Unitech MS842N User manual

2D Imager Scanner
- MS842N -
User’s Manual
Version 0.2

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Getting Started ............................................................................................................................................................ 1
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................1
About This Guide .............................................................................................................................................................1
Barcode Scanning............................................................................................................................................................2
Programming Barcodes ...................................................................................................................................................2
Factory Defaults ...............................................................................................................................................................3
Custom Defaults...............................................................................................................................................................3
Chapter 2 Communication Interfaces ......................................................................................................................................... 5
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................5
Serial Communication Interface .......................................................................................................................................5
Baud Rate.................................................................................................................................................................6
Parity Check..............................................................................................................................................................7
Data Bit .....................................................................................................................................................................7
Stop Bit .....................................................................................................................................................................8
Hardware Flow Control .............................................................................................................................................8
USB Interface................................................................................................................................................................... 9
USB-DataPipe...........................................................................................................................................................9
USB HID-KBW ..........................................................................................................................................................9
USB Country Keyboard Types ..................................................................................................................................9
Country Code Table (Appendix 5) ........................................................................................................................... 10
Beep on Unknown Character .................................................................................................................................. 11
Emulate ALT+Keypad ............................................................................................................................................. 11
Function Key Mapping ............................................................................................................................................ 11
Inter-Keystroke Delay ............................................................................................................................................. 12
Caps Lock ............................................................................................................................................................... 12
Convert Case .......................................................................................................................................................... 13
Emulate Numeric Keypad ....................................................................................................................................... 13
USB COM Port Emulation....................................................................................................................................... 14
HID-POS................................................................................................................................................................. 14
Acquire Scanned Data ............................................................................................................................................ 15
VID/PID................................................................................................................................................................... 15
IBM SurePOS(Tabletop).......................................................................................................................................... 16
IBM SurePOS (Handheld)....................................................................................................................................... 16

Chapter 3 Scan Mode................................................................................................................................................................. 17
Trigger Mode.................................................................................................................................................................. 17
Auto Mode...................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Decode Session Timeout ........................................................................................................................................ 18
Timeout Between Decodes (Same Barcode) .......................................................................................................... 18
Continuous Mode........................................................................................................................................................... 19
Timeout Between Decodes (Same Barcode) .......................................................................................................... 19
Chapter 4 Scanning Preferences .............................................................................................................................................. 21
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Regular Mode/Mobile Phone Mode................................................................................................................................ 21
Decode Area .................................................................................................................................................................. 21
Whole Area Decoding ............................................................................................................................................. 21
Central Area Decoding............................................................................................................................................ 22
Specify Central Area ............................................................................................................................................... 22
Chapter 5 Illumination & Aiming ............................................................................................................................................... 23
Illumination..................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Aiming ............................................................................................................................................................................ 24
Chapter 6 Beep & LED Indications ........................................................................................................................................... 25
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 25
Startup Beep .................................................................................................................................................................. 25
Beep after Good Decode................................................................................................................................................ 25
Beep Type............................................................................................................................................................... 26
Beep Volume........................................................................................................................................................... 26
Additional Settings for Type 1 ................................................................................................................................. 27
Beep Duration ......................................................................................................................................................... 27
Beep Frequency...................................................................................................................................................... 28
LED Notification ............................................................................................................................................................. 29
LED Notification for Good Decode .......................................................................................................................... 29
LED Notification Duration for Good Decode............................................................................................................ 29
Chapter 7 Data Formatting......................................................................................................................................................... 30
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 30
General Settings ............................................................................................................................................................ 31
Enable/Disable All Prefix/Suffix ............................................................................................................................... 31
Prefix Sequences.................................................................................................................................................... 31
AIM ID Prefix.................................................................................................................................................................. 32

Code ID Prefix................................................................................................................................................................ 32
Restore All Default Code IDs .................................................................................................................................. 33
Modify Code ID ....................................................................................................................................................... 33
Custom Prefix................................................................................................................................................................. 37
Enable/Disable Custom Prefix ................................................................................................................................ 37
Set Custom Prefix ................................................................................................................................................... 37
Custom Suffix................................................................................................................................................................. 38
Enable/Disable Custom Suffix................................................................................................................................. 38
Set Custom Suffix ................................................................................................................................................... 38
Data Packing.................................................................................................................................................................. 39
Normal Pack ........................................................................................................................................................... 39
Terminating Character Suffix.......................................................................................................................................... 40
Enable/Disable Terminating Character Suffix.......................................................................................................... 40
Set Terminating Character Suffix............................................................................................................................. 41
Chapter 8 Symbologies.............................................................................................................................................................. 42
General Settings ............................................................................................................................................................ 42
Enable/Disable All Symbologies.............................................................................................................................. 42
Enable/Disable 1D Symbologies............................................................................................................................. 42
Enable/Disable 2D Symbologies............................................................................................................................. 42
1D Symbologies............................................................................................................................................................. 43
Code 128 ................................................................................................................................................................ 43
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 43
Enable/Disable Code 128 ....................................................................................................................................... 43
Set Length Range for Code 128 ............................................................................................................................. 43
GS1-128 (UCC/EAN-128) ....................................................................................................................................... 44
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 44
Enable/Disable GS1-128......................................................................................................................................... 44
EAN-8 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 45
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 45
Enable/Disable EAN-8 ............................................................................................................................................ 45
Transmit Check Digit............................................................................................................................................... 45
Add-On Code .......................................................................................................................................................... 46
EAN-8 Extension..................................................................................................................................................... 47
EAN-13 ................................................................................................................................................................... 48
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 48
Enable/Disable EAN-13 .......................................................................................................................................... 48
Transmit Check Digit............................................................................................................................................... 48

Add-On Code .......................................................................................................................................................... 49
ISBN ....................................................................................................................................................................... 50
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 50
Enable/Disable ISBN .............................................................................................................................................. 50
Set ISBN Format..................................................................................................................................................... 50
UPC-E..................................................................................................................................................................... 51
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 51
Enable/Disable UPC-E............................................................................................................................................ 51
Transmit Check Digit............................................................................................................................................... 51
Add-On Code .......................................................................................................................................................... 52
Transmit System Character “0” ............................................................................................................................... 52
UPC-E Extension .................................................................................................................................................... 53
UPC-A..................................................................................................................................................................... 54
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 54
Enable/Disable UPC-A............................................................................................................................................ 54
Transmit Check Digit............................................................................................................................................... 54
Add-On Code .......................................................................................................................................................... 55
Transmit Preamble Character “0”............................................................................................................................ 55
Interleaved 2 of 5 .................................................................................................................................................... 56
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 56
Enable/Disable Interleaved 2 of 5 ........................................................................................................................... 56
Set Length Range for Interleaved 2 of 5 ................................................................................................................. 56
Parity Check............................................................................................................................................................ 57
Set Discrete Lengths for Interleaved 2 of 5............................................................................................................. 58
ITF-14 ..................................................................................................................................................................... 59
ITF-6 ....................................................................................................................................................................... 60
Matrix 2 of 5 ............................................................................................................................................................ 61
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 61
Enable/Disable Matrix 2 of 5 ................................................................................................................................... 61
Set Length Range for Matrix 2 of 5 ......................................................................................................................... 61
Parity Check............................................................................................................................................................ 62
Code 39 .................................................................................................................................................................. 63
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 63
Enable/Disable Code 39 ......................................................................................................................................... 63
Set Length Range for Code 39 ............................................................................................................................... 63
Parity Check............................................................................................................................................................ 64
Transmit Start/Stop Character................................................................................................................................. 65
Enable/Disable Code 39 Full ASCII ........................................................................................................................ 65

Codabar .................................................................................................................................................................. 66
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 66
Enable/Disable Codabar ......................................................................................................................................... 66
Set Length Range for Codabar ............................................................................................................................... 66
Parity Check............................................................................................................................................................ 67
Transmit Start/Stop Character................................................................................................................................. 68
Start/Stop Character Format ................................................................................................................................... 68
Code 93 .................................................................................................................................................................. 69
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 69
Enable/Disable Code 93 ......................................................................................................................................... 69
Set Length Range for Code 93 ............................................................................................................................... 69
Parity Check............................................................................................................................................................ 70
GS1-Databar (RSS) ................................................................................................................................................ 71
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 71
Enable/Disable GS1 Databar .................................................................................................................................. 71
Transmit Application Identifier “01”.......................................................................................................................... 71
GS1 Composite Code ............................................................................................................................................. 72
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 72
Enable/Disable GS1 Composite Code .................................................................................................................... 72
EAN/UPC Composite.............................................................................................................................................. 72
Code 11................................................................................................................................................................... 73
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 73
Enable/Disable Code 11.......................................................................................................................................... 73
Set Length Range for Code 11................................................................................................................................ 73
Transmit Check Digit............................................................................................................................................... 74
Parity Check............................................................................................................................................................ 74
Industrial 2 of 5 ....................................................................................................................................................... 75
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 75
Enable/Disable Industrial 2 of 5 .............................................................................................................................. 75
Set Length Range for Industrial 2 of 5 .................................................................................................................... 75
Parity Check............................................................................................................................................................ 76
Standard 25............................................................................................................................................................. 77
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 77
Enable/Disable Standard 25.................................................................................................................................... 77
Set Length Range for Standard 25.......................................................................................................................... 77
Parity Check............................................................................................................................................................ 78
Plessey ................................................................................................................................................................... 79
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 79

Enable/Disable Plessey .......................................................................................................................................... 79
Set Length Range for Plessey ................................................................................................................................ 79
Parity Check............................................................................................................................................................ 80
MSI-Plessey............................................................................................................................................................ 81
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 81
Enable/Disable MSI-Plessey................................................................................................................................... 81
Set Length Range for MSI-Plessey......................................................................................................................... 81
Transmit Check Digit............................................................................................................................................... 82
Parity Check............................................................................................................................................................ 82
2D Symbologies............................................................................................................................................................. 83
PDF 417.................................................................................................................................................................. 83
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 83
Enable/Disable PDF 417......................................................................................................................................... 83
Set Length Range for PDF 417............................................................................................................................... 83
PDF 417 Inverse ..................................................................................................................................................... 84
PDF417 Twin Code................................................................................................................................................. 85
QR Code................................................................................................................................................................. 86
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 86
Enable/Disable QR Code........................................................................................................................................ 86
Set Length Range for QR Code .............................................................................................................................. 86
QR Twin Code......................................................................................................................................................... 87
Aztec Code ............................................................................................................................................................. 88
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 88
Enable/Disable Aztec Code..................................................................................................................................... 88
Set Length Range for Aztec Code........................................................................................................................... 88
Read Multi-barcodes of an Image ........................................................................................................................... 89
Set the Number of Barcodes................................................................................................................................... 90
Data Matrix.............................................................................................................................................................. 91
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 91
Enable/Disable Data Matrix..................................................................................................................................... 91
Set Length Range for Data Matrix........................................................................................................................... 91
Rectangular Barcode .............................................................................................................................................. 92
Data Matrix Inverse................................................................................................................................................. 92
Data Matrix Twin Code............................................................................................................................................ 93
Maxicode................................................................................................................................................................. 94
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 94
Enable/Disable Maxicode........................................................................................................................................ 94
Set Length Range for Maxicode.............................................................................................................................. 94

Chinese Sensible Code........................................................................................................................................... 95
Restore Factory Defaults ........................................................................................................................................ 95
Enable/Disable Chinese Sensible Code ................................................................................................................. 95
Set Length Range for Chinese Sensible Code........................................................................................................ 95
Chinese Sensible Code Inverse.............................................................................................................................. 96
Chapter 9 Troubleshooting........................................................................................................................................................ 97
FAQ................................................................................................................................................................................ 97
Appendix ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 99
Appendix 1: Factory Defaults Table................................................................................................................................ 99
Appendix 2: AIM ID Table............................................................................................................................................. 105
Appendix 3: Code ID Table........................................................................................................................................... 106
Appendix 4: ASCII Table............................................................................................................................................... 107
Appendix 5: Country Code Table...................................................................................................................................111
Appendix 6: ASCII Function Key Mapping Table .......................................................................................................... 112
Appendix 7: Symbology ID Number ............................................................................................................................. 114
Appendix 8: Parameter Programming Examples ......................................................................................................... 115
a. Program the Decode Session Timeout.............................................................................................................. 115
b. Program the Timeout between Decodes (Same Barcode)................................................................................ 115
c. Program the Central Area.................................................................................................................................. 115
d. Program the Duration of Good Decode Beep (Type 1) ..................................................................................... 116
e. Program the Frequency of Good Decode Beep (Type 1).................................................................................. 116
f. Program the LED Notification Duration for Good Decode.................................................................................. 116
g. Program the Custom Prefix/Suffix..................................................................................................................... 117
h. Program the Terminating Character Suffix ........................................................................................................ 117
i. Program the Code ID ......................................................................................................................................... 117
j. Program the Length Range (Maximum/Minimum Lengths) for a Symbology ..................................................... 118
k. Program the Discrete Lengths for Interleaved 2 of 5......................................................................................... 119
Appendix 9: F-Key Barcodes........................................................................................................................................ 120
Appendix 10: Digit Barcodes........................................................................................................................................ 122
Appendix 11: Save/Cancel Barcodes ........................................................................................................................... 124

Enter Setup
Chapter 1 Getting Started
Introduction
The MS842N series embedded 2D barcode scan engines are armed with CMOS image capturer, featuring fast scanning
and accurate decoding on barcodes on virtually any medium - paper, magnetic card, mobile phones and LCD displays.
About This Guide
This guide provides programming instructions for the MS842N. Users can configure the MS842N by scanning the
programming barcodes included in this manual.
The MS842N has been properly configured for most applications and can be put into use without further configuration.
Users may check the Factory Defaults Table in Appendix for reference. Throughout the manual, programming barcodes
marked with asterisks (**) are factory default values.
.
1**Exit Setup

Enter Setup
Barcode Scanning
The MS842N feasures fast scanning and decoding accuracy. Barcodes rotated at any angle can still be read with ease.
When scanning a barcode, simply center the aiming beam or pattern projected by the MS842N over the barcode.
Programming Barcodes
Scanning the Enter Setup barcode can enable the engine to enter the setup mode. Then you can scan a number of
programming barcodes to configure your engine. To exit the setup mode, scan the Exit Setup barcode.
If the engine has exit the setup mode, only some special programming barcodes, such as the Enter Setup barcode and
Restore All Factory Defaults barcode, can be read.
Enter Setup ** Exit Setup
Programming barcode data can be transmitted to the Host. Scan the appropriate barcode below to enable or disable the
transmission of programming barcode data (programming commands) to the Host.
Transmit Programming Barcode Data ** Do Not Transmit Programming Barcode Data
** Exit Setup 2

Enter Setup
Factory Defaults
Scanning the following barcode can restore the engine to the factory defaults. See Appendix 1: Factory Defaults Table for
more information.
Restoring the engine to factory defaults will not remove custom defaults stored on the engine.
Restore All Factory Defaults
Note: Use this feature with discretion.
Custom Defaults
Scanning the Restore All Custom Defaults barcode can reset all parameters to the custom defaults. Scanning the Save as
Custom Defaults can set the current settings as custom defaults.
Custom defaults are stored in the non-volatile memory.
Save as Custom Defaults Restore All Custom Defaults
3**Exit Setup

Enter Setup
** Exit Setup 4

Enter Setup
5**Exit Setup
Chapter 2 Communication Interfaces
Introduction
The MS842N engine provides a TTL-232 interface and a USB interface to communicate with the host device. The host
device can receive scanned data and send commands to control the engine or to access/alter the configuration
information of the engine via the TTL-232 or USB interface.
Serial Communication Interface
Serial communication interface is usually used when connecting the engine to a host device (like PC, POS). However, to
ensure smooth communication and accuracy of data, you need to set communication parameters (including baud rate,
parity check, data bit and stop bit) to match the host device.
The serial communication interface provided by the engine is based on TTL signals. TTL-232 can be used for most
application architectures. For those requiring RS-232, an external conversion circuit is needed. The conversion circuit is
available only to some models.
Serial Communication
Default serial communication parameters are listed below. Make sure all parameters match the host requirements.
Parameter Factury Default
Serial Communication Standard TTL-232
Baud Rate 9600
Parity Check None
Data Bits 8
Stop Bits 1
Hardware Auto Flow Control None

Enter Setup
** Exit Setup 6
Baud Rate
Baud rate is the number of bits of data transmitted per second. Set the baud rate to match the Host requirements.
** Baud Rate 9600 Baud Rate 19200
Baud Rate 1200 Baud Rate 38400
Baud Rate 2400 Baud Rate 57600
Baud Rate 4800 Baud Rate 115200
Baud Rate 14400

Enter Setup
7**Exit Setup
Parity Check
** None
Even Parity Odd Parity
Data Bit
** 8 Data Bits 6 Data Bits
7 Data Bits 5 Data Bits

Enter Setup
** Exit Setup 8
Stop Bit
** 1 Stop Bit 2 Stop Bits
Hardware Flow Control
If this feature is enabled, the engine determines whether to transmit data based on CTS signal level. When CTS signal is at
a low level which means the serial port’s cache memory of receiving device (such as PC) is full, the engine sends data
through RS-232 port until CTS signal is set to high level by receiving device. When the engine is not ready for receiving, it
will set RTS signal to low level. When sending device (such as PC) detects it, it will not send data to the engine any more to
prevent data loss.
If this feature is disabled, reception/transmission of serial data will not be influenced by RTS/CTS signal.
Enable Hardware Flow Control ** Disable Hardware Flow Control
Note: Before enabling this feature, make sure that RTS/CTS signal line is contained in RS-232 cable. Without the signal
line, serial communication errors will occur.

Enter Setup
9**Exit Setup
USB Interface
USB-DataPipe
A driver is required when using this protocol to communicate with the engine. Its advantages include fast data transmissoin
and easy to use.
USB-Datapipe
USB HID-KBW
When you connect the engine to the Host via a USB connection, you can enable the USB HID-KBW feature by scanning
the barcode below. Then engine’s transmission will be simulated as USB keyboard input. The Host receives keystrokes on
the virtual keyboard. It works on a Plug and Play basis and no driver is required.
USB HID-KBW
USB Country Keyboard Types
Keyboard layouts and country codes vary from country to country. All supported keyboard types are listed in the Country
Code Table. The default setting is US keyboard type.
To learn how to select a keyboard type, see the example below.
Select Country Code

Enter Setup
** Exit Setup 10
Country Code Table (Appendix 5)
Country/Language Code Country/Language Code
U.S. 0Netherlands(Dutch) 14
Belgium 1Norway 15
Brazil 2Poland 16
Canada(French) 3Portugal 17
Czechoslovakia 4Romania 18
Denmark 5Russia 19
Finland(Swedish) 6Slovakia 21
France 7Spain 22
Germany/Austria 8Sweden 23
Greece 9Switzerland(German) 24
Hungary 10 Turkey F 25
Israel(Hebrew) 11 Turkey Q 26
Italy 12 U.K 27
Latin-American 13 Japan 28
Example: Program the engine to emulate Norwegian keyboard (Norway)
1. Scan the Enter Setup barcode.
2. Scan the Select Country Code barcode.
3. Check the country code for Norway in the Country Code Table. (Norway: 15)
4. Scan the numeric barcodes “1” and “5”.
5. Scan the Save barcode.
6. Scan the Exit Setup barcode.

Enter Setup
11 **Exit Setup
Beep on Unknown Character
Due to the differences in keyboard layouts, some characters contained in barcode data may be unavailable on the selected
keyboard. As a result, the engine fails to transmit the unknown characters.
Scan the appropriate barcode below to enable or disable the emission of beep when an unknown character is detected.
Beep on Unknown Character ** Do Not Beep on Unknown Character
Emulate ALT+Keypad
When Emulate ALT+Keypad is turned on, any ASCII character (0x00 - 0xff) is sent over the numeric keypad no matter
which keyboard type is selected. Since sending a character involves multiple keystroke emulations, this method appears
less efficient.
Emulate ALT+Keypad ON ** Emulate ALT+Keypad OFF
Function Key Mapping
When Function Key Mapping is enabled, function character (0x00 - 0x1F) are sent as ASCII sequences over the numeric
keypad. For more information, see Appendix 6: ASCII Function Key Mapping Table .
A shortcut to send a function key (F1-F12) is to scan the corresponding barcode in Appendix 9: F-Key Barcodes .
Note: Emulate ALT+Keypad ON prevails over Enable Function Key Mapping.
Enable Function Key Mapping ** Disable Function Key Mapping

Enter Setup
** Exit Setup 12
Example: Barcode data 0x16
Enable Function Key Mapping
Ctrl +V
Disable Function Key Mapping F1
Inter-Keystroke Delay
This parameter specifies the delay between emulated keystrokes.
** No Delay
Short Delay (20ms) Long Delay (40ms)
Caps Lock
The Caps Lock ON option can invert upper and lower case characters contained in barcode data. This inversion occurs
regardless of the state of Caps Lock key on the Host’s keyboard.
Caps Lock ON ** Caps Lock OFF
Note: Emulate ALT+Keypad ON/Convert All to Upper Case/ Convert All to Lower Case prevails over Caps Lock ON.
Example: When the Caps Lock ON is selected, barcode data “AbC” is transmitted as “aBc”.