Opticon 25-WEDGE-04 User manual

Users Manual
Smart Wand
Wedge Interface
25-WEDGE-04
Ver. May 2000
8 Olympic Drive
Orangeburg, NY 10962
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.opticonUSA.com

NOTICE
Opticon has taken every step to ensure that the
information included in this manual is accurate,
however we reserve the right to change any
specification at any time without prior notice.
Table of Contents
PART I  Set-Up
General Information ..........................................1
Wedge Interface ...............................................2
Set Up .............................................................3
Scanning ..........................................................5
Troubleshooting ................................................6
Technical Specifications .....................................8
FCC Information.............................................. 10
Warranty ........................................................ 11
Glossary ......................................................... 12
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE...

Part II Bar Code Menu Functions
Reset All Defaults ............................................ 17
Computer Type Selection ................................. 18
Symbology Selection ....................................... 19
Symbology Additions ....................................... 20
UPC Settings................................................... 21
Code 39 Settings............................................. 24
Codabar Settings ............................................ 26
2 of 5 Settings ................................................ 28
Code 128 & MSI/Plessey Settings .................... 30
Bar Code Length Options ................................. 31
Scan Code Delay ............................................. 32
Intercharacter Delay ........................................ 33
Beeper Settings .............................................. 35
Trigger Options (MSH-220 Only) ....................... 36
Suffix Options ................................................. 37
Keyboard Emulation Options ............................ 38
Keystroke Emulation Options............................ 39
Transmit Current Settings ................................ 42

Page 1
General Information
The Opticon smart wand is an intelligent wand
with a built-in, state-of-the-art 16-bit single chip
decoder. Housed in a durable ABS plastic case, the
Opticon smart wand offers unparalleled perfor-
mance at an economical price with the following
features:
 Built-in internal decoder
 Optional Good Read LED indicator light
 Good Read audible beeper
 Optional ON/OFF switch (MSH-220)
 User replaceable ruby ball tip and cable
 Autodiscriminates among all major bar code
symbologies
 Bar code menu programmable

Page 2
Wedge Interface
The Opticon smart wand has built-in intelligence to
connect directly to a personal computer without
the need for a separate decoder box. Scanned bar
codes appear to the computer as if the data was
typed into the keyboard. Normal operation of the
keyboard is unaffected. The wedge interface is
compatible with virtually any application program
accepting keyboard input.
Advantages
Low cost  no separate decoder box required
No special software installation or technical
support required
Same communication signal format as key-
board
Simple installation
No external power supply
Full featured bar code menu offers user
flexibility
Uses existing keyboard type

Page 3
Set Up
Unpacking
Remove the smart wand from its packaging and
inspect it for damage. If the smart wand was
damaged in transit, call the Opticon Customer
Service Dept. at 800-636-0090.
Installation
A Y connection cable is provided for installation.
The smart wand is installed or wedged between
the keyboard and the computers CPU. The Y
cable connects both the smart wand and the
keyboard to the computer.
WARNING!
In order to avoid possibility of damage
to the computer, turn OFF the computer
prior to installing the smart wand.
Install both wand and Y cable while
power to the system is OFF.

Page 4
User Maintenance
There is no user maintenance required for the
OPTICON smart wand. Replacement wand tips
and cables are available from Opticon. To remove
wand tip, simply rotate the tip counter-clockwise.
To remove cable, simply pry the rubber cover
backward and remove the cable from the wand.
Programming the Smart Wand
This Users Guide provides an easy way of chang-
ing certain parameters. A parameter is changed
by scanning a specific bar code associated to a
specific function.
To select menu options:
1. Scan START. The smart wand will beep
intermittently to indicate that it is ready to be
programmed.
2. Make parameter selection from menu. A beep
and a read light (MSH-220 only) indicates that
the parameter has been scanned.
3. Scan END. This completes the operation and
the new parameter is saved in memory.
The smart wand is typically programmed as a
keyboard wedge for IBMs AT or PS/2 models 50,
60, 70 and 80. If the host computer is not one of
these models, please refer to Computer Type
Selection on page 18 of the bar code scanning
menu to make another selection.
NOTE: (B) A pointing finger indicates scanner
default settings.

Page 5
Scanning
If the wand has a trigger switch, press button near
the tip. Red LED illumination will emit from the
ruby ball tip of the wand. If the wand does not
have a trigger switch, then the red LED will remain
illuminated as long as the computer system is on.
1. Place the tip of the wand about ¼ to ½ inch
to the right or left of the bar code. The wand
top must make contact with the bar code
label.
2. Move the wand over the bar code label quickly
with uniform speed. For maximum perfor-
mance, slightly tilt the wand while scanning.
3. The wand will beep to indicate an audible
good read (if it does not beep, confirm that
beeper is enabled (page 38). If the wand has
a Good Read LED indicator (MSH-220 only),
it will illuminate indicating a good read.
NOTE: The wand will read all bar code symbologies
listed in the menu section of this Guide.

Page 6
Troubleshooting
A. If LEDs do not light up when installation
instructions are followed:
Make sure there is power to the system
Recycle computer power
Confirm computer fuses are ok.
Check for loose cable connection
B. If the wand tip lights up, Good Read beep is
audible, but outputs random characters to
screen, verify that the wand has been pro-
grammed to the correct settings:
Confirm selected Computer Type
matches the type of computer being used.
Adjust Intercharacter Delay settings.
Intercharacter delay settings will vary
according to the computer type being
used.
Is a dedicated file server being used?
Non-dedicated file serves may cause
problems for a Wedge interface. Opticon
recommends using an RS232C CCD smart
wand on non-dedicated file servers.
3. If the wand tip lights up, but Good Read
beep is not heard and no data appears on the
computer:
Is the bar code label readable? Does it
meet bar code specifications?
Does the smart wand read other bar code
labels? (If yes, the non-reading label may
be a label which the smart wand is not
programmed to decode.)
NOTE: If after performing these checks, the
smart wand is still not functioning, contact your
distributor or call Opticon Technical Support at
800-636-0090.

Page 7
Factory Service
When calling Opticon Technical Support, please
have the unit model number and several bar code
labels readily at hand.

Page 8
Technical Specifications
Physical
Case Material ABS Plastic
Tip Synthetic Ruby Ball
Cable Straight
Dimensions 159 x 32 x 19 mm
(6.25 x 1.25 x 0.75 in)
Weight 85 g (3 oz.)
Cable Length 5 ft. (approx.)
Optical
Light Source Red LED; λ= 660 nm
Tilt Angle 35° max.
Resolution 5 mil (min.)
Depth of Field Contact scanner
Scan Speed 2 to 60 in/sec.
Print Contrast Ratio 0.35 min.
Electrical
Supply Voltage 4.5 to 5.5 VDC
Current
Operating Less than 90 mA
Standby Less than 20 mA
Environmental
Temperature
Operating 0 to +49° C (+32° to +120° F)
Storage -9 to +71° C (+15° to +160° F)
Humidity Up to 90% RH (non-condensing)
Shock 40 drop onto hardwood
Interface
Wedge Keyboard Emulation

Page 9
Accessories Available
Part Number Description
28-WAND2-01 Desktop Stand
61-MSH02-01 Ruby ball wand tip replacement
41-W0001-01 Y Cable /AT
41-W0002-01 Y Cable /PS2
25-WEDGE-04 Manual/Wedge Interface

Page 10
FCC Information
This equipment has been tested and is found to
comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference when the equipment
is operated in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate RF
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance
with the instruction manual, may cause harmful
interference to radio communication. 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 their
own expense.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved
by the party responsible for compliance could void
the users authority to operate this equipment.

Page 11
Warranty
This smart wand is warranted for a period of five
(5) years from date of shipment from Opticon,
including all defects in material and workmanship
for the first year and electronics only thereafter.
Opticon will, at its option, repair or replace
products which prove to be defective in material or
workmanship under proper use within the warranty
period. Opticon will consider any product out-of-
warranty if the unit has been subjected to misuse,
accident or incorrect installation. No other warran-
ties are expressed or implied, including but not
limited to the implied warranties of merchantability
and fitness for a particular purpose. Opticon is
not liable for consequential damages.
If the smart wand must be returned, please
contact Opticon to obtain an RMA (Return Mer-
chandise Authorization) number prior to returning
the product. The Customer Service Dept. may be
reached at 800-636-0090.
NOTE: Returned merchandise will NOT be
accepted without a RMA number indicated clearly
on the outside of the carton.

Page 12
Glossary
ASCII - American Standard Code for Information
Interchange. A 7 bit plus parity code representing
128 letters, numerals, punctuation marks, and
control characters. It is a standard data transmis-
sion code in the US.
Autodiscrimination - The ability of bar code
reading equipment to recognize and correctly
decode more than one symbology.
Bar Code - An automatic identification technology
which encodes information into an array of varying
width parallel rectangle bars and spaces.
Bar Code Density - The number of data charac-
ters which can be represented in a linear unit of
measure. Bar code density is often expressed in
characters per inch.
CCD (Charged Coupled Device) - A technology
in which scanning is accomplished with an array of
LEDs flooding the bar code with light.
Check Digit - A digit used to verify a correct
symbol code. The scanner inserts the decoded
data into an arithmetic formula and checks that
the resulting number matches the encoded check
digit. Check digits are required for UPC but are
optional for other symbologies. Using check digits
decreases the chance of substitution errors when a
symbol is decoded.
Codabar - A discrete self-checking code with a
character set consisting of digits 0 to 9 and six
additional characters (- $ : / , +).
Code 128 - A high density symbology which
allows the controller to encode all ASCII characters
without adding extra symbol elements.

Page 13
Glossary (cont.)
Code 3 of 9 (Code 39) - A versatile and widely
used alphanumeric bar code symbology with a set
of 43 characters types, including all upper case
letters, numerals from 0 to 9 , and 7 special
characters (- / . + % $ and space). The code
name is derived from the fact that 3 of 9 elements
representing a character are wide, while the
remaining 6 are narrow.
Decode - To recognize a bar code symbology and
then analyze the content of the specific bar code
scanned.
Default - A standard setting assigned to a
parameter type unless a different setting is
assigned to that parameter.
Depth of field - The distance between the
maximum and minimum plane in which bar code
reader is capable of reading symbols.
EAN (European Article Number) - This
European/International version of the UPC pro-
vides its own coding format and symbology
standards. Element dimensions are specified
metrically. EAN is used primarily in retail.
Encode - To translate data into machine readable
form using the format and conventions of a
specific bar code symbology.
Host Computer - A computer that serves other
terminals in a network, providing such services as
computation, database access, supervisory pro-
grams, and network control.

Page 14
Glossary (cont.)
Interleaved 2 of 5 - A binary code symbology
representing character pairs in groups of five bars
and five interleaved spaces. Interleaving provides
for greater information density. The location of
wide elements (bars/spaces) within each group
determines which characters are encoded. This
continuous code type uses no Inter-character
spaces. Only numeric (0 to 9) and START/STOP
characters may be encoded.
Parameter - A setting that can have a different
function assigned to it.
Programming mode - The state in which a
scanner is configured for parameter settings.
Quiet Zone - A clear space, containing no
machine readable marks, which precedes the start
character of a bar code symbol and follows the
stop characters.
Read Rate - The ratio of the number of successful
reads on the first attempt to scan to the total
number of attempts.
Resolution - In a bar code system, the narrowest
element dimension which can be distinguished by
a particular reading device or printed with a
particular device or method.
Scanner - An electronic device used to scan bar
code symbols and produce a digitized pattern that
corresponds to the bars and spaces of the symbol.
Scanning Mode - The scanner is energized,
programmed, and ready to read a bar code.
Start/Stop Character - A pattern of bars and
spaces that provides the scanner with start and
stop reading instructions and scanning direction.
The start and stop characters are normally to the
left and right margins of a horizontal code.

Page 15
Glossary (cont.)
Symbology - The structural rules and conventions
for representing data within a particular bar code
type.
UPC (Universal Product Code) - A relatively
complex numeric symbology. Each character
consists of two bar codes and two spaces, each of
which can be any of four widths. The standard
symbology for retail food packages in the United
States.
Wedge - A device that plugs in between a
keyboard and a PC. Includes a scanner allowing
data to be entered either by a keyboard or scan-
ner.

Page 16