RFIDeas pcProx Plus User manual

99009010 Rev U
pcProx® Plus, pcProx® Enroll &
Wiegand Converter
Configuration Utility
User Manual

Thank You!
Congratulations on the purchase of your pcProx®Enroll, pcProx®Plus, or Wiegand device(s).
RF IDeas hopes you enjoy using the readers as much as we enjoyed creating and developing them.
Configuration is easy, so you will be able to quickly take advantage of a more secure environment in
your business, school, or organization.
Please call our Sales department if you have any questions or are interested in our OEM and
Independent Developer’s programs.
We look forward to your comments and suggestions for our product line! Please go to
www.RFIDeas.com and follow the Support aLearning Center link for more details about our
product line.
We are always discovering new applications for our product line(s). There are several software
developer’s licensing our technology so the solution you are looking for may already be developed.
Thank you,
The RF IDeas Staff
Need Assistance?
Ph: 847.870.1723
Fx: 847.483.1129
E: [email protected]
T[email protected]
2

3
ASCII: The American Standard Code for Information Interchange codes represent text in computers,
communications equipment, and other devices that use text.
Contactless: The high frequency 13.56 MHz smart card technology.
FAC: Facility Access Code
OEM: The proximity card and badge reader available in self-contained electronic modules for easy
system integration.
pcProx Contactless: The registered RF IDeas brand name given to all 13.56 MHz contactless card
reader products.
pcProx Proximity: The registered RF IDeas brand name given to all 125 kHz proximity reader
products.
Proximity: The low frequency 125 kHz RFID technology.
SDK: Software Developer’s Kit. Software Developer’s Kits from RF IDeas provide the high level
command capabilities to integrate software applications to our devices.
Glossary Of Terms

4
Contents
2 Thank You!
3 Glossary Of Terms
5 Chapter 1: The Basics
5 Wireless Identification Overview
6 ID Card Reader System
6 pcProx Output Formats
7 Credential Form Factors
8 Card Compatibility
8 Reader Configuration Purposes
8 pcProx Plus & Non-Plus Reader Differences
9 Chapter 2:Hardware
9 What’s In Your Part Number?
10 Interface (Connectors)
11 USB Readers and Wiegand Converters
11 RS-232 Readers and Converters
11 Minimum System Requirements
12 Reader Set-Up Basics
12 LED Beeper
13 Chapter 3: Software
13 pcProx Configuration Utility
13 Utility Overview
14 Menu Tool bar
19 Icon Tool bar
22 pcProx Plus Configuration
23 Standard Configuration
23 Connect Tab
25 Output Test Area
26 Data Format Tab
28 Delimeters Tab
30 Timing Tab
31 SDK Tab
35 CHUID Tab
45 Chapter 4: ASCII Command Protocol
45 ASCII Overview
46 Connect Serial Communications Program
47 Command Structure
50 Help Command
54 Variable Command
58 ACP Error Codes
59 Chapter 5: Tips and Troubleshooting
59 Troubleshooting
60 Frequently Asked Questions
63 Precautions
63 Before You Call Technical Support
63 Talking To The Technician
66 Index
67 Appendix
69 Other Products and Accessories

5
Wireless Identification Overview
pcProx® Activated Identification
Employers are more security conscious than ever. More buildings, machines, systems, and
applications require identification information to gain access. RF IDeas devices allow the building
access cards to be used as a digital identifier throughout the workplace.
Various pcProx applications include:
• Card Enrollment
• Application log-on
• Form filler to existing software applications
• PC/LAN Log On
• Cafeteria Purchases/Vending
• Machine Access
• PLC and embedded controllers
• Time/Attendance
Our pcProx Plus devices are easily configured to increase security and reliability. Companies using
proximity and/or contactless technology for building access immediately benefit, as their employee
identification cards can also be used with the proximity/contactless device for additional
authentication applications. Thus, the majority of deployment and enrollment costs are quickly
recovered.
The diagram on the following page is a high level overview of how the reader works. The reader
sends RF signals to the card and the card sends signals back to send data. The card data is output by
the reader in keystrokes or ASCII characters. This card data can be configured to include delimiters
to separate the data. This reader can be used as a standalone system or seamlessly integrated with
other software applications using the optional Software Developer’s Kit (SDK).
1
The Basics

ID Card Reader System
Output Formats
6 Chapter 1 The Basics

7 Chapter 1 The Basics
Credential Form Factors
Credentials are inactive electronic devices that rely on readers to supply the required power for
start-up and communication. The credential itself, consists of antennas that produce proximity or
contactless frequencies. Proximity and contactless smart card technology cards allow users to
effortlessly manage multiple applications through a single credential.
Data: The data on access cards are a string of binary numbers set with a fixed configuration and
length.
Frequencies: RF IDeas’ access control readers and credentials utilize the low-frequency 125 kHz
(proximity) band and/or the high-frequency 13.56 MHz (contactless) band.
Credential Form Factors: With over 300 million physical access credentials in use worldwide, there
are a variety of low and high frequency form factors customers can choose from to meet their
particular needs.
The below illustrates some of the various form factors available.
CSN: Also known as the Card Serial Number, is part of the ISO 15693 standard for vicinity cards
operating at the 13.56 MHz frequency.
UID: The User ID or User Identification, can be encoded as data on the card when a security key is
needed.

8 Chapter 1 The Basics
Manufacturer/Vendor Card Compatibility
Please go to www.RFIDeas.com for specific device part numbers associated to card types.
Reader Configuration Purposes
The method of encoding data on a card and transmitting data to the reader differs accordingly to
each technology involved. The reader itself is not aware of the makeup of the card data format or
access privileges for the cardholder. This information is only accessible through the configuration
process of the reader utilizing the supplied software.
The reader is very flexible and may need to be configured in order to present an exact desired output
for the user, such as, singling out FAC or ID, obtaining a desired base (i.e. decimal, lowercase, upper-
case, hexadecimal).
Differences Between pcProx Plus Reader Non-Plus Reader
The pcProx Plus is a dual frequency programmable reader that combines 125 kHz and 13.56 MHz
technologies into the same reader. It’s the only reader in the industry that reads two cards of your
choice among 35 card types, delivering flexibility to any customer struggling with different card
technologies.
In contrast to the pcProx Plus reader, our standard pcProx Enroll proximity and contactless readers
function on a single frequency band, which is either 125 kHz proximity or 13.56 MHz contactless.

9
What’s In Your Part Number?
All RF IDeas reader part numbers follow a distinct system of categorization to allow for an ease of
differentiation between products.
Below is the basic part number scheme.
RDR - 6 3 8 1 A K U
Reader Type: The reader type distinguishes between standard reader, OEM, converter, mag-stripe, or
a kit.
Frequency: RF IDeas’ access control readers are available in low-frequency 125 kHz (proximity) or
high-frequency 13.56 MHz (contactless).
Card Type: The card type allows for the selection of over 35 different card types for reader
compatibility (Please visit www.RFIDeas.com, choose a product and locate the Part Numbers tab for
specific device part numbers associated to card types).
Housing: This option provides the user to select the form factor housing for the desired reader. The
housings include; desktop, wall mount, USB dongle, PCMCIA, bare board, ExpressCard, or custom.
(For more on form factors, please visit www.RFIDeas.com)
Model: The model selection corresponds to the type of reader, whether it is a standard, writer
(13.56 MHz contactless only), playback (13.56 MHz contactless only), SDK, or analyzer.
Version: The version refers to the selection of either our standard or custom build.
Housing Color: The color category simply allows for the selection of either our black or pearl
housings. (Applies only to desktop and wall mount housings)
Interface: This option specifies the type of connection for the reader (i.e. USB, RS-232, PCMCIA, etc).
2
Hardware
Reader Type Frequency Card Type
Housing
Model
Version
Housing Color Interface

10 Chapter 2 Hardware
Interface (Connectors)
OUTPUT
CONNECTORS
T

11 Chapter 2 Hardware
USB Readers and Wiegand Converters
The pcProx USB keystroke device operates in two primary modes:
• USB keyboard. It reads the card data and sends it as keystrokes as if the user typed the ID
data on a keyboard.
• Under the application programmer interface (API) defined in the pcProx SDK. When it reads
card data, the active application receives the entire card data.
RS-232 Readers and Converters
The RS-232, Ethernet, or virtual COM port device operates in two primary modes:
1. ASCII output device. In this mode the user card data is read and sent as a decimal or
hexadecimal number in ASCII characters.
2. API defined in the pcProx SDK. The device attaches to a computer serial port. When it reads
card data, the active application receives the entire card data.
Once the configuration settings are correctly configured and written to flash memory, the device can
immediately be deployed.
Minimum System Requirements
Minimum System Requirements
HARDWARE Pentium class PC
MEMORY 32 MB RAM
DISK 25 MB hard disk space
I/O 1 available RS-232 or USB Port
Operating System Any operating system that supports a USB keyboard including
Microsoft Windows 2000®, XP®, Vista®, 7®, Server 2003®,
Server 2008®, Linux, Macintosh®. Can be used for keystroke
applications
Note: The software does not perform any data validation checking. The data must be known before it is
read to verify its validity.

12 Chapter 2 Hardware
Reader Set-Up Basics
Plug the connector into the workstation’s (or available on any peripheral) open RS-232, USB or
Ethernet plug.
Place the device next to the monitor, beside the workstation, or where appropriate.
The workstation should detect new hardware for USB connections. Verify the workstation recognizes
this connection using Device Manager’.
Verify the correct COM port for RS-232 DB9 connections using ‘Device Manager.’
When the software is installed, it should recognize these connections in order to configure the
appropriate device. Once the device is configured and written to its flash memory, these settings will
not have to be configured again.
LED Beeper
The desktop, USB dongle, wall mount, and bare board (OEM) model readers are all equipped with
a light up LED on the front cover. The LED is configurable through the utility software (See LED and
Beeper functions in the Software section) to allow the device to produce a beep upon light up of the
LED when a credential is detected by the reader.

13
pcProx Configuration Utility
The pcProx Configuration Utility provides users with the ability to configure their pcProx Enroll,
pcProx Plus, or Wiegand devices to meet their needs. Through the configuration process, desired
credential data output and access privileges for cardholders can be established.
In contrast to the pcProx Enroll readers, for which only one configuration can be programmed into the
reader, the utility allows the pcProx Plus configuration process to create two separate configurations
for users.
Utility Overview
3
Software
Output Test
Area
Icon Toolbar
(pg.19)
Menu Toolbar
(pg. 14)
pcProx Plus
Configuration
Area
(pg.18)
Standard
Configuration
Area
(pg.18)

14 Chapter 3 Software
Menu Tool Bar
The Menu Tool Bar contains all the basic configuration options for the utility.
File
The file menu lists the options for Opening .Hwg and Saving .Hwg files.
Open .Hwg/.Hwg+ File: Opens either a .Hwg or .Hwg+ file. A .Hwg or .Hwg+ file contains all the
configuration settings for the reader. The utility comes with sample .Hwg/.Hwg+ files.
Save to .Hwg+ File: Saves the configuration settings to the reader.
What is a .Hwg/.Hwg+ file? There are two kinds of configuration files. There is a .Hwg file
and .Hwg+ file. A .Hwg file can only be created with previous pcProx application utility ver-
sion. A .Hwg+ file can only be saved using this new utility . A .Hwg+ can configure a pcProx
Plus reader as well as a single configuration reader.
Exit: Exits out of the entire utility
Connect
The connect menu provides options for device to utility connections.
Auto Connect to USB on Startup: Set as utility default connection. Through this connection the
utility searches for a USB connection on startup.
Auto Connect to Serial on Startup: With this selection, the utility searches for any available serial
connections on startup.
Auto Connect to Ethernet on Startup: Utility option to search for ethernet connections on startup.
Why use the Auto Connect feature? The utlity’s auto connect features allow users to have
an easy auto connect through a specified port on startup.
Connect: This selection has the utility search for a device connection through all available port
connections.
Why use the Connect feature? The utlity’s general connect option gives users the ability
to connect their device to the utility, without the user needing to identify the devices actual
interface connection. This feature cycles through all available ports until a device is found.
Note: For further information on the connect option, see the connect portion of the Icon
Toolbar section on page 19 of this manual.

(Connect--Cont.)
Connect to USB: Connects to current specified reader through USB
Connect to Serial: Connects to current specified reader through serial
Connect to Ethernet TCP/IP: Connects to current specified reader through ethernet TCP/IP
Why use the Connect to feature? The connect to feature allows the utility to connect to a
device through the specified port upon selection. This is especially helpful when users are
switching out and changing devices with different connections.
Disconnect: Disconnects all connected devices from every available interface connection from the
configuration utility.
Note: For further information on the disconnect option, see the disconnect portion of the
Icon Toolbar section on page 21 of this manual.
Device Menu
The device menu lists the options for resetting, writing to, and reading the device’s data memory. The
device menu options are altered depending on the type of device that is connected. A single
configuration reader device has different device menu options than a two configuration reader device.
Single Configuration Readers:
Reset to Factory Defaults: Resets all configuration parameters to factory defaults.
Read Settings: Displays the current connected device configuration
Write Settings: Writes the current configuration settings to the connected device
Note: For more information on the Write Settings option, see the Write Settings/Write
Active portion of the Icon Toolbar section on page 21 of this manual.
pcProx Plus - 2 Configuration Reader:
Reset to Defaults: Resets all configuration parameters to defaults. Defaults are set as HID
Prox and RDR-758x Equivalent (covers 5 different card types; HID iCLASS CSN, ISO 14443A
CSN, ISO 15693A CSN, MIFARE CSN, MIFARE DESFire CSN)
Reset to Stored Settings: This selection allows users to reset the device to their own
personally defined stored settings.
Write Stored Settings: writes the current configuration settings to stored settings
Note: Stored settings are defined as configuration settings created by a user and
set/written to the device through the utility as a stored settings.
15 Chapter 3 Software

16 Chapter 3 Software
(Device Menu--Cont.)
pcProx Plus - 2 Configuration Reader:
Read Active: Reads the current configuration. Active settings are what allow the device to
function.
Write Active: Writes the current configuration to active settings.
Note: For more information on the Write Active option, see the Write Settings/Write
Active portion of the Icon Toolbar section on page 21 of this manual.
Note: Device Menu options are altered when a two configuration device (pcProx Plus) is
connected to the utility.
Navigation Menu
The Navigation menu gives users the ability to navigate in and out of the utility tabs through the use
of hot keys. This menu lists the hot key commands for the tabs as seen on the Standard Configuration
Area (An explanation of each tab can be found in the Standard Configuration Area section of this
manual).
For example, pressing the F5 key on the keyboard will open the Data Format tab.
A Test App hot key command is also available in this list. This command opens any keystroking
capturing program (i.e. notepad, wordpad etc) in a new window. The Test App default opening
program is set as notepad.
View Menu
The view menu provides options for altering the appearance of certain functions of the application
utility. All the options in this menu are set to appear by default.
Show Tooltip Balloon: Menu option for displaying or not displaying the tooltip pop-up balloon.
Note: Tooltip balloons appear automatically, or pop up, when the user pauses the mouse
pointer over a tool or some other UI element. The tooltip appears near the pointer and
disappears when the user moves the pointer away from the tool, or simply waits for a few
seconds. The tooltip displays descriptive information of the specific element or tool that the
mouse is currently hovering over.

17 Chapter 3 Software
(View Menu--Cont.)
Show Text Under Toolbar Icons: Provides option to display or remove text under icons in the Icon
Toolbar (For more information on the Icon Toolbar, see the Icon Toolbar section on page 19 of this
manual).
Show Pop-Up Warning Dialogues: Gives option for user to display or remove warning pop-up
dialogue boxes.
For example, if the Show Pop-Up Warning Dialogues option is selected, then a warning
dialogue box, as seen below, will display on your screen. The below warning dialogue box has
been displayed to alert the user that the utility has not detected a connected device.
Show Confirm Dialogue: Menu option for displaying yes/no confirmation dialogues before certain
utility operations are completed.
For example, if the Show Confirm Dialogue option is selected, a confirmation dialogue
window will appear when a user clicks to reset their device to factory defaults.
Note: If the Show Confirm Dialogue option is not selected, all utility operations will
continue upon user selection without the need for confirmation.
Beep On Warnings: Provides an audible system beep when warning are detected.
Note: With the Beep on Warnings option, the audible beeps will sound even if the Show
Pop-Up Warning Dialogues option is not selected.
Resize Window: The utility window is designed for users to optionally resize, by making the
window larger or smaller (the smallest resize choice will eliminate the view of the Output Test
Area). If a user resizes the utility window, clicking this Resize Window option will resize the
window to its original size.

18 Chapter 3 Software
Help Menu
The help menu provides options for which users can seek out additional assistance using the utility
and/or device.
Read User Manual: Opens the pdf user manual that is bundled in the download with the
configuration utility.
Note: The user manual can also be found in the directory folder in which the configuration
utility was installed.
www.RFIDeas.com: This operation will open a new window to the RF IDeas website.
Check Website for Software Updates: Clicking this option will take users to a location on the RF
IDeas software updates portion of the website, and will detect what version of the
pcProxConfig utility is currently in use. Any updates that are available will be listed for easy user
download.
About: This selection’s menu options differ when a device is connected to the utility vs. when
there is no device connected. Without a connected device the about informational content simply
displays the utility version. When a device is connected, the firmware information is also
provided. The RF IDeas Tech support email and website address are displayed in both modes.

19 Chapter 3 Software
Icon Tool Bar
The Icon Tool Bar contains the three most general configuration controls for the utility. These controls
are also found in the Menu Toolbar under Connect (for connect and disconnect) and Device (for
write settings and write active).
Connect
Clicking the Connect icon button commands the utility to search for a device through all available
port connections.
Once the utility detects a device connection, the Device List pull-down menu in the Standard
Configuration Area displays the interface connection, firmware and LUID information for the con-
nected device. The model number of the device will be displayed below the Device List pull-down and
the Output Test Area will turn from gray to green.
Note: More than one device can be connected simultaneously to the utility. To switch between
devices, select the desired connected device from the Device List pull-down menu.
Device List
Pull-down Menu
Device Model
Number

20 Chapter 3 Software
(Connect--Cont.)
If an attempt to connect to a device is made and the utility does not detect a device through any of
the available interface connections, a “no devices found” message will display in the utility’s status
bar area.
Status Bar