Socket Gun Scanner (GS) 2X (Xtreme Performance) User manual

Gun Scanner Series 2
Socket Gun Scanner (GS) 2X (Xtreme Performance) bar
code laser scanning gun with CompactFlash card and cable
for adding data collection functionality to a variety of
Windows-based mobile computers
User’s Guide

8/2005 Document # 6410-00165 H
Copyright Notice
Copyright © 2005 Socket Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
Socket, the Socket logo and Battery Friendly are registered trademarks of
Socket Communications, Inc. GS 2X and SocketScan are trademarks of
Socket Communications, Inc. All other brand and product names are
trademarks of their respective holders.
The Bar Code Laser Scanning Card includes technology licensed under
United States Patent Nos. 4,543,450, 4,603,320, 4,686,506, and 4,972,470.
Reproduction of the contents of this manual without the permission of
Socket Communications is expressly prohibited. Please be aware that the
products described in this manual may change without notice.
Feel free to contact SOCKET COMMUNICATIONS at:
Socket Communications, Inc.
37400 Central Court
Newark, CA 94560
Other than the above, Socket Communications can assume no responsibility
for anything resulting from the application of information contained in this
manual.
Socket Communications requests that you refrain from any applications of
the product that are not described in this manual. Please refrain from
disassembling the card. Disassembly of this device will void the product
warranty.
You can track new product releases, software updates and technical
bulletins by visiting Socket’s web page at: www.socketcom.com.
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Table of Contents
1 | INTRODUCTION 5
About the Software 5
Package Contents 6
Scanner Maintenance 6
2 | SCANNING TIPS 7
Aiming 7
Decode Zone 8
LED Definitions 8
Beeper Definitions 9
3 | PREPARING FOR SETUP 10
Register Your Product 10
Uninstall Old Scanning Software 11
Attach the Interface Cable 12
4 | SETUP FOR WINDOWS MOBILE 13
STEP 1: Install the Software 14
STEP 2: Insert the Card into your Device 16
STEP 3: Start SocketScan 17
STEP 4: Scan Data into a Windows Program 18
OPTIONAL: Configure Prefix/Suffixes 20
OPTIONAL: Configure Sounds 21
OPTIONAL: Configure Special Symbologies 22
5 | SETUP FOR WINDOWS 98SE/ME/2000/XP 23
STEP 1: Insert the Installation CD 24
STEP 2: Insert the Card into Your Computer 24
STEP 3: Configure for New Hardware 25
STEP 4: Install SocketScan Software 27
STEP 5: Scan Data into a Windows Program 28
OPTIONAL: Configure Prefix/Suffixes 30
OPTIONAL: Configure Sounds 31
OPTIONAL: Configure Symbologies 32
6 | USER PREFERENCES 33
Hints and Tips on Programming the Scanner 34
User Preferences 35
Set Default Parameters 35
Beeper Tone 35
Beeper Volume 36
Variable Length Scan Line 37
Laser On Time 38
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APPENDICES
A | SPECIFICATIONS 39
B | BAR CODE LABEL SPECIFICATIONS 41
C | DEFAULT PARAMETERS 42
D | SAMPLE BAR CODES 45
E | NUMERIC BAR CODES 46
F | TROUBLESHOOTING 47
G | TECHNICAL SUPPORT 48
H | GLOSSARY 50
Limited Warranty 56
Limited Software Warranty 57
Regulatory Compliance 58
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1 | Introduction
The Socket GS 2X gives you the freedom of
scanning bar codes anytime anywhere with a
variety of Windows-based mobile computers.
The system features the S-2208 scanner, which
combines excellent scanning performance and
advanced ergonomics to provide the best value
in a lightweight laser scanner. The scanner
ensures comfort and ease of use for extended
periods of time.
The Bar Code Laser Scanning Card works in the CompactFlash or PC Card
slot of the following mobile computers:
•Pocket PC 2000/2002/2003/2003SE
•HPC 2000 or pen tablet running Windows Mobile
•Notebook computer running Windows 98SE, Me, 2000 or XP.
Operation in a PC Card slot requires a Type II PC Card adapter, (available
separately, SKU# AC4001-979).
About the Software
The GS 2X include SocketScan™ keyboard emulation software, which
enters scanned data directly into any active Windows program as if it were
manually typed. This is known as a “keyboard wedge.”
Major bar code symbologies are automatically detected,
including Code 39, UPC/EAN, and Code 128. Other
symbologies can be enabled using the S-2208 Advanced
Programming Guide from the Socket website.
You can configure SocketScan to automatically add
prefix/suffixes (e.g., carriage return or tab) to scanned
data, further eliminating the need for manual data
entry. SocketScan also lets you configure a sound to
indicate a good read.
Note: Prefix/suffixes can be enabled either in SocketScan or in the S-2208
laser gun, and the effect is cumulative.
For software updates, or to download the S-2208 Advanced Programming
Guide, please visit: www.socketcom.com/support/support_bar.asp
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 5

Package Contents
•A Socket Bar Code Laser Scanning Card (CompactFlash), with cable
•A Socket GS 2X
•The SocketScan Installation CD
•The Quick Start Guide software installation, warranty, and copyright
information
•A Type I CompactFlash-to-PC Card adapter (optional)
Note: In case your scanner ever becomes damaged and you want to send it
back to Socket for servicing, KEEP THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING. It is the
approved container for shipping.
Scanner Maintenance
Cleaning the exit window is the only maintenance required. A dirty window
may affect scanning accuracy.
•Do not allow any abrasive material to touch the window
•Remove any dirt particles with a damp cloth or tissue moistened with
ammonia/water. Do not spray water or other cleaning liquids directly
into the window.
6

2 | Scanning Tips
Aiming
Do not hold the scanner directly over the bar code, with the laser beam
perpendicular to the bar code. Laser light reflecting directly back into the
scanner from the bar code is known as specular reflection. This specular
reflection can make decoding difficult. You can tilt the scanner up to 55°
forward or back and achieve a successful decode (Figure 2-3). Simple
practice quickly shows what tolerances to work within.
Figure 2-1. Maximum Tilt Angles and Dead Zone
CHAPTER 2: SCANNING TIPS 7

Decode Zone
Figure 2-2. S 2208 Decode Zone
LED Definitions
In addition to beeper sequences, the scanner communicates with the user
using a two-color LED display. Table 2-1 defines LED colors that display
during scanning.
Table 2-1. Standard LED Definitions
LED Meaning
Off No power is applied to the scanner, or the
scanner is on and ready to scan.
Green A bar code was successfully decoded.
Red A data transmission error or scanner
malfunction occurred.
8

Beeper Definitions
The scanner emits different beeper sequences and patterns to indicate
status of the scanner power, symbol decode, decode errors, etc.
Table 2-2. Standard Beeper Definitions
Usage Beeper Sequence Meaning
Low/medium/high
beep Power up.
Short high beep A bar code symbol was decoded (if decode
beeper is enabled).
4 long low beeps
A transmission error was detected in a
scanned symbol. The data is ignored. This
occurs if a unit is not properly configured.
Check option setting.
5 low beeps Conversion or format error.
Lo/hi/lo beep ADF transmit error.
Standard
Usage
Hi/hi/hi/lo beep RS-232 receive error.
Short high beep Correct entry scanned or correct menu
sequence performed.
Lo/hi beep
Input error, incorrect bar code or “Cancel”
scanned, wrong entry, incorrect bar code
programming sequence; remain in program
mode.
Hi/lo beep Keyboard parameter selected. Enter value
using bar code keypad.
Hi/lo/hi/lo beep Successful program exit with change in the
parameter setting.
Parameter
Menu
Scanning
Low/hi/low/hi beep Out of host parameter storage space.
Scan Set Default Parameter in Chapter 6.
Hi/lo beep New Code 39 data was entered into the
buffer.
3 Beeps - long high
beep Code 39 buffer is full.
Lo/hi/lo beep The Code 39 buffer was erased or there was an attempt to clear or transmit an
empty buffer.
Code 39
Buffering
Lo/hi beep A successful transmission of buffered data
CHAPTER 2: SCANNING TIPS 9

3 | Preparing for Setup
This chapter explains preliminary steps that you should complete prior
to installing the GS 2E. After completing the steps in this chapter,
proceed to the appropriate chapter for the setup instructions for your
specific Windows version.
This chapter covers the following:
•Registering your product
•Uninstalling old scanning software
•Attaching the interface cable
Register Your Product
Socket highly recommends that all users register their Socket products.
Registered users receive priority for technical support. Register online at:
www.socketcom.com/prodreg
Product registration is not required to ensure your warranty rights.
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Uninstall Old Scanning Software
Delete any bar code scanning software you may already have installed on
your mobile computer.
Windows Mobile:
For Windows Mobile devices, you have two options for uninstalling
scanning software.
OPTION 1: Uninstall Directly from Device
1. Make sure the bar code scanning software is closed, and remove the Bar
Code Laser Scanning Card from your mobile computer.
2. Tap Start | Settings. Tap on the System tab or Control Panel.
3. Tap on the Remove Programs icon.
4. Select the bar code scanning software, then tap Remove.
5. Tap Yes to confirm removal of the program.
OPTION 2 Uninstall via ActiveSync
1. Make sure the bar code scanning software is closed, and remove the Bar
Code Laser Scanning Card from your mobile computer.
2. Use ActiveSync and a serial/Ethernet/USB cable or cradle to make an
active connection between your Pocket PC and a host PC.
3. On the host PC, open Microsoft ActiveSync.
4. Click Tools | Add/Remove Programs.
5. Select the bar code scanning software and click Remove.
6. In the confirmation screen, click OK.
7. The next dialog will ask if you want to remove the software from your
host PC as well.
•Click NO to keep a copy of the software on the host PC that can later
be re-installed onto a Pocket PC.
•Click YES to remove the software from the host PC.
Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP:
1. Go to Start | Settings | Control Panel | Add or Remove Programs
2. Select the bar code scanning program and click Remove .
3. Follow the instructions on your screen until the program has been
removed.
CHAPTER 3: PREPARING FOR SETUP 11

Attach the Interface Cable
1. Plug the interface cable modular connector into the cable interface
port on the bottom of the scanner handle.
2. Gently tug the cable to ensure the connector is properly secured.
3. Connect the other end of the interface cable to the host (see the
specific host chapter for information on host connections).
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4 | Setup for Windows Mobile
This chapter shows how to install, configure, and use the Socket GS 2X on
any of the following mobile computers based on Windows Mobile:
•Pocket PC 2000/2002/2003/2003SE
•HPC 2000 or pen tablet based on Windows Mobile
This chapter shows Pocket PC 2002 screens. Other Windows Mobile
devices will have functionally equivalent screens except where otherwise
noted.
Setup Summary
STEP 1: Install the software.
STEP 2: Insert the Card into Your Device.
STEP 3: Start SocketScan.
STEP 4: Scan data into a Windows program.
OPTIONAL:
•Configure prefix/suffixes.
•Configure sounds.
•Manually configure symbologies or extensions.
CHAPTER 4: SETUP FOR WINDOWS MOBILE 13

STEP 1: Install the Software
Follow these steps for software installation BEFORE inserting the Bar
Code Laser Scanning Card into your mobile computer.
1. Use ActiveSync and a serial/Ethernet/USB cable or cradle to make an
active connection between the mobile computer and a host PC.
2. Insert the SocketScan Installation CD into your CD-ROM drive.
3. Use My Computer or Windows Explorer to access your CD-ROM drive.
In the CD, click on SETUP.EXE.
4. Follow the instructions on the host PC screen to install the software for
Windows CE.
•Read the information in the welcome screen and click next.
•In the Main Page, click Install Software.
•In the Installation screen, click Windows CE.
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5. In the File Download screen, select the option that lets you OPEN
(or run) the file from its current location.
IMPORTANT!
YOU MUST OPEN
THE FILE!
DO NOT SAVE!
Note: If the File Download screen reports that the file may be harmful,
disregard the warning and open the file.
6. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen until setup is done.
7. Disconnect the mobile computer from the host PC.
8. Soft reset the mobile computer by pressing the reset button.
Important!
Be sure to soft reset your mobile computer after software installation!
Press the reset button, which may be located on the back of your mobile
computer!
CHAPTER 4: SETUP FOR WINDOWS MOBILE 15

STEP 2: Insert the Card into your Device
1. If you have not installed the interface cable yet, plug it in now. Refer to
Chapter 2, “Preparing for Setup” for instructions.
2. Insert the Socket Bar Code Laser Scanning Card into the appropriate
slot of your mobile computer.
To use the Bar Code Laser Scanning Card in a PC Card slot, first insert
into a CompactFlash-to-PC Card adapter.
16

STEP 3: Start SocketScan
1. Pocket PC: Go to Start | Programs | SocketScan.
Tap on
SocketScan.
HPC 2000: Tap on the SocketScan icon on your desktop.
2. Whenever SocketScan is running, either of two icons may appear in the
menu bar (visible from the Today screen for Pocket PCs).
Scanning Card
detected
No scanning
card detected
3. Make sure the “Scanning Card detected” icon appears. If the “No
scanning card detected” icon appears, you may have an improperly
inserted card. Remove and reinsert the card, pushing it in all the way.
CHAPTER 4: SETUP FOR WINDOWS MOBILE 17

STEP 4: Scan Data into a Windows Program
1. Make sure SocketScan is open.
2. Start the Windows application that
you want to receive the data (e.g.,
Excel, Notepad, etc.).
Make sure a new document or
spreadsheet is open.
For information about bar code
scanning applications, please vist:
www.socketcom.com/solutions
3. Make sure all cable connections are secure.
4. Now you are ready to scan. Aim the scanner at the bar code and press
the trigger.
Make sure the scan line crosses every bar and space of the symbol.
RIGHT WRONG
Important! Do not look directly into the laser beam or point it at a
person!
18

For example, try this Code 39 bar code:
Upon successful decode, the scanner beeps and the LED turns green.
(For more information on beeper and LED definitions, refer to Table
2-1 and Table 2-2.)
5. After a successful scan, data should appear in your document.
For example, after you scan the code above into a Pocket Excel
spreadsheet, data should appear in the first cell. The default Carriage
Return suffix will cause the next cell to be highlighted and ready for
data input.
CHAPTER 4: SETUP FOR WINDOWS MOBILE 19

OPTIONAL: Configure Prefix/Suffixes
The SocketScan Prefix/Suffix applet lets you specify prefix and/or suffix
characters to be added automatically to the data you scan. This helps to
further eliminate manual data entry.
1. Tap on the SocketScan icon in the menu bar to launch the applet
(visible in the Today screen for Pocket PCs).
Note: You can configure prefix/suffixes if the “no scanning card
detected” icon appears.
2. In the pop-up menu, select Prefix/Suffix...
3. In the screen that appears, enter the characters you want to be appended
to each scan (128 character maximum). Tap ok.
Note: Only printable
ASCII characters can be
used as prefixes or
suffixes.
Note: A prefix or suffix can also be programmed into the S-2208, and the
effect is cumulative. SocketScan should be used to configure simple actions
such as a Carriage Return. For more complex prefix/suffixes or Advanced
Data Formatting, use the S-2208 Advanced Programming Guide to
program these functions directly into the gun. In this case, the default
Carriage Return suffix in SocketScan should be removed.
Download the S-2208 Advanced Programming Guide from:
www.socketcom.com/support/support_bar.asp
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