RFIDeas pcProx Playback User manual

Rev C
pcProx® Playback &
pcProx® Writer
Configuration Utility
User Manual
For use with the pcProx® Contactless Read/Writer & Playback Readers:
iCLASS Models: RDR-7080AKx & RDR-7085AKx
MIFARE Models: RDR-7580AKx & RDR-7585AKx

Thank You!
Congratulations on the purchase of your pcProx®Playback and/or pcProx® Writer 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
Contents
2 Thank You!
4 Chapter 1: The Basics
4 Wireless Identification Overview
5 ID Card Reader System
5 pcProx Output Formats
6 Credential Form Factors
7 Card Compatibility
7 Reader Configuration Purposes
8 Chapter 2:Hardware
8 What’s In Your Part Number?
9 Interface (Connectors)
10 USB Readers and Wiegand Converters
10 RS-232 Readers and Converters
10 Minimum System Requirements
11 Reader Set-Up Basics
11 LED Beeper
12 Chapter 3: Software
12 pcProx Card Manager Overview
13 pcProx Card Manager Utility
14 Connect Tab
16 pcProx Writer for Log-On Tab
29 pcProx Writer for Swipe Cards Tab
30 pcProx Playback Tab
36 About Tab
38 File Menu
39 Auto-Run Operation
42 Chapter 4: Increasing Security
42 Security Overview
44 Chapter 5: Card Management
44 iCLASS
45 MIFARE
51 Chapter 6: Auto-Locking the Workstation
53 Chapter 7: Tips & Troubleshooting
53 Troubleshooting
53 Before You Call Technical Support
53 Talking to the Technician
56 Index
57 Other Products and Accessories

4
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
While magnetic stripe technology is very inexpensive, it is prone to read problems from wear and dirt.
Cards have a limited life as they scratch easily. Readers pick up dirt and oils that damage the read
head.
RF IDeas contactless smart cards and readers operate at the allowed frequency of 13.56 MHz. This
contactless technology uses RFID (radio frequency identification). The pcProx 13.56 MHz readers will
fully support HID iCLASS and Phillips NXP MIFARE cards. The pcProx Card Manager utility is focused
on allowing the cards to function not only for door access, but also for computer identification and
access.
Contactless smart cards offer the user endless solutions. One of the struggles users have with smart
cards is they often have to create specialized software applications in order to take advantage of the
many features and capabilities. The pcProx Playback Starter Kit removes most of these barriers by
providing a ‘no-software’ approach. In other words, this system allows you to configure data onto
the cards so that the cards easily adapt to existing applications. The adaptation is possible since the
pcProx Playback readers are capable of reading user specific information and keystrokes or RS-232
characters. The encoding phase (writing keystrokes or RS-232 characters and data to the card) is
done via the Card Manager using either the pcProx Writer USB or pcProx Writer 232 read/write
reader.
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
5 Chapter 1 The Basics

6 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.

7 Chapter 1 The Basics
Card Compatibility
Contactless iCLASS
There are three iCLASS memory choices as shown in the below table. Users can add keystrokes and
credentials into any of the fields (pre-keystrokes, credential x, or post keystrokes) as all are saved the
same way on the card.
Note: Overwriting the boundaries of memory as dictated by the card choice is not permitted.
The below table illustrates the limits.
The actual byte count is shown in the Card Manager software in the field labeled Size.
Card Memory Configuration Credential 1 Max Count Credential 2 Max Count
2k bit 2 application 48 bytes 48 bytes
16k bit 2 application 48 bytes 1,800 bytes
16k bit 16 application 48 bytes 48 bytes
Contactless MIFARE Card Choices
There are two MIFARE contactless memory choices as shown below. You can actually put keystrokes
and credentials into any of the fields (pre-keystrokes, credential x, or post keystrokes) as all are saved
the same way on the card. You cannot overwrite the boundaries of memory as dictated by the card
choice.
The below table illustrates the limits.
The actual byte count is shown in the Card Manager software in the field labeled Size.
Card Memory Configuration Credential 1 Max Count Credential 2 Max Count
1K Bytes 3 Blocks 48bytes 3 Blocks 48bytes
4K Bytes 3 Blocks 48bytes 3 Blocks 48bytes
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,
uppercase, hexadecimal).

8
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 - 7 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

9 Chapter 2 Hardware
Interface (Connectors)
OUTPUT
CONNECTORS
T

10 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. 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.