Symbol LS 2104 Installation and operation manual

LS 2104
Product Reference Guide

2
70-32820-01
Revision C — June 2001
Symbol Technologies, Inc. One Symbol Plaza, Holtsville N.Y. 11742-1300
http://www.symbol.com/manuals
LS 2104 Product Reference Guide

LS 2104 RS-232/Synapse Scanner
Product Reference Guide
70-32820-01
Revision C
June 2001

©1998 - 2001 by Symbol Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form, or by any electrical or
mechanical means, without permission in writing from Symbol. This includes electronic
or mechanical means, such as photocopying, recording, or information storage and
retrieval systems. The material in this manual is subject to change without notice.
The software is provided strictly on an “as is” basis. All software, including firmware,
furnished to the user is on a licensed basis. Symbol grants to the user a non-transferable
and non-exclusive license to use each software or firmware program delivered hereunder
(licensed program). Except as noted below, such license may not be assigned, sublicensed,
or otherwise transferred by the user without prior written consent of Symbol. No right to
copy a licensed program in whole or in part is granted, except as permitted under
copyright law. The user shall not modify, merge, or incorporate any form or portion of a
licensed program with other program material, create a derivative work from a licensed
program, or use a licensed program in a network without written permission from Symbol.
The user agrees to maintain Symbol’s copyright notice on the licensed programs delivered
hereunder, and to include the same on any authorized copies it makes, in whole or in part.
The user agrees not to decompile, disassemble, decode, or reverse engineer any licensed
program delivered to the user or any portion thereof.
Symbol reserves the right to make changes to any software or product to improve
reliability, function, or design.
Symbol does not assume any product liability arising out of, or in connection with, the
application or use of any product, circuit, or application described herein.
No license is granted, either expressly or by implication, estoppel, or otherwise under any
Symbol Technologies, Inc., intellectual property rights. An implied license only exists for
equipment, circuits, and subsystems contained in Symbol products.
Symbol, Spectrum One, and Spectrum24 are registered trademarks of Symbol
Technologies, Inc. Other product names mentioned in this manual may be trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective companies and are hereby acknowledged.
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
One Symbol Plaza
Holtsville, New York 11742-1300
http://www.symbol.com

v
Contents
About This Guide
Notational Conventions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ix
Related Publications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ix
Service Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x
Chapter 1. Setting Up the LS 2104
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Audience. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Setting Up the LS 2104. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Installing the Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Switching Cables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Connecting to a Host . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Chapter 2. Scanning with the LS 2104
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Scanning with the LS 2104. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Aiming the Scanner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
LS 2104 Decode Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Chapter 3. Maintenance and Specifications
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Standard Accessories: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Optional Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4

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LS 2104 Product Reference Guide
Technical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
LS 2104 Signal Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Beeper Indications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Chapter 4. Parameter Menus
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 4-1
Default Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Set Default Parameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
Host Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6
RS-232C Host Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6
Beeper Volume. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-9
Laser On Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-10
Power Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-11
Beep After Good Decode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-12
Do Not Beep After Good Decode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-12
Transmit “No Read” Message. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-13
Do Not Transmit “No Read” Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-13
Decode Redundancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-14
Autodiscriminate Response Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-15
Enable/Disable UPC-E/UPC-A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-16
Enable/Disable EAN-8/EAN-13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-17
Enable/Disable Bookland EAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-18
Decode UPC/EAN Supplementals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
Transmit UPC-A/UPC-E Check Digit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-20
UPC-A Preamble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-21
UPC-E Preamble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-22
Convert UPC-E to UPC-A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-23
EAN Zero Extend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-24
Converted EAN-8 to EAN-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-25
Enable/Disable Code 128. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-26
Enable/Disable UCC/EAN-128 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-27
Enable/Disable Code 39. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-28
Code 39 Check Digit Verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-29
Transmit Code 39 Check Digit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-30
Do Not Transmit Code 39 Check Digit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-30
Enable/Disable Code 39 Full ASCII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-31
Code 39 Buffering (Scan & Store) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-32
Buffer Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-33
Clear Transmission Buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-33
Transmit Buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-34
Overfilling Transmission Buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-34
Attempt to Transmit an Empty Buffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-34
Enable/Disable Code 93. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-35

vii
Enable/Disable Interleaved 2 of 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
Set Lengths for Interleaved 2 of 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-37
Convert I 2 of 5 to EAN-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-38
Enable/Disable Discrete 2 of 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-39
Set Lengths for Discrete 2 of 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-40
Enable/Disable Codabar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-41
CLSI Editing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-42
NOTIS Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-43
Enable/Disable MSI Plessey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-44
MSI Plessey Check Digits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-45
Transmit MSI Plessey Check Digit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-46
Do Not Transmit MSI Plessey Check Digit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-46
MSI Plessey Check Digit Algorithm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-47
Transmit Code ID Character . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-48
Prefix/Suffix Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-50
Scan Data Transmission Format. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-51
RS-232C Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-54
Baud Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-54
Parity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-56
Hardware Handshaking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-58
Software Handshaking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-61
Host Serial Response Time-out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-63
RTS Line State. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-63
Stop Bit Select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-64
ASCII Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-65
Beep on <BEL> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-66
Intercharacter Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-67
Numeric Bar Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-68
Cancel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-70
Glossary

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LS 2104 Product Reference Guide

ix
About This Guide
TheLS2104 ProductReferenceGuide provides generalinstructions forsetup,programming,
operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of the LS 2104 scanner.
Notational Conventions
The following conventions are used in this document:
!Bullets (!) indicate:
"action items
"lists of alternatives
"lists of required steps that are not necessarily sequential
!Sequential lists (e.g., those that describe step-by-step procedures) appear as
numbered lists.
Related Publications
!LS 21xx Series Quick Reference Guide p/n 70-32817-xx
!LS 2100 Product Reference Guide p/n 70-32818-xx
!LS 2104 Product Reference Guide p/n 70-32820-xx
!LS 2106 Product Reference Guide p/n 70-32821-xx

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LS 2104 Product Reference Guide
Service Information
If you have a problem with your equipment, contact the Symbol Support Center. Before
calling, have the model number, serial number, and several of your bar code symbols at hand.
Call the Support Center from a phone near the scanning equipment so that the service person
can try to talk you through your problem. If the equipment is found to be working properly
and the problem is symbol readability, the Support Center will request samples of your bar
codes for analysis at our plant.
If your problem cannot be solved over the phone, you may need to return your equipment for
servicing. If that is necessary, you will be given specific directions.
Note: Symbol Technologies is not responsible for any damages incurred
during shipment if the approved shipping container is not used.
Shipping the units improperly can possibly void the warranty. If the
original shipping container was not kept, contact Symbol to have
another sent to you.
Symbol Support Center
For service information, warranty information or technical assistance contact or call the
Symbol Support Center in:
United States 1
Symbol Technologies, Inc.
One Symbol Plaza
Holtsville, New York 11742-1300
1-800-653-5350
Canada
Symbol Technologies Canada, Inc.
2540 Matheson Boulevard East
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4W 4Z2
905-629-7226
United Kingdom
Symbol Technologies
Symbol Place
Winnersh Triangle, Berkshire RG41 5TP
United Kingdom
0800 328 2424 (Inside UK)
[phone] (Outside UK)
Asia/Pacific
Symbol Technologies Asia, Inc.
230 Victoria Street #04-05
Bugis Junction Office Tower
Singapore 188024
337-6588 (Inside Singapore)
[phone] (Outside Singapore)

xi
About This Guide
Australia
Symbol Technologies Pty. Ltd.
432 St. Kilda Road
Melbourne, Victoria 3004
1-800-672-906 (Inside Australia)
[phone] (Outside Australia)
Austria/Österreich
Symbol Technologies Austria GmbH
Prinz-Eugen Strasse 70
Suite 3
2.Haus, 5.Stock
1040 Vienna, Austria
1-505-5794 (Inside Austria)
[phone] (Outside Austria)
Denmark/Danmark
Symbol Technologies AS
Gydevang 2,
DK-3450 Allerod, Denmark
7020-1718 (Inside Denmark)
[phone] (Outside Denmark)
Europe/Mid-East Distributor Operations
Contact your local distributor or call
[phone]
Finland/Suomi
Oy Symbol Technologies
Kaupintie 8 A 6
FIN-00440 Helsinki, Finland
9 5407 580 (Inside Finland)
[phone] (Outside Finland)
France
Symbol Technologies France
Centre d'Affaire d'Antony
3 Rue de la Renaissance
92184 Antony Cedex, France
01-40-96-52-21 (Inside France)
[phone] (Outside France)
Germany/Deutchland
Symbol Technologies GmbH
Waldstrasse 68
D-63128 Dietzenbach, Germany
6074-49020 (Inside Germany)
[phone] (Outside Germany)
Italy/Italia
Symbol Technologies Italia S.R.L.
Via Cristoforo Columbo, 49
20090 Trezzano S/N Navigilo
Milano, Italy
2-484441 (Inside Italy)
[phone] (Outside Italy)
Latin America Sales Support
7900 Glades Road
Suite 340
Boca Raton, Florida 33434 USA
1-800-347-0178 (Inside United States)
[phone] (Outside United States)
Mexico/México
Symbol Technologies Mexico Ltd.
Torre Picasso
Boulevard Manuel Avila Camacho No 88
Lomas de Chapultepec CP 11000
Mexico City, DF, Mexico
5-520-1835 (Inside Mexico)
[phone] (Outside Mexico)

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LS 2104 Product Reference Guide
If you purchased your Symbol product from a Symbol Business Partner, contact that Business
Partner for service.
For the latest version of this guide go to:http://www.symbol.com/manuals.
Netherlands/Nederland
Symbol Technologies
Kerkplein 2, 7051 CX
Postbus 24 7050 AA
Varsseveld, Netherlands
315-271700 (Inside Netherlands)
[phone] (Outside Netherlands)
Norway/Norge
Symbol Technologies
Trollasveien 36
Postboks 72
1414 Trollasen, Norway
66810600 (Inside Norway)
[phone] (Outside Norway)
South Africa
Symbol Technologies Africa Inc.
Block B2
Rutherford Estate
1 Scott Street
Waverly 2090 Johannesburg
Republic of South Africa
11-4405668 (Inside South Africa)
[phone] (Outside South Africa)
Spain/España
Symbol Technologies S.A.
Edificioi la Piovera Azul
C. Peonias, No. 2 - Sexta Planta
28042 Madrid, Spain
9-1-320-39-09 (Inside Spain)
[phone] (Outside Spain)
Sweden/Sverige
Symbol Technologies AB
Albygatan 109D
Solna
Sweden
84452900 (Inside Sweden)
[phone] (Outside Sweden)
1Customer support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

1-1
Chapter 1
Setting Up the LS 2104
Introduction
The LS 2104 hand-held laser scanner offers excellent performance in retail and light
industrial applications. Advanced ergonomic design ensures comfortable use for extended
periods of time.
The LS 2100 Series of hand-held scanners are based on the SE 1200 Series scan engine with
Visible Laser Diode (VLD) and mylar®scan element. This state of the art technology gives
the scanner a wider decode zone, greater depth of field, and a visible scan beam. This model
reads color bar codes and symbols printed on all substrates. See the LS 2104 Decode Zone
on page 2-4.
Figure 1-1. LS 2104 Scanner
Here’s what each member of the LS 2100 family offers you:
!LS 2100 - The aggressiveness of this discrete scanner is typical of the
LS 2100 family’s performance. It connects easily to, and is programmed by, the

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LS 2104 Product Reference Guide
complete line of Symbol Technologies portable terminals and the full range of
SYMBOL and OmniLinkTM interface controllers.
!LS 2104 - With a simple cable change, this scanner is compatible with:
"RS 232C asynchronous terminals
"SynapseTM “Smart Cables”, which allow you to connect to:
"Wand Emulation terminals
"IBM 4683/4, 4693/4 series of terminals
"All leading OCIA terminals, including NCR, Nixdorf, and ICL terminals.
"Dual RS-232 Hosts
"Popular OCR terminals, such as Fujitsu and ICL.
!LS2106 - TheLS 2106scanneris a keyboard“wedge”interfacewhich addsefficient,
reliable bar code reading to your PS/2 and AT/XT terminal. Since entered scan data
is transmitted as keystrokes, no software changes to the host system are necessary.
The scanner contains on-board discrete keyboard wedge communications for
connecting to asynchronous terminals and host systems. It can also accommodate
any of the Synapse™“Smart Cables”which allows you to connect to a wide variety
of host systems. Some installations require one cable; others require additional
adapters between the keyboard, the PC, and the y-cable.
All of the LS 2100 series scan automatically at the rate of 36 scans per second. For decode
capability, see Technical Specifications on page 3-4.
Audience
The intended audience for this manual is personnel performing installation/setup and
programming of LS 2104 scanners.
Unpacking
Remove the LS 2104 from its packing and inspect it for damage. If the scanner was damaged
in transit, call the Symbol Support Center at one of the telephone numbers listed on page x.
KEEP THE PACKING. It is the approved shipping container and should be used if you ever
need to return your equipment for servicing.

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Setting Up the LS 2104
Setting Up the LS 2104
Installing the Cable
Insert the cable into the receptacle on the bottom of the scanner, as shown below:
Figure 1-2. Installing the Cable
Switching Cables
Different cables are required for different hosts. To change the scanner cable:
1. Press the tab on the cable with a small screwdriver.
2. Pull the cable out of the receptacle on the bottom of the scanner.
3. Insert a new cable in the receptacle. Press the cable firmly into the receptacle until
you hear a click.

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LS 2104 Product Reference Guide
Connecting to a Host
Plug the connector at the end of the LS 2104 cable into the appropriate port on the Symbol
interface controller or portable terminal. Refer to the controller user documentation for full
details.
Figure 1-3. Connecting to a Host
Direct RS-232 Connection
Host LS 2104
Synapse
Smart
Cable Synapse
Adapter
Power Supply
(As Required)
Host LS 2104
Power Supply
Host LS 2104
Synapse
Smart Synapse
Adapter
Cable
Wand via Synapse
LS 2104
PDT
Power Supply
Synapse
Adapter
Cable
Power
Smart
IBM via Synapse
OCIA via Synapse
Cable
Cable
Cable

2-1
Chapter 2
Scanning with the LS 2104
Introduction
This chapter covers the proper techniques for scanning bar codes and the decode zone for the
LS 2104 scanner.
Scanning with the LS 2104
Before you can use the scanner, it should have already been installed and programmed. If not,
see Chapter 4, Parameter Menus for instructions on programming your scanner. If you need
assistance, contact your local supplier or Symbol Technologies.
1. Before you use the scanner, make sure all cable connections are secure.
2. Make sure the bar code is in the correct scanning range. Aim and press the trigger;
the scan beam lights and an orange light illuminates at the rear of the scanner. The
scanner has read the symbol when:
"You hear a beep.
"The orange light turns green.
"The red laser turns off.

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LS 2104 Product Reference Guide
Figure 2-1. Holding the Scanner
Aiming the Scanner
Hold the scanner at an angle. Do not hold the scanner directly over the bar code. Laser light
reflecting directly back into the scanner from the bar code is known as specular reflection.
This strong light can “blind”the scanner and make decoding difficult. The area where
specular reflection occurs is known as a “dead zone”.
You can tilt the scanner up to 55°forward or back and achieve a successful decode. Simple
practice quickly shows what tolerances to work within.

2-3
Scanning with the LS 2104
!Scan the Entire Symbol
"The scan beam must cross every bar and space on the symbol (as in the left bar
code below).
"The larger the symbol, the farther away you should hold the scanner.
"Hold the scanner closer for symbols with bars that are close together.
Right Wrong
What Does The Beep Mean?
When you hear 1 beep (short high tone) it means data has been decoded successfully. If any
other beeps are heard, contact the technical person in charge of scanning.
When the symbol has been decoded successfully, you will hear a short, high-tone beep, and
the green decode LED will light.
For more specific information on the meanings of the various beeper sounds, refer to Beeper
Indications on page 3-8.

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LS 2104 Product Reference Guide
LS 2104 Decode Zone