IDTECH VERSAKEY User manual
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Quickstart Manual
VERSAKEY
POS Keyboard
TM
FCC WARNING STATEMENT
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when
the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment gen-
erates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interfer-
ence 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 expense.
FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation of this device
is subject to the following conditions: this device may not cause harmful
interference and this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
CANADIAN DOC STATEMENT
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise for
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Cana-
dian Department of Communications.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépas-
sant les limites applicables aux appareils numériques de las classe A prescrites
dans le Réglement sur le brouillage radioélectrique édicté par les ministère
des Communications du Canada.
CE STANDARDS
Testing for compliance to CE requirements was performed by an independent
laboratory. The unit under test was found compliant to Class B.
LIMITED WARRANTY
ID TECH warrants to the original purchaser for a period of 36 months from the date
of invoice that this product is in good working order and free from defects in mate-
rial and workmanship under normal use and service. ID TECH’s obligation under
this warranty is limited to, at its option, replacing, repairing, or giving credit for
any product which has, within the warranty period, been returned to the factory of
origin, transportation charges and insurance prepaid, and which is, after examination,
disclosed to ID TECH’s satisfaction to be thus defective. The expense of removal and
reinstallation of any item or items of equipment is not included in this warranty. No
person, firm, or corporation is authorized to assume for ID TECH any other liabilities
in connection with the sales of any product. In no event shall ID TECH be liable
for any special, incidental or consequential damages to purchaser or any third party
caused by any defective item of equipment, whether that defect is warranted against or
not. Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy for defective equipment, which does not
conform to the requirements of sales, is to have such equipment replaced or repaired
by ID TECH. For limited warranty service during the warranty period, please contact
ID TECH to obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) number & instructions for
returning the product.
THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT-
ABILITY OR FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THERE ARE NO OTHER
WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OTHER THAN
THOSE HEREIN STATED. THIS PRODUCT IS SOLD AS IS. IN NO EVENT
SHALL ID TECH BE LIABLE FOR CLAIMS BASED UPON BREACH OF EX-
PRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF NEGLIGENCE OF ANY OTHER DAM-
AGES WHETHER DIRECT, IMMEDIATE, FORESEEABLE, CONSEQUENTIAL
OR SPECIAL OR FOR ANY EXPENSE INCURRED BY REASON OF THE USE
OR MISUSE, SALE OR FABRICATIONS OF PRODUCTS WHICH DO NOT CON-
FORM TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE CONTRACT.
The information contained herein is provided to the user as a convenience. While
every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, ID TECH is not responsible for dam-
ages that might occur because of errors or omissions, including any loss of profit or
other commercial damage, nor for any infringements or patents or other rights of third
parties that may result from its use. The specifications described herein were current
at the time of publication, but are subject to change at any time without prior notice.
©2005 International Technologies & Systems Corporation. The information contained
herein is provided to the user as a convenience. While every effort has been made to
ensure accuracy, ID TECH is not responsible for damages that might occur because
of errors or omissions, including any loss of profit or other commercial damage. The
specifications described herein were current at the time of publication, but are subject
to change at any time without prior notice.
ID TECH is a registered trademark of International Technologies & Systems Cor-
poration. VersaKey and Value through Innovation are trademarks of International
Technologies & Systems Corporation.
Table of Contents
Section 1. Introduction 1
Section 2. Installation & Operation 2
Section 3. Reader Configuration 3
Section 4. Specification Keyboard 4
Section 5. Specification Reader 5
Section 6. Trouble Shooting 5
Appendix A. Magnetic Stripe Default Settings 6
Appendix B. Connector Pin Assignments 7
Appendix C. Magnetic Stripe Data Output Format 8
Appendix D. Keyboard Layout 9
1
Section 1
INTRODUCTION
The ID TECH VersaKey is a full-sized, full-function keyboard with the
standard enhanced layout. The 104/109-keys layout provides separate keys
for the numerical pad, control, and function keys. The VersaKey has Type-
matic keyboard operation with a good tactual feel. Included is a reader for
MagStripe cards. There are four LEDs to indicate keyboard function status.
Many country specific keyboard layouts are available.
The VersaKey features a full function MagStripe Reader for input of mag-
netic stripe card data. The MagStripe reader data output is versatile; the
output is configurable to provide the card data in the format required by the
application. The reader operation is like typing the MagStripe data from the
keyboard. Track configurations are available for reading tracks 1 & 2 or all 3
tracks on ISO 7811 compliant cards. The reader & keyboard share a common
communications output.
The VersaKey magnetic card reader has full data editing capabilities. The
reader is fully programmable using a Configuration Utility Software available
at the ID TECH website (http://www.idtechproducts.com). The data can be
formatted with preamble & postamble (a.k.a. prefix and suffix). Terminator
characters can be added to match the format expected by the host application.
In addition, complex data editing routines can be stored in the reader that
further modifies the data before it is output to the host.
The VersaKey provides a USB (keyboard) or PS/2 communication output.
This output is conveniently shared between the keyboard and the MagStripe
reader. For the USB model, a two-port USB Hub is included and can be used
for Scanners or PIN pads. Plug ‘n Play operation is standard.
Both the keyboard and the reader are industry proven. The keyboard pro-
vides more than 20,000,000 key operations; the reader has an operational
life greater than 1,000,000 swipes. The VersaKey meets FCC Class B & CE
regulatory requirements. ESD immunity is greater than 15KV with no dam-
age to the circuits.
2
Section 2
INSTALLATION & OPERATION
The VersaKey has a single cable equipped for either a USB/Keyboard or
a PS/2 communication connection. Both the keyboard scan codes and the
reader data are transmitted through the cable. The computer typically has
only one PS/2 (standard keyboard connection); this must be used for the PS/2
configured VersaKey. The computer may have several USB connection ports;
any of these ports can be used to connect the USB keyboard.
To install the VersaKey, close any open applications and Shut Down the com-
puter. Determine the VersaKey connection type and locate the appropriate
connection receptacle on the computer. Securely install the cable connector
into the computer receptacle. Re-start the computer.
When the VersaKey is powered, it performs a self test and initiation sequence
with the computer. During the self test the MagStripe reader will beep. The
power LED will light to indicate power is applied. The LEDs will show the
status of the Scroll Lock, Num Lock, & Caps Lock functions. In MagStripe
reading operation, the reader will beep when a card is read correctly.
Test the keyboard with normal use in a text editor like Word. Also test the
reader by swiping a magnetic stripe card through the reader. A beep will also
sound to indicate a good read on each magnetic track, as appropriate. If all
three tracks have been read successfully, the reader will beep three times.
Magnetic stripe data read by the reader is transmitted such that the data ap-
pears to be coming directly from the keyboard. This makes the reader a data
source and completely transparent to the computer application software. In
other words, magnetic stripe data is formatted by the reader based on the
needs of the application; the formatted data is sent through the keyboard
interface to the application.
Section 3
READER CONFIGURATION
The magnetically encoded data on the magnetic stripe can be decoded (read)
by magnetic card readers. The stripe data has a fixed format defined by the
ISO standards. The ISO fixed format is not always convenient or useful for
card reading applications. The solution is for the card reader to decode the
stripe data and then arrange the data into useful format and content. The
reader-formatted data is transmitted from an intelligent communication
interface.
The VersaKey Reader is an intelligent magnetic stripe reader, which provides
extensive formatting capability. In addition, characters can be added to the
formatted data. The added characters form either a prefix or a suffix to the
magnetic stripe data. To support the formatting capability, ID TECH provides
easy to use Configuration Utility software.
The operating systems supported are Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows
2000, and Windows XP.
The reader must be appropriately configured to the application. Configuration
settings enable the reader to work with the host system. Once the reader is
programmed, these configuration settings are stored in the reader’s non-vola-
tile memory (so they are not affected by the cycling of power).
DEFAULT SETTINGS
The reader is shipped from the factory with the default settings already
programmed. See Appendix A. The reader has been factory programmed
with the least restricted settings, thus making the reader ready to read most
standard format magnetic stripe cards.
3
4
Section 4
SPECIFICATION KEYBOARD
MECHANCIAL
Keyswitch
Total Travel 4.0 + 0.5 mm
Operating Force 50 + 7g
Keyboard Housing
Color Black or Cream White
Size 469.9 mm (L) x 203.9 mm (W) x 42.8
mm (H)
Material ABS
Cable Information
Jacket Material PVC jacket with Aluminum Shielding
Length 1.5 M (5ft.) Overall
PC Connector PS/2 or USB
Drop 610 mm (24”) Drop: 1 corner, 2-sidelines,
3-sides
Vibration 60 Hz/sec 3 mm amplitude X,Y,Z each
axis at 2 hours
Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
Storage Temperature -20°C to 40°C (- 4°F to 104°F)
ELECTRICAL
Power Requirement +5.0 VDC ±10%, 60ma Max
Industry Requirements FCC class B and CE
RELIABILITY
Operating Life 20,000,000 keystrokes
ESD Immunity 0KV to 8 kV min, without data loss.
8KV to 15 kV min, will function after
reset
MTBF More than 60,000 power on hours
5
Section 5
SPECIFICATION READER
Number of tracks Track 1 & 2 or Track 1, 2 & 3
Compatibility ISO 7810 and 7811-1 through -6 cards.
Reads AAMVA driver license cards.
Communications Decoded track data sent through Keyboard
communications cable.
Output data formatting Default card data output format or customized
data output format is programmable through PC
configuration utility. See Appendix A for default
settings.
Operating Life 1,000,000 card swipes
Card speed range 3 to 60 IPS (Inches Per Second)
Audio beeper Indicates error free card data reading
Section 6
TROUBLE SHOOTING
The data from the reader is not as expected.
The reader is shipped from the factory with the default settings already
programmed. See Appendix A for the Default Settings. The default settings
can be customer modified by using the MagSwipe Configuration Utility. See
Section 3.
The reader does not output data.
The reader will beep when power is applied to the VersaKey. The reader
will also beep for each track correctly read from a magnetic stripe. Use a
known good credit card to test the reader operation. Insure that a text input
application (such as Windows Notepad) is open and selected during the test.
The keyboard does not function with the computer.
If the power indicator LED is off, the keyboard may not be fully connected to
the computer. Check the connections. Check that the computer power is on.
If the power indicator LED is on and the VersaKey is a USB type, the driver
may not be loaded properly on the computer. Check the Device Manager
in Hardware Properties of the computer. The driver is a standard windows
driver for operating systems Windows 98SE and later.
6
Appendix A
MAGNETIC STRIPE DEFAULT SETTINGS
Function Default Value
Beep Volume High
Inter-Character Delay 2 ms
Track Selection Any Track
Data Output Format ID TECH Format (See Appendix C)
Track Separator See Appendix C
MSR Reading Enable
Decoding Method Decoding in Both Directions
Terminator ID ENTER
Polling Interval 1 ms (USB)
7
8
Appendix B
CONNECTOR PIN ASSIGNMENTS
PS/2 Connector, 6 pin DIN
Connector Pin Signal
2 Not Used
4 +5 V
6 Not Used
1 Data
3 Ground
5 Clock
USB, 4 pin USB plug
Connector Pin Signal
1 +5 V
2 - Data
3 + Data
4 Ground
Viewed from cable end
Appendix C
MAGNETIC STRIPE DATA OUTPUT FORMAT
The Reader is shipped from the factory with the following magnetic stripe
default settings already programmed:
Magnetic Track Basic Data Output Format
Track 1: <SS1><T1 Data><ES><TS>
Track 2: <SS2><T2 Data><ES><TS>
Track 3: <SS3><T3 Data><ES><Terminator>
where: SS1(start sentinel track 1) = %
SS2(start sentinel track 2) = ;
SS3(start sentinel track 3) = ; for ISO,
% for AAMVA
ES(end sentinel all tracks) = ?
<TS> = <ENTER> key
Terminator = <ENTER> key
Start or End Sentinel: Characters in encoding format which come before the
first data character (start) and after the last data character (end), indicating the
beginning and end, respectively, of data.
Track Separator: A designated character that separates data tracks.
Terminator: A designated character that comes at the end of the last track of
data in order to separate card reads.
LRC: Check character, following end sentinel. (The reader will verify it when
decoding, but this will not be sent as part of the data.)
9
10
Appendix D
KEYBOARD LAYOUT
North American Typical Format
ID TECH
10721 Walker Street
Cypress, California 90630
(714) 761-6368
www.idtechproducts.com
80074502-001 Rev. A R01/06 #442
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