Datacolor CHECK II User manual

Datacolor
Datacolor CHECK II
Quick Start Guide

Datacolor CHECK II Quick Start Guide (October 2008)
User’s Guide Part No. 4230-0401M
Patent Information
Name of originator: Applied Color Systems, Inc.
Date: March 26, 2002
Title of patent document. Portable Color Measuring Device
Patent number: U.S. Patent No. 6,362,886
All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information
presented in this format. However, should any errors be detected,
Datacolor appreciates your efforts to notify us of these oversights.
Changes are periodically made to this information and are incorporated
into forthcoming versions. Datacolor reserves the right to make
improvements and/or changes in the product(s) and/or program(s)
described in this material at any time.
Copyright © 2008 Datacolor. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This material
may not be reproduced or duplicated, in whole or in part, without the
express written permission of Datacolor.
Microsoft® and Microsoft Windows® are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation. All other registered trademarks are the property
of their respective owners.
To obtain information on local agents, contact either of the offices listed below, or
visit our website at www.datacolor.com.
Manufacturer:
Datacolor
5 Princess Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Phone: [phone]
Web site: www.datacolor.com
Americas (Lawrenceville, NJ)
Telephone:
Fax:
1 [phone] / 1 [phone]
1 [phone]
Switzerland (Dietlikon)
Telephone:
Fax:
+(41) 1 835 3711
+(41) 1 835 3820
Asia (Hong Kong)
Telephone:
Fax:
+(852) 2420 8283
+(852) 2420 8320

CHECK II Quick Start Guide Contents i
Contents
Contents ..................................................................................i
Datacolor CHECK II................................................................1
Introduction.......................................................................1
Datacolor Portables Desktop Program.......................1
Documentation...........................................................1
Accessories.......................................................................2
Calibration Data.........................................................4
General Information..........................................................4
Operation...................................................................4
Power Source............................................................4
Running from Power Adapter.....................................4
Running from the Internal Battery..............................5
Sleep and Active Mode..............................................6
Replacement Parts ....................................................6
Labels........................................................................6
Safety Warnings ........................................................6
Instrument Maintenance ............................................6
Instrument Controls and Indicators...................................7
Front View..................................................................7
Back View..................................................................7
Measure Button .........................................................7
Instrument Cable...............................................................8
Cable Components....................................................8
Cable Assembly.........................................................9
Cable Connections ..................................................10
Serial Port Connection.............................................11
USB Port Connection...............................................11
Stapler Foot and Aperture Selection...............................12
Dual Aperture Units .................................................12
Stapler Foot Installation...........................................13
Aperture Selection ...................................................14
Interface Features...........................................................16
Display Screen.........................................................16
Persistent Icons.......................................................17
PDA Graffiti Pad and Control Panel.........................19
Control Panel...........................................................20

ii Contents CHECK II Quick Start Guide
Routine Functions................................................................23
Overview.........................................................................23
Instrument Calibration.....................................................23
Calibration Requirements ........................................23
Calibration Procedure..............................................24
Calibration Interval...................................................25
Measuring Samples ........................................................25
Measure Standard/Measure Batch ..........................25
Sample Type............................................................25
Sample Names........................................................26
Storing and Retrieving Samples ..............................27
Performing Color Evaluations .........................................28
Overview..................................................................28
Color Difference Results..........................................29
Other Types of Evaluations......................................29
Evaluation Screen Legend.......................................30

CHECK II Quick Start Guide Introduction 1
Datacolor CHECK II
Introduction
Datacolor CHECK II is a portable spectrophotometer, intended for use
as a device for measuring, specifying and evaluating color in both
laboratory and production settings. It is offered in three different
configurations: Datacolor CHECK II, Datacolor CHECK IIPLUS and
Datacolor CHECK IIPRO, which differ in hardware, software and storage
capacity.
Datacolor CHECK II incorporates a PDA, customized with color
management software, as its interface. It also employs wireless
communications technology to transfer measurement data to desktop
computers.
In addition to its stand-alone functions, Datacolor CHECK II can be
connected, or ―tethered‖ to a Desktop PC to be used as the primary
measuring instrument for other Datacolor programs.
Datacolor Portables Desktop Program
The Datacolor Portables Desktop program is included as part of the
Datacolor CHECK II package. This program is used to transfer or
synchronize data between a stand-alone instrument, and a Datacolor
CHECK II database created on the computer. See Datacolor CHECK II
User’s Guide for detailed information regarding the features and
operation of this program.
Documentation
In addition to this guide, a comprehensive reference manual, Datacolor
CHECK II User’s Guide, is provided as a PDF file on the Datacolor
Portables CD.

2 Accessories CHECK II Quick Start Guide
Accessories
Standard accessories for Datacolor CHECK II include the following:
.
Hex Driver
Spare stylus/
reset tool
Stapler Foot Assembly
See Stapler Foot Installation
for instructions.
Black trap
White
Calibration
Tile
Green
Diagnostic
Tile
White
calibration
Diskette/CD

CHECK II Quick Start Guide Accessories 3
Power Adapter / Power Cord
Communications Cable
(Serial Cable)
(USB Cable)
In addition, you will find a Datacolor CHECK II User Guide, and four
CDs:
Palm® CD. You must install this software to transfer data
between the Datacolor CHECK II and the Datacolor Portables
Desktop software on a Desktop PC.
Datacolor Portables Desktop CD. This contains the
Datacolor Portables Desktop software. You must install this
program to transfer data between the Datacolor CHECK II
™and the Desktop PC.
Instrument Driver CD. Required to use the Datacolor CHECK
II as a measuring device for other Datacolor programs
USB Drivers and Documentation CD. If you will be
connecting the Datacolor CHECK II to a USB port, you must
install this software.

4 General Information CHECK II Quick Start Guide
Calibration Data
If the calibration data is deleted from the instrument, or if you received a
replacement calibration tile, you must install the white tile data. This
requires the data CD. See Datacolor Portables Program, Installing
White Tile Data for detailed instructions to install this data.
WARNING
If you have changed the white calibration tile, you must install the
measurements for the new tile you are using. If you do not, the
instrument calibration and any measurements made are not valid.
General Information
Operation
This product is to be used only in a manner specified by the
manufacturer, and according to the instructions for operation and
maintenance provided herein.
If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer,
the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired.
Power Source
The unit must be used with the power adapter or lithium ion batteries,
provided only by Datacolor.
Power adapter (Datacolor part no. 4050-0065) has a maximum output of
6.5 volts DC, 1.5 amps.
The power cord supplied must be used.
Replaceable lithium ion batteries (Datacolor part. no. 1200-1299) are
the only batteries compatible with Datacolor CHECK II. Do not use any
other rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries.
The battery is fully charged before it leaves the factory. However, it
may lose some of its charge by the time it arrives at your location.
Connect the Datacolor CHECK II to the power adapter as soon as
you receive the unit. See “Instrument Cable” for instructions on how to
attach the power adapter to the unit.
Running from Power Adapter
Whenever Datacolor CHECK II is connected to the power adapter, it
automatically recharges the battery at the same time it is providing
power to the unit. You can make measurements while the battery is
recharging. When the battery is totally discharged, it takes
approximately 4 hours to fully recharge it.

CHECK II Quick Start Guide General Information 5
NOTES
When you connect the unit to the external power adapter, the
instrument will not recharge if the instrument is asleep (the LED
indicator on the front is not lighted). Press the Measure button on the
back of the unit to activate the instrument.
The instrument will never enter Sleep mode while it is connected to the
external adapter. The PDA will time out, but the instrument will remain
active (the LED indicator on the front of the unit will be lighted).
Running from the Internal Battery
When the battery icon contains a single bar, the battery level is low, and
a text message displays, prompting you to charge the battery.
When the remaining power drops to a critical level, a second ―low
battery warning‖ displays, and the battery icon will not contain any bars.
When this message displays you have battery power remaining for
approximately 30 measurements. BACK UP your data NOW, if you
have not already done so. If you do not, you will not have enough
power to complete the backup process.
When the LED indicator on the front of the unit repeatedly cycles
through the green/red/amber color sequences the unit is ready to shut
down. You DO NOT have enough power to complete a backup. You
should immediately connect the unit to the external power adapter.
WARNINGS
When the battery is totally discharged, everything on the PDA
interface is lost!!! Back up your data regularly to the flash memory
card so that you do not lose any important information.
If the LED indicator remains amber or red for an extended period of
time, the instrument needs to be reset. To reset, press the Measure
button on the back of the unit until the light goes out. You can then
resume using the instrument.

6 General Information CHECK II Quick Start Guide
Sleep and Active Mode
To conserve the internal battery power, both the instrument and the
PDA are programmed to timeout, or go into Sleep mode when no
activity is detected over a specified time period.
The Sleep function is controlled separately for each component. As a
result, the instrument can remain active (―awake‖) while the PDA is
asleep, and the PDA can remain active (―awake‖) while the instrument is
asleep.
Replacement Parts
This instrument uses high voltage during operation, and should only be
serviced by qualified personnel.
Labels
There are several labels on the unit including the following.
The WARNING symbol indicates that the user should refer to the
documentation before using the instrument.
Datacolor CHECK II instrument model and serial number.
Safety Warnings
Light Source. Do not stare directly into the open port located at the
bottom of the instrument, when a measurement is in progress. Staring
directly into the light source can result in eye discomfort similar to that of
staring at a camera flash.
CAUTIONS
(1) Disconnect all power before servicing.
(2) The power cord supplied must be used.
(3) There are no user serviceable parts for this system.
Instrument Maintenance
There are no user-serviceable parts for this equipment.