Symbol PTC-870IM User manual

PTC-870IM
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
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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,
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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

PTC-870IM
User’s Guide

PTC-870IM
User’s Guide
Part Number: 19408-701-04
Release Date: 5/5/97

Telxon is a registered trademark of Telxon
Corporation.
PenRight! is a trademark of Telxon Corporation.
PenDOS is a registered trademark of Communication
Intelligence Corporation.
MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
DataTAC is a trademark of Motorola, Inc.
All other product or trade references are either the
trademarks or the registered trademarks of their
respective holders and are used for identification.
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 1997 Telxon Corporation
All Rights Reserved.

Contents
Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
General regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
FCC statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
DOC statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
If yourPTC contains a DATASPAN spread spectrum radio10
FCC regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
DOC statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
If your PTC contains a MicroRadio . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
FCC statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
FCC regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
DOC statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
If your PTC contains an ARDIS radio . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Disposing of nickel-cadmium batteries . . . . . . . . . . . 12
If your PTC contains a radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
If your PTC uses an attached laser scanner . . . . . . . . 12
Scope of the manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Document conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Overview of the PTC-870IM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Entering data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Through the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
With a laser scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Via the optional touch panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Via a radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4

Storing data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Communicating data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Getting started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Unpacking the PTC-870IM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Lifting the keyboard off the PTC’s screen (if a keyboard is
attached to the unit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Supplying power to the PTC-870IM . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Recharging the bridge battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Connecting the antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Turning on the PTC-870IM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Running the power-on self test . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Checking the PTC-870IM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Bridge battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Flash EPROMs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Mounting bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Non-vehicle mounting holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Processor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Autodiscrimination between bar codes . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Automatic keyboard recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Automatic sleep and resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Sleep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Internal heater (freezer units only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
ROM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
RAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Drive lettering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Operating system/environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Screen contrast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
5

Using a keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Connecting a keyboard to the PTC-870IM . . . . . . . . . 31
Adjusting the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Using a laser scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Connecting a laser scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Disconnecting a laser scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Scanning bar codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Supported bar-code types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Communicating data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Using the serial port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Connecting a serial cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Disconnecting a serial cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Using the parallel port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Connecting a parallel cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Disconnecting a parallel cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Using the radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Maintaining the PTC-870IM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Operating conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Handling the PTC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Storing the PTC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Cleaning the PTC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Replacing the desiccant cartridge (freezer units only) . . . 40
Servicing the PTC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Disposing of the PTC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Beep codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Five beeps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Power LED codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
The Power LED is off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
The Power LED is glowing steadily . . . . . . . . . . 43
The Power LED is blinking slowly . . . . . . . . . . . 43
The Power LED is blinking quickly . . . . . . . . . . 43
6

Common solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
The PTC does not turn on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
The PTC’s screen is slow to refresh (non-freezer
units only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
The laser scanner does not read a label . . . . . . . . 44
Your radio fails to establish contact . . . . . . . . . . 44
The PTC shows signs of internal condensation . . . . 45
Your application locks up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Getting help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
If you still cannot correct the problem . . . . . . . . . 45
Rebooting the PTC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Performing a warm boot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Appendix A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Installing the PTC-870IM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Installing the mounting bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Connecting the vehicle power supply . . . . . . . . . . 48
Mounting the PTC-870IM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Mounting the PTC-870IM to a wall or a horizontal surface49
Appendix B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Communication and I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Display screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Environmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Physical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Processor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Appendix C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Accessory part numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Appendix D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Communication connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
7

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
8

Regulations 1
General regulations
FCC statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant
to Part 15 of the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment 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 interference
to radio communications. Operation of this equipment
in a residential area is likely to cause harmful
interference, in which case users will be required to
correct the interference at their own expense.
DOC statement
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A
limits for radio noise emissions from digital
apparatus as outlined in the Radio Interference
Regulations of the Canadian Department of
Communications (DOC).
This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements
of the Canadian Interference-causing Equipment
Regulations.
Cet appareil numerique de la Classe Arespecte toutes
les exigences du Reglement sur le material broilleur
du Canada.
9

If your PTC contains a DATASPAN spread
spectrum radio
FCC regulations
The PTC-870IM uses radios (transceivers) and radio
communication in its operation. The PTC-870IM uses
a spread spectrum radio transceiver that qualifies for
unlicensed use. The FCC ID is on a label on the back
oftheunit.
DOC statement
The PTC-870IM’s radio is also approved for use in
Canada. The PTC-870IM uses a spread spectrum
radio transceiver that qualifies for unlicensed use.
The Canadian DOC ID is on a label on the back of the
unit.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry and
Science Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference, including interference that may cause
undesiredoperationofthedevice.
If your PTC contains a MicroRadio
FCC statement
The MicroRadio in the PTC-870IM fully complies with
FCC Part 15.249 limits for intentional radiation as
well as FCC Part 15.209 for unintentional emissions.
FCC regulations
The PTC-870IM uses radios (transceivers) and radio
communication in its operation. The PTC-870IM is a
low-power transceiver operating under FCC Part
15.249. No license is required for operation.
10

DOC statement
The PTC-870IM’s MicroRadio is also approved for use
in Canada. No license is required for operation.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry and
Science Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference, including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
If your PTC contains an ARDIS radio
The PTC-870IM’s internal transmitter has been type
accepted in accordance with FCC CFR Title 47, Part
90. The FCC ID, Canadian DOC ID, or ID number for
another appropriate regulatory agency is on a label on
the back of the PTC.
You must subscribe to the ARDIS radio network
(U.S.), Bell-Mobility (Canada), or the DataTAC
system carrier in the country of operation before
using the internal ARDIS radio. You will need to
provide the logical link identifier (LLI) number from
the label on the rear of the unit for registration on the
network. See your Telxon representative for
information on subscribing to the network in the
country in which the PTC will be used.
No license is required to operate this product in the
U.S. or Canada. For information on operating
regulations in other countries, see your Telxon
representative.
11

Safety information 2
Disposing of nickel-cadmium batteries
!Never attempt to incinerate a
nickel-cadmium battery; doing so
could cause it to explode.
The PTC-870IM’s nickel-cadmium bridge battery is
not user accessible; however, it contains chemically
active materials that are hazardous to the
environment andmust be disposedofproperly.
Do not throw away the PTC-870IM when it has
reached the end of its useful life. Send it to an
authorized Telxon service center for bridge battery
removal and recycling before the unit is permanently
disposed of.
If your PTC contains a radio
This device is compliant to the ANSI C95.1 (1992)
Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human
Exposure to Radio Frequency ElectromagneticFields
per FCC Docket 93-62.
If your PTC uses an attached laser scanner
See the laser safety information included with your
scanner.
12

Scope of the manual 3
This manual provides general information on the
PTC-870IM’s parts, features, and accessories. It also
explains how to operate and maintain the PTC.
This manual does not include the specific operating
instructions for your organization’s unique data
collection program. Operating instructions and
training should be available from your organization.
Document conventions
The following conventions are used throughout this
manual.
Warnings
Warnings indicate potential bodily injury or death.
They are set off in the left-hand columns of this
manual by the following symbol: $.
Cautions
Cautions indicate potential damage to equipment.
They are set off in the left-hand columns of this
manual by the following symbol: !.
Notes
Notes provide supplementary information. They are
set off in the left-hand columns of this manual and
are not preceded by a symbol.
13

Overview of the PTC-870IM 4
The Telxon PTC-870IM (Industrial Mount) is a
rugged, 486-processor-powered, PC-compatible,
full-screen computer used to collect, store, and
transmit data. It is designed to be attached to a
warehouse vehicle via a mounting bracket.
The PTC-870IM automates your data collection
procedures andis custom programmedto efficiently
handle your organization’s unique data collection jobs.
Options for scanning bar codes and printing are also
available.
The PTC runs a program specially designed to collect
data for your organization. This program leads you
through the data collection procedure with a series of
display messages, prompts, and beeps. Messages tell
you when you make an error and provide information
onthe program or the PTC’s status. Prompts and
beeps tell you when to enter data, what type of data
to enter, and when you complete certain operations.
An optional version of the
PTC-870IM is available for use
in extremely cold environments,
such as drive-in freezers.
The PTC-870IM is specially designed to be used in the
field and in industrial settings. It is constructed
to resist dust, dirt, and moisture and the vibrations
and hazards found in these environments. Specifically,
the case and internal components are designed to
withstand cold, vibration, shock, and water.
Entering data
Entering data into the PTC-870IM is easy. You can
key in data through an optional keyboard, scan bar
codes with a laser scanner, or select items on the
PTC’s screen (if your PTC has an optional touch
14

panel). Additionally, data can be sent and received
through an optional internal radio.
Through the keyboard
Entering data through the keyboard is similar to
operating a calculator. As you press the data keys, the
corresponding numberorletter appears onthe screen.
Pressing the ENTER key stores data inthePTC’s
memory.
With a laser scanner
A barcodeis a series of vertical bars
and spaces used on nearly every
item in business today.
Asecond method of entering data is with a laser
scanner. When you scan a bar code the PTC is
programmed to read, the PTC and scanner interpret
the data and store it in the PTC’s memory.
Via the optional touch panel
!Use only your finger to select items
on a touch panel screen. Using a pen
or similar object willcause damage.
If your PTC has the optional touch panel feature, you
can select items on the PTC’s screen by using your
finger to firmly press on the desired option.
Via a radio
Refer to pages 21 and 38 for information on radio
communication.
Storing data
Data entered into the PTC can be stored in files in
the PTC’s random access memory (RAM) or on an
optional internal solid-state hard drive.
Each file holds a separate group of application-related
data. For example, a PTC used to collect many types
of data (sales orders, inventory changes, and
employee hours) would store all data relating to sales
orders in one file, all data relating to inventory
15

changes in another, and all data relating to employee
hours in still another.
Communicating data
After collecting the data, the PTC must either
transmit it to a host computer for processing or send
it to a printer, or both, to make it useful to you and
yourorganization.
Once the host computer receives the data from the
PTC, it uses that data to update its master files and
records. In some cases, the host computer may even
transmit data back to the PTC, asking you, as the
PTC’s operator, to perform a new task.
16

Getting started 5
Unpacking the PTC-870IM
Any additional accessories, such
as a laser scanner, are shipped in
separate boxes.
Each shipping box contains
•a PTC-870IM,
•a power cable (if ordered),
•an AC power pack (if ordered),
•an antenna (if your PTC was ordered with a
radio),
•a keyboard (if ordered),
•a mounting kit (if ordered),
•a PTC-870IM Read-Me-First Sheet, and
•a PTC-870IM User’s Guide.
1. Remove the PTC and accessories from the box.
2. Remove all packing material from the PTC. Save
the packaging in case the PTC is ever stored or
shipped to Telxon for service.
3. Check the contents of the package to make sure
you have received everything ordered.
If anything is missing or
damaged, notify your Telxon
sales representative.
4. Check the PTC and accessories for shipping
damage. Pay particular attention to the PTC case
and display screen.
Lifting the keyboard off the PTC’s screen
(if a keyboard is attached to the unit)
If you ordered a keyboard and it is attached to the
unit, follow the instructions in this section to lift it off
the PTC’s display screen.
17

! Do not try to adjust the keyboard
without loosening the keyboard
knobs; you could damage the PTC.
5.Loosenthekeyboard knobs.
6.Using your thumb and index finger, squeeze the
keyboard latches together.
7.While still holding the latches together, lift the
keyboard off of the PTC and rotate it to the
desiredposition.
8.Tighten the keyboard knobs to lock the keyboard
in place.
Supplying power to the PTC-870IM
If you wish to connect your PTC-870IM to vehicle
power and to mount it to a warehouse vehicle, follow
the instructions in Appendix A.
If you wish to connect your PTC-870IM to AC power,
follow the instructions in this section.
1.Plug the connector on the AC power pack into the
PTC-870IM’s power connector.
Touse the PTC outside of the
U.S. or Canada, you need a power
pack designed for the country’s AC
voltage supply (e.g., 220 volts).
2.Plug the power pack into a standard electrical
outlet (110 volts AC inthe U.S. orCanada).
Recharging the bridge battery
Seepage20formoreinformation
on the PTC’s bridge battery. Before you use the PTC for the first time, connect it to
AC or vehicle power for 10 to 12 hours to fully charge
the internal bridge battery.
Connecting the antenna
! Do not turn on the PTC-870IM or
attempt to transmit data unless the
antenna is attached; otherwise, the
radio may be damaged.
If your PTC-870IM contains a single radio, screw the
antenna into the antenna connector on the top of the
unit.
If your PTC contains two radios, connect the antenna
for the spread spectrum radio to the antenna
connector on the top of the unit and the antenna for
18