Denso QS20P-A User manual

2D Code Scanner
AC Adapter Driven
QS20P-A
User's Manual

Copyright © DENSO, 2000
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or
by any means without permission in writing from the publisher.
Specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
■DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED does not assume any product liability arising
out of, or in connection with, the application or use of any product, circuit, or
application described herein.
■Intellectual Property Precaution
DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED ("DENSO WAVE") takes reasonable precau-
tions to ensure its products do not infringe upon any patent of other intellec-
tual property rights of other(s), but DENSO WAVE cannot be responsible for
any patent or other intellectual property right infringement(s) or violation(s)
which arise from (i) the use of DENSO WAVE's product(s) in connection or in
combination with other component(s), product(s), data processing system(s)
or equipment or software not supplied from DENSO WAVE; (ii) the use of
DENSO WAVE's products in a manner for which the same were not intended
nor designed; or (iii) any modification of DENSO WAVE's products by other(s)
than DENSO WAVE.
Licensed under one or more of the following U.S. patents:
4,570,057 4,766,300 4,894,523 5,021,642 5,038,024
5,081,343 5,095,197 5,144,119 5,144,121 5,182,441
5,187,355 5,187,356 5,218,191 5,233,172 5,258,606
5,288,985
All products and company names mentioned are trademarks or registered trade-
marks of their respective holders.

i
Preface
Please READ through these operating instructions carefully. It will enable you to
operate your QS20P-A correctly.
After you have finished reading the instructions, keep this manual handy for
speedy reference.

ii
Meaning of Symbols
A triangle ( ) with a picture inside alerts you to a warning of danger.
Here you see the warning for electrical shock.
A diagonal line through a circle ( ) alerts you to something you
should not do; it may or may not have a picture inside. Here you see a
screwdriver inside the circle, meaning that you should not disassemble.
A black circle ( ) with a picture inside alerts you to something you
MUST do. This example shows that you MUST unplug the power cord.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Be sure to observe all these safety precautions.
■Please READ through this manual carefully. It will enable you to use the
QS20P-A correctly.
■Always keep this manual nearby for speedy reference.
Strict observance of these warning and caution indications are a MUST for
preventing accidents which could result in bodily injury and substantial property
damage. Make sure you fully understand all definitions of these terms and
related symbols given below, before you proceed to the text itself.
WARNING Alerts you to those conditions which could cause
serious bodily injury or death if the instructions
are not followed correctly.
CAUTION Alerts you to those conditions which could cause
minor bodily injury or substantial property dam-
age if the instructions are not followed correctly.

iii
WARNING
IMPORTANT: To system engineers
•When designing systems such as medicine management system
that could affect people's lives, take potential dangers into serious
consideration and make redundancy systems and safety engineer-
ing which render those dangers even if data is entered incorrectly.
•If smoke, abnormal odors or noises come from the QS20P-A, im-
mediately turn off the power, unplug the AC adapter from the wall
socket, and contact your nearest dealer.
Failure to do so could cause fire or electrical shock.
•If foreign material or water gets into the QS20P-A, immediately
turn off the power, unplug the AC adapter from the wall socket,
and contact your nearest dealer.
Failure to do so could cause fire or electrical shock.
•If you drop the QS20P-A so that it fails to operate or its housing
gets damaged, immediately turn off the power, unplug the AC
adapter from the wall socket, and contact your nearest dealer.
Failure to do so could cause fire or electrical shock.
•Never bring any metals or conductive materials into contact with
the output terminals.
Doing so could produce a large current through the QS20P-A,
resulting in heat or fire, as well as damage to the QS20P-A.
•Keep the QS20P-A away from water or moisture.
Getting the QS20P-A wet could result in a fire or electrical shock.
•Use the furnished AC adapter only. Failure to do so could result in
fire.
•Never use the QS20P-A on the line voltage other than the specified
level. Doing so could cause the QS20P-A to break or burn.
•Do not use the QS20P-A where any inflammable gases may be
emitted; doing so could cause fire.

iv
WARNING
•Do not scratch, modify, bend, twist, pull, or heat the power cable of
the AC adapter. Do not place heavy material on the cable or allow
the cable to get pressed under heavy material.
Doing so could break the cable, resulting in a fire.
•If the power cable of the AC adapter is damaged (e.g., exposed or
broken lead wires), stop using it and contact your nearest dealer.
Failure to do so could result in a fire or electrical shock.
•Do not subject the scanning window of the QS20P-A to direct
sunlight for extended periods.
Doing so could damage the QS20P-A, resulting in a fire.
Never
disassemble
CAUTION
•Do not put the QS20P-A on an unstable or inclined plane.
It may drop, creating injuries.
•Never put the QS20P-A in places where there are excessively high
temperatures, such as inside closed-up automobiles, or in places
exposed to direct sunlight.
Doing so could affect the housing or parts, resulting in a fire.
•Avoid using the QS20P-A in extremely humid or dusty areas, or
where there are drastic temperature changes.
Moisture or dust will get into the QS20P-A, resulting in malfunc-
tion, fire or electrical shock.
•Do not place the QS20P-A anyplace where it may be subjected to
oily smoke or steam, e.g., near a cooking range or humidifier.
Doing so could result in a fire or electrical shock.
•Never disassemble or modify the QS20P-A; doing so could result
in an accident such as fire or electrical shock.

v
CAUTION
•If you will not be using the QS20P-A for a long time, be sure to
unplug the AC adapter from the wall socket for safety.
Failure to do so could result in a fire.
•Never cover or wrap up the QS20P-A or AC adapter in a cloth or
blanket.
Doing so could cause the unit to heat up inside, deforming its
housing, resulting in a fire.
Always use the QS20P-A and AC adapter in a well-ventilated area.
•Keep the power cable away from any heating equipment.
Failure to do so could melt the sheathing, resulting in a fire or
electrical shock.
•Do not insert or drop foreign materials such as metals or anything
inflammable through the openings (vents or scanning window)
into the QS20P-A.
Doing so could result in a fire or electrical shock.
•Do not scratch or modify the QS20P-A or its interface cable. Do not
bend, twist, pull, or heat the cable.
Doing so could damage the QS20P-A or its interface cable, creating
a fire hazard.
•Do not put heavy material on the QS20P-A or its interface cable, or
allow the cable to get pressed under heavy material.
•Do not look into the light source from the scanning window of the
QS20P-A or do not point the scanning window at other people’s
eyes.
Eyesight may be damaged by direct exposure to this light.
•Do not use the QS20P-A if your hands are wet or damp.
Doing so could result in an electrical shock.

vi
CAUTION
•Never use chemicals or organic solvents such as benzene and
thinner to clean the housing. Do not apply insecticide to the
QS20P-A.
Doing so could result in a marred or cracked housing, electrical
shock or fire.
•When disconnecting the AC adapter from the wall socket, hold the
AC adapter body not the power cable.
The power cable may be broken, resulting in a burnt AC adapter,
electrical shock, or fire.
•During electrical storm activity, always unplug the AC adapter
from the wall socket.
Exposure to power surges could result in a damaged QS20P-A or
fire.
•When taking care of the QS20P-A, unplug the AC adapter from the
wall socket for safety.
Failure to do so could result in an electrical shock.
•If the interface cable is damaged (e.g., exposed or broken lead
wires), stop using it and contact your nearest dealer.
Failure to do so could result in a fire or electrical shock.
•Keep the QS20P-A away from water, dust or dirt.
Use of the QS20P-A after water, dust or dirt gets into it will emit
smoke or cause fire. Turn off the power, unplug the AC adapter
from the wall socket, and contact your nearest dealer.
•Do not drop the QS20P-A.
Doing so will break its housing, resulting in bodily injuries. Turn
off the power, unplug the AC adapter from the wall socket, and
contact your nearest dealer.

vii
PROPER CARE OF QS20P-AAND ITS ACCESSORIES
Clean the housings of the QS20P-A and its accessories with a dry, soft cloth.
•Never use benzene, alcohol, or other organic solvents. The housings may be
marred or the paint may come off.
•If the QS20P-A or its accessories become smudged, moisten a soft cloth with
neutral detergent diluted with water and wring it out thoroughly. Wipe the
QS20P-A or its accessories with the cloth and then go over it again with a dry
cloth.
Dust or dirt accumulating on the clear plate of the scanning window will affect
reading performance. If you use the QS20P-A in dusty areas, therefore, periodi-
cally check the clear plate of the scanning window and clean it if dusty.
•To clean the plate, first blow the dust away with an air brush. Then wipe the
plate with a cotton swab or the similar soft one gently.
•If sand or hard particles have accumulated, never rub the plate; doing so will
scratch or damage it. Blow the particles away with an air brush or a soft brush.

viii
FCC Regulations
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are de-
signed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates,
uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in ac-
cordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the
interference at his own expense.
FCC WARNING: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equip-
ment.
Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations
This Class A digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du
Canada.

ix
Content Overviews
Preface ...................................................................................................................... i
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS .......................................................................................... ii
PROPER CARE OF QS20P-A AND ITS ACCESSORIES ........................................ vii
FCC Regulations ...................................................................................................... viii
Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations ................................... viii
Chapter 1. Components in Package..................................................................... 1
Chapter 2. Names and Functions ......................................................................... 2
Chapter 3. Preparation .......................................................................................... 3
3.1 Connecting the QS20P-A to the PC ........................................................ 3
3.2 Modifying the Defaults............................................................................. 3
Chapter 4. Scanning Codes ................................................................................... 4
Chapter 5. Features ................................................................................................ 6
Chapter 6. Parameters and Defaults .................................................................... 9
Chapter 7. QR-coded Parameter Menu ............................................................... 11
Chapter 8. Communications ................................................................................. 20
Appendix. Specifications....................................................................................... 24
A1. QS20P-A ..................................................................................................... 24
A2. Interface Requirements ............................................................................ 25

x

1
•QS20P-A
Chapter 1. Components in Package
•User’s manual (this book)
2D Code Scanner
AC Adapter Driven
QS20P-A
User's Manual

2
Chapter 2. Names and Functions
Trigger switch
Press this switch to start scanning QR codes.
Scanning the QR-coded parameter menu with
this switch allows you to choose the desired
settings.
Scanning window
Bring this window to a QR
code to be scanned.
Indicator LED
Illuminates in green when the
QS20P-A has read the QR code
successfully.
DC power jack
Connect the AC adapter to this
jack. This jack is compliant with
EIAJ RC5320A.
(For details about the voltage
classification, contact your
dealer.)
Interface connector
Via this connector, the QS20P-A
exchanges data with the host
computer.

3
Chapter 3. Preparation
3.1 Connecting the QS20P-A to the PC
(1) Connect the scanner cable to the host computer.
(2) Connect the DC power jack to the AC adapter.
NOTE
(3) Press the trigger switch and check that the illumination LED lights in red.
When unplugging the scanner cable or DC power jack, hold the connector
housings not the cables. Pulling those cables may break them.
Avoid repeating plugging/unplugging of the connectors. Doing so will result
in a contact failure of connectors.
Do not apply voltage exceeding 6 VDC to the DC power jack.
Trigger switch
Indicator LED
DC power jack
Plug in
AC adapter
QS20P-A
Scanner cable
NOTE
NOTE
3.2 Modifying the Defaults
The communications conditions, reading modes, and other settings have been
set when the QS20P-A leaves the factory (Refer to the parameters and defaults
listed in Chapter 6). You may modify those defaults by using the QR-coded
parameter menu given in Chapter 7.
Settings made from the QR-coded parameter menu will be stored in the memory
of the QS20P-A, so they will be retained even after the QS20P-A power is turned
off.
To PC

4
Chapter 4. Scanning Codes
(1) Point the scanning window at the center of a target code and bring it into
contact with the label.
(2) Press the trigger switch. The illumination LED lights in red.
(3) When the QS20P-A has read the code successfully, the indicator LED will
illuminate in green and the beeper sounds.
•If the QS20P-A fails to read due to specular effects or other factors, change
the scanning angle of the scanning window or the distance from codes,
and try it again. (Specular effects occur when the reflection of the light
from the target code becomes excessively strong. This can easily happen
when the reflecting surface is polished or covered with vinyl.)
•Allow only a single QR code to come within the scanning range. If two or
more codes lie within the scanning range at the same time, the QS20P-A
may fail to read or continue reading those codes alternately.
•The QS20P-A can read QR codes omnidirectionally. Note that the target
code including the margin should lie within the scanning range.
Indicator LED
Trigger
switch
Scanning
window
Target code Label
Bring the
scanning window
into contact with
the label.

5
•The time required to read a QR code is proportional to the volume of data
contained in the code. If you scan a QR code containing a large volume of
data with the QS20P-A, it may take time. Scanning low-quality codes may
also take time for completion of reading.
•Disabling reading of unnecessary types of codes may increase the scan-
ning speed.
Before reading labels, clean them if stained.
Avoid using the QS20P-A in direct sunlight. The QS20P-A might fail to read
correctly.
NOTE
NOTE

6
Chapter 5. Features
Scanning
If you press the trigger switch, the QS20P-A will turn the illumination LED on and
become ready to scan. It will take approx. one second to make the QS20P-A
ready for scan after depression of the trigger switch. Bringing the scanning
window into contact with a target code will cause the QS20P-A to read the QR
code and send it to the connected PC or external equipment automatically.
After the QS20P-A sends data or after any trigger switch operation (which may
differ depending upon the trigger switch operation mode as described below),
the QS20P-A will turn the illumination LED off and go into the standby mode.
After the specified time, the QS20P-A will automatically turn itself off. You may
modify the automatic powering-off time by using the QR-coded parameter menu
given in Chapter 7.
Pressing the trigger switch in the standby mode will make the QS20P-A ready for
scanning approximately 0.1 second later.
Trigger switch control
The trigger switch is available in four operation modes—Auto-off mode, Mo-
mentary switching mode, Alternate switching mode, and Continuous reading
mode. You may switch between those modes from the QR-coded parameter
menu given in Chapter 6.
(1) Auto-off mode
Holding down the trigger switch lights the illumination LED for a maximum of 5
seconds during which the QS20P-A is ready to scan. If you release the trigger
switch or when the QS20P-A completes code reading, the QS20P-A turns the
illumination LED off and goes into the standby mode.
(2) Momentary switching mode
Only while you hold down the trigger switch, the illumination LED lights and the
QS20P-A is ready to scan. Releasing the trigger switch turns the illumination
LED off and places the QS20P-A in the standby mode.
(3) Alternate switching mode
Pressing the trigger switch turns the illumination LED on and makes the QS20P-
A ready to scan. Even if the trigger switch is released, the illumination LED
remains on until a code is read successfully or you press the trigger switch
again. Pressing the trigger switch changes between the “ready to scan” and “in
standby mode” (the illumination LED on and off).

7
(4) Continuous reading mode
Once you press the trigger switch, the QS20P-A turns the illumination LED on
and becomes ready to scan. That ready status will be kept for the specified time.
If no scanning operation is carried out within the specified time, the QS20P-A will
automatically turn itself off.
Re-read prevention
The QS20P-A supports the re-read prevention so that it will not read same codes
in succession. If the QS20P-A fails to read, therefore, you need to release the
trigger switch or pull the scanning window away from the target code for at least
one second for canceling the re-read prevention and then try scanning again.
For low-quality labels which cannot be read for more than one second, the
QS20P-A might read same codes in succession at intervals of more than one
second.
Reading black-and-white inverted QR codes
The QS20P-A can read white QR codes on black background. You may switch
between "Black code on white background" and "White code on black back-
ground" by using the QR-coded parameter menu given in Chapter 7.
Reading split QR codes (registered as "Structured Append" at AIM)
A QR code (except MicroQR) can be split into a maximum of 16 blocks. The
QS20P-A can read split QR codes. Two reading modes of split QR codes are
available—Edit mode and Non-edit mode. In the Edit mode, the QS20P-A edits
scanned split codes and transfers the restored data to the PC; in the Non-edit
mode, each time the QS20P-A reads a single split code, it transfers the data to
the PC. You may switch between those modes by using the QR-coded parameter
menu given in Chapter 7.
When reading split QR codes, the QS20P-A beeps in a different way from usual.
That is, when the QS20P-A reads the first split code, it beeps twice and enters the
split code scanning mode. After that, each time it reads the subsequent split
code, it beeps once. If the QS20P-A reads the last split code, it beeps three times
and completes the sequence of split code scanning.
If you scan any non-split code midway in a sequence of split code scanning,
the QS20P-A cancels the split code scanning mode and sends those split
codes scanned to the PC.
NOTE

8
In the sequence of the split code scanning, if the QS20P-A goes into the
standby mode in the Auto-off mode (that is, if five seconds has passed after
you pressed the trigger switch or if you release the trigger switch within five
seconds) or if the split code scanning interval exceeds approx. three seconds
in the trigger switch operation modes except the Auto-off mode, the QS20P-
A discards the split codes scanned and cancels the split code scanning mode.
Before completion of the current sequence of split code scanning, if you scan
any other split code, the QS20P-A discards the split codes scanned and starts
a new sequence of split code scanning.
Up to 8 kilobytes of data transferable in Edit mode
In Edit mode, QS20P-A can read split codes of up to 8-kilobyte data, store and
edit them, and then transfer the restored data to the PC. If a restored code
contains data exceeding 8 kilobytes, the QS20P-A will cause a reading error and
clear the restored data.
Supporting QR codes and other types of two-dimensional codes
The QS20P-A can read the following codes:
QR codes: Model 1, Model 2, and MicroQR
Two-dimensional codes: Data Matrix
NOTE
NOTE