Thermo Scientific VisionMate User manual

Thermo Scientific™
VisionMate™ High Speed
2D Barcode Reader
April 2014
User Manual

Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 9
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 8
Chapter 10
Package Contents ..............................................................................................................1-1
Installation....................................................................................................................2-1
Installation Requirements........................................................................................................2-1
Installing the VisionMate Software...........................................................................................2-1
Getting Started....................................................................................................................3-1
Logging into the VisionMate software.....................................................................................3-1
Overview of the main screen....................................................................................................3-2
Setting Basic Parameters...................................................................................................4-1
Setting the Rack Type............................................................................................................4-1
Decoding a Rack...................................................................................................................4-1
Setting the expected number of tubes................................................................................... 4-2
Setting the Rack ID................................................................................................................4-2
Setting the Region of Interest.................................................................................................4-3
Exporting to .CSV or Text File.............................................................................................5-1
Enabling the CSV File Export Function....................................................................................5-1
Exporting to a Microsoft Excel file....................................................................................6-1
Enabling the MS Excel File Export Function..............................................................................6-1
Exporting to the Virtual COM Port.....................................................................................7-1
Enabling the Virtual COM Port Export Function.........................................................................7-1
Exporting to a COM Port....................................................................................................8-1
Enabling the COM Port Export Function....................................................................................8-1
Exporting to an XML file....................................................................................................9-1
Enabling the XML File Export Function.....................................................................................9-1
Exporting using an TCP/IP Server....................................................................................10-1
Viewing the TCP/IP Configuration Tab....................................................................................10-1
Enabling the TCP/IP Server..................................................................................................10-4
Testing the TCP/IP Server with Hyperterminal........................................................................10-5
Exporting to an ODBC Database......................................................................................11-1
Viewing the ODBC Configuration Tab.....................................................................................11-1
Connecting to the Demo Database........................................................................................11-4
Single Tube Mode.............................................................................................................12-1
Activating Single Tube Mode................................................................................................12-1
Scanning a Single Tube........................................................................................................12-1
Exporting using Single Tube Mode........................................................................................12-1
Returning to Rack Scanning Mode........................................................................................12-3
User Management.............................................................................................................13-1
Adding a User.......................................................................................................................13-1
Removing a User..................................................................................................................13-3
Updating a User’s User Level...............................................................................................13-4
Changing a User’s Password................................................................................................13-4
Disabling Need for Login......................................................................................................13-4

Table of Contents
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
QC Procedures...................................................................................................................14-1
Enabling the QC Check function.............................................................................................14-1
Configuring the QC Checks..................................................................................................14-1
QC Check Results................................................................................................................14-2
Frequently Asked Questions............................................................................................15-1
Disabling USB Power Management Setting...........................................................................15-2
Technical Specifications..................................................................................................16-1
Addendum..............................................................................................................A-1

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Chapter 1
1
Package Contents
Your Thermo Scientific™VisionMate™High Speed Scanner package should
contain the following items:
•One VisionMate High Speed Scanner
•One Installation CD
•One Printed Manual
•Three power leads suitable for US, UK, and European use
•One black ABS carry-case
NOTE: If your package does not contain the
above items, please contact your supplier or
Thermo Scientific Representative.

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Chapter 2
2
Installation
The recommended operating system to use the Thermo Scientific VisionMate High Speed 2D
Reader is Microsoft Windows XP. The minimum requirements for a personal computer running
the VisionMate software at a satisfactory level are listed below: If performance is noticeably slow,
increasing RAM to 1GB or above and / or increasing processor speed will normally help.
1. Insert the CD and start the installation.
•If the installation does not start automatically, double-click the setup application on the root of
the CD. “VisionMate96 3.2.1.7 Setup.exe” Newer version may also be supplied
2. Confirm that you agree to the terms in the license agreement by selecting “Yes” to continue with
the installation.
Installation Requirements
Installing the VisionMate Software
Component Requirement
Computer/Processor 2 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) or higher processor
Memory 1 GB RAM
Hard disk 300 MB of available hard disk space
Operating System Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Vista Windows 7
Drive CD-ROM drive
Display Super VGA (800x600) or higher resolution monitor with 256 colors
Peripherals Mouse or compatible pointing device
USB One available USB2.0 port
Note: The scanner should not be connected via an external USB hub!
Power One mains power socket

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3. Select “Next” on the “System Update Summary” screen.
•The “System Update Summary” screen displays the software updates that your PC
requires.
4. Keep selecting “Next” or “OK” to apply software updates until you are asked to plug in
the scanner.
•Various updates depending on your current system configuration will be applied during
this step.
•Do not select OK until Step 4 is complete.
5. Plug in the scanner. Do not select “OK” on the Installation dialog until all of the hardware
is installed and ready to use by following the following directions. When prompted in the
“Found New Hardware Wizard” dialog, select “No, not this time” if asked to connect to
Windows update.
Choose to “Install the hardware automatically”. The camera driver will install.
Chapter 2 |Installation

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Select “Continue Anyway” on the Hardware Installation screen that appears.
Select “Finish” to complete the New Hardware Wizard.
•Windows will continue to install the scanner hardware then will prompt you
that your new hardware is installed and ready to use.
6. Select “OK” in the VisionMate dialog.
•The installer will continue to install files.
7. When the Final Installation is complete, select “Finish”.
•The VisionMate High Speed 2D Reader is now ready to use!
Chapter 2 |Installation

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Chapter 3
3
Getting Started
1. Start the application by double-clicking the desktop or start menu shortcuts.
2. Upon starting the VisionMate software, you will be presented with a Login screen, where you will
enter the User Name (default: Admin) and Password (default: Thermo).
•If you select “Cancel”, the software will exit.
•The default user level is Administrator. See Chapter 13.1, Step 7, for details.
3. The status area will be display “ready” once the software is loaded.
Logging into the VisionMate software

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The main screen of the VisionMate software is shown below and the following table outlines each
numbered feature indicated on the image.
# Component Function
1Rack Size Selector
The Rack Size Selector is used to set a custom rack size from 1x1 tubes/rack size to
12x12 tubes/rack size.
Generally, for standard 24, 48 or 96 tube racks, the Quick Rack Selector (see # 3
below) should be used.
2Manufacturer
Selector
By using the Manufacturer Selector to select the correct rack type, the scanner will be
optimized for that rack type.
Generally, if no failed read errors are encountered, it is acceptable to use only
the Matrix or Abgene setting for any rack manufacturer type.
3Quick Rack
Size Selector
The
Quick Rack Size Selector can be used to quickly select either a 24, 48 or 96 tube
rack, or alternatively to select Single Tube Mode.
4Status Display
This displays the software status. The possible status messages are:
“
Loading ”: The software is busy loading the selected rack type and making a
connection to the camera.
“
Ready ”: The software is ready to scan.
“
Load Rack Required ”: The software needs to load a rack before scanning. The load
button must be pressed or the software will automatically load next time a rack is
attempted to be scanned.
5Single Tube
Mode Button
The Single Tube Mode Button switches the scanner into single tube mode where a
single tube may be held to the scanner glass and read. (See Chapter 11 on Single Tube
Mode). When the scanner is in single tube mode, clicking the button again returns the
scanner to its previously selected rack mode
6Expected no. of
Tubes Selector
This allows the user to specify the number of tubes in a rack which are expected to
be decoded in the case where a rack is not full of tubes. The expected number of
tubes selector is only visible when “Enable Expected No of Tubes” is checked on the
“Options” menu.
Chapter 3 |Getting Started

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# Component Function
7Rack and User
Display
The User ID (entered at login) and the User Level are displayed.
The Rack ID is shown when a rack is scanned and an ID is entered.
The current Loaded Rack type is displayed.
8Decode Results
Display
When a rack is scanned the number of tubes decoded or not decoded is displayed
here as well as the actual scan time in milliseconds. (1000 milliseconds = 1 second)
9Decode Window When a rack is being scanned, the image received from the scanner is shown here. As
each individual tube is decoded, a box is placed around the code in the image.
10 Textual Results
Display Window
After a completed scan, the decoded tube codes are displayed in textual format here.
The results may be ordered either by column or row and the text can be copied and
saved.
11 Grid Results
Display Window
After a completed scan, the decoded tube codes are displayed here and arranged in
grid format as they would be in the rack. The results are always shown in the correct
order regardless of the orientation in which the rack is placed on the scanner.
Chapter 3 |Getting Started

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Chapter 4
4
Setting Basic Parameters
•The scanner will decode any of the Thermo Scientific family of 2D coded tube racks up to a rack
size of 12x12, with minimal configuration.
1. Automatically starting a scan:
a. Determine if the rack being used has a “mousehole” or small notch on the front right base as
a rack orientation feature.
•Current Abgene, Matrix and Nunc racks all have this feature
1. Choose the rack manufacturer by selecting either “Abgene”,
“Matrix” or “Nunc”.
•It is normally possible to decode various manufacturers’ racks on a single manufacturer setting.
•The Matrix setting is recommended for scanning most types of racks quickly.
•However, if some tubes fail to read due to ambient light conditions, high-humidity environments,
etc., it is advisable to choose the correct manufacturer.
2. To set the tube layout within the rack, choose one of the following methods (a or b):
a. Use the Quick Rack Selector to select either a 24, 48 or 96 tube rack.
b. Set the number of rows and columns by changing the values in the scroll boxes.
3. The status message will display “Load Rack Required”. Select the “Load” button. The status
message will display “Loading” and then “Ready” when the scanner is ready to decode the
selected rack type.
Setting the Rack Type
Decoding a Rack

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*Blocked sensors can result in failure
of the Auto-Rack Orientation Feature
b. The VisionMate scanner has two optical sensors located in two corners of the metal lid
which automatically sense the presence of a rack and use this mousehole to properly
and automatically placing the tube codes into the proper well location. In order to use
the automatic rack sensing, go to the “Config” menu and check the “Enable AutoScan
Function”. Ensure the sensors located in the upper left and lower right of scanner glass
remain free of debris.
c. Place a rack on the scanner.
•After a small delay to enable placing of the rack, the scan will start and the decode results will
be displayed.
2. Starting a scan manually:
a. Ensure that the “Enable AutoScan Function” menu item under the Config menu is
NOT checked.
b. Place a rack on the scanner.
c. Pull down the System menu and select “Start Scan”. The scan will start and the decode
results will be displayed.
3. For starting a scan via TCP/IP, please see Chapter 10 “Using the TCP/IP Server” for details.
The expected number of tubes function is useful when you are scanning a rack that is not
completely full. This function speeds up the decoding time on partial racks since the software does
not spend time trying to decode empty rack locations.
1. Enable the Expected Number of Tubes Function
a. Open the “Config” menu.
b. Select “Expected No of Tubes” to bring up the Expected Number of Tubes selector.
Each rack that is scanned is given a rack ID.
•The rack ID identifies the rack within the software and after export.
c. To set the set the expected number of tubes, choose one of the following methods:
•Select a fixed number of tubes option (24, 48 or 96)
• Select the fourth option and enter a number of tubes (shown above as “84”).
2. Export only if Expected Tubes are Read
a. If you wish to only export data when the expected number of tubes are read, then select the
check box “Export Only if Achieved”.
Setting the expected number of tubes
Setting the Rack ID
Chapter 4 |Setting Basic Parameters

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1. To select the Rack ID naming method select the “Rack ID” menu.
2. Select the rack id method you wish to use. The table below describes the available rack
naming methods.
Rack ID Method Description
Request Before Scan A dialog box is shown before the scan is performed in which you may enter
a rack id.
Request After Scan A dialog box is shown immediately after the scan is
Use Date and Time (default) The rack ID is automatically completed using the current date and time. The
date and time format used for the rack id is “yyyymmdd-hhmmss”.
Set via TCP/IP The rack ID is set via the TCP/IP connection from a remote system. Please
see Chapter 10, “Using the TCP/IP Server”.
Set via 1D Reader
The rack ID is read from a rack linear barcode using the optional Thermo 1D
reader accessory (AB-1860).
If you wish to use a third-party 1D keyboard-wedge style reader then it is
possible to use one of the first two rack id methods above to scan the rack
barcode when the dialog box is displayed.
Use Fixed ID If this option is selected and a Rack ID is entered in the related menu item,
then each rack will be named using this fixed ID.
1. Select the Tube manufacture and the rack configuration for your specific storage tube.
2. Go to Options and select Set ROI from the list.
3. Place the rack of tubes on the scanner and press the ‘Ok’ button.
4. Start to adjust the alignment by clicking on the center of the grid and dragging it to align the
very center of the tube rack.
5. Once the center is aligned click and drag each edge of the grid and drag it to align the codes.
To save and test the alignment remove the rack and place it back on to the scanner.
Setting the ROI (Region of Interest)
Chapter 4 |Setting Basic Parameters

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NOTE: Although can only select up to 30,
larger values can be manually typed) – for
very poor quality barcodes this may need to
be increased to 120 or greater.
Chapter 4 |Setting Basic Parameters
6. Camera settings need adjustment: Open camera configuration tab and make adjustments to
gain and exposure values independently. Optimum adjustments will be dependent on tube
contrast as well as ambient lighting conditions.
7. Go to Config -> “Timeout Frame Limit” – Increase
8. Delete Config Files, shutdown the VisionMate HS software delete the folder
C:\ProgramData\Thermo\VisionMate SR\Config

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Chapter 5
5
Exporting to a .CSV or other text file
This export function allows the data to be decoded to any of the following text file types:
- Comma-delimited file (*.csv for Microsoft Excel compatibility)
- Text file (*.txt for Notepad compatibility)
- Log file (*.log)
The main difference between the files is the application they normally open with in Windows.
1. Open the “Export” menu.
2. Open the “Export To” sub-menu.
3. Select the “Text File (*.csv)” option to bring up the text file configuration tab.
Enabling the CSV File Export Function

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Data Export Group
Data Format Group
Item Description
Export Date to each line Exports the date to each line in the output file based on the date format.
Export Rack Name to each Line Exports the ID to each line in the output file.
Export Rack Name to top of file Exports the rack name to the top of the file on a single line.
Export Time to each line Exports the time to each line in the output file based on the time format.
Export Tube rack
location to each line Exports the tube locations to each line in the output file.
Export User Name to each line Exports the current user name to each line in the output file.
Item Description
Date Format
A drop down box allows the selection of a date format to use when exporting
the date to the output file. (y = year; M = month; d = day; MMM = month
abbreviation; MMMM = month full name)
Delimiter Character A drop down box allows the selection of the delimiter character.
Order Results By Option to order the results by Column or Row in the output file..
Time Format A drop down box allows the selection of a time format to use when exporting
the date to the output file. (h = hour; m = minute; s =second; t = PM/AM)
Use Delimiter Character
at End of Line
This option allows the user to include or not include the delimiter character at
the end of each line in the output file.
4. Choose the appropriate export parameters according to the details below. The data output is
performed automatically at the end of each scan.
Chapter 5 |Exporting to a .CSV or other text file