Compsee Apex III Product manual

Technical Reference
Manual
Second Edition
Compsee, Inc.
A Subsidiary of McRae Industries, Inc.
Apex III Apex IV

This Page Intentionally Left Blank

PORTABLE DATA
COLLECTION TERMINAL
TECHNICAL
REFERENCE MANUAL
SECOND EDITIONSECOND EDITION
Compsee, Inc.
A Subsidiary of McRae
Industries, Inc.

Copyright Acknowledgments:
All terms and names mentioned within this publication that are known
to be registered trademarks and/or service marks have been
appropriately designated. Due to today's changing corporate
environment, Compsee, Inc. cannot attest to the accuracy of all of this
information. Use of a specific term in this publication should not be
regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark
known to exist.
HyperTerminalis a registered trademark of Hilgraeve, Inc.
Lenmaris a registered trademark of Lenmar Enterprises, Inc.
PhoenixPICO®BIOS and PicoCardare trademarks of Phoenix
Corporation.
PowerBASICis a registered trademark of PowerBASIC, Inc.
PROCOMMPLUSis a registered trademark of SYMANTEC
Corporation.
ROM-DOSis a registered trademark of Datalight, Inc.
Borlandis a registered trademark of Borland Software Coproration.
Microsoft, Windows,and MS-DOSare registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation.

COMPSEE, INC. 2002, All Rights Reserved
All parts of this manual, including illustrations and
specifications are the property of Compsee, Inc. The
information contained herein may not be reproduced in whole
or in part for
any reason without express written authorization
from Compsee, Inc.
The material contained within this manual is for informational
purposes only and subject to change without notice.
COMPSEE, INC., Apex III, and Apex IV
are authorized
trademarks of Compsee, Inc., Mt. Gilead, NC 27306
Manual Number COAM30002, Rev. 2.00

Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual Table Of Contents
COAM30002 Rev. 2.00 8/13/02 i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 GENERAL INFORMATION...................................1-1
Introduction..............................................................1-1
How To Use This Manual ........................................1-1
Supported Symbologies............................................1-2
2 SAFETY...................................................................2-1
Apex PDT Laser Safety............................................2-1
Standard and Very High Density.........................2-1
Long Range And Advanced Long Range Laser..2-3
Battery Pack Notes And Safety................................2-5
Product Conformity..................................................2-6
3 HARDWARE CONFIGURATION.........................3-1
Associated Pinouts....................................................3-1
DIP Switch Configuration........................................3-3
System Architecture .................................................3-4
Apex PDT Memory Map..........................................3-5
Display......................................................................3-6
Font Height Adjustments.....................................3-7
Font Display Illustrations ....................................3-8
Supported Character Sets ....................................3-8
Standard ASCII Characters................................3-9
Extended ASCII Characters............................. 3-10
Latin-1 Character Set....................................... 3-11
Keyboard ................................................................3-12
Apex Specific ROM BIOS Extensions...................3-14
Extension Summary..........................................3-14
Detailed BIOS Interrupt Information................3-15
BIOS Interrupt 10h –Video Functions.............. 3-15
Set 8 High Font.........................................3-15
Set 16 High Font.......................................3-15
BIOS Interrupt 15h -System............................ 3-16
Get Beeper Volume ..................................3-16
Set Beeper Volume...................................3-16

Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual Table Of Contents
COAM30002 Rev. 2.00 8/13/02ii
Volume Next............................................ 3-16
Get Infrared Port State............................. 3-17
Enable Infrared Port................................. 3-17
Get Backlight State.................................. 3-17
Set Backlight............................................ 3-18
Get Video Polarity................................... 3-18
Set Video Polarity.................................... 3-18
Get Screen Contrast................................. 3-19
Set Screen Contrast.................................. 3-19
Contrast Darker........................................ 3-19
Contrast Lighter....................................... 3-19
Get Default Keyclick............................... 3-20
Set Default Keyclick................................ 3-20
Get Default Delay and Repeat Rate......... 3-20
Set Default Delay and Repeat Rate ......... 3-21
Gas Gauge................................................ 3-22
BIOS Version .......................................... 3-22
BIOS Interrupt 16h -Keyboard ........................3-23
Set Typematic Rate and Delay ................ 3-23
Set Keyclick............................................. 3-24
4 BASIC INPUT OUTPUT SYSTEM (BIOS)........... 4-1
Introduction.............................................................. 4-1
BIOS Features.......................................................... 4-1
Basic BIOS Features........................................... 4-1
Advanced BIOS Features ................................... 4-2
BIOS Chipset Features ....................................... 4-2
BIOS Functions .................................................. 4-2
BIOS Setup .............................................................. 4-3
Upper Level Menus and Menu Information....... 4-3
Lower Level BIOS Menu Screens...................... 4-6
Main Lower Level Menus..................................4-6
Advanced Lower Level Menus...........................4-8
Power Lower Level Menus ................................4-8
POST Errors............................................................. 4-9

Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual Table Of Contents
COAM30002 Rev. 2.00 8/13/02 iii
Terminal POST Errors.........................................4-9
Test Points And Beep Codes...............................4-9
Upgrading the BIOS ...............................................4-14
BIOS Upgrading Using A Serial Connection....4-14
BIOS Upgrading Using A PC Card...................4-14
5 OPERATING SYSTEM...........................................5-1
Introduction..............................................................5-1
ROM-DOSConventions ........................................5-1
Configuring ROM-DOS.........................................5-2
Config.sys File.....................................................5-2
Autoexec.bat File.................................................5-3
Command Line Functions ........................................5-4
Command Summary............................................5-4
Boot Drive File Information (A:) .............................5-9
Primary Drive File Information (C:) ......................5-10
DOS Directory Files:.........................................5-10
BIN Directory Files:..........................................5-10
PICOCARDDirectory Files:..........................5-10
C: Drive File Information..................................5-11
6 UTILITY PROGRAMS ...........................................6-1
Bar Code Driver [bcdriver.exe]................................6-3
Driver Options And Modifiers............................6-3
Options.............................................................6-3
Modifiers..........................................................6-4
Command Line Syntax......................................6-4
Errors...............................................................6-5
BCDRIVER Options And Modifiers...................6-6
Code Types And Symbol Prefixes .................... 6-10
BCDRIVER Programming................................6-11
Application Programming Interface (API)......... 6-11
Interrupts........................................................ 6-12
High-Level API (C, C++ Language)................. 6-13
Install Check.............................................6-13
Set Options ...............................................6-13

Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual Table Of Contents
COAM30002 Rev. 2.00 8/13/02iv
Scan Control............................................ 6-14
Register Buffer ........................................ 6-14
Release Buffer ......................................... 6-15
Get Key.................................................... 6-15
Get Key If Available................................ 6-16
High-Level API (PowerBASIC) .......................6-16
Install Check............................................ 6-16
Set Option................................................ 6-16
Soft Scan.................................................. 6-17
Set Buffer................................................. 6-17
Release Buffer ......................................... 6-17
Low-Level API...............................................6-19
Install Check............................................ 6-19
Uninstall................................................... 6-19
API Command String .............................. 6-20
Scan ......................................................... 6-20
Query....................................................... 6-21
Set Buffer................................................. 6-21
Internal..................................................... 6-22
Wedge Mode...................................................6-23
Additional BCDRIVER Resources...................6-23
References ......................................................6-24
Infrared Communications Utility [ir.com] ............ 6-25
Remote Disk Utility [remdisk.exe]........................ 6-26
Remote Server Utility [remserv.exe]..................... 6-27
Display Font Utility [fontsize.exe]......................... 6-28
Font Loading Utility [loadfont.exe]....................... 6-29
File Transfer Utility [dx.exe]................................. 6-30
WindowsTransfer Utility (WXU) ....................... 6-31
Upgrade Utility [flashit.exe].................................. 6-32
Compsee BIOS Extender [cbe.exe]....................... 6-33
Function Keys:.................................................. 6-33
Battery % Charge:...........................................6-33
Date and Time.................................................6-33

Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual Table Of Contents
COAM30002 Rev. 2.00 8/13/02 v
APM enhancements:..........................................6-34
Low Battery warning....................................... 6-34
7 APEX PROGRAMMING RESOURCE ..................7-1
PowerBASICLibrary.............................................7-1
Scanner Setup ......................................................7-1
Battery Status ......................................................7-1
Set Screen Size ....................................................7-2
Paint Text ............................................................7-2
Save Screen.........................................................7-2
Get Text...............................................................7-3
Alarm Message....................................................7-4
Error Beep...........................................................7-5
Restore Screen.....................................................7-5
Get Key................................................................7-5
Key Scan..............................................................7-6
Exist.....................................................................7-6
File Setup.............................................................7-6
File IO..................................................................7-7
Records In File ....................................................7-7
File Info ...............................................................7-8
Search..................................................................7-8
Error Trap............................................................7-9
Transfer/Receive String.......................................7-9
Clear File.............................................................7-9
C Library.................................................................7-10
Internal Speaker Functions................................7-10
Beep............................................................... 7-10
BeepError....................................................... 7-10
BeepOn .......................................................... 7-11
BeepOff.......................................................... 7-11
BeepVolume................................................... 7-11
Screen (Display) Functions ...............................7-11
GetTextSize.................................................... 7-11
SetTextSize .................................................... 7-12

Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual Table Of Contents
COAM30002 Rev. 2.00 8/13/02vi
GetCursorPosition ...........................................7-12
SetCursorPosition............................................7-12
ScrnSave.........................................................7-13
ScrnRecall ......................................................7-13
GetText ..........................................................7-13
PutText...........................................................7-14
GetVideoConfig..............................................7-14
Power Management Functions......................... 7-15
ApmGetPwrStatus...........................................7-15
PowerOff........................................................7-15
PowerLow ......................................................7-16
Data Input Functions ........................................ 7-16
GetStringE ......................................................7-16
ShowField.......................................................7-17
GetchLP .........................................................7-17
Post Scan Processing Functions ....................... 7-18
ToEan13.........................................................7-18
ToGtin............................................................7-18
ToIsbn............................................................7-18
ToUpca...........................................................7-19
Serial Port Functions ........................................ 7-19
GetComPortMode ...........................................7-19
SetComPortMode............................................7-19
Miscellaneous Functions .................................. 7-20
A3libVer.........................................................7-20
BiosVersion....................................................7-20
Backlight ........................................................7-20
BootCold ........................................................7-20
BootWarm ......................................................7-21
CapsLock........................................................7-21
GetDiskSerialNo .............................................7-21
KeyClick ........................................................7-21
Wait ...............................................................7-22
Examples................................................................ 7-22
Additional Programming Resources...................... 7-22
Recommended Programming Practices................. 7-23

Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual Table Of Contents
COAM30002 Rev. 2.00 8/13/02 vii
8 USING PC CARDS..................................................8-1
Introduction..............................................................8-1
PC Card Interface .....................................................8-1
Phoenix PicoCardFeatures................................8-2
Apex PDT Factory Configuration.......................8-2
Additional PicoCard Utilities..............................8-4
Radio (Wireless) Cards.............................................8-5
Miscellaneous Cards.................................................8-6
9 APEX PDT COMMUNICATIONS .........................9-1
Introduction..............................................................9-1
Communications Using The IR Port ........................9-1
Serial Communications.............................................9-2
Communication Procedures......................................9-3
Using The Apex PDT File Transfer Utility.........9-3
Using The WindowsTransfer Utility................9-5
Using The [remdisk.exe] Utility Program...........9-5
10 POWER MANAGEMENT ....................................10-1
Power State Transitions ..........................................10-1
Functional Definitions.......................................10-1
Using The Power Saving Features ....................10-3
Power Management Interrupts................................10-5
Ways to Conserve Apex PDT Power .....................10-6
Additional Resources..............................................10-7
11 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS.........................11-1
Laser Decode Zones ...............................................11-3
Standard Laser...................................................11-3
Long Range Laser .............................................11-4
Advanced Long Range Laser ............................11-5
Very High Density Laser...................................11-6
APPENDIX A -SAMPLE BAR CODES......................A-1

Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual Table Of Contents
COAM30002 Rev. 2.00 8/13/02viii

Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual 1 General Information
COAM30002 Rev. 2.00 8/13/02 1-1
1GENERAL INFORMATION
Introduction
The Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual (TRM) is written to
assist Technical Personnel (technicians, programmers, etc.) who
require technical knowledge of the Apex Portable Data Collection
Terminal (PDT) hardware and software configuration. The
information supplied within this manual will provide sufficient
support and information to allow Value Added Resellers (VAR’s)
or in-house programmers to configure the Apex PDT for specific
end user applications. As with all Compsee, Inc. products,
additional support can be found by contacting Compsee Technical
Support directly through one of the following methods:
Technical Support
Website: www.compsee.com
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
How To Use This Manual
Within this manual, the following conventions will be followed to
provide you with a better understanding of the Apex PDT
operation:
qBold Type is used for headings and important sections or
points throughout the manual.
q< >Angular brackets are used to enclose hard keys located on
the Apex PDT (keys whose name and function do not
change), such as <FN> and <ENT>.
qImportant points and supplementary information are included
as Notes throughout this manual. Note headings are printed
throughout the manual using bold underlined typeface. In
general, notes will be located either immediately before or
after the relative topic.

Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual 1 General Information
COAM30002 Rev. 2.00 8/13/021-2
qWhen specific filenames along with their extension are
addressed in the text they will be denoted by the use of bold
italics and surrounded by brackets (e.g. [remdisk.exe]).
When referring to only the filename and not the extension
(e.g. remdisk) the filename may be shown only in italics.
qWhen two keys are listed together with the plus (+) sign (e.g.
<FN> + <B>), this indicates that the user should press and
hold the first key while pressing the second key.
qThe letter “h” follows hexadecimal numbers within the text.
qCAUTION and WARNING messages are
provided within this manual, which if not observed, could
result in equipment damage, data loss, or personal injury.
CAUTION and WARNING messages are located within
boxes and with their headings in bold.
qProcedures documented within this or other Apex PDT
manuals should be performed in the order given.
Informational notes will generally note acceptable variances
or exceptions within a procedure.
Supported Symbologies
The Apex PDT is capable of reading and automatically
discriminating between most of the major bar code symbologies in
use today as defined by the Automatic Identification Manufacturers,
Inc. (AIM) specifications. The bar code formats supported by the
Apex PDT include:
qCodabar qIdenticode 2 of 5
qCode 11 qIndustrial 2 of 5
qCode 39 (standard) qMatrix 2 of 5
qCode 39 (full ASCII) qMSI Plessey
qCode 93 qUPC-A/E
qCode 128
qEAN 8/13
qUPC/EAN (with 2 or 5
character supplemental)
qJAN 8/13
qInterleaved 2 of 5

Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual 2 Safety
COAM30002 Rev. 2.00 8/13/02 2-1
2SAFETY
Apex PDT Laser Safety
Standard and Very High Density
The Apex Portable Data Collection Terminal is equipped with a
light emitting laser device. The unit has been designed and
manufactured to exacting standards for performance, reliability and
safety. This product emits visible laser radiation, which can be
harmful to the eyes if viewed directly.
Certain warnings and precautions, in addition to the operating and
care instructions in this manual, are provided for safe operation of
this product.
The integrity of the unit case is critical to the performance and safe
operationofthe product. In theeventthat the casebecomesbroken,
loose, cracked, or perforated, operation of the unit should cease
immediately. Only after authorized personnel have repaired the
unit, should operation of the unit resume.
It is recommended that personnel using this device DO NOT look
directly into the Scanner Beam while operating the device.
WARNING!
DO NOT TAMPER WITH THE UNIT CASE!
DO NOT operate the scanner if the case is perforated, broken, or
loosely held together. Use of the product with the case broken,
perforated, or loose could result in damage to the eyes if the laser
light is viewed directly.
CAUTION!
ONLY USE COMPSEE APPROVED METHODOLOGY!
DO NOT use the Apex PDT for uses other than those specified by
Compsee, Inc. Use of controls, adjustments, procedures, or
methodology other than those specifically identified by Compsee,
Inc. may result in hazardous laser light exposure.

Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual 2 Safety
COAM30002 Rev. 2.00 8/13/022-2
CAUTION!
VIEWING THE SCANNER BEAM DIRECTLY
IS NOT RECOMMENDED!
The scanner contained in the Compsee, Inc. Apex Portable Data
Collection Terminal is a Class II laser device. It is a low power
laser. Momentary viewing of the beam will not cause retinal
damage. You are strongly cautioned against any direct viewing of
the scanner output.
The following exposure label is a reproduction of the label mounted
inside the Apex Portable Data Collection Terminal.
CAUTION –Laser Light when open.
DO NOT STARE INTO BEAM
WARNING!
FAILURE TO ADHERE TO WARNINGS,
CAUTIONS, AND APPROVED PROCEDURES COULD
RESULT IN EXPOSURE TO HARMFUL,
VISIBLE LIGHT RADIATION!
The following Caution Label is mounted on the Apex Port
able
Data Collection Terminal to caution users of the possible effects
of laser radiation.
Apex III Caution Label
Apex IV Caution Label

Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual 2 Safety
COAM30002 Rev. 2.00 8/13/02 2-3
Long Range And Advanced Long Range Laser
The Compsee, Inc. Apex Portable Data Collection Terminal is
available with an optional Long Range or Advanced Long Range
Laser designed and manufactured to exacting standards of
performance, reliability and safety. This device emits visible laser
light radiation, which can be harmful to the eyes if viewed directly.
Certain warnings and precautions, in addition to the operating and
care instructions in this manual, are provided for safe operation of
this product.
The integrity of the unit case is critical to the performance and safe
operationofthe product. Intheevent that thecasebecomes broken,
loose, cracked, or perforated, operation of the unit should cease
immediately. Only after authorized personnel have repaired the unit,
should operation of the unit resume. It is recommended that
personnel using this device DO NOT look directly into the Scanner
Beam while operating the device.
WARNING!
DO TAMPER WITH THE UNIT CASE!
DO NOT operate the scanner if case is perforated, broken, or
loosely held together. Use of the product with the case broken,
perforated, or loose could result in damage to the eyes if laser light
is viewed directly.
CAUTION!
USE ONLY COMPSEE APPROVED METHODOLOGY
DO NOT use the Apex PDT for uses other than those specified by
Compsee, Inc. Use of controls, adjustments, procedures, or
methodology other than those specifically identified by Compsee,
Inc. may result in hazardous laser light exposure.

Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual 2 Safety
COAM30002 Rev. 2.00 8/13/022-4
The following exposure label is a reproduction of the label mounted
inside the Apex Portable Data Collection Terminal.
DANGER –Laser Light when open.
AVOID DIRECT EYE EXPOSURE
DANGER!
THE LASER SCANNER CONTAINED IN THIS COMPSEE,
INC. APEX PORTABLE DATA COLLECTION TERMINAL IS
A CLASS IIIA LASER. ANY DIRECT VIEWING OF THE
SCANNER BEAM IN THE AIMING MODE SHOULD
BE AVOIDED.
The following Danger Label is mounted on the Apex Portable
Data Collection Terminal to warn users of the pos
sible effects
of laser radiation.
Apex III Danger Label
Apex IV Danger Label

Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual 2 Safety
COAM30002 Rev. 2.00 8/13/02 2-5
Battery Pack Notes And Safety
1. Since Apex III and Apex IV PDT Battery Packs utilize Nickel
Metal-Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) composition
respectively, they DO NOT succumb to memory (hysteresis)
loss like Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries. Apex PDT
Battery Packs can therefore be charged while in any state-of-
charge and do not require full discharge prior to charging;
however, it is still recommended that the Apex III PDT Battery
Pack be fully discharged periodically to reset the internal gas
gauge circuitry (not used in Apex IV PDT Battery Packs).
2. DO NOT attempt to operate the Apex PDT once it has powered
down due to a low battery condition. When the Battery Pack is
exhausted, leave the exhausted Battery Pack in the Apex PDT
until you can either charge or swap the Battery Pack with a
fully charged Battery Pack. Information in volatile memory
(RAM) will be preserved since the Apex PDT is configured so
that even with an exhausted Battery Pack enough energy is
retained to maintain the information for an extended period of
time. DO NOT leave the unit WITHOUT a Battery Pack for
more than 5 minutes.
3. DO NOT short the Apex PDT Battery Pack terminals with any
conductive material. A short across the terminals could result
in the sudden release of all of the remaining Battery Pack
energy causing an explosion or fire.
4. Apex PDT Battery Packs should be disposed of properly. DO
NOT dispose of the Apex PDT Battery Pack in a flame or fire.
An explosion may occur. Apex PDT Battery Packs are
approved for disposal in a class 2 Landfill (normal trash);
however, recycling the Battery Packs reduces the amount of
raw materials consumption necessary to produce new Battery
Packs and also reduces the total landfill usage within your area.
We highly recommend that the Battery Packs be returned to the
factory for recycling at the end of their useful life. Contact
Compsee, Inc. for additional information.

Apex PDT Technical Reference Manual 2 Safety
COAM30002 Rev. 2.00 8/13/022-6
Product Conformity
This product complies with the Code of Federal Regulations section
21 CFR 1040.10. No user serviceable parts are included in the
manufacture. Opening of the unit by unauthorized personnel will
voidtheproductwarranty(exceptEndCapremovalasnotedinthis
or other Apex PDT manuals).
Only Authorized personnel should attempt to repair or replace parts
within this unit. Breaking of the unit seal, tampering, or repair by
unauthorized personnel will void the unit warranty and could result
in personnel injury or permanent damage to the unit.
WARNING!
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy. If the equipment is not installed and
used in accordance with instructions published in this and other
Apex PDT manuals; interference with radio communications
may result. There is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause
harmfulinterferenceto radio ortelevisionreception (determined
by turning the equipment ON and OFF), the user is encouraged
totry tocorrect the interference by one or more of thefollowing
measures:
qReorientation or relocation of the receiving antenna.
qIncreasing the separation between the equipment and
affected receiver.
qConnecting the equipment to an outlet on a different
electrical circuit than that of the affected receiver.
qConsulting the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
technician for help.