AML 2500 User manual

Bar Code
and
Magnetic Stripe Reader
Model 2500
USER'S MANUAL
2190 Regal Parkway  Euless, TX 76040
[phone]  [phone]  FAX [phone]

FCC NOTICE
WARNING: This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual,
may cause interference to radio communications. It has been tested and found
to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device pursuant to Subpart J of
art 15 FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against
such interference when operated in a commercial environment. Operation of
this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference in which case
the user at his own expense will be required to take whatever measures may be
required to correct the interference.
Rev 2.7a

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1
Installation Instructions ........................................................................................ 2
Connecting the M2500 to the PC's Serial Port ...................................................... 8
Daisy Chain Instructions ...................................................................................... 9
Scanning Bar Codes .......................................................................................... 11
Wand Scanning ................................................................................... 11
Laser Scanning ................................................................................... 12
Installing and Using the MS941 Triggerless Laser ............................... 14
CCD Scanning .................................................................................... 20
Slot Reader (Badge Reader) ............................................................... 21
Scanning Magnetic Stripes/Cards ...................................................................... 22
Default Settings ................................................................................................. 2
Changing the Default Settings ............................................................................ 25
Programming Guide ........................................................................................... 27
Code 9 ............................................................................................... 28
UPC .................................................................................................... 29
EAN .................................................................................................... 0
UPC/EAN Supplements ...................................................................... 1
Interleaved 2 of 5 ................................................................................. 2
Codabar ..............................................................................................
Code 128 .............................................................................................
Code 9 ............................................................................................... 4
Code 11 ............................................................................................... 4
MSI/Plessey ........................................................................................ 5
Serial Port ........................................................................................... 6
Preambles ........................................................................................... 9
Postambles ......................................................................................... 40
Termination Character ......................................................................... 41
Beep Length and Tone ........................................................................ 41
Mag Stripe Options #1 ......................................................................... 42
Mag Stripe Options #2 ......................................................................... 44
Bar Code Edit ...................................................................................... 46
Options #1 ........................................................................................... 47
Options #2 ........................................................................................... 49
Diagnostics ......................................................................................... 50
Cloning Setup Information .................................................................... 51
Specifications ...................................................................................... 54
Signal Definitions ................................................................................. 55
Appendix A - Function & Special Keys ......................................................... A-1
Appendix B - External Power Supply Requirements .................................... B-1
Appendix C - Code 9 Specifications ........................................................... C-1
Appendix D - Full ASCII Extension to Code 9 ............................................. D-1
Appendix E - UPC Specifications ................................................................ E-1
Appendix F - EAN Specifications .................................................................. F-1
i

ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont)
Appendix G - Interleaved 2 of 5 Specifications ............................................. G-1
Appendix H - Codabar Specifications .......................................................... H-1
Appendix I - Code 128 Specifications ........................................................... I-1
Appendix J - Code 9 Specifications ............................................................ J-1
Appendix K - Card Data Format for Transaction Cards ................................ K-1
Appendix L - Sources of Bar Code and Magnetic Stripe Standards .............. L-1

1
INTRODUCTION
The Model 2500 bar code and magnetic stripe reader combines features found
in a variety of readers into one compact, easy to use system. The reader installs
quickly between the terminal and host computer. Data is sent to the computer
as if it were typed in from the terminal's keyboard. No software changes are
necessary.
The reader accepts a wide variety of input devices such as a LASER, CCD,
WAND, and MAGNETIC STRI E READER. The Model 2500 allows up to three
input devices maximizing the versatility of the reader system.
Tailor the reader to individual applications by simply scanning a bar code from
the menu. Its that simple! All these features make the Model 2500 an ideal
data collection device that provides quality and performance in one package.
FEATURES:
 Bar Code and Magnetic Stripe Data appear as Keyboard Data.
 Reader Automatically Recognizes and Reads the following Bar Code
Types:
- Code 3 of 9 (Code 39) - CODABAR
- Extended Code 3 of 9 (Full ASCII) - Code 128
- Interleaved 2 of 5 - Code 93
- U C-A, U C-E(0), U C-E(1) - Code 11
- EAN-8, EAN-13 - MSI/ LESSEY
- U C & EAN Supplements
(2 and 5 Character)
 ower/Ready Light Indicating Scanner Status
 Reads Magnetic Stripes (Credit Cards, ID Cards, etc.)
 Supports Multiple Input Devices (Lasers, CCD, Wand, Slot Reader)

2
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
Installation requires connecting cables between the reader, your computer, and
terminal.
Step 1: Disconnect the existing RS-232 cable from the rear of the termi-
nal. (This cable is the serial cable originally connected between
the terminal and host computer system).
Step 2: The bar code reader comes with the following cable assemblies:
TERMINAL CABLE ASSEMBLY = 9 pin plug (male) to 25
pin plug (male)
HOST CABLE ASSEMBLY = 9 pin plug (male) to 25 pin
socket (female)
lug the 9 pin end of the TERMINAL CABLE ASSEMBLY into the
connector labeled "TERMINAL" located on the rear panel of the
reader.
Step 3: lug the other end of the TERMINAL CABLE ASSEMBLY (the 25 pin
male) into the rear of the terminal labeled "MODEM" or "MAIN".
Step 4: lug the 9 pin end of the HOST CABLE ASSEMBLY into the
connector labeled "HOST" located on the rear panel of the reader.
Step 5: lug the other end of the HOST CABLE ASSEMBLY (the 25 pin
female) into the original serial cable that was removed from the
terminal.
NOTE: Before installing the bar code reader, you must have an
operational RS-232 serial cable connected between the terminal
and host computer system. The terminal MUST be able to
communicate to the host system correctly BEFORE installing
the bar code reader.

3
Step 6: CONNECTING INPUT EVICES:
Installing A Wand
lug the end of the WAND cable into the circular connector labeled
"WAND" on the front panel of the reader.
POWERMSRLASER
AMERICAN
MICROS STEMS
MICROSCANNER
WAND
Installing A Laser Scanner
lug the end of the LASER cable into the square connector labeled
"LASER" located on the front panel of the reader.
NOTE: A 12V LASER will require a 12V regulated
external power supply. See the A ENDIX at
the back of this manual for a description of
"External Power Supply Requirements".
POWERMSRLASER
AMERICAN
MICROS STEMS
MICROSCANNER
WAND

4
Installing A CC Scanner
lug the end of the CCD cable into the connector labeled "LASER"
located on the front panel of the reader.
Installing A Magnetic Stripe Reader
lug the end of the MAGNETIC STRI E READER cable into the
circular connector labeled "MSR" located on the front panel of the
reader.
POWERLASER
AMERICAN
MICROS STEMS
MICROSCANNER
MSR
WAND
MSRLASER
AMERICAN
MICROS STEMS
MICROSCANNER
POWER
WAND

5
MSRLASER
AMERICAN
MICROS STEMS
MICROSCANNER
POWERWAND
NOTE: A 12V LASER will require a 12V regulated external
power supply. See the A ENDIX at the back of
this manual for a description of "External Power
Supply Requirements".
Installing A Slot Reader (Badge Reader)
lug the end of the SLOT READER cable into the circular
connector labeled "WAND" on the front panel of the reader.
Step 7: lug the power supply into the rear panel of the reader
labeled "EXT OWER".
HOST TERMINAL
EXT.
POWER

6
Step 8: Verify that the cables are connected as shown below:
WAND
ORIGINAL
S STEM
CABLE
HOST
COMPUTER
S STEM
"TERMINAL"
CABLE
ASSEMBL
"HOST" CABLE
ASSEMBL
"HOST"
PORT
BAR CODE READER
ELECTRONICS UNIT
POWER
SUPPL
"TERMINAL"
PORT

7
Step 9: With the power supply connected, the " OWER" display on the
front panel of the reader will display RED and the reader will BEE
twice. Approximately 1/2 second later the display will change to
GREEN.
Step 10: If the reader has been installed correctly, you should be able to
type on the terminal's keyboard and communicate with the host
computer system.
Step 11: The bar code reader is now operational and ready to use. The
terminal is fully functional and you may enter data via the keyboard
like you did prior to installation. To enter bar code data, simply
scan the bar code and the data will be transmitted to the host
system just like it was typed in from the terminal's keyboard.
Step 12: The reader is shipped from the factory with the serial port
parameters set to the following defaults:
BAUD RATE: 9600
DATA BITS: 8
ARITY: NONE
OUT UT DATA: ASCII
DU LEX MODE: FULL
NOTE: The reader's serial port parameters must be set
to match the terminal. Check your terminal's
serial port parameters against those listed above.
If any parameters are different, the reader must
be set to match the terminal. roceed to the
section of the manual entitled CHANGING THE
DEFAULT SETTINGS.

8
CONNECTING THE MODEL 2500 TO THE PC S SERIAL PORT
The Model 2500 can be connected to the C's serial port and used as a
standard RS-232 serial scanner.
Step 1: The bar code reader comes with two cable assemblies:
TERMINAL CABLE ASSEMBLY: 9 pin plug (male) to 25
pin plug (male)
HOST CABLE ASSEMBLY: 9 pin plug (male) to 25
pin socket (female)
To connect the bar code reader to the C's serial port, only the
HOST CABLE ASSEMBLY will be used. lug the 9 pin end of the
HOST CABLE ASSEMBLY into the connector labeled
"TERMINAL" located on the rear panel of the bar code reader.
Step 2: lug the other end of the HOST CABLE ASSEMBLY (the
25 pin female) into the C's serial port (either COM1 or COM2).
Step 3: Set the bar code reader to HALF UPLEX MO E.
(See the rogramming Guide section of the USER'S MANUAL).
Step 4: The SOFTCOM utility program is included with the Model
2500 which enables RS-232 serial data to appear as keyboard
data to the C. To install SOFTCOM on your C, you must
perform the following steps:
- Insert the SOFTCOM diskette into drive A on the C.
- At the DOS prompt (C:>), type A: and press ENTER.
- At the A:> prompt, type INSTALL and press ENTER.
Step 5: Run the configuration program SCONFIG and set the serial
port parameters to match those of the bar code reader.
Step 6: Run the program SOFTCOM. With SOFTCOM loaded, any
data scanned with the bar code reader will appear as
keyboard data to your program.

9
DAISY CHAIN INSTRUCTIONS
aisy Chaining Using SOFTCOM Keyboard Emulation Software to Poll M2500's
1. Set SOFTCOM keyboard emulation software for daisy chaining.
2. rogram each M2500 decoder with a unique daisy chain ID.
aisy Chaining Using SOFTCOM Keyboard Emulation Software and a Master
M2500 to Poll the Other M2500's in the aisy Chain
1. Do not set SOFTCOM for daisy chaining.
2. rogram the 1st M2500 (MASTER) to be the daisy chain Master Controller.
3. rogram each daisy chained M2500 decoder with a unique daisy chain ID.
NOTE: The MASTER M2500 cannot be used for data entry.
aisy Chaining Using an M2000/M2002 to Poll the M2500's in the aisy Chain
1. rogram the M2000/M2002 to be the Daisy Chain Master Controller.
2. rogram each M2500 decoder with a unique daisy chain ID.
NOTE: Under most circumstances the M2000/M2002 should have the
serial port programmed for ' ASS THROUGH' mode.
aisy Chaining Using Your Own Polling Software
1. Each transmitted ID must be followed with a CARRIAGE RETURN <CR>.
2. If the decoder that is being polled has any data, it begins transmitting data
within 2 characters time at the current baud rate.
EXAMPLE: Using 9600,N,8,1 as the Serial Port Parameters.
The decoder has an ID of '1', so the polling software
sends a '1' + <CR> and waits for at least (104 * 11 *2)=
2288 microseconds for the decoder box to start sending
data. If the decoder box does not start sending data,
then start the polling sequence for the next decoder. If
data is received, allow a delay of 50 milliseconds
following the last data character before polling again.

10
DAISY CHAIN CONNECTION DIAGRAMS
PC-M2500 aisy Chain Using Softcom Communications Software as the
Controller
PC-M2500 Controller-M2500-M2500 Using M2500 Controller & Softcom
Communication Software
PC-M2000 Controller-M2500-M2500

11
SCANNING BAR CODES
WAND SCANNING
Step 1: HOLD THE WAND LIKE A ENCIL, tilted at an angle of 10 to 30
degrees from vertical.
Step 2: TOUCH the wand tip to the WHITE S ACE before the label.
Step 3: Move the wand QUICKLY across the label as if you were drawing a
straight line through the middle of it.
Step 4: Begin and end your stroke in the WHITE S ACE. Maintain a
smooth, even stroke while scanning. You can read labels bi-
directionally (either left-to-right or right-to-left) and the data will
output correctly to your computer.
Step 5: If you scanned the label correctly, you will hear a short BEE .
When the " OWER" light turns GREEN the reader is ready to scan
another label.

12
LASER SCANNING
**CAUTION**
ALTHOUGH THE LIGHT EMITTED FROM CLASS II AND CLASS IIA
LASERS IS NOT CONSIDERED HAZARDOUS, AVOID STARING
DIRECTLY INTO THE LIGHT BEAM EXTENDED EXPOSURE MAY
CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR EYES
Step 1: AIM the LASER at a bar code label. Hold the LASER
approximately 3 to 6 inches from the label.
NOTE: The maximum scanning distance depends on the
label density. Typical scanning distances vary
from 3 to 18 inches.

13
Step 2: SQUEEZE the TRIGGER on the laser. The front panel " OWER"
light on the reader will change to RED and the "SCAN" light on the
back of the laser will turn on. Simultaneously the laser will emit a
thin red beam of light. The beam must cover the entire bar code
label and part of the white area on both sides.
Step 3: After a successful read the following will occur:
- The reader will BEE .
- The "DECODE" light on the back of the laser will turn on.
- The reader will turn off the red beam of light.
- The bar code data is transmitted to the computer.
NOTE: If the laser has not read the label within
approximately one second, it will turn off the
beam. Try moving the laser closer to the bar
code label and adjusting the pointing angle.
Step 4: When the front panel " OWER" light changes to GREEN, the
reader is ready to scan another label.
123456
123456
RIGHT
WRONG

14
INSTALLING AND USING
THE MS941 TRIGGERLESS LASER
INSTALLATION
After installing the decoder box according to the instructions in the general
"Installation Instructions" section, you are ready to connect the laser.
Step 1: lug the end of the laser's cable into the square connector labeled
"LASER" located on the front panel of the reader. See the diagram
below:
Step 2: For "hands-free" scanning, note the following:
The cradle can be removed from the stand and set on a horizontal
surface (on its rubber feet), or mounted directly to a horizontal or
vertical surface.
The cradle has magnets which hold the LASER in place.
POWERLASER
MICROSCANNER
MSRWAND
AMERICAN
MICROS STEMS
HANDS-FREE
SCANNING
STAND
VERTICAL
COUNTER MOUNT
VERTICAL
WALL MOUNT
HANDS-FREE
HORIZONTAL
COUNTER MOUNT
HAND-HELD

15
SCANNING WITH THE MS941 TRIGGERLESS LASER
The MS941 is a triggerless laser activated by a bar code or reflective object
passing through its beam. It can be set in its cradle for "hands-free"operation, or
held in the hand.
See the following steps for scanning instructions:
Step 1: oint the LASER at a bar code label or, for hands-free scanning,
bring the bar code to the laser beam. The distance from the
MS941 laser to the bar code should be approximately 1 to 5
inches.
**CAUTION**
ALTHOUGH THE LIGHT EMITTED FROM CLASS II LASERS IS NOT
CONSIDERED HAZARDOUS, AVOID STARING DIRECTLY INTO
THE LIGHT BEAM EXTENDED EXPOSURE MAY CAUSE DAMAGE
TO YOUR EYES
HAND-HELD
SCANNING
HANDS-FREE
SCANNING

16
Step 2: The laser will begin scanning as soon as the bar code is brought
within 5 inches of the front of the laser. The red light on the back of
the LASER's handle will stay on as long as it is attempting a read.
The laser beam must cover the entire bar code label and part of
the blank area on both sides. Examples of bar code scans are
shown below:
Step 3: After a successful read the following will occur:
- The decoder will BEE .
- The red light on the back of the laser will turn off.
- The green light on the back of the laser will turn on
for the duration of the decoder's beep.
- The bar code data is transmitted to the computer.
123456
123456
RIGHT
WRONG