Symbol PTC-960XRF User manual

PTC-960XRF
User's Guide

2
On December 1, 2000 Symbol Technologies, Inc. completed the purchase
of Telxon Corporation. References made throughout this document to
"Telxon" or "Telxon Corporation" are be replaced with "Symbol" or
"Symbol Technologies, Inc.", respectively. Any questions, contact your
Symbol representative.
©2000 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.
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 is a registered trademark 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
Symbol Support Center: 1-800-653-5350

GUIDE TO THE
PTC-960XRF

Guidetothe
PTC-960XRF
Part Number: 16676-701-01
Release Date: 5/10/93

Telxon, TCAL (Telxon Common Application Lan-
guage), and RAMSaver are registered trade-
marks of Telxon Corporation.
MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft
Corporation.
The information contained in this manual is
subject to change without notice.
Telxon Corporation shall not be liable for
technical or editorial omissions or mistakes in
this manual nor shall it be liable for incidental
or consequential damages resulting from your
use of the information contained in this manual.
This manual is copyrighted. All rights are
reserved. No part of this manual may be
photocopied or reproduced in any form without
the prior written consent of Telxon.
© Copyright 1992 Telxon Corporation
All Rights Reserved.

Contents
FCC statement . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .8
FCC regulations . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .9
Department of Communications . .. .. .. .. .. 10
Safety information . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11
Radio. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11
PTC equipped with a short-range
laser scanner .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .12
PTC equipped with a long-range
laser scanner .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .12
Disposing of nickel-cadmium batteries . .. .13
Scope . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .14
Overview of the PTC-960XRF . .. .. .. .. .. .15
Entering data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Communicating data . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Flash programming . .. .. .. .. .. .. .16
Getting started . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 17
Unpacking the PTC-960XRF . . . . . . . . . 17
Connecting theantenna . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Installing the battery pack . . . . . . . . . . 18
Charging the battery pack . . . . . . . . . . 18
Checking the PTC-960XRF . .. .. .. .. .19
Parts . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .21
Accessory connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Antenna . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .21
Bar-code scanner .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .21
Bar-code scanner trigger .. .. .. .. .. .21
Battery charger . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .23
ÄÄ
4

Battery compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Communication contacts. .. .. .. .. .. 23
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
End cap/battery packassembly . .. .. .. 24
FlashEPROM. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24
Handle. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25
Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
ENTER/YES key . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
ON/OFF key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
SHIFT key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Keyboardoverlay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
RJ-41-to-RS-232 adapter cable (optional) . . 27
Status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Charging . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .27
Good Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Low Bat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Scan . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .28
Wrist strap . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .28
Features . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .29
Autodiscrimination between bar codes . .. .29
Automatic off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Automatic return aton . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Backlight . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 29
Battery backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Beeper. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30
Clock . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 31
Communication . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .31
Display contrast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Memory . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .32
Communication and connections . .. .. .. .. .. 33
Communicating through the radio . . . . . . 33
Connecting cables . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 34
Disconnecting cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Connecting tothe optional
communication cradle . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Scanning bar-code labels . .. .. .. .. .. .. .38
5

Maintaining the PTC-960XRF . .. .. .. .. .. .40
Operating conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Handling the PTC-960XRF . .. .. .. .. .40
Storing the PTC-960XRF . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Cleaning the PTC-960XRF . .. .. .. .. .42
Servicing the PTC-960XRF . .. .. .. .. .43
Replacing the battery pack . .. .. .. .. .. .. 44
Removing the battery pack . . . . . . . . . . 44
Installing a new battery pack . .. .. .. .45
Programming the flash EPROM . .. .. .. .. .. 46
Before you begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Procedure. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 48
Troubleshooting . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 54
If the PTC does not turn on . . . . . . . . . . 54
If the bar-code scanner does not read a label 54
If your radio fails to establish contact . . . . 55
If you experience any other problems
with your PTC-960XRF . .. .. .. .. .55
Appendix A . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 56
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Physical . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .56
Electrical . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 56
Bar codetypessupported . . . . . . . . . 57
Communication . .. .. .. .. .. .. .58
Appendix B . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 59
Accessory part numbers . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Appendix C . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 61
Communication connections . . . . . . . . . 61
Appendix D . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 69
LED status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Glossary. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .70
6

Index . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .74
Figures
1.Parts of the PTC-960XRF . . . . . . . . . 22
2.Connecting a cable . .. .. .. .. .. .35
3.Scanning a bar-code . .. .. .. .. .. .39
4.Removing the battery pack . . . . . . . . 44
5.RJ-41-to-RS-232 25-pin adapter cable . .61
6.RJ-41-to-RS-232 9-pin adapter cable .. .62
7.PTC-to-1/2 duplex modem cable . . . . . 63
8.PTC-to-fullduplex modemcable. . . . . 64
9.PTC-to-host (DTE) cable . . . . . . . . . 65
10.Cloning cable, RJ-41-to-RJ-41 . .. .. .66
11.PTC-to-IBM PC/AT download cable . . . 67
12.PTC-to-IBM PC/XT download cable . . . 68
Tables
1.Accessory partnumbers . . . . . . . . . 59
2.LED status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . 69
7

FCC
statement
This equipment has been tested and found to
complywith thelimits for a Class A digital de-
vice, pursuant to Part 15 of the Federal Commu-
nication Commission (FCC) rules. These limits
are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference when the equip-
ment is operated in a commercial environment.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with this instruction manual,
may cause harmful interferenceto radio commu-
nications. Operation of this equipment in a resi-
dential area is likely to cause harmful interfer-
ence in which case users willberequired to
correct theinterference at their own expense.
ÄÄ
8

FCC
regulations
The PTC-960XRF uses radios (transceivers) and
radio communication in its operation. The PTC-
960XRF is part of a “Private Land Mobile Radio
Service”as defined by the FCC in 47 C.F.R. Part
90 (1985), Operation of the PTC-960XRF re-
quires licensing by the FCC and full compliance
with applicable FCC regulations contained in 47
C.F.R. Sections 90.1-657 (1985). IT IS A VIOLA-
TION OF FCC REGULATIONS TO OPERATE
THE PTC-960XRF BEFORE RECEIVING AN
FCC LICENSE UNDER 47 C.F.R. PART 90 AND
BEFORE FULLY COMPLYING WITH ALL
OTHER APPLICABLE FCC REGULATIONS.
The FCC ID is BC5PTC960RF.
Each Telxon customer who plans to install and
operate the PTC-960XRF must apply for and
receive an FCC license before placing the
PTC-960XRF in operation. A license is requested
from the FCC using Form 574, “Application for
Radio Station Authorization in the Private Radio
Services.”The customer should allow up to sixty
days to receive the license. If Form 574 is not
properly filled out, the FCC willreturn it. This
will cause additional delay in receiving the
needed license.
ÄÄ
9

Departmentof
Communications
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class
Alimits for radio noise emissions from digital
apparatus as outlined in the Radio Interference
Regulations of the Canadian Department of
Communications (DOC).
The radio is also approved for use in Canada.
The Canadian DOC ID is 1293 492 203 208. A
license must be obtained in Canada prior to
placing the PTC in operation. Contact the local
Canadian DOC office for details.
ÄÄ
10

Safety
information
©Radio
The FCC with its action in General Docket
79-144, March 13, 1985, has adopted a safety
standard for human exposure to radio frequency
(RF) electromagnetic energy emitted by FCC
regulated equipment. Telxon subscribes to the
same safety standard for the use of its products.
Proper operation of this radiowillresult in user
exposure substantially below the FCC recom-
mended limits.
Do not hold any component containing a radio
such that the antenna is very close to, or touch-
ing, exposed parts ofthebody, especially the face
or eyes, whiletransmitting. Hold such a compo-
nent 6 inches (15.2 centimeters) or more from
your face.
Do not allow children to play with any radio
equipment containing a transmitter.
Do not operate a portable transmitter near
unshielded electrical blasting caps or in an
explosive atmosphere unless it is a type
especially qualified for such use.
Do not turn on the PTC-960XRF or attempt to
transmit data unless the antenna is attached; if
the antenna is not attached, the radio module
may be damaged.
ÄÄ
11

©PTC equipped with a short-range laser scanner
This product is a Class II laser product. It emits
a 1.0-milliwatt beam of laser light from the out-
put window. No maintenance is required to keep
this product in compliance with U.S. Depart-
ment of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
regulation 21 C.F.R. subchapter J. No controls
are provided for operation or maintenance. Laser
light in excess of Class I limits isinside an inter-
nal protective cover. Do not stare into the beam
if the protective cover is removed.
The laser safety warning labelrequired by the
DHHS for the PTC-960XRF equipped with a
short-range laser scanner is illustrated below.
This yellow and black label is located on the
bottom of the PTC-960XRF near the scanning
window.
©PTC equipped with a long-range laser scanner
This product is a Class IIIA laser product. It
emits a 5.0-milliwatt beam of laser light from
the output window. No maintenance is required
tokeep this product in compliance with DHHS
regulation 21 C.F.R. subchapter J. No controls
are provided for operation or maintenance. Laser
light in excess of Class I limits isinside an inter-
nal protective cover. Do not stare into the beam
if the protective cover is removed.
12

The laser safety warning labelrequired by the
DHHS for the PTC-960XRF equipped with a
long-range laser scanner is illustrated below.
This red and black label is located on the bottom
of the PTC-960XRF near the scanning window.
©Disposing of nickel-cadmium batteries
Nickel-cadmium batteries contain chemically
active materials that are hazardous to the
environment; therefore, they must be disposed
of properly. Never attempt to incinerate a nickel-
cadmium battery; doing so could cause it to
explode. Telxon urges you to contact the Environ-
mental Protection Agency, the Department of
Natural Resources, a local hazardous waste dis-
posal agency, or the Telxon Customer Support
Center for assistance prior to disposing of your
nickel-cadmium batteries.
13

Scope
This manual provides general information on
how to operate, handle, and maintain the PTC-
960XRF. Use this manual as an introduction
to the PTC-960XRF along with the manual or
instructions provided by your supervisor.
This manual does not provide instructions on
how to perform the tasks specific to your job in
your organization. For that information, refer to
the manual or instructions provided by your
supervisor.
ÄÄ
14

Overview
ofthePTC-960XRF
The Telxon PTC-960XRF is a battery-powered,
hand-held computer used to collect, store, and
transmit data. The PTC-960XRF has a built-in
bar-code scanner and a radio. Options for trans-
mitting data over telephone lines and printing
are also available. The PTC-960XRF automates
your data collection procedures and is custom
programmed to efficiently handle your organiza-
tion’s unique data collection jobs (applications).
The PTC-960XRF is designed for use in areas
where dust, dirt, or moisturecan beexcessive.
The PTC has been specially sealed to resist these
hazards.
Because the PTC-960XRF is custom prorammed
for each organization, this manual does not
include thespecific operating instructions for
your organization’s unique PTC data collection
program. Operating instructions and training for
your PTC’s application program should be avail-
able from your supervisor.
The PTC runs an application program specially
designed tocollect data for your organization.
This program leads you through the application
with a series of display messages, prompts, and
beeps. Messages tell you when you make an
error and provideinformation on the application
or the PTC’s status. Prompts and beeps tell you
when toenter data, what type of data toenter,
and when you complete certain operations.
ÄÄ
15

©Entering data
You can enter data into the PTC-960XRF using
either the keyboard or the built-in scanner.
When you press a key on the PTC’s keyboard,
the corresponding number or letter appears on
the display. Pressing the ENTER key stores the
data in the PTC’smemory.
The built-in bar-code scanner can “read”a bar
code. A bar code is a series of vertical bars and
spaces that you find on nearly every item in
business today. The PTC interprets the scanned
data and stores this data in the PTC’s memory.
©Communicating data
After collecting the data, the PTC must either
transmit the data to a host computer for process-
ing or send it to a printer, or both, to make the
data useful to you and your organization. The
PTC-960XRF is capable of transmitting data
through its internal radio, through an optional
communication cradle, or by being connected by
cable toa host computer, printer, orother
accessory.
©Flash programming
The PTC-960XRF contains a flash EPROM,
which is an electronic chip that contains the
PTC’s application program. The flash EPROM
can be reprogrammed (flashed) while it isinside
the PTC, making updating and changing applica-
tion programs easy.
16

Getting
started
©Unpacking the PTC-960XRF
The PTC-960XRF is shipped in a single box
containing
•a PTC-960XRF,
•a battery charger,
•a wrist strap,
•an antenna,
•a nickel-cadmium battery pack,
•theGuide to the PTC-960XRF,
•theGuide to the FLASH Utilities (TCAL
or MS-DOS Version), and
•theGuide to Maintaining NiCd Batteries.
Any cables or additional accessories are shipped
separately. Accessories have their own manuals.
1.Remove the PTC from the box.
2.Remove all packing material from the PTC.
Savethe packing material in casethe PTC is
ever stored or shipped to Telxon for service.
3.Check the contents of the package tomake
sure you have received everything ordered.
ÄÄ
17

4.Check the PTC and accessories for shipping
damage. Pay particular attention to the PTC
case, display lens, and scanner lens.
If anything is missing or damaged, notify your
Telxon service representative.
©Connecting the antenna
CAUTION! Do not turn on the PTC-960XRF
or attempt to transmit dataunless the
antenna is attached; if the antenna is not
attached, the radio could be damaged.
1.Screw the antenna into the antenna mount
on the left side of the PTC-960XRF. See
Figure 1 on page 22 for the location of the
antenna mount.
©Installing the battery pack
1.Make sure the PTC is off.
2.Line up the end cap/battery pack assembly
with the opening in the bottom of the PTC’s
handle. See Figure 1 on page22 for theloca-
tion of the battery pack opening.
3.Slide the battery pack into the handle until
the end cap presses against the body of the
handle and the tabs on the end cap lock the
assembly into place.
©Charging the battery pack
Equipment required:
•One battery charger for each PTC
18