Apperson datalink 1200 User manual

800.827.9219
www.apperson.com
User’s Manual

Table of Contents
About DataLink1200 ................................1
Scoring Tests ......................................2
Preparing the Key..............................................2
Key Reset Options.............................................3
Scoring..............................................................4
Getting a Summary of the Test Results..............5
Processing Ballots .................................................................. 7
Getting Election Results.....................................8
Processing Surveys .................................9
Getting Survey Results .....................................10
Data Collection Operation ...........................11
Print Cartridge Operations ...........................14
Installing a New Print Cartridge.........................14
Removing a Print Cartridge...............................15
Servicing a Print Cartridge ................................16
Connecting the DataLink1200 to a Computer .. ...........17
Calibrating the DataLink1200 ........................ 18
Cleaning the Read Sensors and Clearing Paper Path.......20
Displaying Machine Information .......................23
Ordering Supplies .................................24
Troubleshooting ...................................25
Obtaining Service for DataLink 1200.................25
Problems and Solutions....................................26
Compliance Statements.............................29

The DataLink 1200 is a versatile scanner designed to score
tests, process ballots and tabulate surveys. It can perform these
functions in stand-alone mode or connected to a computer for
advanced data collection.
The DataLink 1200 uses reective read technology for
superior pencil mark recognition. Always use a No. 2
lead pencil when completing DataLink scan sheets. The
scanner will not read marks from ink pens or markers,
even if the marks are black.
A large selection of DataLink answer sheets, ballots,
surveys and analysis forms are available. These forms have
been specically designed to utilize the advanced features of
the DataLink 1200 including paper skew detection and reading
student ID numbers.
About DataLink™ 1200
1

The DataLink 1200 must be programmed with the correct
answer pattern prior to scoring answers sheets. To program the
scanner, simply insert the teacher key. When properly keyed,
the scanner will display the number of questions keyed on the
display window and you may begin inserting answers sheets for
scoring. The DataLink 1200 will score up to 200 questions.
Scoring Tests
Preparing the Key
To designate an answer sheet as a key, mark the Key bubble
[K] in the keyline as shown below.
When the Verify [V] option is marked on the keyline,
correct answers are printed on individual student answer sheets.
If the Verify [V] bubble is not marked, a dash (-) prints next to
incorrect responses.
2

Mark the Rescore [R] bubble in the keyline to rescore a
previously scored test. Rescoring a test automatically enables
the verify option.
After marking the keyline, ll in the correct answer pattern for
each question on the test. Multiple marks may be keyed as the
correct answer for a question. Questions keyed with multiple
marks will be indicated with an ‘X’ printed next to the question
for verication purposes.
Key Reset Options
There are two key reset options available for test-scoring. When
your scanner is powered on it automatically enters into the Score
Mode option. Pressing the “Reset Options” button will put the
scanner in Rescore Mode. Rescore Mode has the identical effect
as marking the Rescore [R] bubble in the keyline.
The scanner must be in either Score Mode (Ready) or Rescore
Mode to score answer sheets.
Continued on page 4
3

Scoring
When the key has been marked with the correct answers,
insert it through the scanner. Always verify the key has been
properly recorded before inserting student answer sheets.
Once keyed, begin processing student answer sheets. Up to
9,999 answer sheets can be processed in a single batch.
If the test includes questions from both sides of the answer
sheet, rst process side 1 of the key immediately followed by
side 2 (the Key [K] bubble must be marked on each side of the
key in order to key multiple sides). When scoring multiple sides,
each side of a test answer sheet must be processed before
processing another answer sheet. You may score up to 200
questions in this manner.
As student forms are fed through the scanner, the total number
of correct answers for each student appears in the window
display and is also printed inside the Score box at the bottom
of the form, or inside the Rescore box if the Rescore [R] bubble
was marked.
If an answer sheet is rejected by the scanner, check the window
Scoring Tests…
4

display for the cause of the problem. Take corrective action and
reinsert the answer sheet. If the problem persists, refer to the
Troubleshooting section of the user manual.
Getting a Summary of the Test Results
There are several summary options available once a test has
been scored. Summaries can be printed using an Item Analysis
report form or viewed on the display panel. When viewing
summary information you may insert additional answer sheets for
continued scoring at any time.
Class Average
Press “Summary Display” on the display panel to view the class
average and number of sheets processed.
Continued on page 6
5

Scoring Tests…
6
Tally of Incorrect Answers & Frequency Distribution
Report
After processing a batch of answer sheets use the Item
Analysis Form 23570 to get a detailed report of the test. The
Item Analysis report will provide a frequency distribution of
scores in 5% increments. The report also lists the number of
wrong answers selected for each test question.
If the Item Analysis Form is not available, the number of wrong
answers per question can be viewed in the display window. To
view the number of wrong answers for each question, press the
“Summary Display” button twice. Follow the instructions
displayed in the window for viewing the tally of wrong answers.
While viewing this information you can continue processing
additional answer sheets at any time.

Ballot Form 26440 is specically designed for processing ballots
with the DataLink 1200. This form tabulates the votes for up to
100 candidates. Election results can be obtained by inserting
Item Analysis Form 23570 through the scanner when the batch
processing is complete, or by viewing results on the display
window. Up to 9,999 ballots can be processed in a single batch.
Ballot response bubbles are labeled 1 through 100. Assign each
candidate a unique number which corresponds to a number on
the ballot form. You have an option of allowing multiple votes per
row or accepting only a single selection per row. Allowing only
single selections per row can restrict students from voting for
more than one candidate for an ofce. The default option allows
multiple selections per row.
To accept only one selection per row, you must mark the rst
ballot processed as indicated below. In this mode, if a ballot
contains multiple selections on a row, none of the selections for
Processing Ballots
Continued on page 8
7

that row will be included in the tally. After each ballot is scanned,
a verication number is printed inside the Ballot Verication box.
For information on how to process elections with more than 100
candidates or when using a standard answer sheet for elections,
refer to the section titled “Data Collection Operation” on page
11.
Getting Election Results
To obtain the results of an election, insert side 1 of Item Analysis
Form 23570 through the scanner. The Item
Analysis Form can be inserted at any time during or after batch
processing without interruption of the tabulation process
Warning: pressing the “Reset Options” button will clear
all election results.
In the event an Item Analysis Form 23570 is not available, the
election information can be viewed in the display window. To
view election results press the “Summary Display” button after
batch processing and follow the instructions displayed in the
window for viewing the results.
Processing Ballots…
8

Survey Form 28010 is specically designed for processing
surveys with the DataLink 1200. This form can be used for
surveys with up to 40 questions. It includes 5 choices for each
question. Survey results can be obtained by inserting Item
Analysis Form 23570 through the scanner when the batch
processing is complete, or by viewing results on the display
window. Up to 9,999 surveys can be processed in a single
batch.
Design your survey questions and selections to match the
bubble pattern on the survey form. On Survey Form 28010 you
can choose to accept multiple marks per question or
accept only single marks. Mark your selection on the top of the
rst survey scanned, as shown below. If no selection is made
then the scanner will accept multiple marks for each question.
After each survey is scanned, a verication number is printed
inside the Survey Verication box.
Processing Surveys
Continued on page 10
9

For information on how to process surveys with more than 40
questions or when using a standard DataLink 1200 answer sheet
for surveys, refer to the section titled “Data Collection Operation”
on page 11.
Getting Survey Results
To obtain the results of a survey, insert side 1 (and side 2, if
necessary) of Item Analysis Form 23570 (or Tally Report Form
23580) through the scanner. The Item Analysis Form can be
inserted at any time during or after batch processing without
interruption of the tabulation process.
Warning: pressing the Reset Options button will clear
all survey results.
In the event an Item Analysis Form 23570 or Tally Report 23580
are not available, the survey information can be viewed in the
display window. To view survey results press the “Summary
Display” button after batch processing and follow the
instructions displayed in the window for viewing the results.
Processing Surveys…
10

Placing the DataLink 1200 in data collection mode disables
standard test scoring operations. This can be useful when
processing surveys, evaluations or ballots with standard
test answer sheets or customized scan forms. When in data
collection mode, the scanner will create a tally of all marks
made on the sheets. The tabulation results can be obtained by
inserting Item Analysis Form 23570 through the scanner when
the batch processing is complete, or by viewing results on the
display window. Up to 9,999 scan sheets can be processed in a
single batch.
To enter into Data Collection Mode press the “Reset Options”
button 2 or 3 times until Data Collection appears in the display
window.
In this mode, all selections for each question will be tabulated.
Up to 100 questions can be tabulated in Data Collection mode.
When tabulating questions which are on both sides of an
answer sheet, scan side 1 of a sheet followed by side 2 before
continuing onto the next sheet.
Data Collection Operation
Continued on page 12
11

The following data collection options can be enabled by making
the appropriate selection on the keyline of the rst sheet
scanned.
Mark ‘R’ if you will be
performing data collection
on both sides of the sheet.
Mark ‘ V’ if you want a scan
verication number printed in
the score box of each sheet.
Mark ‘K’to accept only one selection per row. If you
select the ‘K’ option, when a sheet contains multiple
selections on a row, none of the selections for that
row will be included in the tally. If the ‘K’ option is
not marked on the rst sheet scanned, multiple
marks will be allowed throughout batch processing.
MARK THESE OPTIONS ON THE FIRST SHEET ONLY
Data Collection Operation…
12

To obtain the results from data collection processing, insert side
1 (and side 2, if necessary) of Item Analysis Form 23570 through
the scanner. This form will provide a tabulation of all marks
entered during batch processing. The Item Analysis Form can
be inserted at any time during or after batch processing without
interruption of the tabulation process.
Warning: Pressing the “Reset Options” button will clear
all data collection information.
In the event an Item Analysis Form 23570 is not available, the
results can be viewed in the display window. To view the results
press the “Summary Display” button after batch processing
and follow the instructions displayed in the window for viewing
the tabulated results.
13

The DataLink 1200 uses a disposable Hewlett-Packard ink
cartridge (Item #26370) for print operations. Under normal
operating conditions the cartridge should provide reliable service
for up to a year.
Installing a New Print
Cartridge
1. Squeeze the print cartridge cover
and rmly press in the
tab located on the right side to
disengage the cover (Fig.1). Lift
the cover away from the scanner
(Fig. 2).
2. Remove all packaging materials
from the new ink cartridge
including the protective tape that
covers the silver nozzle place of
the cartridge. (Fig. 3, pg. 15).
Print Cartridge Operations
14
Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Continued on page 16
3. Insert the print cartridge into the
scanner (Fig. 4).
4. Replace the printer cover by
aligning the locking tabs with
their corresponding holes on the
scanner housing. Firmly press in
the tab on the right side of the
cover and press into the housing
until the tabs lock into place.
Removing a Print Cartridge
1. Squeeze the print cartridge cover
and rmly press in the tab located
on the right side to disengage
the cover (Fig. 1, pg. 14). Lift the
cover away from the scanner
(Fig. 2).
2. Remove the cartridge from the
scanner (Fig. 5).
15
Fig. 3
Fig. 5
Fig. 4

Servicing a Print Cartridge
1. Remove the cartridge using the instructions listed on pg 14
and 15.
2. Gently wipe the silver nozzle plate of
the cartridge with a paper towel (Fig.
6). Inspect the plate to ensure all dust
and lint has been removed.
3. Replace the cartridge following
instructions 3 and 4 on pg. 14 and 15
Installing a New Print Cartridge,
and as shown in Fig. 4 and 5.
If a cartridge continues to print poorly after
wiping the nozzle plate, a new print cartridge may be necessary.
Print Cartridge Operations…
16
Check out the Support section of apperson.com to see
live action videos on how to change your ink cartridges.
Fig. 6

The DataLink 1200 can connect to a computer using the USB
cable that came with the scanner. To use the USB cable , it is
rst necessary to install the DataLink Connect software.
DataLink Connect is a data-collection software program
developed by Apperson for retrieving data from the Apperson
family of data-enabled scanners. Using your scanner with
DataLink Connect software allows you to turn your test data
into valuable data-rich reports. DataLink Connect reports
can be printed, saved, converted into PDFs, or exported into
Microsoft®Excel®spreadsheets. DataLink Connect allows you
to immediately access test data including Item Analysis, Class
Roster, Student and Class Prociency Reports and more.
DataLink Connect also allows you to export the test scores
to most major electronic gradebook
programs.
If you are building a customized
interface for a specic application,
contact Apperson for documentation on
communication specications.
Connecting the DataLink™ 1200 to a
Computer
17

To ensure consistent and accurate pencil mark recognition, your
scanner should be calibrated annually or after every 7,500 sheets
processed, which ever comes rst. A Calibration Sheet form
74290 has been provided with your scanner for this purpose.
Please keep the calibration sheet in a convenient and memorable
location for easy retrieval as needed.
To determine how many sheets have been processed since last
calibration, press the “Summary Display” button 3 times. The
display window will show how many sheets have been scanned
since the previous calibration.
If 7,500 sheets have been processed since your last calibration
the message below will appear on your display window
whenever the scanner is powered on. This message will no
longer display after the scanner has been calibrated. If you
Calibrating DataLink™ 1200
18