GTCO AccuTab II User Manual

Standard Operating Information
Parts Checklist
What You Need to Use AccuTab II
Care and Handling

Cleaning AccuTab II
Maintaining the Transducers
Replacing the Pen Tip
Replacing the Pen Batteries
Replacing the Cursor Batteries

Installing AccuTab II

Mounting a Large AccuTab II Tablet
Connecting to Your Computer
Connecting to the Power Supply
Applying Power to AccuTab II
Configuring Your Computer
Configuring and Using the Transducer

Using the AccuSet Menu

Configuring for Specific Application Programs
Using the Custom Configuration Menu
Communication Options
Output Format Options
Mode Options
Controlling the Alarm
Controlling the Alarm Using Remote Commands
Resetting AccuTab II
Testing the Active Area

AccuTab II Tones
Troubleshooting Guide

Procedure A: Begin Troubleshooting
Procedure B: Troubleshooting

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Table of Contents

AccuTab II 1

AccuTab II 2

Procedure C: Troubleshooting
Using GTCOTEST
Reducing Monitor Interference
Tablet Checklist
Computer Checklist
Software Checklist

AccuTab II Specifications

Sources of Power

Advanced Operating Information

AccuTab II Interfacing
Character Format and Baud Rate
Cabling
Flow Control

Remote Commands

GTCO AccuTab II Commands
Functional Control Commands
Alarm Commands
Format Selection Commands
Diagnostic Commands
CalComp Emulation Commands
Summagraphics Emulation Commands
Command Mode Basics
A Hint for Programmers

Advanced Programming Information

Coordinate Formats
Binary Formats
GTCO/CalComp Binary Format
Summagraphics Binary Format
Cursor Button Codes in Binary Formats
ASCII Formats
Cursor Button Codes in ASCII Formats
Measurement Scales
Digitizing Modes
Point Mode
Line Mode
Continuous Mode
Line Incremental Mode
Continuous Incremental Mode

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Remote Request Mode
Controlling the Alarm Using Remote Commands
Programming Examples

General Product Information

Radio and Television Interference
Bescheinigung des Herstellers/Importeurs
Limited Warranty for AccuTab II

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AccuTab II 4

To replace the pen tip, grasp the tip and pull
straight out (see figure). Insert the new tip
and press until it clicks into place.

Parts Checklist

 AccuTab II Series digitizing tablet with attached Controller
 Power supply
 Transducer (cursor or stylus)
 Computer interface cable with 9-pin connector
 TabletWorks CD

NOTE: AccuTab II Controller is the small enclosure attached to the back of the tablet that
contains the electronics that drive the digitizer.

What You Will Need to Use AccuTab II

 Computer with an RS-232C communication port
 Graphic application software that accepts digitizer input

Care and Handling

Cleaning AccuTab II

 To clean the tablet, GTCO CalComp by Turning Technologies recommends using any

non-abrasive cleaner that is appropriate for cleaning kitchen counter tops.

 To clean the cursor body, use a mild cleanser. Do not spray the cleanser directly on

the cursor, instead dampen a soft cloth with a mixture of water and the cleanser.

 Clean cursor reticles with alcohol.

NOTE: Excessive cleaning can dissolve the filled black cross hair on a reticle.

Maintaining the Transducers

Replacing the Pen Tip

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To replace the batteries:

1. Unscrew the pen cap. Hold the

pen from the bottom and gently
slide off the pen cover to expose
the batteries.

2. Remove the old batteries by

turning the pen over and gently
tapping it, letting the batteries
fall into your other hand.

3. Insert the new batteries as they

are shown in the figure (+
towards pen tip).

4. Replace the pen cover and screw

the pen cap onto the pen.

Replacing the Pen Batteries

The pens require two 393 silver oxide batteries. The average battery life is 750 to 1,000
hours.

NOTE: When you replace the pen batteries, the pen will reset to the default frequency. If
you changed the frequency of the pen before replacing the batteries, you will need to do so
again after replacing the batteries (See Reducing Monitor Interference for additional
information).

Replacing the Cursor Batteries

The cursor requires two AAA batteries. The average battery life for the cursor batteries is
4,000 hours.

AccuTab II 6

To replace the batteries:

1. Place the cursor face down in the

palm of your hand. Use a Phillips
screwdriver to remove the two
screws located on the bottom of
the cursor (see figure). Remove
the cursor base.

2. Remove the old batteries from the

battery casings.

3. Place the new batteries in the

casings, matching the polarity of
each battery with the markings on
the connector strips (match + to
+).

4. Reposition the cursor base.

Replace the screws with the
Phillips screwdriver.

NOTE: When you replace the cursor batteries, the cursor will reset to the default
frequency. If you changed the frequency of the cursor before replacing the batteries, you
will need to do so again after replacing the batteries (see Reducing Monitor Interface).

Installing AccuTab II

The following instructions provide information on how to put the AccuTab II system
together and attaching it to the computer.

Mounting a Large AccuTab II Tablet

The AccuTab II can be placed on a table, desk or drafting table. Alternatively, you can
mount a tablet on a workstation stand available from a variety of manufacturers.
Instructions will be packed with the stand. GTCO CalComp by Turning Technologies also
provides Universal Mounting Brackets, as an option, that allow the digitizer to be mounted

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Connect the round end of the serial
cable to the jack labeled I/O on the
Controller. The arrow on the
connector should face up.

Attach the 9-pin or 9-pin to 25-pin
connector to the serial port on back
of computer.

Connecting the Power Supply

Attach the power supply’s cable to

the jack on the back of the serial

cable’s connector. Plug the power

supply into a power outlet or power
strip.

to virtually any pedestal. Contact GTCO CalComp by Turning Technologies at

1.866.746.3015 or email us at [e-mail] for price and availability.

NOTE: Do not drill holes in any GTCO CalComp by Turning Technologies tablet.

Connecting to Your Computer

GTCO CalComp by Turning Technologies provides an RS-232C/power supply cable with
each AccuTab II system.

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Applying Power to AccuTab II

With the wall mount power supplies, the AccuTab II is powered on as soon as the unit is
plugged into the outlet and the power switch on the Controller is turned ON. If you have a
desktop supply, turn on the power supply switch. The AccuTab II performs a self-test and
responds with a series of tones when powered up.

When you apply power, you should instantly hear four short “Success!” tones and

simultaneously see the green light in the upper right-hand corner flash four times. This
response indicates that the AccuTab II is functioning properly.

If you hear any tones before the “Success!” tones or if you do not hear the four “Success!”

tones or if the lights on the transducer do not flash four times, there is a problem.
Carefully review the installation step-by-step and correct any errors. If there is still a
problem, go the Troubleshooting section of the manual.

Configuring Your Computer

Apply power to the computer. Configure the application software to operate with AccuTab
II. Many application programs provide configuration information for specific digitizers. If
the GTCO CalComp by Turning Technologies AccuTab II digitizer is not listed, you can use
the configuration for GTCO CalComp by Turning Technologies Digi-Pad Type 5 or Type 5A
(T5/T5A), or CalComp 9100/9500 or Summagraphics Microgrid III.

If necessary, install the appropriate digitizer driver(s) from the Digitizer Driver CD supplied
(AutoCAD, Windows and mouse drivers are included).

NOTE: Install only the drivers that are necessary for the AccuTab II to work with your
application software.

Connecting and Using the Transducer

Three standard transducers are available for the AccuTab II:

 Cordless 4-button cursor
 Cordless 16-button cursor
 Corded 16-button illuminated cursor (high accuracy)

If you are using a corded transducer, attach the connector to the jack labeled POINTER on
the tablet’s Controller.

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The transducer does not need to be in contact with the tablet surface in order for the tablet

to sense its presence. It can be detected up to 1” above the drawing area, depending on

which transducer is being used (see Proximity in AccuTab II Specifications). This allows
you to trace through materials placed on the surface, such as a drawing or book. Also,
before using the transducer, be sure that sleep mode is turned off by pressing any button
on the transducer.

The Cursor

When using the cursor, the intersection point of
the crosshairs on the lens identifies the point

that’s selected. The crosshairs are etched on the

bottom of the lens to increase accuracy. For
maximum precision, look through the lens from
directly over it.

Button 0 on the cursor is used as the pick (or left mouse) button. All other buttons are
defined by the TabletWorks software or through your own software application.

High Accuracy Cursor

To illuminate the lens area of the high accuracy cursor, press and hold any button in the far
right column (3, 7, B or F); at the same time, press and hold any button in the far left
column (0, 4, 8 or C). The right column button must be held down while pressing the left
column button. This same procedure turns the illumination off. The illumination defaults
to off when the tablet is first powered on.

Because you will always need one right column button and one left column button free to
control the cursor illumination, you should reserve one button in each column from any
macro recording.

NOTE: AccuTab II high accuracy cursor resembles the cursor for the 9500 series tablet.
Although the only difference seems to be the presence of the row of LEDs above the top
row of buttons on the 9500 series cursors, do not interchange these cursors as damage
to both tablet and cursor may result.

Learning Basic Movements

The AccuTab II transducers provide all the basic movements of a mouse. The basic
movements are clicking, double-clicking and dragging.

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Clicking and Double-Clicking

Clicking is the action of making a selection. You may be selecting a key on the tablet
surface or making a selection from the monitor screen. To click, place the transducer or
move the screen pointer via the transducer to the item to be selected and then tap the pen
or press Button 0 on the cursor. A double-click requires you to press the button quickly
two times while the transducer remains in the same place. You can also double click by
pressing the cursor button that has been defined as a double-click button (see TabletWorks

Help).

Dragging

Dragging is the action of moving the transducer during a selection. To drag, click on an
object, but instead of releasing the tip or button, hold it down while moving the pointing
tool or corresponding object on the screen, to the desired new location.

Using the AccuSet Menu

Use the AccuSet Menu to:

 Configure AccuTab II for specific application programs
 Use the Tablet Configuration Utilities
 Control the alarm
 Reset the AccuTab II
 Test the active area

Configuring for Specific Application Programs

You can use the AccuSet Menu to quickly change the AccuTab II’s operating characteristics
to match those required by different application programs running on the computer.

To configure AccuTab II for use with specific application programs:

1. In Table 1, find the application program you’ll be using with AccuTab II. Please note

the corresponding AccuSet Code.

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 If your application program is not listed in Table 1, find the configuration

settings that apply to your application program in Table 2 and use that
AccuSet Code.

 If an appropriate AccuSet Code is not listed in Table 2, then use the Custom

Configuration Menu to set up the AccuTab.

2. Select the block on the AccuSet Menu. This lets the AccuTab II know you are

about to set a new configuration. You will hear one short beep.

NOTE: The proximity light will turn on only when the transducer is over a AccuSet
Menu block that is a valid selection (for example, the proximity light will not turn on

over a digital block until the block has been selected).

3. On the AccuSet Menu, select the two digits of the AccuSet Code for your application

program. You will hear one short beep after the first digit. Then, following the
second digit, you will hear the four short “Success!” tones informing you that the
AccuTab II has reset itself to the new configuration. The proximity light on the
transducer will also flash four times.

To cancel a menu selection before it is complete, digitize a point in the tablet’s main
active area. Three long beeps will indicate that the AccuSet selection process has
been aborted. The proximity light on the transducer will also flash three times.

4. Run the corresponding application program on your computer.

NOTE: Hardware flow control is not supported by the AccuTab II Controller. If you
have an application that requires this option, contact GTCO CalComp by Turning
Technologies for alternatives.

Table 1: AccuSet Menu Codes for Selected Application Programs

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Table 2: Configuration Details for AccuSet Menu Codes

NOTE: Max = 100 coordinates/second lpi = lines per inch lpmm = lines per millimeter

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Using the Custom Configuration Menu

The AccuTab II with its Controller uses the Tablet Configuration Utilities to control baud
rate, data format and other operating characteristics.

If your application does not have an AccuSet Menu Code or if a different configuration is
required, then use the Custom Configuration Menu to format AccuTab II. The Custom
Configuration Menu replaces the 24 switches associated with the older Type 5A Controller.
It also replaces the Custom Configuration Menu Card used with AccuTab.

Configurations you set up can be stored in any of ten user-definable AccuSet locations
(codes 90 through 99) for recall at a later time. This allows the AccuTab II to be easily
switched between applications.

To configure AccuTab II with the Custom Configuration Menu:

Please read the Release Notes on the CD for the location of the Custom Configuration
Program.

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Communication Options

 Baud: The rate, in bits/second, at which characters are transmitted across the RS-

232C serial interface. Choices are: 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200 or 38400.

 Data Bits: Data bits represent the actual data being sent from one device to

another. Both devices must be set for the same number of data bits. Choices are:
Seven (7) or Eight (8).

 Stop Bits: Each character has one or two stop bits, which tell the receiving device

that a character is complete. The number of stop bits usually does not matter.
Setting for two stop bits instead of one may overcome a mismatch in parity or data
bits. Choices are: One (1) or Two (2).

 Parity: One bit can be allocated for parity (parity is a simple error-detecting

scheme). Both devices (sending and receiving) must be set for the same parity –
either odd parity or even parity – or they must be set for no parity. Choices are:
None (N), Even (E) or Odd (O).

Output Format Options

 GTCO: Selects GTCO-compatible formats. See Advanced Programing Information in

the AccuTab II Online Help for greater detail on GTCO format structure. Choices are:
Binary or ASCII.

 CalComp: Selects CalComp-compatible formats. See Advanced Programming

Information in the AccuTab II Online Help for greater detail on CalComp format

structure. Choices are: Binary, ASCII 1, ASCII 2, ASCII 3 or ASCII 4.

 Summa: Selects Summagraphics-compatible formats. See Advanced Programming

Information in the AccuTab II Online Help for greater detail on Summagraphic

format structure. Choices are: Binary or ASCII.

ASCII formats can be modified by including or excluding a button code, decimal point,
carriage return or line feed, depending on whether GTCO, CalComp or Summa formats
have been selected.

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 Button: Defines whether the Pushbutton (Pb) value is included in the ASCII output

report. This option is available only with GTCO formats. Choices are: Include or
Exclude.

 Space: Defines whether the Space (Sp) character (hex 20) is included in the ASCII

output report as a delimiter between the X and Y coordinate values. This option is
available only in GTCO formats. Choices are: Include or Exclude.

 Decimal: Defines whether the period character (hex 2E) is included in the ASCII

output report between the units and tenths digits. This option is available only in
Summagraphics formats. Choices are: Include or Exclude.

 Return: Defines whether the Carriage Return (CR) character (hex 0D) is included in

the ASCII output report as a terminator. This option is available in GTCO and
Summagraphics formats. Choices are: Include or Exclude.

 Line Feed: Defines whether the Line Feed (LF) character (hex 0A) is included in the

ASCII output report as a terminator. This option is available in GTCO, CalComp and
Summagraphics formats. Choices are: Include or Exclude.

Mode Options

 Mode: Defines how output reports are sent from the digitizer. Choices are: Point,

Line, Continuous, Line Incremental or Continuous Incremental.

 Rate: Determines how fast output reports will be transmitted from the digitizer.

Choices are: 12, 50 or 100 reports per second.

 Resolution: The smallest reported value returned by the digitizer. Choices are:

1000 lpi, 2000 lpi, 4000 lpi, 40 lpmm, 100 lpmm or 150 lpmm.

See the Advanced Programming Information section in the AccuTab II Online Help at

www.gtcocalcomp.com for more details.

AccuTab II 17

AccuSet Menu:

Select the menu block

GTCO Commands:

Send command AD.

AccuSet Menu:

Select the menu block

GTCO Commands:

Send command AE.

Controlling the Alarm

There are two ways to toggle the alarm on or off:

 Select the block on the AccuSet Menu.
 Use the below remote commands.

Controlling the Alarm Using Remote Commands

An alarm (audio tone) is provided so AccuTab II can inform you of certain conditions. The
alarm can be enabled or disabled by the AccuSet Menu or commands.

To hear only critical tones, turn the alarm off:

To hear all tones, turn the alarm on:

When you move the cursor over the block on the AccuSet Menu, the Proximity
indicator (red) will light if the alarm is currently enabled.

Resetting AccuTab II

There are three ways to reset AccuTab II:

 Enter AccuSet code 00 on the AccuSet Menu.
 Turn power off and on.
 Send remote commands described in the Advanced Operating Information section.

When one of these events occurs, AccuTab II will revert to the configuration that was last
defined. Any remote commands that were active before the result will be lost.

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Testing the Active Area

To test the active area of the AccuTab II:

Select the (Prox Test) block on the AccuSet Menu. AccuTab will produce a continuous
tone as long as the transducer is in proximity to the tablet. When proximity is not detected,
the tone will stop.

AccuTab II Tones

AccuTab II produces an alarm in the form of audio tones to inform you of various events.
The table below describes the kinds of tones you may hear while operating the digitizer.

Troubleshooting Guide

GTCO CalComp by Turning Technologies wants your experience with AccuTab II to be a
successful one. If you ever encounter a problem, please follow the steps below:

1. Install properly first.

This troubleshooting guide assumes you have already correctly installed AccuTab II
according to the detailed instructions in the Installing Your AccuTab II section. If you
have not followed the step-by-step instructions in that section, do so now.

AccuTab II 19

2. Read the topics below to check for a solution to your problem. Work through

the troubleshooting flowcharts on the following pages in this troubleshooting
guide.

Record any unusual observations. Your notes will be useful if you need assistance
from the GTCO CalComp by Turning Technologies Technical Support Team.

3. If your system still does not work.

Call GTCO CalComp by Turning Technologies Technical Support at 1-866-746-3015
(in the U.S. or Canada) or email us at [e-mail]. Outside the
U.S. or Canada, contact your local GTCO CalComp by Turning Technologies office or
dealer. Be prepared to discuss the observations you made while troubleshooting.

NOTE: Refer to the AccuTab II Tones table above while using this guide.

The following troubleshooting tools are included in this section:

 Troubleshooting flowcharts
 Using GTCOTEST
 Reducing monitor interference
 Computer checklist
 Software checklist

Procedure A: Begin Troubleshooting

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