6 \f6 PgUp \pgup F7 \f7 PgDn \pgdn F8 \f8 Tab \tab F9 \f9 Back Tab \btab F10 \fa Esc \esc F11 \fb Enter \enter F12 \fc CR \cr Ins \ins LF \lf Home \home Backspace \bs To input the “\” character, type it twice.
Appendix C: Non-printable ASCII Characters Character Keystroke NULL SOH STX ETX EOT ENQ ACK BEL BS HT LF VT FF CR SO SI DLE DC1 DC2 DC3 DC4 NAK SYN ETB CAN EM SUB ESC FS GS RS US \nul \soh \stx \etx \eot \enq \ack \bel \bs \ht \lf \vt \ff \cr \so \si \dle \dc1 \dc2 \dc3 \dc4 \nak \syn \etb \can \em \sub \esc \fs \gs \rs \us 26
Appendix D: Magnetic Stripe Standard Data Formats International Standards Organization (ISO) Credit Card Format Track 1 Field ID Character Contents Length a b c d e f g h i j Start Sentinel Format Code “B” Account Number Separator “^” Cardholder Name Separator “^” Expiration date Optional Discretionary data End Sentinel Linear Redundancy Check (LRC) Character 1 1 13 or 16 1 variable 1 4 variable 1 Start Sentinel Account Number Separator “=” Expiration date “YYMM” Optional discretionary data End Sentin
California Driver’s License Format Track 1 a b c d e f g h Start Sentinel Format Code Type: C = Commercial S = Salesperson D = Driver I = Identification R = Senior Citizen Name Line 1 Name Line 2 Address Line 1 City End Sentinel Linear Redundancy Check (LRC) Character 1 1 29 29 29 13 1 1 Track 2 a b c d e f g h Start Sentinel Identification Number ANSI User ID DL/ID Alpha Translated 7 position DL/ID number Check Digit Field Separator “=” Expiration Date Field Separator “=” Discretionary Data, 8 positio
Track 3 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Start Sentinel Class Endorsements State Code Zip Code Sex Hair Eyes Height Weight Restrictions Issue Date Office Employee ID LRE ID Fee Due Year Address Line 2 Reserved Space End Sentinel Linear Redundancy Check (LRC) Character 1 4 4 2 9 1 3 3 3 3 10 8 3 2 2 4 29 10 1 1 AAMVA Driver’s License Format Track 1 a b c d e f g Start Sentinel State or Province City Name Address End Sentinel Linear Redundancy Check (LRC) Character 29 1 2 13 35 29 1 1
Track 2 a b c d e f g h i Track 3 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Start Sentinel ANSI User Code ANSI User ID Jurisdiction ID/DL Expiration date Birthdate Remainder of Jurisdiction ID/DL End Sentinel Linear Redundancy Check (LRC) Character 1 1 5 14 4 8 Start Sentinel Template Version # Security Version # Postal Code Class Restrictions Endorsements Sex Height Weight Hair Color Eye Color ID # Reserved Space Error Correction Security End Sentinel Linear Redundancy Check (LRC) Character 1 1 1 11 2 10 4 1
Appendix E: USB/Keyboard Interface The MiniMag reader is available with a cable that terminates in a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector. Most new computers have multiple USB ports into which a wide variety of peripherals can be installed. Since USB devices are designed to be “plug and play,” the computer will search for a Human Interface Device (HID) driver when the MiniMag is first connected. If one cannot be found, the computer will prompt you to make a selection.
To use the ID TECH Reader Setup, follow these steps: 1. Go to the PROGRAM menu. 2. Select ID TECH USB Reader Setup. 3. When the screen appears, enter a command in the window labeled INPUT SETUP STRING , just as you would with a standard keyboard wedge interface. You do not have to use Notepad. 4. Click SEND. 5. If the command is accepted, the MiniMag will beep once. If the command is rejected, the MiniMag will beep twice. 6. You can clear the INPUT SETUP STRING window by clicking on CLEAR INPUT. 7.
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