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IDBlue
©
Baracoda
User Guide
TM
– June 2008
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SUMMARY
SUMMARY 2
REVISION HISTORY 3
INTRODUCTION 4
1. OVERVIEW 5
2. BATTERY 5
3. SWITCHING ON THE READER 6
4. QUICK START UP GUIDE 7
4.1 H
OW TO READ TAG
7
4.2 T
HE DIFFERENT OPERATING MODES
8
4.3 H
OW TO RESET THE READER
8
4.4 H
OW TO MODIFY THE GENERAL SETTINGS
9
5. STATUS DISPLAY SUMMARY 10
6. THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO CONNECT IDBLUE TO A HOST 11
6.1.1. F
OR USERS: SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
11
6.1.2. F
OR DEVELOPERS: BARACODA SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT KIT
(SDK) 11
7. RFID PROTOCOL 12
8. SAFETY / REGULATORY 13
LIMITED WARRANTY. 14
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Revision History
Changes to the original manual are listed below.
Document Date Description
2.4 01 Jan 08 Initial release
2.4.1 13 Apr 08 Update graphic presentation
2.4.2 16 June 08 Update Safety/Regulatory information
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Introduction
The IDBlue device is a compact, handheld 13.56 MHz RFID reader that connects to a computing device via
Bluetooth. IDBlue™ has a pen form factor, making it ergonomic and easy to use. Designed for single hand use,
IDBlue™ allows for precision use of RFID tags.
The IDBlue is easy to use. Just press the trigger in order to switch on the scanner and simply press it again to
scan a RFiD tag. The device reads (and writes) information from RFID tags at the tip of the pen and then
transfers this information to the remote host devices/terminals using Bluetooth wireless technology.
The colours of the LED indicate the status of the device. The beeps and LED indicate the status of the scanner
as “Good Read”, “Connected”, etc…
All software and additional documentation can be downloaded from our website:
http://www.baracoda.com/
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1.
Overview
You can use the tip as a stylus with your PDA, TabletPC or other touch screens.
2.
Battery
Recharge the internal battery by using the included AC adapter. The Adapter rating is 9V, 1A.
When the scanner is charging, the LED is red (solid).
When the scanner is fully charged, the LED is off.
Before the initial use, the device must be charged for at least 4 hours. After, a full recharge (from completely
drained batteries) takes approximately 1-2.5 hours.
An alternation of red and green blinking on the two LEDs indicates that the battery level is low. Recharge
battery immediately.
When the original batteries wear out, please contact your Baracoda reseller for replacements.
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3.
Switching on the reader
Remember to fully charge the battery before first use.
In order to switch on the reader, please press the trigger button. Once the device has powered up, the LED will
flash green at a rate of once per second (single green flash).
The scanner will switch off by itself after some period of inactivity (in its standard mode the scanner will switch
off after 5 minutes of inactivity, if not connected. This value can be modified by the user).
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4.
Quick Start up guide
4.1 How to read tag
In order to read/write a tag, press the trigger button. The on-board LED will change to amber to indicate that
the device is busy (attempting to scan RFiD tags).
Position the reader in a perpendicular position to the tag and position the tip a few millimeters to one side of
the tag, the optimal read range for most tags will be 0-2cm.
Once the device is within range of the RFiD tag, the device will beep (single short beep) and the LED will change
back to green.
If the device cannot find the tag before the operation times out (the default value is 4seconds), the device LED
will change to red.
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4.2 The different operating modes
This section covers the basic configuration options for the IDBlue device. These options are typically updated
using the IDBlueManager (please consult the IDBlueManager User’s Guide for more information on how to
configure these settings).
Connected operating mode
The connected operating mode setting defines what happens when the IDBlue device has an established
Bluetooth connection to a Host, and the button is pressed. The connected mode options are:
- Normal (Select Tag ID) – The device will read the Tag ID and send this ID back to the Host. This is the
default mode.
- Reactive (Button Press) – The device will send a button press event back to the Host, where the Host
decides what command to execute. This mode is typically used by application developers to trigger a
sequence of RFiD operations.
- Read Block N – The device will read the Tag ID and the data in a single block and send this information
back to the Host.
- Read Blocks N + M – The device will read the Tag ID and data from a series of blocks, and send this
information back to the Host.
- Write Block N – The device will read the Tag ID of a tag, write a single block of data to the tag, then
send the Tag ID back to the Host.
These modes are used by application developers to customize the behaviour of the IDBlue device to different
types of applications and workflows.
Disconnected operating mode
The disconnected operating mode setting defines what happens when the IDBlue device does not have an
established Bluetooth connection to a Host, and the button is pressed. The connected mode options are:
- Tag Verify – The device will read a Tag ID and not store any information. This function is offered to
simply verify that a tag is compatible with the device.
- Tag Store (Store Tag ID + Timestamp + Block Data) – The device will store the Tad ID, a timestamp,
and first byte of data in the IDBlue non volatile memory. This information can be letter retrieved using
the IDBlueManager or BaracodaManager software.
4.3 How to reset the reader
You can restore the default settings of the reader by using the IDBlueManager software.
The reset button available on the bottom allows a software reset of the reader (shutdown), and not a restore
of the default settings.
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4.4 How to modify the general settings
This section covers some of the general settings and features of the device. You can enable/disable all these
options using both IDBlueManager or BaracodaManager software.
- Audio Buzzer – The IDBlue device is equipped with an audio buzzer to provide feedback to the user. If
the audio buzzer is enabled, the user will hear an audible tone upon a successful operation.
- On-board Clock – The IDBlue device has an internal clock to allow each tag stored in Tag Store mode
to record the time at which said tag was scanned.
Note: This clock is automatically set when a connection is established using the IDBlueManager, but
the device must remain on to keep an accurate time. When the device powers up, the clock is reset to
an invalid value, and must be reset in order to resume keeping track of time.
- Bluetooth Name – The device comes pre-configured with a device name (as printed on the label on
the bottom of the device). This is the Bluetooth name that will identify the device on a Bluetooth
network.
- Bluetooth PIN Code – The device comes pre-configured with a PIN code. This security feature will only
allow you to connect to the IDBlue device if the PIN code is know.
Note: The default factory Bluetooth PIN code is 0000
- Device Timeout – The device timeout is a power saving feature that allows the IDBlue device to
automatically shut down after a pre-defined period of inactivity. This timeout value may be adjusted
to best suit your application using the IDBlueManager.
- RFID Operation Timeout – The RFiD timeout setting controls how the device performs when
attempting to read an RFiD tag. This setting is the length of time (in seconds) that the device will
attempt to perform an RFiD operation before timing out. It is recommended that you keep the default
four (4) second setting in order to conserve battery life.
Note: Setting this value to zero (0) will cause all RFiD operations to fail (as they will immediately
timeout). So configuring this value to zero is NOT recommended.
- Bluetooth Timeout – The Bluetooth timeout is a power saving feature when the device is not
connected to a host. This setting is the length of time (in minutes) that the Bluetooth module will shut
down if inactive. This setting may be adjusted using the IDBlueManager. The default value for this
option is zero (0) minutes, meaning that the Bluetooth module on-board the IDBlue device will not
timeout and shutdown.
Note: To enable the Bluetooth module again, the user must press and hold down the device button for
5-6 seconds, until a tone is heard.
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5.
Status Display Summary
The IDBlue device has a LED where all functions are described below.
Operating Mode
LED Status
Description
Battery
Red Solid
In Charge
Green
Solid
Charge completed
Red One single
Flash
Battery Low
,
not
connected to Host
Red Double
Flash
Battery low,
connected
to Host
Read Tag
Amber
Solid during 4 seconds
RFiD operation in
progress
Green
Solid during 1 second
Good read
Red Solid during 1 second
Tag Lost
Green
Double f
lash Connected to Host
Green
One single
flash
Not c
onnected to Host
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6.
The different ways to connect IDBlue to a host
Baracoda proposes two (2) ways to simplify this process. Just choose the most appropriate one according to
your specific needs.
6.1.1. For users: software solutions
Two software programs used to simplify the day-to-day usage of Bluetooth devices are:
• K-Emul lets you insert the tag value in the selected field. It also allows adding a prefix and a suffix.
• BaracodaManager is a user-friendly, advanced software that, besides inserting the tag value in a field
of your application (Kemul plug-in) or displaying it (Terminal plug-in), presents the following features:
very easy connection (one click connectivity), automatic reconnection.
The Baracoda Manager is the most advanced software of Baracoda. Please check compatibility for some
specific hosts (see BaracodaManager compatibility table on www.baracoda.com).
How to quickly verify that your scanner is working correctly, using the BaracodaManager:
1. Make sure that your host device (PC or PDA) is Bluetooth enabled. If not, please contact your reseller.
2. Install the BaracodaManager (updates can be downloaded from http://www.baracoda.com/ ). Refer
to compatibility table for specific hosts.
If your Bluetooth software is not compatible, you can test your scanner with Hyper Terminal or Kemul. Refer to
Communication Protocol documentation. (Download on http://www.baracoda.com/download.)
3. Configure the BaracodaManager.
• Start the BaracodaManager by selecting Start> Programs> BaracodaManager>
BaracodaManager. The application automatically searches for wireless scanners.
• Place the scanner in discovering mode by pressing the trigger button.
• Highlight the scanner in the Devices in range box and click add.
• The Bluetooth connection asks for the passkey. While the message displays, click on the
Bluetooth connection icon in the system tray at right side of the task bar.
• Enter 0000 in the default Bluetooth Passkey Request dialog box.
• Look at the status of the scanner in the BaracodaManager application window. When the
status changes to “connected”, the scanner is ready to be used.
4. The first time you configure a scanner, the BaracodaManager opens a terminal window. Red a tag and
you will see the data appear in the terminal window.
• Close the Terminal window by clicking on exit
• Select the plug-in from the drop down menu. For more information, see the
BaracodaManager documentation.
5. When you have finished your session, click on exit of the application to save your configuration.
6.1.2. For developers: Baracoda Software Development
Kit (SDK)
The Baracoda SDKs are created for developers, who want to integrate the reader functions into software code.
This gives the end-user one software program to run rather than running the BaracodaManager in the
background and another third party software package in the foreground.
BaracodaManager uses libraries that provide an abstraction layer allowing developers to integrate Baracoda
products into their own application very rapidly. Moreover, these libraries will deal with all the low-level
routines, timeouts, connections and configuration management.
These libraries are available to developers for free (
www.baracoda.com for more information)
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7.
RFID protocol
IDBlue supports both the ISO 15693 and the Tag IT protocols. Table 1 shows a list of RFiD tag vendors and
models supported by the IDBlue device. Please match your tag model to one in the table and set the default
RFiD protocol on your device to the corresponding protocol.
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8.
Safety / Regulatory
FCC:
Product FCC Id: SW4IBRF001LBT
Interference statement:
This device complies with Part 15 (class C) of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Modification statement:
The FCC requires the user to be notified that any changes or modifications made to this device that are not
expressly approved by Baracoda Wireless Technology, may void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Wireless notice
This product emits radio frequency energy, but the radiated output power of this device is far below the FCC
radio frequency exposure limits. Nevertheless, the device should be used in such a manner that the potential
for human contact with the antenna during normal operation is minimized. The system antenna(s) used for this
transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
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Limited Warranty.
Manufacturer warrants that the product will be free of defects in material and workmanship for one (1) year
from the date of shipment. Manufacturer will, at its option, either repair, replace or refund the purchase price
paid by buyer for the defective products.
Such repair, replacement or refund shall be buyer's sole remedy in the event of Manufacturer's breach of this
limited warranty. Repaired or replaced parts or product may include new, reconditioned or remanufactured
parts and equipment at Manufacturer's option. All costs associated with shipment to Manufacturer for
warranty service, including but not limited to freight, duties, insurance and customs fees are buyer's
responsibility. Manufacturer will pay the freight costs (duties, insurance, customs and any other fees are
buyer's responsibility) associated with the return shipment to buyer. The method of shipment will be at
Manufacturer's discretion. Repair or replacement of any parts or equipment does not extend the period of
warranty provided for herein. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS MANUFACTURER'S ONLY WARRANTY.
MANUFACTURER DOES NOT GIVE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. To take advantage of this warranty, buyer should contact the seller not the
Manufacturer. The warranty set forth herein does not cover and Manufacturer will have no obligations
hereunder if any non-conformance is caused in whole or in part by; accident, transportation, neglect, misuse,
alteration, modification, or enhancement of the products or incorporation, interfacing, attachment of any
feature, program, or device to the Products by a person or entity other than Manufacturer, failure to provide a
suitable installation environment, use of the products for other than the specific purpose for which the
products are designed or any use of the product not in accordance with the User Guide or other misuse or
abuse of the product. The warranty does not cover problems linked to batteries.
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