Data Capture
for Workforce
in Motion
USB dongle Plug & Scan
User Guide
©Baracoda TM – June 2011
Data Capture
for Workforce
in Motion
Revision History
Changes to the original manual are listed below.
Document
3.13
Date
Description
03 Jan 07
01 Nov 07
17 Apr 08
16 June 08
26 June 08
31 July 08
01 Aug 08
22 Aug 08
04 Dec 08
27 March 09
30 June 10
7 July 10
Initial release
3.23
Add CAPS LOCK key option
Update graphic presentation
Add RoadRunners Evolution
3.23.1
3.23.2
3.23.3
3.23.4
3.23.5
3.23.6
3.23.7
3.28
Update Batch Mode section and add D-Fly, ScanWear and ToughRunners
Update Additional features section (Suffix part)
Update the “Upload Message” note
Modify the Batch section
Update Additional features section (Prefix & Suffix part)
Add DualRunners & Terminal Server section
Precision on TSE configuration
3.28-2
3.30
Correct random disconnection issues
Remove support of Pencil1 ; BL1000; Bx2604 ; BCM2604.
Add Keyboard emulation speed (40 & 80ms)
KEmul software from Apple Macintosh: link not available.
Added a note to the TSE section.
3.31
3.33
3.33b
12 Sept 10
21st Jan 11
15th June 2011 Changed the note related to the TSE section.
Baracoda USB Plug & Scan dongle – User Guide v3.33b
- 3 -
Data Capture
for Workforce
in Motion
1.
Introduction
This document describes the USB dongle Plug & Scan v3.30 (see “Print Firmware Version” section on how to
read the firmware version).
The USB Plug & Scan dongle is a Keyboard Emulation solution and allows to simplify the connection between
the Baracoda scanners and all laptops, PCs, Tablet PCs, or all devices that can accept a USB keyboard.
Normally, a USB Bluetooth Dongle requires the user to install the Bluetooth drivers in order to add the
Bluetooth connectivity to their host computer.
The Baracoda USB Plug & Scan dongle has the Bluetooth drivers and the Bluetooth application embedded in
the USB device. This configuration avoids the installation of the drivers and the software for the end-user.
The USB Plug & Scan solution allows user to have an acknowledgement beep, automatic reconnection, and
buffering of the incoming barcode data. Barcode data buffering allows the Baracoda scanner to store incoming
barcodes even when the scanner is not connected to the dongle (this is the ‘No data loss mode’).
Simply plug the USB Plug & Scan dongle in your computer, scan a “connect barcode” with a Baracoda barcode
scanner, and the Bluetooth connection will be automatically established.
NOTE:
Please note that the BaracodaManager software for PC does not work
with Plug & Scan solutions.
Baracoda USB Plug & Scan dongle – User Guide v3.33b
- 4 -
Data Capture
for Workforce
in Motion
2.
Product Description
2.1 Bluetooth Connection
The USB Plug & Scan dongle is only able to establish point-to-point Bluetooth connections. This means that the
USB dongle cannot connect simultaneously to more than one device.
The USB Plug & Scan dongle can have three (3) states:
•
Disconnected: The dongle can accept connections from any Baracoda scanner (see how to connect
your Baracoda scanner).
•
Paired and waiting for connection: The dongle has already been paired to a Baracoda scanner. Just
switch on this scanner inside the Bluetooth range of the USB dongle and the connection will be
automatically established.
This mode allows other Baracoda scanners to connect to the USB dongle. Scan the “connect” barcode,
then the previous Baracoda scanner will disconnect and the new Baracoda scanner will connect to the
dongle.
•
Connected: The USB dongle is connected to the Baracoda scanner. Just scan barcodes and the data
will be transmitted to your active application.
This mode allows other Baracoda scanners to connect to the USB dongle. Scan the “connect” barcode,
then the previous Baracoda scanner will disconnect and the new Baracoda scanner will connect to the
dongle.
2.2 Features
Using the USB Plug&Scan dongle is quite simple. In three steps, it can be installed and ready to operate:
canner is
Scan the
'connected
barcode' placed on
the dongle in order
to connect to it.
Plug the USB
matically
Plug&Scan
gured and the
red data (*)
dongle in the
host terminal
played on the
USBport
ntapplication
o
a
r
d
ation)
rcode, RFID Tag
Note: the USB Plug & Scan forces the settings of the scanner to which it gets connected in the following
configuration:
ꢀ Restore scan engine defaults
ꢀ Enable default code ID
ꢀ Set Slave Mode
ꢀ Set output format: Baracoda Frame, enable acknowledgment (ie: no data loss mode), no prefix/suffix
It may be problematic if you use the same scanner in the above configuration with an application that does not
give an acknowledgment back to the scanner.
Baracoda USB Plug & Scan dongle – User Guide v3.33b
- 5 -
Data Capture
for Workforce
in Motion
3. How to connect your Baracoda scanner ?
3.1 Connection process
Here is the process to connect the scanner to the USB Plug&Scan dongle:
1. Reset the scanner (see Scanner User Guide to perform this operation).
2. Plug the dongle into the USB port of the computer.
3. Do not scan any other barcodes except the ‘connect barcode’ that is delivered with the dongle.
4. Within 5 seconds (not necessary to rescan), the connection is established.
o
The scanner beeps twice and the LED will change to a double flashing green. (*)
5. Start scanning barcodes.
(*) If the LED on the scanner is not double flashing green, this can possibly mean:
ꢁ
ꢁ
ꢁ
The scanner is low on power. Charge the unit up completely and try again
The scanner has not been reset. Reset it and try again
The scanner has been programmed from its default status and it is not able to decode the Code 128
symbology. Be aware that the ‘connect barcode’ is a code128 symbology and so the scanner shall stay
in its default mode “Code128 on”
By default, the Plug & Scan dongle activates the “No Data Loss Mode”. (Please refer to the paragraph 3.4 for
additional information)
Nota: When you will be connected with the DualRunners, you could scan barcodes and read RFID TAG ID
3.2 Embedded firmware version
Once the scanner is connected ; a capture of this barcode will forward and display the firmware version of your
Plug & Scan dongle following this format “Baracoda HID vx.xx”:
Print firmware version
3.3 Disconnection process
There are 3 different ways to disconnect a scanner from the Plug&Scan dongle.
1. Reading the “disconnect” barcode with the connected barcode scanner. Use this barcode to
disconnect your barcode scanner from a Plug&Scan dongle.
Disconnect barcode
2. Remove the USB dongle from the USB port (power will be OFF)
3. Connect another scanner by reading the dongle’s ‘Connect barcode’ with it (Swap process).
Baracoda USB Plug & Scan dongle – User Guide v3.33b
- 6 -
Data Capture
for Workforce
in Motion
3.4 ‘No Data Loss’ mode
The ‘No data loss mode’ is activated by default for all scanners supporting the feature. When you leave the
connection area, the ‘No data loss mode’ allows scanned barcodes/data buffering. All scans will be
automatically uploaded to the host when reconnected.
If your application is unable to handle all of the incoming barcode scans, disable this feature by scanning the
‘no data loss mode’ barcode. Your scanner and any future connected scanners will retain this configuration.
Enable ‘no data loss mode’ (*)
Disable ‘no data loss mode’
Note: This feature is enabled by default.
Baracoda USB Plug & Scan dongle – User Guide v3.33b
- 7 -
Data Capture
for Workforce
in Motion
4. Scanner configuration: ‘Batch mode’
4.1 Explanations
BEHAVIOUR
For a user application requiring batch mode feature, please note that the USB Plug&Scan forces
the scanner settings to which it gets connected in the last configuration used by the USB dongle.
So it’s very important before connecting a new scanner using Batch mode (and with datas in its
Batch memory) to check that the RS232 Plug & Scan is already configured in Batch mode, and not
in Real Time mode. So you have to respect the following process:
1) Associate the scanner to the RS232 Plug&Scan FIRST (by scanning its CONNECT barcode).
2) Configure your scanner in Batch mode AFTER (by scanning the configuration barcodes
available in this document), and start your work.
The upload process consists of temporarily switching the scanner into Real time with “no data loss mode” ON
(all the barcodes or RFID Tag ID in memory will be sent using the no data loss protocol). Then the scanner
switches back to batch mode when all the barcodes are properly sent.
Notes:
•
This functionality is only available for USB Plug&Scan dongles with firmware version 3.10 and newer
(see “Print Firmware Version” section for how to get the firmware version).
If there is a lot of barcodes to upload, notes that the USB Plug&Scan takes a long time to receive &
emulate the data.
•
4.2 Enable ‘batch mode’
When this mode is set, all the scanners (supporting the functionality) working with the dongle are set in batch
mode: all scanned data (barcodes, TagID) are stored in the flash memory.
Enable batch mode
Baracoda USB Plug & Scan dongle – User Guide v3.33b
- 8 -
Data Capture
for Workforce
in Motion
4.3 ‘Upload’ batch data
When the Bluetooth connection is existing, the scan of ‘upload stored data’ barcode will launch the upload
process.
Upload batch data
Upload batch data (for RoadRunners only)
Note: UPLOAD Messages
This feature is not available for RoadRunners.
Obviously, it is supported on Pencil2, D-Fly, RoadRunners Evolution … products
As keyboard emulation is used, the host application has a limited access to information on the scanner. To
answer this, the dongle can use a messages system which can help the host application having a status on the
upload process. This mode can be enabled or disabled (default) using the following barcodes:
Enable upload messages
Disable upload messages (*)
When this is used, the dongle adds information messages with the incoming data:
Before the upload:
•
<UPL>: start xxxxx
xxxxx being the number of expected barcodes to come
After the upload, two messages can appear:
•
<UPL>: transmission OK
This means that the barcodes were correctly transmitted from the scanner to the dongle and thus that
they have been erased from the scanner
•
<UPL>: transmission NOK
This means that an error occurred and has been detected by the dongle during the data upload. This
means that the data has not been erased from the scanner.
Baracoda USB Plug & Scan dongle – User Guide v3.33b
- 9 -
Data Capture
for Workforce
in Motion
5.
Keyboard Emulation Configuration
5.1 Language
The USB Dongle is recognized by the host computer as a keyboard. Depending on your region and your
spoken language, your computer will require different keyboards.
Please scan the barcode of your country (scan “USA” for QWERTY keyboards and “FRANCE” for AZERTY
keyboards).
UK
CANADA_MULTILANGUAGE
FRANCE
SPAIN
GERMANY
SWEDEN
HUNGARY
ITALY
SWISS_GERMANY
USA
PORTUGUAL
Note: By default, the French keyboard configuration is activated.
Baracoda USB Plug & Scan dongle – User Guide v3.33b
- 10 -
Data Capture
for Workforce
in Motion
5.2 Caps Lock function
The USB Plug & Scan dongle can disable the CAPS LOCK key on the HOST.
Force Caps lock OFF : enabled
< : ? > ' \ N U L \ S O H \ S O H
(*)
Force Caps lock OFF : disabled
< : ? > ' \ N U L \ S O H \ N U L
Note: This feature is disabled by default.
5.3 Keyboard emulation speed
The barcode upload process can stress the host and, depending on the host type, the below barcodes may be
necessary.
Indeed, the USB Plug&Scan dongle emulates a Keyboard. Thus, it has to send characters with a minor delay
between them. If the delay is too short or if the host is too slow or too busy to process the incoming characters,
some data can be lost by the host.
To avoid that phenomenon, the USB Plug&Scan can handle different keyboard emulation speeds:
Keyboard emulation speed: SLOW
Keyboard emulation speed: VERY SLOW
Inter-character delay = 40ms
Inter-character delay = 80ms
Keyboard emulation speed: SLOW
Keyboard emulation speed: MEDIUM (*)
Inter-character delay = 20ms
Inter-character delay = 16ms
Keyboard emulation speed: HIGH
Inter-character delay = 8ms
Baracoda USB Plug & Scan dongle – User Guide v3.33b
- 11 -
Data Capture
for Workforce
in Motion
5.4 TSE configuration
You can use the USB Plug & Scan with Terminal Server Emulation, but note that you must follow this
procedure:
1. Connect the USB Dongle Plug & Scan
2. Scan the ‘CONNECT barcode’ to connect the scanner to the USB P&Scan dongle
3. Open the Remote Desktop Settings by clicking the Options button
4. Select the Local Resources tab
Baracoda USB Plug & Scan dongle – User Guide v3.33b
- 12 -
Data Capture
for Workforce
in Motion
5. Set the Keyboard option to “On the local computer”
6. Open the remote session, then the chosen remote application
7. Now you can start working with your remote application
Please note that remote keyboard emulation is sensitive to delays and may not work in
some network environments (especially if the French language is used).
The user should always verify if the USB Plug&Scan dongle works correctly with remote
applications before the project is deployed.
Baracoda USB Plug & Scan dongle – User Guide v3.33b
- 13 -
Data Capture
for Workforce
in Motion
6.
Additional features
6.1 Prefix
Disable prefix [default]
Horizontal Tab (HT) prefix
6.2 Suffix
Disable suffix
Horizontal Tab (HT) suffix
Carriage Return (CR) suffix
Line Feed (LF) suffix
Carriage Return (CR) + Line Feed (LF) suffix [default]
Baracoda USB Plug & Scan dongle – User Guide v3.33b
- 14 -
Data Capture
for Workforce
in Motion
7. Compatibility
The USB Plug & Scan v3.30 and newer (see ‘Print Firmware version’ section) is only compatible with the
following Baracoda barcode readers:
The batch mode can be used with scanners supporting batch mode:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
BaracodaPencil2
D-Fly
RoadRunners
RoadRunners Evolution All versions
DualRunners
ScanWear
All versions
All versions
All versions
(‘batch mode’ configurable from CPU firmware v.1.34)
(‘batch mode’ configurable from CPU firmware v.3.20)
All versions
All versions
All versions
ToughRunners
Baracoda USB Plug & Scan dongle – User Guide v3.33b
- 15 -
Data Capture
for Workforce
in Motion
Limited Warranty
Manufacturer warrants that the product will be free of defects in material and workmanship for one (1) year
from the date of shipment. Manufacturer will, at its option, either repair, replace or refund the purchase price
paid by buyer for the defective products.
Such repair, replacement or refund shall be buyer's sole remedy in the event of Manufacturer's breach of this
limited warranty. Repaired or replaced parts or product may include new, reconditioned or remanufactured
parts and equipment at Manufacturer's option. All costs associated with shipment to Manufacturer for
warranty service, including but not limited to freight, duties, insurance and customs fees are buyer's
responsibility. Manufacturer will pay the freight costs (duties, insurance, customs and any other fees are
buyer's responsibility) associated with the return shipment to buyer. The method of shipment will be at
Manufacturer's discretion. Repair or replacement of any parts or equipment does not extend the period of
warranty provided for herein. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS MANUFACTURER'S ONLY WARRANTY.
MANUFACTURER DOES NOT GIVE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. To take advantage of this warranty, buyer should contact the seller not the
Manufacturer. The warranty set forth herein does not cover and Manufacturer will have no obligations
hereunder if any non-conformance is caused in whole or in part by; accident, transportation, neglect, misuse,
alteration, modification, or enhancement of the products or incorporation, interfacing, attachment of any
feature, program, or device to the Products by a person or entity other than Manufacturer, failure to provide a
suitable installation environment, use of the products for other than the specific purpose for which the
products are designed or any use of the product not in accordance with the User Guide or other misuse or
abuse of the product. The warranty does not cover problems linked to batteries.
Baracoda USB Plug & Scan dongle – User Guide v3.33b
- 16 -
|