Argox AI-6821 User manual

AI-6821 2D Scanner
User Guide

i
Regulatory Compliance
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation shall be subject to the following two
conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interface,
and
(2) This device must accept any interface received,
including interface that may cause undesirable
operation.
This equipment has been tested and complied
with the limits for a Class a digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide a reasonable protection
against harmful interface when the equipment is
operated under a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instruction manual, may
cause harmful interface to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area
is likely to cause harmful interface in which case
the user will be required to correct the interface
at his or her own expenses.
Note All brands and trademarks shall
belong to their respective owner.
Note Specification is subject to changes
without notice.

ii
警告： 電池若未妥善處理， 可能會導致爆炸。
請勿拆卸電池， 或用火銷毀電池。 請將電池放置於兒童拿不
到的地方。 請使用專用充電器充電， 並請依照當地政府或法
律規定妥善處理廢棄電池。
CAUTION: EXPLOSION HAZARD
Do not disassemble, short circuit, heat the battery or dispose
of in fire. Store battery pack in a proper place. Do not expose
to temperature above 60℃/140℉. Use specified charger
only. Please dispose of the used batteries following the rules
or laws issued by the local government.

iii

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Contents
1Introduction ..........................................................1
1.1 Unpacking .......................................................1
1.2 Understand your scanner................................3
1.2.1 Scanner .....................................................3
1.2.2 Cradle........................................................4
1.3 Indicators.........................................................5
1.3.1 Status lights...............................................5
1.3.2 Status sound ............................................. 6
1.3.3 Vibration...................................................6
2Get started ............................................................7
2.1 Installation....................................................... 7
2.1.1 Set up your scanner ..................................7
2.1.2 How to scan ..............................................9
2.1.3 Work with the ASCII table.......................10
2.1.4 Search your scanner................................ 10
2.2 Battery...........................................................10
2.2.1 Charge the battery..................................11
2.2.2 Replace the battery.................................11
2.3 Connection....................................................14
2.3.1 Connect to your cradle again..................14
2.3.2 Connect to a Bluetooth adapter .............14
2.3.3 Connect to a mobile device ....................18
Connect to an iOS device ........................ 18
Connect to an Android device ................20
3Controls and settings........................................... 23
3.1 Data transmission.......................................... 23
3.1.1 Character length ..................................... 23
3.1.2 Name of the bar code type.....................24

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3.1.3 AIM symbology ID...................................24
3.1.4 Acknowledge timeout............................. 25
3.1.5 Prefix and suffix ...................................... 27
3.2 Volume and vibration....................................28
3.2.1 Good scan beep duration ....................... 28
3.2.2 Inquiry beep (cradle only).......................29
3.2.3 Scan volume............................................31
3.2.4 Vibration.................................................32
3.2.5 Power on alert ........................................33
3.3 Operating mode ............................................ 34
3.3.1 Handcuff mode .......................................34
3.3.2 Batch mode............................................. 35
3.3.3 Sleep mode (cradle only) ........................36
3.3.4 Auto-sensing mode................................. 37
3.4 Interface selection (cradle only).................... 37
3.4.1 HID setting ..............................................38
Country (cradle only) .............................. 38
Caps Lock (cradle only) ...........................40
Function key (cradle only)....................... 41
Alphanumeric keys (cradle only)............. 42
3.4.2 RS-232 settings .......................................43
Flow control (cradle only) .......................43
Response delay (cradle only) ..................44
Baud (cradle only)...................................46
Parity check (cradle only)........................46
3.5 Update firmware ...........................................49
Install driver ............................................55
3.6 Miscellaneous ............................................... 57
3.6.1 Status lights control ................................ 57
3.6.2 Fill-in light intensity ................................ 57

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3.6.3 PIN code setting...................................... 58
3.6.4 Mobile phone mode ...............................59
3.6.5 Disconnection .........................................59
3.6.6 Aiming pattern ........................................59
3.6.7 Align mode..............................................60
3.6.8 Reset your scanner .................................60
3.6.9 Scanner information ...............................62
3.7 Data Magic .................................................... 63
Data Magic commands ........................... 64
3.7.1 Bar code scanning...................................67
Data format............................................. 67
Bar codes ................................................ 70
Example ..................................................77
3.7.2 Scan Utility..............................................81
Virtual COM ............................................85
4Bar codes............................................................. 87
Code 11 ............................................................... 87
Code 39 ...............................................................90
Italian Pharmacy (Code 32) ................................. 93
Code 93 ...............................................................94
Code 128 .............................................................95
ISBT 128............................................................... 96
EAN-8 ..................................................................98
EAN-13 ................................................................99
UCC-128/EAN-128 (GS1-128) ............................ 101
UPC-A ................................................................102
UPC-E.................................................................104
UPC-E1...............................................................110
Discrete 2 of 5 (DTF)..........................................112
Interleaved 2 of 5 (I25)......................................113

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MSI ....................................................................115
Codabar.............................................................118
Chinese 2 of 5....................................................120
Korean 3 of 5 ..................................................... 120
Inverse 1D .........................................................121
US Postnet.........................................................122
US Planet...........................................................123
USPS 4CB / One Code / Intelligent Mail ............123
UPU FICS Postal .................................................124
UK Postal ...........................................................124
JAP Postal ..........................................................125
Australia Postal..................................................125
Netherlands KIX Code .......................................126
PDF417 ..............................................................126
Micro PDF417.................................................... 127
Micro QR ........................................................... 129
QR Code ............................................................129
MaxiCode ..........................................................130
GS1 Databar ......................................................131
Composite .........................................................133
Aztec..................................................................136
Data Matrix ....................................................... 137
5Troubleshooting ................................................139
5.1 Scanner issues .............................................139
5.2 Bar code issues............................................140
6Specifications ....................................................141
Appendix A. Test symbologies ..............................145
Appendix B. ASCII table ........................................148
Appendix C. Default settings of bar codes............149
Appendix D. Data entry bar codes ........................151

1
1Introduction
AI-6821 is a 2D cordless scanner that can read
bar codes on objects or on screens. The high
performance scanning engine delivers high
speed and high readability, making it an ideal
scanning solution for business.
￭High decoding performance Fast and
easy scan for 1D and 2D bar codes.
￭Water resistant and dust-tight With the
IP65 rating, AI-6821 can be used in various
environment without being damaged by
water and dust.
￭High optical resolution AI-6821 reads
high density bar codes up to 3 mil.
￭Distortion processing Even if your bar
code is distorted, AI-6821 still recognizes
it.
1.1 Unpacking
Make sure all following items are included in
your package.
Scanner
Cradle

2
Plug
Quick Start Guide
It comes with the
power supply. The plug
varies according to
your country.
USB Cable
or
RS-232 Cable
Power Supply
￭For USB packs, it is
optional.
￭For RS-232 packs, it is
standard.
When you receive your scanner, open the
package immediately and inspect for shipping
damage. If you discover any damage, contact
the shipping company and file a claim. Argox
is not responsible for any damage incurred
during shipping. Save all package materials for
the shipping company to inspect.
Note If any item is missing, please
contact your local dealer.

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1.2 Understand your scanner
1.2.1 Scanner
￭Perspective
￭Bottom

4
1.2.2 Cradle
￭Perspective
￭Bottom

5
1.3 Indicators
1.3.1 Status lights
Status lights (LED) are helpful for checking
your scanner’s status. Both your scanner and
cradle have LEDs, and each of them have four
colors: blue, green, red and amber. The table
below shows the LED behavior and the status
it indicates.
Status
Scanner LED
Cradle LED
Scanner
Connected
Blink blue at
1-second
intervals
Blink blue at
1-second
intervals
Scanner
Disconnected
Off
Off
Good Scan
Blink green
once
Blink green
once
Cradle ACK
Timeout
Blink red every
0.5 second until
timeout
N/A
Firmware
Update
Blink amber fast
Blink amber fast
Cradle Inquiry
N/A
Blink green
slowly
Cradle Inquiry
and Charging
N/A
Blink amber
slowly
Charging
Solid red
Blink green
every second
Battery Full
Off
Solid green

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1.3.2 Status sound
In addition to status lights, your scanner and
your cradle make sounds to indicate the
status it is in.
Status
Scanner Sound
Cradle Sound
Scanner
Connected
Sound 1
N/A
Scanner
Disconnected
Sound 2
N/A
Good Scan
A short beep
N/A
Cradle Inquiry
N/A
Beeps five times
at 1-second
intervals
Cradle ACK
Timeout
Beeps once in
low tone
A short beep
Battery Low
Three short
beeps (fast)
N/A
Memory Full
Sound 3
N/A
Programming
Two short
beeps
N/A
Interface
Ready
N/A
Sound 4
Power On
A long beep
A long beep
Reset
N/A
Sound 5
1.3.3 Vibration
Your scanner vibrates in certain status.
Status
Scanner
Power On
Vibrate
Wake up from Sleep Mode
Vibrate
Good Scan
Vibrate

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2Get started
This chapter provides information about how
to install, connect and use your scanner to do
your work, and how to charge and replace
your battery.
2.1 Installation
This section describes how to set up your
scanner.
2.1.1 Set up your scanner
1. Connect the USB or the RS-232 cable to
your cradle. Lay the cable into the notch
on the cradle edge.

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2. Connect the USB or the RS-232 cable to
your computer.
Note 1 If you’ve purchased the USB
pack, you can charge your scanner by
connecting the USB cable to your
computer. You can also charge it by
connecting a power supply (optional) to
your USB cable. The charging time is
shorter with a power supply.
Note 2 If you’ve purchased the RS-232
pack, connect the power supply to the
RS-232 cable and the wall outlet.
Charging by
Full Charge Time
Power Supply
3 hours
USB Cable
4.5 hours
3. Place your scanner on your cradle to
charge it to full (cradle’s LED glows
green).
4. Scan the Data Matrix code at the bottom
of your cradle to establish the connection
between your scanner and cradle.
5. To test your scanner, start a text
processing program like Notepad or Word.
Scan a bar code and see if the data can
be sent to your computer. If it’s
successful, you’ll hear a beep and the bar
code data shows in the program.

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2.1.2 How to scan
AI-6821 emits a cross pattern when it is
scanning. Any bar code in the range of the
cross could be read. Typically, the bar code
closest to the center will be read first, but if
the quality of this bar code is poor, your
scanner might read other bar code first.
If you want to scan a bar code in a small area
that contains multiple bar codes, it would be
better to cover other bar codes in the range
of the cross, in case your scanner scans the
bar code you don’t need.

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2.1.3 Work with the ASCII table
Sometimes, you might need to send some
control characters that can’t be typed, or
enter characters without a keyboard. You can
do it using ASCII codes.
In Appendix B, you'll find the ASCII table. Both
column and row numbers are hexadecimal.
The ASCII code of a character is the
combination of a column and a row number,
where the column comes first. For example,
the ASCII code of BEL is "07" and the number
sign (#) is "23." You can use the bar codes in
Appendix D to scan ASCII codes.
2.1.4 Search your scanner
Sometimes you might leave your scanner
somewhere and can’t find it. In this case,
press and hold the RESET button at the
bottom of your cradle, until you receive two
short beeps from your scanner, and you can
locate it by the beep sound.
2.2 Battery
AI-6821 contains a lithium-ion battery that is
partially charged at the factory. You might
want to charge it to full before your use it.
The battery life varies depending on usage.

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2.2.1 Charge the battery
You can charge the battery by connecting the
USB cable to your computer, or by using a
power supply, which charges the battery
faster. When your scanner is fully charged,
your cradle’s LED turns to green.
Charging by
Full Charge Time
Power Supply
3 hours
USB Cable
4.5 hours
2.2.2 Replace the battery
The battery’s life is consumed as you use and
charge it. You need to replace the battery
when it wears out.
1. Loosen the screw at the bottom of your
scanner.

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2. Remove the battery cap.
3. Pinch the tape at the top of the battery
and pull the battery out.
4. Insert the new battery into your scanner
in the direction of the arrow printed on
the battery.