Specifications for subpart B of part 15 of FCC rule for a Class A
computing device.
Limited Warranty
ID TECH warrants this product to be in good working order for a
period of one year from the date of purchase. If this product is not in
good working order as warranted above, or should this product fail to
be in good working order at any time during the warranty period, repair
or replacement shall be provided by ID TECH.
This warranty does not cover incidental or consequential damages
incurred by consumer misuse, or modification of said product. For
limited warranty service during the warranty period, please contact ID
TECH to obtain an RMA number and instructions for returning the
product.
General Procedures22
Keyboard Interface Problems23
Appendix A. Default Settings
Default Settings T able24
Appendix B. Function Codes
Function Codes T able25
Appendix C. Non-Printable ASCII Characters
ASCII Characters Table26
Appendix D. Magnetic Stripe Standard Data Formats
ISO Credit Card27
California Driver’s License28
AAMVA Driver’s License29
Appendix E. USB/Keyboard Interface
Installation31
Operation32
Section 1
Section 2
INTRODUCTION
Description
The MiniMag™ compact magnetic stripe reader can read 1, 2, or 3
tracks of magnetic stripe information. In addition, it has full data editing
capabilities.
When connected to the host computer as a keyboard wedge, the
MiniMag is completely compatible with the host’s software. The
decoded data appears to the host as if it were entered manually by the
operator through the keyboard.
This unit is fully programmable through the keyboard. The data can be
formatted with preamble/postamble and terminator characters to match
the format expected by the host.
Power, when the reader is configured as a keyboard wedge, is obtained from the host. The MiniMag is fully compatible with ID TECH’s
VersaMag II magnetic stripe reader.
INSTALLATION
Host Connections
The MiniMag reader is connected between the keyboard input port of the
host computer and the keyboard itself using a “Y” adapter cable.
The “Y” cable has a 5-pin DIN male connector on one end, and a 6-pin
mini-DIN female on the other.
The supplied adapter cable has a 5-pin DIN female connector on one end,
and a 6-pin mini-DIN male connector on the other end. The adapter cable
is used in all installations on one end of the “Y” cable or the other. This
converts the available cable ends for use on either PS/2-style 6-pin miniDIN keyboards, or AT-style 5-pin DIN keyboards.
To connect the reader to the host, turn the power off and disconnect the
keyboard from the computer. Insert the male end of the “Y” cable into
the keyboard port. Then connect the keyboard to the female end of the
“Y” connector. This “wedges” the reader between the host and the
keyboard.
Manually-entered data from the keyboard passes through the unit to the
host, leaving the keyboard fully functional at all times.
Magnetic data “swiped” into the unit is transmitted to the host keyboard
port, where it appears to the host as coming directly from the keyboard.
This makes the reader, as a data source, completely transparent to the
host’s application software. In other words, if it is expecting data from
the keyboard, that same data can be entered via the MiniMag and make
no difference to the host.
Since the host computer’s application software is expecting data to be
input in a particular order and format, the reader’s output can be configured to simulate the keyboard-entered data stream by adding terminating
characters and special preamble and/or postamble character strings to
scanned data.
12
Section 3
CONFIGURATION
correct command, but before unplugging the reader, your selections
for that command will remain programmed until you change them or
reset all commands to default.
The MiniMag reader must be appropriately configured to your application. Configuration settings enable the reader to work with the host
system. These settings are programmed into the reader through the
keyboard. Once programmed, these configuration settings are stored in
the reader’s non-volatile memory (so they are not affected by the
cycling of power).
Default Settings
The MiniMag reader is shipped from the factory with the default
settings already programmed. In the following sections, the default
settings are shown in boldface. For a table of default settings, see
Appendix A. In order to modify these settings, the host computer and
keyboard must be IBM PC/AT compatible.
If you have a different keyboard, you must use an AT-compatible
keyboard to first change the configuration settings, and changing the
default terminal type last. After changing terminal type, you must then
connect the reader to the appropriate computer. (Most keyboards on
PCs with 5 pin DIN and 6 pin MiniDIN connectors are AT compatible.)
To enter the setup mode and change the configuration via keystroke
entry, specific syntax is used. Each setup command starts with /e/d/fx
where “x” is a different lower case character for each command. The
e,d,and f characters must also be lower case. This initial character
string is followed by a space and some option selection characters for
some commands. Selections for each group take effect when you
press enter.
When entering keyboard commands, type no more than two characters
per second. After entering each group, wait one second before moving
to the next group. All commands are case sensitive, so use lower case
for all commands. One beep indicates an accepted command, and two
beeps indicate an incorrect command. If you make a mistake in
entering a command, you must re-enter the entire command. Do not
use backspace and retype the character.
Configuration Setup Steps
1. On an AT-compatible computer, enter any edit mode. (When
running Windows, the Notepad accessory will work fine.)
2. Enter your commands as needed. Refer to the selections available to you on the following pages. In each instance, you will enter
GROUP SETUP MODE by typing /e/d/fx, followed by the variable
syntax. (The “x” will be different every time, depending on the
group setting you wish to make.)
3. Enter a SPACE <space>.
4. Enter the code for the selection you have made.
5. When finished, exit the group’s setup mode by entering <ENTER> (the ENTER key).
EXAMPLE:
To set the beep volume to HIGH, enter:
If you unplug the MiniMag while you are in the middle of a command
and have not pressed enter, your custom configuration for that command will not be saved. If, however, you press ENTER after a
3
/e/d/fa<space>b2<ENTER>
4
General Selections
This group of configuration settings define the basic operating parameters of the scanner.
b3=2 for 10 ms intercharacter delay
b3=3 for 20 ms intercharacter delay
b3=4 for 25 ms intercharacter delay
b3=5 for 50 ms intercharacter delay
Syntax: /e/d/fa<space>b1b2b3<ENTER> where...
Terminal Type Selections
The MiniMag can be programmed to interface to a number of different
terminal types. The terminal types supported are:
b1=0 for PC-AT
b1=1 for PS/2 Models 25 and 30
b1=2 for PS/2 Model 50
b1=3 for PS/2 Model 70
b1=4 for Macintosh
Beep Volume
The beep volume can be adjusted to two different levels, or turned off
entirely .
b2=0 for beep volume off
b2=1 for beep volume low
b2=2 for beep volume high
Intercharacter Delay
EXAMPLE
To set the terminal type to PC-AT, the beep to high, and the
intercharacter delay to 5 milliseconds, enter:
/e/d/fa<space>021<ENTER>
Note: Two beeps will be heard if entered numbers are outside the
allowable range.
Change To Default Settings
This command, /e/d/fn, returns all settings for all groups to their
default values. Data Editing will be turned off, and the formulas
will be retained.
Syntax: /e/d/fn<ENTER>
Review Settings
This command, /e/d/fo, activates the review settings command. This
will send the resident settings for the general group to the host computer, allowing you to review them. The firmware version number is
also shown.
This is the time period the reader will wait before sending the next
successive character. Certain terminals and computers require an
intercharacter delay to simulate their keyboard’s intercharacter delay.
b3=0 for 2 ms intercharacter delay
b3=1 for 5 ms intercharacter delay
5
Syntax: /e/d/fo<ENTER>
6
Reading and Decoding Settings
Message Formatting Selections
This command will turn the MiniMag on or off, and set the decoding directions. If the reader is disabled, no data will be sent to the
host.
Syntax: /e/d/fu<space>b1b2<ENTER> where...
MSR Reading Settings
b1=0MSR Reading Disabled
b1=1MSR Reading Enabled
Decoding Method Settings
The MiniMag can support three kinds of decoding directions. With
the bi-directional method, the user can swipe the card in either
direction and still read the data on the magnetic stripe. Otherwise,
the card can only be swiped in one direction to read the card.
b2=1Decoding in both directions
b2=2Moving stripe along head in direction of encoding
b2=3Moving stripe along head against direction of encoding
Terminator Setting
Terminator characters are used to end a string of data in some applications.
Syntax: /e/d/fb<space>b1<ENTER>where...
b1 = 0 for <ENTER>
b1 = 1 for <ENTER>
b1 = 2 for <ENTER>
b1 = 3 for none
Preamble Setting
Characters can be added to the beginning of a string of data. These
can be special characters for identifying a specific reading station, to
format a message header expected by the receiving host, or any other
character string. Up to nine ASCII characters can be defined.
Syntax: /e/d/fc<space>string<ENTER>(length is 0 to 9)
Postamble Selection
The postamble serves the same purpose as the preamble, except it is
added to the end of a string of data (after any terminator characters).
Syntax: /e/d/fd<space>string<ENTER>(length is 0 to 9)
Note: /e/d/fc or /e/d/fd without parameters will go back to default: no
preamble and postamble.
7
8
Magnetic Track Selections
Track Selection
There are up to three tracks of encoded data on a magnetic stripe.
This option selects the tracks that will be read and decoded.
Syntax: /e/d/fp<space>b1<ENTER>where...
b1=0 for Any Tracks
b1=1 for Track 1 only
b1=2 for Track 2 only
b1=3 for Tracks 1 and 2
b1=4 for Track 3 only
b1=5 for Track 1 and Track 3
b1=6 for Tracks 2 and 3
b1=7 for Tracks 1, 2, and 3
Note: If any of the multiple tracks fails to read for any reason, no data for
any track will be sent.
Track Separator Selection
Example: To set the Track Separator to TAB, enter /e/d/
fq<space>\tab<ENTER> (13 keystrokes).
Start/End Sentinel and Track 2 Account Number Only
The MiniMag can be set to either send or not send, to invoke the
Start/End sentinel, and to send either the Track 2 account number
only, or all the encoded data on Track 2. (The Track 2 account
number setting doesn’t affect the output of Track 1 and Track 3.)
Syntax: /e/d/fv<space>b1<ENTER> where...
b1=0Do not send start/end sentinel, but send all data on all tracks
b1 =1Send start/end sentinel and send all data on all tracks
b1=2Do not send start/end sentinel, for any track, but send
account number on track 2 only
b1=3Send start/end sentinel on tracks 1 and 3, and send account
number on track 2 only
This option allows the user to select the character to be used to
separate data decoded by a multiple-track reader.
Syntax: /e/d/fq<space>b1<ENTER>where...
b1= the new track separator character can be selected from the
keyboard for printable characters, or from Appendix B: Function Code
T able (1 function code only).
/e/d/fq<ENTER> will return the separator character to its default value
<ENTER>. /e/d/fq<space>\nul will turn off the separator character.
9
10
Section 4
Functions
DATA EDITING
The MiniMag has a data editing feature incorporated into its firmware.
This feature allows the data read from the magnetic stripe to be sent to
the host in the exact format expected by the host software, eliminating
the need for modifications to the application software.
The data (that is, the input record from the magnetic stripe) can be
divided up into a number of separate fields, according to established
standards (such as ISO, ANSI, AAMVA, and CDL). The data in each
of these fields can then be edited, and new fields can be defined using
the Data Edit commands.
The edited data fields are then transmitted to the host in any order
desired, regardless of their position on the original magnetic stripe.
The following editing functions can be performed:
Rearrange the Data: The fields within a track, created by established
standards, can be transmitted to the host in any order desired, regardless of the order in which they occurred in the card track.
Insert Character Strings into the Output Data Record: Character
strings can be defined and inserted at any place in the data output
record.
Duplicate Fields: Fields within a track can be transmitted to the host as
many times as desired, and in any order.
Select Output Fields: Fields within a track can be selected for output or
not selected for output.
11
12
Fields
Formulas
By separating the input data record into smaller blocks (called “fields”),
each block can be edited individually . Additional fields can also be
added to the record, allowing specific functions, such as carriage
returns or keyboard function keys, to be inserted at any point. (The
field standards for ISO Credit Cards, California driver’s licenses, and
AAMVA driver’s licenses are listed in Appendix D.)
By separating the input data record into smaller blocks (fields), each
block can then be treated individually . Additional fields can also be
added to the record in any position, allowing specific functions, such as
carriage returns. Fields are identified by a one-character ID starting
with the character “a,” up to and including “z,” in the order they were
created, allowing as many as 26 fields to be defined. These fields are
then sent to the host in the order which the user specifies. For example, if the input data record is in the Credit Card Format for Track 2:
;1234567890123456=9912xxxxxxx?c
Field ID |a| b |c| d | e |f|g|
and your application software is looking for the data to be in the
following format:
9912<ENTER>
The set of instructions programmed into the MiniMag to edit data is
referred to as the data editing “formula.” More than one formula
(to a maximum of four) can be resident in the reader at one time.
If more than one formula resides in memory, the reader will apply
the first formula to the input data. If the scanned data matches the
format (credit card, driver’s license, etc.) of the first formula, then
it will apply the data editing functions and output the reformatted
data to the host.
If the data does not match the criteria spelled out in the first
formula, then the criteria of the second formula is applied. This
process continues for each of the successive formulas until a
match is found. If no matches are found to any of the formulas
programmed into the reader, then either nothing will be transmitted
to the host, or the unedited data record will be transmitted, according to the data editing matched flag, whether set or not.
The MiniMag supports four kinds of formulas: credit card, California
driver’s license, and AAMVA formats, as well as a customized format.
The user can define all four, or only one at a time. However, the
MiniMag can only keep one credit card, one California driver’s license,
one AAMVA, and one customized format at a time.
1234567890123456<ENTER>
then we must divide the data record into fields, select only those fields
desired, reverse the order in which they are sent to the host, and create
a new field <ENTER> and insert it after each field.
We do this by using the defined fields and adding a new field:
Field b = 1234567890123456
Field d = 9912
Field h = <ENTER>
and sending {Field d} {Field h} {Field b} {Field h}
13
14
Data Editing Setup Commands
means:
The following commands are used to set the operating parameters of
the data editing feature.
Data Editing On/Off, Matched/Unmatched
Syntax: /e/d/fe<space> b1b2 <ENTER>
where:
b1 = 1 Data Editing On
b1 = 0 Data Editing Off
b2 = 1 if no formula matches card data, send out whole card data
b2 = 0 if no formula matches card data, do not send anything
Data Editing Added Field
An output field is created containing the character string. Up to six
fields can be defined. The maximum characters of each field is six.
In working with a user-defined format that is not credit card, CA
DMV, or AAMVA, the MiniMag will support any combination of the
following five search methods:
Length Match: For a particular track, indicate the minimum and
maximum number of characters acceptable for the data editing formula.
String Match: For a particular track, indicate a specific string of
characters, as well as the character position at which that string must
begin, in order to be acceptable to the data editing formula.
Search Before: For a particular track, the MiniMag will create a data
field which contains all characters that come before the specified
occurrence of a given character sequence. (For example, the second
occurrence of the character sequence ABC.)
Search Between: For a particular track, the MiniMag will create a data
field which contains all characters that come between the specified
occurrence of one sequence of characters and another.
Search After: For a particular track, the MiniMag will create a data
field that contains the specified number of characters that come after
the specified occurrence of a given character sequence. An offset is
used to indicate that the data field starts a certain number of characters after the searched string.
Times, T imes1, and T imes2: Times and T imes1 define how many times
a specified string is searched from the start of data on a specific track.
Times2 defines how many times a specified string is searched from the
rest of the data on a specific track after the first string has been
searched.
Offset: The offset of String Match is from the start of data for a
particular track. The offset of String After is from the start of the rest
of the string, after the specified string, after the specified number of
times.
The minimum character and the maximum character values in the
length-match command should allow for the Linear Redundancy check
(LRC) character as well.
01: once search;
01: the length of searched string
?: searched string
Second Flexible Field:
d: Search between method
2b: The second flexible field is in Track2
01: once search
01: the length of first searched string
= : the first searched string
01: once search
01: the length of second searched string
= : the second searched string
17
18
Data Editing Send Command
Send out the field according to the customer-defined order.
The following two examples show how to use the data editing commands.
T ype each command slowly and completely. Then try a driver’s license or
credit card to verify the result.
Example One:
/e/d/fn<CR>
/e/d/fe 11<CR>
/e/d/fr ITS ; \cr<CR>
/e/d/ft 7a0a1b0c1c0c2d0b0c 7b1c0c1e0c1f0c3d3e0c2f0c<CR>
First line "/e/d/fn<CR>" is to clear all previous setting.
Second line "/e/d/fe 11<CR> is to enable the data editing and allowing
send out original data if it does not match the formula.
Third line "/e/d/fr ITS ; \cr<CR>" is to create three added fields.
"Field a" is "ITS", "Field b" is ";" and "field c" is <CR>.
The last line will generate two formulas, one for Credit Card and the
other for DMV card.
The first line "/e/d/fn<CR>" is to clear all previous settings.
The second line "/e/d/fe 10<CR>" is to enable the data editing and will
not send out original data if it does not match the formula.
The third line "/e/d/fr \cr<CR> is to create an added field, "field a" <CR>.
The fourth line "/e/d/fs c1a0101? d2b0101=0101=<CR>" will try to
generate two flexible fields as described in page19.
The last line will generate a single formula for "custom format". Any
card data can be treated as a custom format as long as it does
not match any other format specified by other formula. Try your
DMV card will see the result, any card does not match the
formula will not be send.
The Flexible Field is:
7d1a0a2b0a
7d: Flexible format
1a: Track1 data before end sentinel (?)
0a: Added field a (<CR>)
2b: Track2 data between the first equal sign and the second equal sign
0a: Added field a (<CR>)
Data will be output as following(if matches the format) or nothing(if
does not match the format):
<Track1 data before end sentinel>
<Track2 date between the first "=" and the second "=">
19
20
Section 5
Section 6
OPERATION
The MiniMag reader is easy to operate. Just follow these simple steps:
1. Make sure the reader is properly cabled and is receiving sufficient
power. (See Section 5, T roubleshooting, if there is a cabling or power
problem.)
2. T o read a card, slide the card, in either direction, through the reader
slot, with the magnetic stripe facing the magnetic head (LED side).
3. While swiping the card through the reader, the LED will go of f.
4. Once the entire magnetic stripe has been read, the LED indicator
will light up as green to signal a “good read.” If a good read is not
obtained, the LED indicator will light up as red.
5. A beep will also sound to indicate a good read on each track. If all
three tracks have been read successfully, the reader will beep three
times.
TROUBLESHOOTING
The MiniMag reader is easy to install and use. Most problems encountered can be attributed to:
· Incorrect Interface Cabling
· Incorrect Configuration Setup
· Bad Magnetic Stripe Quality
General Procedures
The troubleshooting process can be simplified by following these simple
diagnostic procedures.
1. The unit should emit one long beep when power is first applied. If it
does not, then the unit is not receiving power.
2. Once it has been confirmed that the unit is correctly powered, try
swiping a credit card. The LED will go off while decoding, then light
green to indicate a “good read,” or red to indicate a “bad read.”
21
3. Once the unit has indicated a “good read,” then proceed to check
the interface cabling connections.
22
Keyboard Interface Problems
Appendix A. Default Settings Table
Installation of the reader is generally trouble free, but there are some
things to watch for if you are experiencing problems.
Do you have the proper cable?
Most modern computers and terminals use a PC/XT/AT-compatible
keyboard. However, the cable connecting it to the keyboard port may
have variations in either the signal pins or the connector itself. Make
sure that you have the proper cable for the computer/terminal with
which you are interfacing.
Does the keyboard work?
Since the data from the keyboard must pass through the reader, the
cabling connections are correct if the keyboard is operational.
Can the host computer accept the data fast enough?
Some computers and terminals are expecting the data rate from the
keyboard port to come in at a keystroke rate, and might not be able to
accept it as fast as the reader is transmitting. Try adjusting the
intercharacter delay to simulate the effects of keystroke delays.
The MiniMag reader is shipped from the factory with the following
default settings already programmed:
Magnetic Track Basic Data Format
Track 1: <SS1><T1 Data><ES><ENTER>*
Track 2: <SS2><T2 Data><ES><ENTER>*
Track 3: <SS3><T3 Data><ES><Enter>*
where: SS1(start sentinel track 1) = %
SS2(start sentinel track 2) = ;
SS3(start sentinel track 3) = ; for ISO, ! for CDL, %
for AAMVA
ES(end sentinel all tracks) = ?
Keyboard W edge Communication Default Settings
T erminal type: IBM PC/AT
Intercharacter delay: 2 ms
Language: US English
Start or End Sentinel: Characters in encoding format which come
before the first data character (start) and after the last data character
(end), indicating the beginning and end, respectively , of data.
23
Track Separator: A designated character which separates data tracks.
Terminator: A designated character which comes at the end of the last
track of data, to separate card reads.
LRC: Check character, following end sentinel.
CDL: Old California Drivers License format.
*Note: The <ENTER> commands shown above for tracks 1 & 2 and 2 & 3
denote the default character for this position, the Track Separator position.
The <Enter> command shown for track 3 denotes the default character for
this position, the Terminator position.
To use the ID TECH Reader Setup, follow these steps:
1. Go to the PROGRAM menu.
The MiniMag reader is available with a cable that terminates in a
Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector. Most new computers have
multiple USB ports into which a wide variety of peripherals can be
installed.
Since USB devices are designed to be “plug and play ,” the computer
will search for a Human Interface Device (HID) driver when the
MiniMag is first connected. If one cannot be found, the computer will
prompt you to make a selection. The Windows CD may be needed to
complete the installation.
The MiniMag reader is shipped from the factory with default
configuration settings already programmed. (See Appendix A: Default
Settings Table for details.) These settings are satisfactory for most
applications. In order to change these settings, it is necessary to run the
ID TECH USB Reader Setup Utility. The Reader Setup Utility allows
you to enter commands through the keyboard, just as if the reader
were physically connected between the keyboard and the computer.
To install the ID TECH Reader Setup, just follow these
steps:
1. Insert the diskette into Drive A.
2. Click START.
3. Click RUN.
2. Select ID TECH USB Reader Setup.
3. When the screen appears, enter a command in the window labeled
INPUT SETUP STRING , just as you would with a standard keyboard
wedge interface. You do not have to use Notepad.
4. Click SEND.
5. If the command is accepted, the MiniMag will beep once. If the
command is rejected, the MiniMag will beep twice.
6. You can clear the INPUT SETUP STRING window by clicking on
CLEAR INPUT.
7. The HISTORY window displays previous commands. To re-use a
command, highlight the command in HISTOR Y and right click to select
COPY. Position the cursor in the INPUT SETUP STRING window
and right click to select PASTE.
8. T o end your session, click on EXIT. This will clear all data in the
HISTORY window.
Note: When using the MiniMag in conjunction with a laptop computer or
other battery-operated host, power to the USB port may be shut down when
the battery runs low. If this happens, charge (or replace) the battery and
then reboot to continue.
Note: The Function key is not supported on the Apple Macintosh.
4. Enter A: SETUP.
5. Click OK.
6. Follow the instructions on the screen.
7. Close the ID TECH Setup Utility when all files have been copied.
8. Click FINISH.
31
32
ID TECH
10721 Walker Street
Cypress, California 90630-4720
(714) 761-6368
www.id-tech.net
80030501-001R9/01 #414
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