DESKO NEPTUN chrom Technical Specification

Technical Specification Page 1 of 18
DESKO NEPTUN chrom Doc # 7 001 160 101 Doc.-Rev: 2018-06-06

Technical Specification

DESKO NEPTUN chrom®

DESKO GmbH
Gottlieb-Keim-Str. 56
95448 Bayreuth
GERMANY

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Web: www.desko.com

Technical Support:
E-mail: [e-mail] | Phone: [phone] |
Website: www.desko.com/support

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Table of Contents

DESKO Official Explanation of Abbreviations ............................................................ 3

1 Handling Rules & Package Content .................................................................... 4

1.1 Handling of the NEPTUN chrom ............................................................... 4

1.2 Package Content ...................................................................................... 4

2 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 5

3 Features of the NEPTUN chrom .......................................................................... 6

3.1 Ingress Protection 54 (IP54) ..................................................................... 6

3.1.1 Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Reader ......................................... 6

3.1.2 Magnetic Stripe Reader (MSR) ............................................................... 7

3.1.3 Multicolor LED ...................................................................................... 7

3.1.4 Buzzer .................................................................................................. 7

3.1.5 Serial AUX Port (optional) ...................................................................... 8

3.1.6 Chip Card Module (optional) ................................................................. 8

3.1.7 NFC/RFID Reader (optional) .................................................................. 9

3.1.8 USB AUX Ports (optional) ....................................................................... 9

3.1.9 Integrated Pointing Device (optional) .................................................... 9

4 Installation and Setup ........................................................................................ 9

4.1 Software Setup ......................................................................................... 9

4.2 Hardware Setup ....................................................................................... 9

5 Software Integration ........................................................................................ 10

5.1 Virtual Serial Connection ........................................................................ 10

5.2 Connecting via HIDAPI ........................................................................... 10

5.3 Keyboard Emulation ............................................................................... 10

6 Hardware Integration ...................................................................................... 10

7 Usage of the NEPTUN chrom ........................................................................... 11

7.1 Usage of the OCR / MSR Reader ............................................................. 11

7.1.1 Reading an OCR Document ................................................................. 11

7.1.2 Reading an MSR Document ................................................................. 12

7.2 Using the Chip Card Reader ................................................................... 13

8 Service and Maintenance ................................................................................. 13

9 Warranty ......................................................................................................... 14

10 Support ........................................................................................................... 14

11 Technical Overview ......................................................................................... 15

11.1 Technical Data ....................................................................................... 15

11.2 Dimensions ........................................................................................... 15

11.3 Technical Drawing ................................................................................. 16

12 Regulation Information .................................................................................... 17

13 Supplier's Declaration of Conformity ............................................................... 18

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DESKO Official Explanation of Abbreviations

1D Code

Linear or one-dimensional Barcode

2D Code

Two-dimensional Barcode

API

Application Programming Interface

BC

Barcode

BCR

Barcode Reader

DLL

Dynamic Link Library

DPI

Dots Per Inch

DUKPT

Derived Unique Key per Transaction

ICAO

International Civil Aviation Organization

IP

Ingress Protection

IR

Infrared

ISO

International Organization for Standardization

LED

Light Emitting Diode

MRZ

Machine-Readable Zone

MSR

Magnetic Stripe Reader

NFC

Near Field Communication

OCR

Optical Character Recognition

PCB

Printed Circuit Board

QIG

Quick Installation Guide

RFID

Radio Frequency Identification

RS232

Serial Interface

RTC

Real Time Clock

USB

Universal Serial Bus

SDK

Software Development Kit

UV

Ultraviolet Light

VCOM

Virtual COM Interface

VIS

Visible Light

VIZ

Visual Inspection Zone

WLAN

Wireless Local Area Network

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1 Handling Rules & Package Content

1.1 Handling of the NEPTUN chrom

The NEPTUN chrom is designed to work in a rough environment and withstand light
shocks. Nevertheless, the device contains a precise opto-mechanical part.

Therefore, DESKO recommends the following handling rules:

• Do not drop the device.

• Prevent the device from heavy vibrations.

• The device is not waterproof, prevent the device from getting wet.

• Prevent the device from heavy dust.

1.2 Package Content

• NEPTUN chrom

• Quick Installation Guide with the log-in data for the NEPTUN chrom download

area. Within the download area you will find all relevant documents for the
NEPTUN chrom and necessary tools and drivers.

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2 Introduction

This guide describes the usage of the

NEPTUN chrom

keyboard. Detailed information
on the respective configuration can be found in the Quick Installation Guide, which is
shipped with the device.

Please contact [e-mail] should you have not received a Quick Installation
Guide or need access to our download area.

The NEPTUN chrom is ideal for data gathering applications of OCR documents with a
machine-readable zone and magnetic stripe documents. Such applications are usually
found in the airline and airport environment, ticket- and border control or public
authority environment and many more.

Depending on the hardware configuration, the NEPTUN chrom is equipped with the
following standard features:

• Keyboard with 104/105 keys (keyboard layout available in various sorts of

country versions).

• 3-track magnetic stripe reader to read customer loyalty cards, employee cards

or credit cards.

• OCR passport reader with infrared light illumination, mounted in the same slot

as the magnetic reader.

• Protection against dust and water according to IP54 regulations.

Optionally the NEPTUN chrom can be equipped with the following features:

• Chip card reader for reading of contact-based chip cards

• RFID reader

• Serial AUX port to connect an external barcode reader or other serial devices

• 2x USB AUX Ports

• Pointing device (integrated mouse module)

• 3-track MSR module with encryption functionality and DUKPT key management

Should you not know the exact hardware configuration of your device or should you
need further information on the NEPTUN chrom, please contact our sales team at

[e-mail]. Please always state the serial number of the device in your email.

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3 Features of the NEPTUN chrom

3.1 Ingress Protection 54 (IP54)

The NEPTUN chrom is protected against dust and water according to IP54 regulations.

IP stands for ingress protection and is a rating code commonly used for security
equipment. It consists of two digits, which show the level of protection a device has
against dust and water.

The IP rating normally has two numbers:

➢ First digit: protection from solid objects or materials (dust)
➢ Second digit: protection from liquids (water)

The NEPTUN chrom keyboard has the following rating:

First digit = 5 : Protected against dust (no harmful deposit)
Second digit = 4 : Protection against splashing of water from any directions

Please note: The IP54 rating only applies to the standard version of the NEPTUN
chrom. If the keyboard is equipped with the following features, it is not protected
against water and dust:

• Chip card module

• Pointing device

• Serial AUX port

• USB AUX port

3.1.1 Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Reader

The built-in OCR reader is able to scan and decode MRZ data of various documents.
The reader is equipped with an infrared illumination for reading ID cards and passport
documents.

The OCR reader can by default read and decode OCR data from the following
documents:

• Passport data from machine-readable passports, ID cards and driver licenses

according to ISO/IEC 7501-1, ICAO 9303 and ISO 18013

Light Source

Description

Wavelength

Comment

IR

infrared light

850 nm

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• Personal OCR encoded travel documents e.g. visa, crew member cards

according to ICAO 9303

The standard OCR read rate higher than 99%.

3.1.2 Magnetic Stripe Reader (MSR)

The integrated 3-track magnetic stripe reader is able to read and decode all magnetic
documents encoded according to ISO 7811/2-5. This functionality allows the
handling of documents such as CUTE sign-on cards, credit cards, frequent flyer cards,
employee cards and many more.

The device automatically recognizes each document type and decodes the information
accordingly.

3.1.3 Multicolor LED

Next to the standard keyboard LEDs (Num-, Scroll- and Caps-Lock), the NEPTUN
chrom is equipped with a multicolor status LED for user feedback (see picture below).

Picture1: Blue colored keyboard LEDs with multicolor status LED

The status LED displays the OCR and MSR scanner result with the following
indications:

Turned off = idle mode
Green = good read result (2 seconds)
Red = bad read result (blinking, 2 times)

3.1.4 Buzzer

The NEPTUN chrom is equipped with an internal buzzer for audible user feedback.
The buzzer volume can be adjusted by device configuration. See chapter 7 for further
details regarding firmware and device configuration.

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The Buzzer has by default the following functionality:

Good read result: one short buzzer sound
Bad read result: three short buzzer sounds

3.1.5 Serial AUX Port (optional)

Optionally, the NEPTUN chrom can be equipped with a serial auxiliary device port,
realized in a SUBD 9pin male connector. This AUX port can be used to connect a
barcode reader. Every data send from the barcode reader will be sent unchanged to
the system.
If an application does expect any special protocol format, the barcode reader has to
be configured accordingly and has to support this protocol itself.

PIN Assignment for AUX Port (SUBD 9pin male):
PIN-1: NC PIN6: NC
PIN-2: RXD PIN7: RTS
PIN-3: TXD PIN8: CTS
PIN-4: NC PIN9: NC
PIN-5: GND

Picture 2: SUBD of NEPTUN chrom

3.1.6 Chip Card Module (optional)

The NEPTUN chrom can be equipped with an ISO 7816 compliant chip card reader.
The card reader module is designed for reading synchronous and asynchronous chip
cards with the following standards:

ISO 7816, 2-wire SLE 4432/42, 3-wire SLE 4418/28, I2C, SLE 4404.

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3.1.7 NFC/RFID Reader (optional)

The NEPTUN chrom is available with an integrated NFC/RFID module. This module can
read RFID documents according to ISO 14443(A/B), e.g. RFID chip of a biometric
passport.

3.1.8 USB AUX Ports (optional)

The NEPTUN chrom can be equipped with two additional USB ports realized in USB-A
connectors.
It has to be considered that, in case of USB bus powered devices, these two USB AUX
ports and the NEPTUN chrom have to share the power, which is provided by the USB
port of the workstation. According to the USB 2.0 specification, one USB port has to
provide 500 mA. In chapter 11 the power consumption of the NEPTUN chrom is listed.

3.1.9 Integrated Pointing Device (optional)

The NEPTUN chrom can be equipped with an integrated pointing device. It consists of
a trackpoint and two mouse buttons, located below the space key.

4 Installation and Setup

4.1 Software Setup

Information about the software (including documentation), driver and SDK can be
found in the DESKO download area. The link and login data for the download area can
be found in the Quick Installation Guide, which is shipped with the device, or contact

[e-mail].

4.2 Hardware Setup

Connect the NEPTUN chrom via USB cable with your PC.
The NEPTUN chrom is executing a self-test. A short buzzer sound indicates that the
device completely booted and is ready for use.

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5 Software Integration

Software integration of the NEPTUN chrom is done via the host connection. Usually
this is established by a virtual COM port connection via the USB host port.
Alternatively, a DESKO swipe reader API (HIDAPI) or a keyboard emulation is also
available.
DESKO is able to provide appropriate software packages for the operating systems
Microsoft Windows, Linux and Android.

Please contact [e-mail] for further information.

5.1 Virtual Serial Connection

For using the DESKO NEPTUN chrom via a virtual serial port, it is necessary to install
the DESKO VCOM software package. Please refer to the Quick Installation Guide, which
is shipped with the device, for more information.

This software generates a virtual COM port on the system, which can be used as a
standard COM port. As soon as the generated virtual COM port is opened by an
application, the NEPTUN chrom is ready for operation. In this status, the OCR and MSR
data will be sent to the generated virtual COM port. Please refer to the Quick
Installation Guide for the protocol description.

5.2 Connecting via HIDAPI

To get access to all features of the NEPTUN chrom (besides the standard keyboard
features) it needs to be addressed via the HIDAPI. This HIDAPI is included in the device
SDK, which provides drivers for several operating systems as well as libraries and
sample applications for C/C++, Java and .Net.

5.3 Keyboard Emulation

Optionally the scanned OCR and MSR data can be sent as keyboard data to the system.
In this case, no additional software has to be installed on the system.

6 Hardware Integration

The standard host connection is established via the USB interface. The NEPTUN chrom
is USB-bus powered and does not need an additional power supply.

Optionally an auxiliary RS232 port is available for connecting an additional serial
device (e.g. a barcode scanner).

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7 Usage of the NEPTUN chrom

As soon as the NEPTUN chrom is connected to a PC, the device is ready to read OCR
and MSR data from various documents.

The NEPTUN chrom provides the OCR and MSR scan functionality in only one slot. To
read a document, the medium (e.g. credit card) should be pulled through the swipe
slot with moderate and constant speed. It is possible to swipe in both directions.

7.1 Usage of the OCR / MSR Reader

7.1.1 Reading an OCR Document

The implemented OCR scanner supports a bidirectional swipe. To read an OCR
document, the medium (e.g. passport) should be pulled through the swipe slot with
moderate and constant speed.

Please note that the OCR information always has to face towards you in order to be
read.

Picture 3: position of machine-readable zone

Depending on the read result, the buzzer and the multicolor LED give a respective
feedback (see chapters 3.1.3 and 3.1.4).

MRZ

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7.1.2 Reading an MSR Document

The integrated 3-track bidirectional magnetic stripe reader is able to read all
magnetic stripe data encoded according to ISO 7811/2-5. This functionality allows
the handling of documents such as CUTE sign-on cards and all credit, frequent flyer
and employee travel cards.

Please note that the magnetic stripe always has to face towards you in order to be
read.

Depending on the read result, the buzzer and the multicolor LED give a respective
feedback (see chapters 3.1.3 and 3.1.4).

magnetic stripe

Picture 4: Position of magnetic stripe card

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7.2 Using the Chip Card Reader

The chip card reader module of the NEPTUN chrom is able to read ISO 7816 compliant
chip cards. For using the chip card reader it is necessarry to install an appropriate
software packet. Please refer to the Quick Installation Guide, which is shipped with
the hardware or contact our support team at [e-mail].

When inserting a card, the contacts must be facing towards you, as shown in the
picture below.

Picture 5: Location of the chip card reader and direction of the chip card contacts

8 Service and Maintenance

In general, DESKO products are maintenance free. However, should you require any
technical assistance, please contact our support team at [e-mail].

For maintenance regarding firmware upgrade, it is required to install a dedicated
DESKO software package. This can be obtained upon request and contains all
necessary drivers, tools and documentation to perform following actions:

• Display detailed information about firmware version and device configuration

• Update firmware and device configuration

Please contact our support team, should you require the DESKO software package.

contacts of chip card

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9 Warranty

Please note that due to improper usage (see section 1.1) or after opening the device,
warranty cannot be claimed anymore. Warranty excludes normal wear and tear.

10 Support

Please check if the NEPTUN chrom is properly connected to your PC and, if needed,
the software is installed. If this is the case and the device still does not work, please
contact our support team:

Technical Support
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: www.desko.com/support

Phone: [phone]

(available during German office hours)

In order to give you an immediate and reliable support please always include the
following information within your support inquiry:

✓ Name of the product
✓ Serial number of the product

(The serial number can be found on the backside
of the device. It is an eleven-digit number, always starting with 20. Example:
201546 00589)

✓ Used firmware, configuration and software version
✓ Detailed issue description
✓ Corresponding logfiles (VCOM with log level 4: C:\hid2ser.log and C:\Windows\hid2ser.ini

(see also VCOM manual). Device updater: C:\%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\DESKO
GmbH\DeviceUpdater)

✓ Contact details of the person responsible at your company

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11 Technical Overview

11.1 Technical Data

Supply Voltage: 5 V DC +/- 5 % (USB bus-powered)

Supply Current: Icc = max. 300mA

Data Output: USB

Storage Temperature: -10 °C – +60 °C

Operating Temperature: 0 °C – 50 °C

Ingress Protection: IP54

Humidity: <80 % (R.H. non condensing)

Reliability MTBF = 180.000 hours

Cable Length: 2.20 m (86.61 inch)

RF / EMI Compliance: CE and FCC

11.2 Dimensions

Weight: Approx. 1400 g (3 lb)

Width: 200 mm (7.87 inches)

Length: 385 mm (15.16 inches)

Height: Back 43 mm (1.69 inches)

Front 18 mm (0.71 inches)

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11.3 Technical Drawing

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12 Regulation Information

This device complies with FCC §15.105 (b):
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the 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 the 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 the user will be required to correct the
interference at his own expense.

This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s).
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.

Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicables aux
appareils radio exempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions
suivantes :
(1) l'appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l'utilisateur de l'appareil doit
accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible
d'en compromettre le fonctionnement.

CAUTION: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by DESKO GmbH
could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

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13 Supplier's Declaration of Conformity

Unique Identifier: NEPTUN chrom®

Party issuing Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity

DESKO GmbH
Gottlieb-Keim-Str. 56
95448 Bayreuth
GERMANY
Phone: [phone]
Web: www.desko.com

Responsible Party – U.S. Contact Information

DESKO LC
1800 Pembrook Drive
Suite 300
Orlando FL 32810
United States

FCC Compliance Statement
This device complies with Part 15 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.