Microscan Quadrus MINI Imager User Manual

Quadrus MINI Imager

User’s Manual

P/N 84-006300 Rev %

ISO 9001 Certified Issued by TüV USA

All rights reserved. The information contained herein is proprietary and is provided solely for the purpose of allowing customers to operate and/or service Microscan manufactured equipment and is not to be released, reproduced, or used for any other purpose without written permission of Microscan.

Throughout this manual, trademarked names might be used. Rather than place a trademark (™) symbol at every occurrence of a trademarked name, we state herein that we are using the names only in an editorial fashion, and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement.

Disclaimer

The information and specifications described in this manual are subject to change without notice.

Latest Manual Version

For the latest version of this manual, see the Download Center on our web site at:

www.microscan.com.

Technical Support

For technical support, e-mail: helpdesk@microscan.com.

Warranty

For current warranty information, see: www.microscan.com/warranty.

Microscan Systems, Inc.

Renton Headquarters

Tel: 425.226.5700 / 800.251.7711 Fax: 425.226.8250

Nashua Office

Tel: 603.598.8400 Fax: 603.577.5818

Microscan Europe

Tel: 011 31 172 423360 Fax: 011 31 172 423366

Microscan Asia Pacific

Tel: 65 6846 1214 Fax: 65 6846 4641

ii Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Quick Start

Step 1 Check Required Hardware...........................................................1-2

Step 2 Connect the System..................................................................... 1-3

Step 3 Position Imager and Symbol ........................................................ 1-4

Step 4 Install ESP....................................................................................1-5

Step 5 Select Model ................................................................................ 1-6

Step 6 Select Protocol and Connect........................................................1-7

Step 7 Locate the Symbol in the Field of View ........................................1-9

Step 8 Calibrate.....................................................................................1-11

Step 9 Test Read Rate ..........................................................................1-12

Step 10 Configure the Imager in ESP ................................................... 1-13

Step 11 Save Configuration in ESP....................................................... 1-14

Chapter 2 Using ESP

EZ Mode .................................................................................................. 2-2

Application Mode .....................................................................................2-3

Menu Toolbar .......................................................................................... 2-4

Autoconnect.......................................................................................... 2-12

View...................................................................................................... 2-14

Navigating in ESP................................................................................. 2-15

Send/Receive Options.......................................................................... 2-16

Using EZ Trax........................................................................................ 2-18

Introduction

Chapter 3 Communications

Communications by ESP.........................................................................3-2

Communications Serial Commands ........................................................ 3-3

Host Port Connections.............................................................................3-4

Host Port Protocol ...................................................................................3-5

ACK/NAK Options ................................................................................... 3-7

Polling Mode Options ..............................................................................3-8

RS-422 Status .........................................................................................3-9

Auxiliary Port Connections .................................................................... 3-10

Auxiliary Port System Data Status.........................................................3-18

Daisy Chain Autoconfigure .................................................................... 3-19

Response Timeout ................................................................................3-20

LRC Status ............................................................................................3-21

Protocol Configuration Examples .......................................................... 3-22

USB HID Interface .................................................................................3-23

ASCII Character Entry Modifier .............................................................3-32

Preamble ...............................................................................................3-33

Postamble..............................................................................................3-34

Chapter 4 Calibration

Calibration Serial Commands..................................................................4-2

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual iii

Table of Contents

Calibration Overview ............................................................................... 4-2

Calibration Options.................................................................................. 4-3

Calibration by ESP ................................................................................ 4-11

Initiating Calibration............................................................................... 4-13

Additional Notes about Calibration ........................................................ 4-19

Chapter 5 Read Cycle

Read Cycle by ESP................................................................................. 5-2

Read Cycle Serial Commands ................................................................ 5-3

Read Cycle Setup ................................................................................... 5-4

Multisymbol ............................................................................................. 5-5

Trigger Mode and Filter Duration ............................................................ 5-6

External Trigger Polarity ........................................................................ 5-11

Serial Trigger......................................................................................... 5-12

Start Trigger Character (Non-Delimited)................................................ 5-13

Stop Trigger Character (Non-Delimited)................................................ 5-14

End of Read Cycle ................................................................................ 5-15

Capture Mode........................................................................................ 5-17

Capture Timing...................................................................................... 5-22

Image Processing Timeout.................................................................... 5-24

Image Storage....................................................................................... 5-25

Minimum Good Reads........................................................................... 5-27

Compare Mode...................................................................................... 5-28

Setting Up the Imager for EZ Trax ........................................................ 5-29

Chapter 6 Symbologies

Symbologies by ESP............................................................................... 6-2

Symbologies Serial Commands .............................................................. 6-3

Data Matrix .............................................................................................. 6-4

Aztec Code.............................................................................................. 6-6

QR Code ................................................................................................. 6-7

Micro QR Code........................................................................................ 6-8

Code 39................................................................................................... 6-9

Code 128/EAN 128 ............................................................................... 6-12

BC412 ................................................................................................... 6-15

Interleaved 2 of 5................................................................................... 6-16

Code 93................................................................................................. 6-19

Codabar................................................................................................. 6-20

UPC/EAN .............................................................................................. 6-23

Pharmacode .......................................................................................... 6-27

Postal Symbologies............................................................................... 6-29

GS1 DataBar (RSS) .............................................................................. 6-34

PDF417 ................................................................................................. 6-36

MicroPDF417 ........................................................................................ 6-38

Composite ............................................................................................. 6-39

Narrow Margins/Symbology ID.............................................................. 6-40

iv Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Background Color..................................................................................6-42

Chapter 7 I/O Parameters

I/O Parameters by ESP ...........................................................................7-2

I/O Parameters Serial Commands...........................................................7-3

Symbol Data Output ................................................................................7-4

No Read Message...................................................................................7-7

Bad Symbol Message............................................................................7-10

No Symbol Message .............................................................................7-10

1D/Stacked Symbology Qualification ....................................................7-11

2D Symbology Qualification ..................................................................7-12

Read Duration Output............................................................................ 7-18

Output Indicators ...................................................................................7-19

Beeper ...................................................................................................7-23

LED Configuration .................................................................................7-24

Serial Verification................................................................................... 7-25

EZ Button............................................................................................... 7-27

EZ Button Modes...................................................................................7-29

Configurable Output 1 ........................................................................... 7-31

Trend Analysis Output 1 ........................................................................7-34

ISO/IEC 16022 Symbol Quality Output 1 .............................................. 7-37

Diagnostic Output 1 ............................................................................... 7-40

Configurable Output 2 ........................................................................... 7-41

Trend Analysis Output 2 ........................................................................7-41

ISO/IEC 16022 Symbol Quality Output 2 .............................................. 7-41

Diagnostic Output 2 ............................................................................... 7-41

Configurable Output 3 ........................................................................... 7-42

Trend Analysis Output 3 ........................................................................7-42

ISO/IEC 16022 Symbol Quality Output 3 .............................................. 7-42

Diagnostic Output 3 ............................................................................... 7-42

Power-On/Reset Counts........................................................................7-43

Time Since Reset ..................................................................................7-44

Service Message ...................................................................................7-45

Frame Information .................................................................................7-46

Image Output......................................................................................... 7-47

Database Identifier Output..................................................................... 7-50

Quality Output........................................................................................ 7-51

Configuring EZ Trax Output...................................................................7-52

Introduction

Chapter 8 Symbol Quality

Symbol Quality Serial Commands...........................................................8-2

Overview of Symbol Quality ....................................................................8-3

Symbol Quality by ESP ...........................................................................8-4

Symbol Quality Separator/Data Matrix Output Mode ..............................8-8

ISO/IEC 16022 Symbol Quality Output ................................................. 8-10

ISO/IEC 16022 Symbol Quality Output by ESP .................................... 8-12

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual v

Table of Contents

Microscan Symbol Quality Output ......................................................... 8-13

Microscan Symbol Quality Output by ESP ............................................ 8-16

Chapter 9 Matchcode

Matchcode by ESP.................................................................................. 9-2

Matchcode Serial Commands ................................................................. 9-3

Overview of Matchcode........................................................................... 9-4

Matchcode Type...................................................................................... 9-5

Match Replace ...................................................................................... 9-10

Mismatch Replace................................................................................. 9-11

New Master Pin ..................................................................................... 9-12

Chapter 10 Camera and IP Setup

Camera and IP Setup by ESP............................................................... 10-2

Camera and IP Setup Serial Commands .............................................. 10-3

Video ..................................................................................................... 10-4

Evaluation.............................................................................................. 10-5

Calibration ............................................................................................. 10-9

Window of Interest............................................................................... 10-10

Configuration Database....................................................................... 10-13

Dynamic Setup .................................................................................... 10-14

Pixel Sub-Sampling ............................................................................. 10-15

Camera Settings.................................................................................. 10-16

Focal Distance..................................................................................... 10-17

Focal Distance Table (Read-Only) ...................................................... 10-18

Increment Focus Position.................................................................... 10-19

Decrement Focus Position .................................................................. 10-19

IP Threshold ........................................................................................ 10-20

Number of Symbols in Field of View ................................................... 10-22

Damaged Symbol................................................................................ 10-23

IP Mode ............................................................................................... 10-24

Hollow Mode........................................................................................ 10-26

Mirrored Image .................................................................................... 10-27

Illumination Brightness ........................................................................ 10-28

Skew Correction .................................................................................. 10-29

Chapter 11 Configuration Database

Configuration Database Serial Commands ........................................... 11-2

Number of Active Indexes ..................................................................... 11-3

Configuration Database Status ............................................................. 11-4

Database Mode ................................................................................... 11-11

Save Current Settings to Configuration Database .............................. 11-16

Load Current Settings from Configuration Database .......................... 11-17

Request Selected Index Settings ........................................................ 11-18

Request All Configuration Database Settings ..................................... 11-19

Chapter 12 Terminal

Terminal Window................................................................................... 12-2

vi Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Find........................................................................................................12-3

Send ......................................................................................................12-4

Macros...................................................................................................12-5

Terminal Window Menus .......................................................................12-6

Chapter 13 Utilities

Serial Utility Commands ........................................................................13-2

Read Rate .............................................................................................13-4

Counters ................................................................................................ 13-5

Device Control .......................................................................................13-7

Differences from Default........................................................................13-8

Master Database ...................................................................................13-9

Firmware.............................................................................................. 13-15

Default/Reset/Save..............................................................................13-18

Imager Status Requests ......................................................................13-20

Other Operational Serial Commands ..................................................13-22

Chapter 14 Output Format

Output Format Serial Commands..........................................................14-2

Output Format Status ............................................................................14-3

Format Assign .......................................................................................14-4

Format Extract.......................................................................................14-5

Format Insert .........................................................................................14-7

Output Filter Configuration ....................................................................14-9

Ordered Output Filter...........................................................................14-13

Introduction

Appendices

Appendix A General Specifications .........................................................A-2

Appendix B Electrical Specifications .......................................................A-5

Appendix C Quadrus MINI ESD Safe......................................................A-6

Appendix D Serial Configuration Commands ..........................................A-8

Appendix E Communications Protocol ..................................................A-15

Appendix F ASCII Table ........................................................................A-24

Appendix G Interface Standards ...........................................................A-25

Appendix H Object Detector ..................................................................A-26

Appendix I Operational Tips ..................................................................A-27

Appendix J USB-to-Serial Virtual COM Port Driver ...............................A-28

Appendix K Glossary of Terms..............................................................A-31

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual vii

About the Quadrus MINI Imager

The key features of the Quadrus MINI are:

• Q-Mode ultra-high-speed image processing

• Megapixel optics (SXGA)

• Ultra-High Density, High Density, and Standard Density options

• Software-adjustable focus

• USB, RS-232, and RS-422/485 connectivity

• Support for both linear and 2D symbologies

• High-output LED illumination

• A multi-function EZ Button for location, calibration, and symbol reading

• A blue target pattern that identifies the center point of the field of view

• A green flash (visible from all angles) to signal a successful read

• Easy customization for a variety of specific applications

• ESD Safe option

About This Manual

This manual provides complete information on setting up, installing, and configuring the imager. The chapters are presented in the order in which an imager might be set up and made ready for operation.

Highlighting

Serial commands, highlighted command fields, and default command settings are highlighted in rust bold. Cross-references and web links are highlighted in blue bold. References to ESP, its toolbar headings (Communications, Read Cycle, Symbologies, etc.), menu topics, and other points of emphasis, are highlighted in Bold Initial Caps.

Host Communications

There are four ways to configure and test the Quadrus MINI:

• EZ Button. Microscan’s Windows-based

• of use and visual responses to user adjustments.

• Serial commands, such as <K100,1>, that can be sent from ESP’s Terminal window or another terminal program.

• The tree controls and graphic interfaces in ESP’s App Mode.

ESP

(Easy Setup Program), which offers point-and-click

ease

viii Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Introduction

WARNING

LED LIGHT

DO NOT VIEW DIRECTLY WITH OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS

CLASS 1 LED PRODUCT

LED Output: .564 mW. Wavelength: 470 nm; 525 nm; 617 nm.

IEC 60825-1:1993+A1:1997+A2:2001

LED Aperture Window

Warning and Caution Summary

• Viewing the Quadrus MINI’s LED output with optical instruments such as magnifiers, eye loupes, or microscopes within a distance of 100 mm could cause serious eye injury.

• Maximum LED output: .564 mW.

• Wavelength: 470 nm; 525 nm; 617 nm.

• Location of the Quadrus MINI’s LED aperture window:

CAUTION: Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

IMPORTANT: The Quadrus MINI is intended for connection to a UL-listed direct plug-in power unit marked Class II and rated 5 VDC at 3.5 Watts, or greater if using electrical accessories.

European models must use a similarly rated Class I or Class II power supply that is certified to comply with standard for safety EN 60950.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual ix

Statement of Agency Compliance

The Quadrus MINI Imager has been tested for compliance with FCC (Federal Communications Commission) regulations and has been found to conform to all applicable FCC Rules and Regulations.

To comply with FCC RF exposure compliance requirements, this device must not be co-located or operate in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

The Quadrus MINI Imager standards and guidelines, and has been found to conform to applicable CE standards, specifically the EMC requirements EN 55024:1998+A1:2001+A2:2003, ESD EN 61000-4-2, Radiated RF Immunity EN 61000-4-3, ENV 50204, EFT EN 61000-4-4, Conducted RF Immunity EN 61000-4-6, EN 55022:1998+A1:2000+A2:2003 for Class A products, Class B Radiated Emissions, and Class B Conducted Emissions.

The Quadrus MINI Imager has been tested by an independent electromagnetic compatibility laboratory in accordance with the applicable specifications and instructions.

has been tested for compliance with CE (Conformité Européenne)

x Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Introduction

Statement of RoHS Compliance

All Microscan readers with a ‘G’ suffix in the FIS number are RoHS-Compliant. All compliant readers were converted prior to March 1, 2007. All standard accessories in the Microscan Product Pricing Catalog are RoHS-Compliant except 20-500013-01 and 98-000039-02. These products meet all the requirements of “Directive 2002/95/EC” European Parliament and the Council of the European Union for RoHS compliance. In accordance with the latest requirements, our RoHS-Compliant products and packaging do not contain intentionally added Deca-BDE, Perfluorooctanes (PFOS), or Perfluorooctanic Acid (PFOA) compounds above the maximum trace levels. To view the document stating these requirements, please visit:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32002L0095:EN:HTML

and

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:372:0032:0034:EN:PDF

Please contact your sales manager for a complete list of Microscan’s RoHS-Compliant products.

This declaration is based upon information obtained from sources which Microscan believes to be reliable, and from random sample testing; however, the information is provided without any representation of warranty, expressed or implied, regarding accuracy or correctness. Microscan does not specifically run any analysis on our raw materials or end product to measure for these substances.

The information provided in this certification notice is correct to the best of Microscan’s knowledge at the date of publication. This notice is not to be considered a warranty or quality specification. Users are responsible for determining the applicability of any RoHS legislation or regulations based on their individual use of the product.

Regarding “RoHS Directive 2011_65_EU” Microscan produces Monitoring and Control Instruments as well as Industrial Monitoring and Control Instruments as defined within the directive. Microscan has developed and is implementing a RoHS2 compliance plan with the intention of bringing all active products listed in our current marketing literature within full compliance as per the directive deadlines.

Key milestones for the transition plan are as follows:

• Complete internal product audit and supplier transition by July 2013.

• Initial “Monitoring and Control Instruments” RoHS2-compliant products available by July 2014.

• Initial “Industrial Monitoring and Control Instruments” RoHS2-compliant products available by July 2015.

• All new products introduced in 2014 are expected to be WEEE and RoHS2 compliant.

Microscan will mark the products with the ‘CE’ marking that complies with the RoHS2 process to acquire ‘CE’ certification per the example given: Example 1 >> Machinery directive + EMC directive + RoHS2 = Declaration of Conformity.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual xi

Statement of RoHS Compliance

xii Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Contents

Step 1 Check Required Hardware ................................................................................................1-2

Step 2 Connect the System ..........................................................................................................1-3

Step 3 Position Imager and Symbol..............................................................................................1-4

Step 4 Install ESP......................................................................................................................... 1-5

Step 5 Select Model...................................................................................................................... 1-6

Step 6 Select Protocol and Connect .............................................................................................1-7

Step 7 Locate the Symbol in the Field of View .............................................................................1-9

Step 8 Calibrate ......................................................................................................................... 1-11

Step 9 Test Read Rate .............................................................................................................. 1-12

Step 10 Configure the Imager in ESP........................................................................................ 1-13

Step 11 Save Configuration in ESP........................................................................................... 1-14

1 Quick Start

This chapter is designed to get your Quadrus MINI Imager up and running quickly, using

the EZ button or ESP (Easy Setup Program). Following these steps will allow you to get a

sense of the imager’s capabilities and to test sample symbols. Detailed setup information for installing the imager into your actual application can be

found in the subsequent chapters.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 1-1

Check Required Hardware

Hardware Required

Caution: Be sure that all cables are connected BEFORE applying power to the

system. Always power down BEFORE disconnecting any cables.

Step 1 — Check Required Hardware

Item Description Part Number

1 Quadrus MINI Imager FIS-6300-XXXXG 2 IC-332 Adapter FIS-0001-0035G 3 IB-131 Interface Box 99-000018-01 4 Power Supply (90-264 VAC, 24VDC, USA/Euro plug) 97-100004-15 5 Object Detector 99-000017-01 6 Communication Cable 61-300026-03

Scanner

Host

Network

1-2 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Step 2 — Connect the System

Hardware Configuration

Caution: Be sure that all cables are connected BEFORE applying power

to the system. Always power down BEFORE disconnecting any cables.

Connecting by RS-232/RS-422/RS-485

• Connect the imager (1) to the IB-131/IC-332 interface (2) and (3).

• Connect the host cable (6) to the host and to the host port on the IB-131 (3).

• Connect the object detector (5) to the IB-131 (3).

• Connect the power supply (4) to the IB-131 (3).

• Apply power to the imager.

Quick Start

Important: before

powering-on. Otherwise the unit will not be recognized as a USB device.

If you are using a

USB

model, you must connect the device to the host computer

Scanner

Host

Network

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 1-3

Position Imager and Symbol

Imager and Symbol Orientation

Pitch axis

Bar code label

Tilt axis

axis

Scan line

Scanner

Pitch

Tilt

Skew

Symbol

Reader

Step 3 — Position Imager and Symbol

• Position the imager at a focal distance between 2 and 6 inches from the symbol.

• Tip the imager relative to the symbol to avoid the glare of direct (specular) reflection. The case parting line should be perpendicular to the plane of the symbol by either pitching the symbol or the imager as shown.

• Position the imager in a place with as little ambient light as possible.

• Symbols can be rotated (tilted) at any angle; however, for best results symbols should be aligned with the FOV (field of view).

• In the case of linear symbols, aligning the bars in the direction of their movement (“ladder” orientation) will minimize the chances of blurring, and will produce better reads.

Important: Avoid excessive skew or pitch. Maximum skew is ±30°; maximum pitch is ±30°. The illustration below shows skew axis, pitch axis, and tilt axis.

Note: For accuracy of testing and performance, Microscan recommends using a mounting

arm adapter kit. Contact your Microscan sales manager for details about mounting arm adapter kits and other accessories.

1-4 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Quick Start

Step 4 — Install ESP

Easy Setup Program (ESP) is Microscan’s proprietary setup and testing application. The

purpose of When the Quadrus MINI is connected to a host computer (Windows Vista, XP, or 2000),

ESP can be used to configure reader settings and to set up communications between the

reader and host.

If installing from the Microscan Tools CD:

1. Insert the Microscan Tools CD in your computer’s CD drive.

2. Select ESP Software from the navigation bar at the left of the screen.

3. Click on ESP Software under the Current Version heading.

4. Click the Run button and follow the prompts in the ESP Setup Wizard. Note: During installation, you may see an Internet Explorer Security Warning that

states: “The publisher could not be verified.” If you see this warning, click Run to

continue installation.

If downloading from the web:

1. Go to the Download Center at www.microscan.com.

2. Create a new member account or, if you are already a member, enter your user name and password.

3. Navigate to the “Microscan Software” section of the Download Center (near the top of the page).

4. Click on the link showing the latest version of ESP. Extract the ESP installation files to a location of your choice on the host computer. Note where your ESP.exe file is stored

on your hard drive.

5. At the end of the installation process, the following icon will appear on your desktop:

ESP

is to provide a quick and easy way to set up and configure Microscan readers.

6. Click the ESP icon to start the program.

System Requirements for ESP

• 166 MHz Pentium processor (recommended)

• Windows Vista, XP, or 2000 operating system

• Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher

• 64 MB minimum RAM

• 40 MB minimum disk space

• 800 x 600 pixel minimum 256 color display

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 1-5

Select Model

Step 5 — Select Model

When you start ESP, the following menu will appear:

1. Click the button showing the Quadrus MINI.

2. Click OK. Note: You can also double-click the Quadrus MINI button to make your selection.

3. Click Yes when this dialog appears:

Note: If you need to select another model later, click the Switch Model button near the top of the screen or use Model > New Model in the menu toolbar.

1-6 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Quick Start

If you choose RS-232 protocol:

Select the

Quadrus MINI

from the Select Device menu and click

Finish.

Click Connect.

If you choose USB protocol:

• Once you select your communications mode, follow the prompts to establish your connection.

Step 6 — Select Protocol and Connect

• Choose the connection protocol you are using and click Next when the Select Protocol

dialog appears.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 1-7

Select Protocol and Connect (cont.)

USB:

RS-232:

Note: If your RS-232 host settings cannot

be changed to match the imager’s settings:

• Click Connect on ESP’s menu toolbar, and then select Connection Wizard.

• When the Select Protocol dialog appears, select RS-232 and click Next.

• When the RS-232 dialog appears, check the Force Connect box and click the Connect button.

Step 6 — Select Protocol and Connect (cont.)

When you are connected, you will see the green connection indicator in the status bar at the bottom right of your screen.

• If your RS-232 connection attempt fails, click the Autoconnect button, select a different

communications port, and try again.

1-8 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Quick Start

Step 7 —

Locate the Symbol in the Field of View

Locate by ESP

•In ESP’s EZ Mode, click the Locate button to enable the blue target pattern.

The symbol in the field of view will appear in the video view beneath the Locate and Calibrate buttons, and you will see the blue target pattern projected from the front of the

imager.

• Center the target pattern on the symbol. At 2 to 3 inches, the pattern resembles an X. At 3 to 6 inches, the pattern resembles a V.

Center on object in field of view.

Target pattern shown as it would appear between 3 and 6 inches.

Important: The entire symbol should fall within the field of view (FOV) of the imager. The field of view is what appears in ESP’s Locate/Calibrate window in EZ Mode.

• Click the Stop button to end the Locate function.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 1-9

Locate the Symbol in the Field of View

EZ Button

Locate by EZ Button

If you are not connected to a host computer, the EZ Button allows you to locate a symbol in the imager’s field of view.

• Hold down the EZ Button for about one second and release when you hear one short beep. The amber from the front of the imager.

• Center the target pattern on the symbol.

Note: To end all EZ Button functions, press the EZ Button once and quickly release.

20%

LED will illuminate, and you will see the blue target pattern projected

1-10 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Step 8 — Calibrate

Quick Start

Quadrus MINI settings can be adjusted automatically for optimum symbol decoding performance

by either the EZ Button or by ESP.

During the calibration routine, the reader will flash its amber Read Rate percent LEDs and red illumination LEDs while searching camera settings and determining the best configuration for decoding symbol data. Upon successful completion of this routine, a green LED pattern will flash brightly and stop searching.

and illuminate the symbol. If unsuccessful, the imager will emit 5 short beeps

Calibrate by EZ Button

1. Hold down the EZ Button for about two seconds and release when you hear two short beeps. The 20% and 40% LEDs will illuminate.

2. The imager will search camera settings to determine the best configuration for decoding symbol data.

Note: To end all EZ Button functions, press the EZ Button once and quickly release.

Calibrate by ESP

1. Click the Calibrate button.

2. The imager will search camera settings to determine the best configuration for decoding symbol data.

A successful calibration will display a green frame around the symbol, and the following message will appear: “Uploading all reader parameters.” After a moment the symbol data will be presented in the field below the image display window.

Calibrate by Serial Command

Send <@CAL> from a terminal program to begin calibration.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 1-11

Test Read Rate

20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%. These LEDs represent the

percentage of Good Reads per images captured.

Step 9 — Test Read Rate

Read Rate indicates the number of successful decodes per second achieved by the

imager.

Test Read Rate by EZ Button

1. To start the Read Rate test, hold down the EZ Button about three

seconds until you hear three

short beeps. The 20%, 40%, and 60% LEDs will illuminate.

While the symbol is being inspected, the Read Rate LEDs will indicate the corresponding read rate percentage on the back of the unit.

2. To end the Read Rate test, press the EZ Button and quickly release.

Test Read Rate by ESP

1. Click the Test button to start the Read Rate test and Stop to end it.

If a symbol has been successfully decoded, the symbol’s data and related features will be presented in the field below the image display window. Also, while the symbol is being inspected, the Read Rate LEDs will indicate the corresponding Read Rate percentage on the back of the unit.

2. To end the test, click the Stop button.

Note: Read Rate can also be tested using the Read Rate interface in Utilities.

Test Read Rate by Serial Command

You can also start a test with the <C> or <Cp> command and end it with the <J> command.

1-12 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Step 10 — Configur e the Imager in ESP

To make setup changes to Quadrus MINI, click the App Mode button.

Quick Start

The following modes are accessible by clicking the buttons in the first row of

• Click the Autoconnect button to establish communications between ESP and the imager.

• Click the Send/Recv button to send or receive commands.

• Click the Camera button to access a live Video view, Evaluate image captures, Calibrate

the imager, set the Window of Interest, fine-tune capture settings and processing settings in the Configuration Database, and control multiple read cycle functions in Dynamic Setup.

• Click the Terminal button to display decoded symbol data, and to send serial commands

to the imager using text or macros.

• Click the Utilities button to test Read Rate, request or clear Counters, enable or disable

the imager or send output pulses in Device Control, determine the Differences from Default in the current settings, add or remove master symbol data in Master Database, and verify or update the imager’s Firmware.

• Click the Output Format button to determine the order and content of data output. Click the Configuration button to display the second row of ESP icons.

App Mode

icons:

From here you can make changes in the tree controls that can be accessed by clicking the buttons on the second row of icons in the

For further details, see Microscan ESP Help in the dropdown Help menu.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 1-13

ESP

window.

Save Configuration in ESP

1. Left-click on the +

to expand the desired tree.

2. Double-click on the

desired parameter and click once in the selection box to view options.

5. Right-click on the open screen and select Save to Reader to implement the command in the imager.

4. Left-click again on the open

screen to complete your selection.

3. Place your cursor in the selection box, scroll down to the setting you want to change, and click once on the setting.

Step 11 — Sav e Configuration in ESP

To make changes to a configuration setting:

Saving Options

• Send, No Save. Changes will be lost when power is re-applied to the imager.

• Send and Save. This activates all changes in current memory and saves to the imager

for power-on.

1-14 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

2 Using ESP

EZ Mode........................................................................................................................................2-2

Application Mode...........................................................................................................................2-3

Menu Toolbar................................................................................................................................2-4

Autoconnect ................................................................................................................................2-12

View ............................................................................................................................................2-14

Navigating in ESP .......................................................................................................................2-15

Send/Receive Options ................................................................................................................2-16

Using EZ Trax .............................................................................................................................2-18

Contents

This section is designed to help you understand the basic structure and elements of ESP

(Easy Setup Program).

When you open ESP, unless otherwise specified in the ESP Preferences dialog accessible from the Options heading on the menu toolbar, you will enter EZ Mode for initial setup. From there, you can enter Application Mode (App Mode) and access several configuration menus (Communications, Read Cycle, Symbologies, I/O Parameters, Symbol Quality, Matchcode, and Diagnostics), a Camera setup interface, a Terminal interface, a Utilities interface, and an Output Format interface.

ESP can be used to configure the Quadrus MINI in three different ways:

•

Tree Controls:

specific element of imager operation. For example, the

Host Port Connections Bits

, and

• Graphic User Interfaces: Imager settings can be configured using such point-and-click

tools as radio buttons, zoom in/zoom out sliders, spin boxes, check boxes, and drag-and-drop functions.

• Terminal: ESP’s Terminal allows you to send serial configuration and utility commands

directly to the imager by typing them in the provided text field.

Information about using ESP in specific applications is provided in subsequent sections. For ESP system requirements, see ESP System Requirement s in Chapter 1, Quick Start.

Each configuration menu contains a list of all option settings that pertain to that

Data Bits

Communications

option, and then a list of the sub-options

. Each of these sub-options is configurable by using dropdown menus.

Baud Rate, Parity, Stop

menu shows a

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 2-1

EZ Mode

Starts Read Rate test.

Click Calibrate to begin the initial

calibration routine. Calbration is

explained at the left of the EZ Mode screen, and also in Quick Start.

Click Locate to activate the Quadrus MINI’s blue target

pattern LEDs. Center the target pattern on the symbol. The display shows you where the symbol is located in the imager’s field of view.

Ends Read Rate test.

Enter App Mode to

access configuration trees and other setup features.

EZ Mode

to your imager, instructions that will help you with positioning, testing, and calibration.

Test

Click the Test button to start the Read Rate test for a quick indication of the imager’s read capabilities and the limits of your application. When Decodes per Second is unchecked,

the test will count the percentage of decodes relative to the number of actual scans. Click

Stop to end the test.

Calibrate

The calibration routine that will optimize the imager by comparing Read Rates at various camera and image processing settings.

you are presented with the

EZ Mode

is the screen you will see. You will be provided with on-screen

Locate, Calibrate

, and

Test

options. After connecting

2-2 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Using ESP

Click here to open

the Terminal view.

Click this icon to

return to EZ Mode.

Menu toolbar.

Camera Setup, advanced Calibration, Configuration Database.

Click the Configuration icon to return to full App Mode view from Camera, Terminal, Utilities, or Output Format.

Click here for

Ordered Output and Output Format

features.

Click on icons in this row to access configuration trees like the one shown here.

Click Capture and Decode to

read the symbol in the field of view, and to see a high resolution image capture of the symbol.

Decoded symbol data is shown in this table.

Application Mode

From EZ Mode, you can click on the App Mode button to access specific configuration menus, Utilities tools, Camera setup, Output Format options, and a Terminal window

where serial commands can be entered.

Note: The App Mode and EZ Mode buttons appear in the same position to allow easy

switching between these primary modes.

Note: For specific information on any of the icons shown above in the operations bar or

configuration bar, see the corresponding chapters in this manual.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 2-3

Menu Toolbar

(Save to Imager)

(Receive Imager

Settings)

Menu Toolbar

File > New

Whenever New is selected, the default configuration of ESP is

loaded.

Open/Save

When Save or Save As is selected, the ESP configuration is

saved to the host computer’s hard drive and available whenever

the same file is selected under Open. Important: When you save menu changes to your hard drive,

these changes are not saved to your imager.

below shows how settings can be saved and received between

ESP and the imager, and ESP and the host hard drive.

The illustration

Import/Export

Import converts the ASCII settings from a text file to ESP configuration settings. Export converts the active ESP configuration settings to an ASCII text file.

2-4 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Using ESP

Model

In the Model menu you can select any of the models supported by ESP. When you choose

a different model, the connection to your present model will be terminated.

To connect to another model, select New Model, choose a new model from the pop-up

menu that appears, and click OK.

Note: When you save an ESP file, you are saving the settings of all the models defined in

that file.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 2-5

Menu Toolbar

The Toolbar Style

options allow you to

determine how ESP

will display the mode options in the two rows at the top of the screen.

Options

The Options menu allows you to save memos and set up ESP Preferences.

Note: Preferences will be saved and loaded into ESP whenever ESP is opened next, whether or not you save the ESP file.

Preferences > General Tab

Reload Last File

At startup, reloads the last file saved to the host computer’s hard drive.

Show Model Prompt

At startup, shows the model menu displaying all supported readers.

Show Connect Prompt

At startup, displays the Would you like to connect to the Quadrus MINI? prompt.

Receive After Connect

At startup, loads the imager’s settings into ESP. (This is not recommended if you want to preserve your ESP settings for future use.)

Skip EZ Mode

At startup, skips EZ Mode and opens directly in App Mode.

Enable ‘Send and Save as Customer Defaults’

At startup, enables the Send and Save as Customer Defaults option in the Send/Recv

command.

2-6 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Using ESP

Preferences > Terminal Tab

Show Non-Printable Characters

When Show Non-Printable Characters is enabled, characters such as “CRLF” will be displayed in the Terminal window. When Enhanced Format is checked, the characters

are displayed with more detailed formatting.

Change Keyboard Macros

Clicking the Change Keyboard Macros button brings up the Function Keys dialog. In this dialog you can

select the desired function key and then enter your macro keystrokes in the associated key map. For

example, to make Ctrl-F2 the keystroke to send a trigger character, select F2, then in the Ctrl row, enter <trigger character> and click OK. Then whenever the Ctrl-F2

keystroke is pressed, the trigger character will start the read cycle.

Note: The F1 key is reserved for opening ESP Help and the F3 key is reserved for the Find Next function.

Change Font

Allows you to modify the font used for decode data received from the imager on the screen.

Terminal

Change Echo Font

Allows you to modify the font used for command characters typed into the Terminal view.

Enable Echo

Allows you to enter command characters in Terminal.

Display Incoming Data Even When Not in Focus

When Display Incoming Data Even When Not in Focus is enabled, data from the imager will continue to appear in the terminal even when ESP is not the top window.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 2-7

Menu Toolbar

Preferences > Bar Code Options Tab

The Bar Code Options dialog allows you to set the size of user-created symbols.

Sizing Information

Sets the bar width or module width (in

Example: A bar width of 18 is 0.018 inches.

mils

, or thousandths of an inch) of user-created symbols.

2-8 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Using ESP

Preferences > Advanced Tab

The Auto Sync options at the top of the Advanced tab allow you to determine whether Auto Sync will be enabled automatically in sections of ESP where it is used, or if it will ask

you before it enables Auto Sync functions.

Always Ask Before Auto Sync Occurs

If you check this option box, you are then able to determine what specific Auto Sync

functions will be enabled. Receive Settings from the Reader will automatically send the imager’s settings to ESP when Auto Sync is enabled. Send ESP Settings to the Reader will automatically send all imager configuration settings chosen in ESP to the imager. Do Not Send or Receive Settings creates a condition in which Auto Sync will not automatically send imager settings to ESP, or send ESP settings to the imager.

Show Target Pattern During Locate

Allows you to determine whether the blue LED target pattern will be on or off during the

Locate routine.

Show Target Pattern During Calibrate

Allows you to determine whether the blue LED target pattern will be on or off during the

Calibrate routine.

Use Higher Quality Images

Sets ESP to output images at a higher resolution than standard JPEG format.

Open Image after Save

When Open Image after Save is enabled, ESP automatically opens saved image captures. Images can be saved from the Evaluation tab in the Camera view, or by right clicking an

image in any other image capture view and then saving.

Send XON with Autoconnect

Sends an routine.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 2-9

XON (Begin T rans mission

) command to the imager before starting the

Autoconnect

Menu Toolbar

Preferences > Advanced Tab (cont.)

Ask to Save ESP File when Quitting

When enabled, prompts the user to save a .esp file when ending a session.

The .esp file will be saved in the location of your choice.

Connect to Readers via TCP/IP

When enabled, shows a TCP/IP option on the Select Protocol dialog. Note:

This option should only be selected if you intend to connect using an Ethernet adapter.

Use Default Storage Location

When enabled, automatically stores data in ESP’s Application Data folder.

2-10 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Using ESP

Document Memo

The information you type in the Document Memo field will appear in a context-sensitive text box whenever your cursor hovers over the Document Memo item on the Options menu.

Model Memo

Similar to Document Memo, the information you type in the Model Memo field will appear in a context-sensitive text box whenever your cursor hovers over the Model Memo item on the Options menu. Memos created in Model Memo are specific to the model enabled

when the message was created.

Note:

Memos must be saved in a If you do not save your current session, any memos that you have entered during the session will be discarded, and will be unavailable in your next session.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 2-11

.esp

file if you want them to available in your next session.

Autoconnect

• Once you have chosen the correct

port, click Start to

connect.

Autoconnect

•

If your RS-232 connection attempt fails, you can use between the imager and the host.

• If your communications port is not the default COM1, use the dropdown menu to change

your port.

Autoconnect

to establish a connection

When you are connected, you will see the green connection indicator in the status bar at the bottom right of your screen:

Important: If you are using a USB model, you must connect the device to the host computer before powering-on. Otherwise the unit will not be recognized as a USB

device.

2-12 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Autoconnect (cont.)

• Click Connect on ESP’s menu toolbar, and then select Connection Wizard.

• When the Select Protocol dialog appears, select RS-232 and click Next.

• When the RS-232 dialog appears, check the Force Connect box and click the Connect button.

If your RS-232 host settings cannot be changed to match the imager’s settings:

Using ESP

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 2-13

View

Drag specific configuration values from the control tree directly into this field to encode new symbols.

Choose a spatial orientation for the new symbol.

The symbol you create will be displayed in the field at the bottom of the

Bar Code Dialog.

Create a caption for the symbol that matches the encoded data, or write your own caption.

View

The View menu allows you to move quickly between interfaces without using the icon buttons on the App Mode toolbar. It also allows you to access the Bar Code Dialog.

Bar Code Dialog

In the

Bar Code Dialog

you can create symbols by typing the text you wish to encode. This is a useful tool for creating configuration symbols, allowing you to configure your reader by reading the symbols you create.

2-14 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Using ESP

1. Left click on the + to

expand menu items.

2. Double-click the

desired parameter and

single-click in the

selection box to view options.

3. Place your cursor in the selection box, scroll down to the setting you want to change, and

single-click the setting.

4. Left click again on the open screen to complete the

selection.

5. Right click on the open screen and select Save to Reader to implement the command in the imager.

You can send the command without saving it, or you can send and save the command simultaneously.

The X denotes the default option setting.

Navigating in ESP

To change imager settings, or to access the Utilities, Camera, Terminal, or Output Format views, click the App Mode button.

To return to EZ Mode, click the EZ Mode button.

To make changes to configuration settings in the control trees:

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 2-15

Send/Receive Options

To ac c e ss Receive, Save, and Default options, click the Send/Recv button. You can also

access these options by right-clicking in any of the configuration views.

Receiving

From the Send/Recv menu, select Receive Reader Settings. Caution: Do not select this option if you do not want to upload the imager’s settings. For

example, if your ESP file has a number of custom settings that you want to maintain and download into the imager, these settings would be lost by choosing Yes.

This is useful if you want to receive (upload) the imager’s settings and save them as a file for future use. For example, if your imager has settings that you do not want to change,

choosing Yes would allow you to load those settings to ESP and save them in an ESP file

for later retrieval. Receiving the imager’s settings will also assure that you will not be subsequently saving

any unwanted changes that you or someone else has made previously in ESP.

Saving

Send, No Save (<A>)

Saves memory.

Send and Save (<Z>)

Activates all changes in current memory and saves to the imager for power-on.

Send and Save as Customer Defaults (<Zc>)

Saves your default settings for quick retrieval.

This option will be visible only if you have checked Enable ‘Send and Save as Customer

Defaults’ in ESP Preferences.

ESP

settings to current

2-16 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Using ESP

Defaulting

When you select Default Current Menu Settings or Default all ESP Settings, you are only defaulting the ESP settings.

Advanced Options

Send Current View

This is the same as >

Send No Save

commands in the current configuration tree are sent.

Save to Reader

except that only the

Send Current Command

This is the same as

View

, except that it saves only the

command that is currently selected.

Send Current

Add/Remove Exception

After you perform a option, you may see a list of serial commands. These are commands that may be in your imager’s firmware, but not included in, or different from, your current version of

You can edit these commands by double-clicking on them and changing them as needed. It is important to note that these commands will be saved to your imager whenever you

send a Save to Reader command, or an <A> or a <Z> command. Also, if there is a corresponding ESP menu item, the ESP Value column for that item will

be blank following a Receive Reader Settings command.

Receive Reader Settings

command1 and you click on the

Add Exception

ESP

1. From the Send/Recv button or by right-clicking in any blank section of a tree control view.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 2-17

Using EZ Trax

For detailed information about using EZ Trax, refer to the Help menu in EZ Trax software,

or the EZ Trax Quick Start Guide, available on the Microscan Tools CD.

For information about how to configure the Quadrus MINI for use with EZ Trax, see Setting

Up the Imager for EZ Trax in Chapter 5, Read Cycle.

2-18 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Contents

Communications by ESP .............................................................................................................. 3-2

Communications Serial Commands..............................................................................................3-3

Host Port Connections..................................................................................................................3-4

Host Port Protocol......................................................................................................................... 3-5

ACK/NAK Options.........................................................................................................................3-7

Polling Mode Options.................................................................................................................... 3-8

RS-422 Status............................................................................................................................... 3-9

Auxiliary Port Connections..........................................................................................................3-10

Auxiliary Port System Data Status..............................................................................................3-18

Daisy Chain Autoconfigure .........................................................................................................3-19

Response Timeout...................................................................................................................... 3-20

LRC Status.................................................................................................................................. 3-21

Protocol Configuration Examples................................................................................................3-22

USB HID Interface ......................................................................................................................3-23

ASCII Character Entry Modifier...................................................................................................3-32

Preamble..................................................................................................................................... 3-33

Postamble...................................................................................................................................3-34

3 Communications

This section explains how to set up communications parameters with the host and an auxiliary terminal.

With Microscan’s ESP (Easy Setup Program), configuration changes can be made in the

ESP

menus and then sent and saved to the imager. The user can also send serial commands

to the imager via ESP’s Terminal window.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-1

Communications by ESP

Click this button to bring up the

App Mode view.

Click this button to bring up the

Communication

tree control.

To open nested options,

single-click the +.

To change a setting, double-click the

setting and use your cursor to scroll through the options.

Communications by ESP

3-2 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Communications

Communications Serial Commands

Host Port Connections <K100,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits> Auxiliary Port Connections <K101,aux port mode,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data

bits,daisy chain ID status,daisy chain ID>

RS-422 Status <K102,status> Host Port Protocol <K140,protocol,address> Preamble <K141,status,preamble characters> Postamble <K142,status,postamble characters> Response Timeout <K143,response timeout> LRC <K145,status> Auxiliary Port System Data Status <K146,aux port system data status> ACK/NAK Options <K147,RES,REQ,STX,ETX,ACK,NAK> Polling Mode Options <K148,RES,REQ,STX,ETX,ACK,NAK> Autoconfiguration Daisy Chain <K150DAISY>

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-3

Host Port Connections

The host port can be configured with RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485 connections. The following settings define the basic transmission speeds and digital standards that

ensure common formatting.

Baud Rate, Host Port

Usage: Can be used to transfer data faster or to match host port settings. Definition: The rate at which the reader and host transfer data back and forth.

Serial Cmd: <K100,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits> Default: 115.2K

Options: 0 = 600 1 = 1200 2 = 2400

3 = 4800 4 = 9600 5 = 19.2K

6 = 38.4K 7 = 57.6K 8 = 115.2K

9 = 230K

Parity, Host Port

Usage: Only changed if necessary to match host setting. Definition: An error detection routine in which one data bit per character is set to 1 or 0

so that the total number of bits in the data field is either even or odd.

Serial Cmd: <K100,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits> Default: None Options: 0 = None 1 = Even 2 = Odd

Stop Bits, Host Port

Usage: Only changed if necessary to match host setting. Definition: One or two bits added to the end of each character to indicate the end of

the character.

Serial Cmd: <K100,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits> Default: One Options: 0 = One 1 = Two

Data Bits, Host Port

Usage: Only changed if necessary to match host setting. Definition: One or two bits added to the end of each character to indicate the end of

the character.

Serial Cmd: <K100,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits> Default: Eight Options: 0 = Seven 1 = Eight

Note: See USB HID Interface on page 3-23 for protocol information relating to USB.

3-4 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Communications

Host Port Protocol

Usage: In general, the point-to-point protocols will work well in most applications.

They require no address and must use RS-232 or RS-422 communications standards.

Definition: Protocols define the sequence and format in which information is transferred

between the reader and the host, or in the case of Multidrop, between the

readers and a concentrator.

Serial Cmd: <K140,protocol,address> Default: Point-to-Point Options: 0 = Point-to-Point

1 = Point-to-Point with RTS/CTS 2 = Point-to-Point with XON/XOFF 3 = Point-to-Point with RTS/CTS and XON/XOFF 4 = ACK/NAK 5 = Polling Mode

Note: In all protocol modes, the preamble <K141> and postamble <K142> character

strings can be used to frame the decode data, and both are included in calculating the

LRC (Longitudinal Redundancy Check).

Point-to-Point (Standard)

Usage: Used only with RS-232 or RS-422.

Definition: Standard Point-to-Point requires no address and sends the data to the

host whenever it is available, without a request or handshake from the host.

Serial Cmd: <K140,0>

Point-to-Point with RTS/CTS

Usage: A reader initiates a data transfer with an RTS (request-to-send) transmission.

The host, when ready, responds with a CTS (clear-to-send) and the data is transmitted. RTS and CTS signals are transmitted over two dedicated wires as defined in the RS-232 standard. Used only with RS-232.

Definition: Point-to-Point with RTS/CTS (request-to-send/clear-to-send) is a simple

hardware handshake protocol that allows a reader to initiate data transfers to the host.

Serial Cmd: <K140,1>

Point-to-Point with XON/XOFF

Usage: If an XOFF has been received from the host, data will not be sent to the host

until the host sends an XON. During the XOFF phase, the host is free to carry on other chores and accept data from other devices. Used only with RS-232.

Definition: This option enables the host to send the XON and XOFF command as a

single byte transmission command of start (^Q) or stop (^S).

Serial Cmd: <K140,2>

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-5

Host Port Protocol

Point-to-Point with RTS/CTS and XON/XOFF

Usage: Used only with RS-232.

Definition: This option is a combination of Point-to-Point with RTS/CTS and Point-

to-Point with XON/XOFF.

Serial Cmd: <K140,3>

ACK/NAK

Definition: See the ACK/NAK Options command <K147> on page 3-7. Serial Cmd: <K140,4>

Polling Mode

Definition: See the Polling Mode Options command <K148> on page 3-8. Serial Cmd: <K140,5>

Poll Address

Serial Cmd: <K140,protocol,address> Default: 1

Options: 1 to 50

1 = Poll address 0x1C, Select address 0x1D 2 = Poll address 0x1E, Select address 0x1F

...

50 = Poll address 0x7E, Select address 0x7F

Note: See USB HID Interface on page 3-23 for protocol information relating to USB.

3-6 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

ACK/NAK Options

Communications

Definition:

Serial Cmd: <K147,RES,REQ,STX,ETX,ACK,NAK>

These parameters take effect for RS-422 ports (not on the Auxiliary Port), and are completely independent of the

Polling Mode Options <K148>

The imager always follows the protocol in both directions (to and from the host). There is no option to disable it from either direction.

ACK/NAK <K140,4>

on the main RS-232 or

RES-NAK Defaults

RES: (Reset) 00 (disabled) REQ: (Request) 00 (disabled) STX: (Start of Text) 00 (disabled) ETX: (End of Text) 00 (disabled) ACK: (Acknowledge) 06

NAK: (Negative Acknowledge) 15

The following are general outlines of the ACK/NAK protocol. Items that are framed by brackets ( [ ] ) can either be disabled or enabled. LRC does not include STX, but it does

include preamble, postamble, and ETX.

Symbol Data Output

TX to host: [STX] [preamble] SYMBOL DATA [postamble] [ETX] [LRC] Response from host: ACK/NAK. Sent when LRC, ETX, postamble, or timeout (waiting

for more data) are detected (if REQ is disabled) depending on what is enabled.

Commands from Host to Imager

TX to Imager: [STX] <command> [ETX] [LRC] Response from Imager: ACK/NAK. Sent when LRC, ETX, or command-ending angle

bracket ‘>’ are received, depending on what is enabled.

Command Response from Imager to Host

TX to host: [STX] [preamble] COMMAND RESPONSE DATA [postamble] [ETX] [LRC] Response from host: ACK/NAK. Sent when LRC, ETX, postamble, command-ending

angle bracket ‘>’, or timeout (waiting for more data) are detected, depending on what is

enabled.

As with Polling Mode <K140,5>, the imager can optionally perform the REQ and RES

event sequences in ACK/NAK mode. If the sender does not receive an ACK or NAK, it will send REQ to request such a response (if enabled). When the sender receives an ACK, too many NAKs, or times out (if already enabled), it will send a RES (if enabled) to terminate the transaction.

Note:

See

ACK/NAK Data Flow Examples

scenarios.

Note: See USB HID Interface on page 3-23 for protocol information relating to USB.

in Appendix E for sample ACK/NAK communication

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-7

Polling Mode Options

Definition: These parameters only take effect for Polling Mode <K140,5> on the main

RS-232 or RS-422 ports (not on the Auxiliary Port), and are completely

independent of the ACK/NAK Options <K147>.

The values of protocol characters can be changed, but the protocol events

cannot be disabled. The polling mode address is configured in the <K140> command (see Poll Address on page 3-6).

To enable true multidrop protocol, the RS422/485 port must be enabled,

<K102,1>, in order to turn the transmitter on and off. If RS-232 is enabled

instead of RS422/485, <K102,0>, then Polling Mode will operate as a Point-to-Point polling protocol. This is because the RS-232 transmitter is

always left on when enabled.

Serial Cmd: <K148,RES,REQ,STX,ETX,ACK,NAK>

RES-NAK Defaults

RES: (Reset) 04 REQ: (Request) 05 STX: (Start of Text) 02 ETX: (End of Text) 03 ACK: (Acknowledge) 06

NAK: (Negative Acknowledge) 15

Note: See Polling Mode Data Flow Examples in Appendix E for sample Polling Mode

communication scenarios.

Note: See USB HID Interface on page 3-23 for protocol information relating to USB.

3-8 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Communications

RS-422 Status

Usage: RS-232 is an industry standard. RS-422 is used when greater cable lengths

are required and/or where noise interference is an issue.

Definition: RS-422, if enabled, allows communication through RS-422 I/O lines.

When RS-422 is enabled, RS-232 is disabled. When RS-422 is disabled, RS-232 is enabled.

Serial Cmd: <K102,status> Default: Disabled Options: 0 = Disabled 1 = Enabled

Note: The default setting can only be changed in readers with multiplexed RS-232/RS-422 ports. It is forced to 1 (enabled) in readers with “dedicated” RS-422 ports.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-9

Auxiliary Port Connections

The auxiliary port offers an alternative port that can be configured to communicate by RS-232 in several modes, including daisy chain.

As with the host port parameters, the auxiliary port settings (baud rate, parity, stop bits, and data bits) must be identical with those of the auxiliary device.

Usage: An auxiliary port connects the imager to a remote display or to other readers

that can display or transfer data.

Definition: These commands set the communication parameters with the auxiliary

port, which can be used to configure menus, send data to the host, display data transmissions originating from the host, and relay data from other imagers set in tandem (daisy chained).

Auxiliary Port Mode

Usage: Can be used to transfer data faster or to match an auxiliary device. Definition: Determines the flow of data between the auxiliary port device(s), the

imager, and the host..

Serial Cmd: <K101,aux port mode,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits,daisy chain i.d.

status, daisy chain i.d.>

Default: Disabled Options: 0 = Disabled 1 = Transparent 2 = Half duplex

3 = Full duplex 4 = Daisy chain

5 = Command Processing

Baud Rate, Auxiliary Port

Usage: Can be used to transfer data faster or to match an auxiliary device. Definition: The rate at which the imager and host transfer data back and forth.

Serial Cmd: <K101,aux port mode,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits,daisy chain i.d.

status,daisy chain i.d.>

Default: 115.2K

Options: 0 = 600 1 = 1200 2 = 2400

3 = 4800 4 = 9600 5 = 19.2K

6 = 38.4K 7 = 57.6K 8 = 115.2K

9 = 230K

3-10 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Communications

Parity, Auxiliary Port

Usage: Only changed if necessary to match host setting. Definition: An error detection routine in which one data bit in each character is set to 1

or 0 so that the total number of 1 bits in the data field is even or odd.

Serial Cmd: <K101,aux port mode,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits,daisy chain i.d.

status,daisy chain i.d.>

Default: None Options: 0 = None 1 = Even 2 = Odd

Stop Bits, Auxiliary Port

Usage: Only changed if necessary to match host setting. Definition: Allows the user to select the last one or two bits in each character to indicate

the end of the character.

Serial Cmd: <K101,aux port mode,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits,daisy chain i.d.

status,daisy chain i.d.>

Default: One Options: 0 = One 1 = Two

Data Bits, Auxiliary Port

Usage: Only changed if necessary to match host setting. Definition: Number of bits in each character.

Serial Cmd: <K101,aux port mode,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits,daisy chain i.d.

status,daisy chain i.d.>

Default: Eight Options: 0 = Seven 1 = Eight

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-11

Auxiliary Port Connections

Host

Aux. Port

Imager

Host

Aux. Port

Imager

Host

Aux. Port

Imager

Transparent Mode

Usage: A common application, in conjunction with handheld imagers, is one that

employs an auxiliary readout to detect misapplied symbols.

Definition: In Transparent Mode, data is passed between the auxiliary port and the

host. The imager buffers data from the auxiliary port and echoes the keyed data on the auxiliary port.

• Auxiliary port data is passed through to the host whenever a return key is pressed at the auxiliary port or whenever symbol data is sent. If sent with symbol data, it is processed on a first-in/first-out basis.

• Auxiliary port data to the host is always sent with a preamble and postamble.

• If the imager is in a polling mode with the host, auxiliary port data will still pass through.

Data Originating from the Imager

• Transmission to the auxiliary port occurs immediately upon a good read.

• Data sent to the auxiliary port does not include a preamble or a postamble.

• Communications with the auxiliary port is always in Point-to-Point protocol, even if the host is in a polled protocol mode.

Data Originating from the Host

• All host data is echoed to the auxiliary port in unpolled mode.

Serial Cmd: <K101,aux port mode,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits,daisy chain i.d.

Options: 1 = Transparent

3-12 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

status,daisy chain i.d.>

Communications

Host

Aux. Port

Imager

Host

Aux. Port

Imager

Host

Aux. Port

Imager

Half Duplex Mode

Usage: Useful when the user wants symbol data displayed on an auxiliary menu

close to the imager.

Definition: In Half Duplex Mode all auxiliary port data and symbol data is sent directly

to the host. Symbol data is displayed on the auxiliary port menu at the same time the data is sent to the host.

Data Originating from the Auxiliary Port

• Auxiliary port data to the host is ignored if the imager is in a polled mode.

• Auxiliary port data or read data is sent to the host whenever it is received.

• Auxiliary port data is not echoed.

• Auxiliary port data to the host is always sent without a preamble or postamble.

Data Originating from the Imager

• Data is transmitted to the auxiliary port at the same time it is transmitted to the host.

• Data transmission conforms with all parameters specified in the configuration menu (e.g. Preamble Postamble, End of Read Cycle).

Data Originating from the Host

• All host data is echoed to the auxiliary port in unpolled mode.

Serial Cmd. <K101,aux port mode,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits,daisy chain i.d.

status,daisy chain i.d.>

Options: 2 = Half Duplex

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-13

Auxiliary Port Connections

Host

Aux. Port

Imager

Host

Aux. Port

Imager

Host

Aux. Port

Imager

Full Duplex Mode

Usage: When communication to and from the auxiliary port is required.

Definition: In Full Duplex Mode all auxiliary port data and symbol data is sent directly

to the host. Symbol data is not displayed on the auxiliary port menu.

Data Originating from the Auxiliary Port

• Auxiliary port data to the host is ignored if the imager is in a polled mode.

• Auxiliary port data or read data is sent to the host whenever it is received.

• Auxiliary port data is not echoed.

•

Auxiliary port data to the host is always sent without

Data Originating from the Imager

• Data is not sent to the auxiliary port.

a preamble or postamble.

Data Originating from the Host

• All host data is echoed to the auxiliary port in

unpolled mode.

Serial Cmd: <K101,aux port mode,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits,daisy chain i.d.

status,daisy chain i.d.>

Options: 3 = Full Duplex

3-14 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Communications

Daisy Chain Mode

Usage: Useful in applications where:

• More than one symbol type is present.

• A symbol may be present on multiple sides of a package.

• Symbols are presented at different depths.

Definition: In a daisy chain application, readers are connected in tandem or a “daisy

chain” and decoded data is relayed from one reader to another until the data reaches the host.

A primary reader has its host port linked to the host computer and its auxiliary port linked to the host port of the first secondary reader in the chain. Thereafter, each secondary reader’s auxiliary port is linked to the host port of the secondary reader that is farther from the host in the daisy chain.

Each reader in the chain can be assigned an ID that accompanies any data that it sends.

Serial Cmd: <K101,aux port mode,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits,daisy chain i.d.

status,daisy chain i.d.>

Options: 4 = Daisy Chain

Function: Before the primary reader times out, it checks its auxiliary port for data. It

should be set to wait at least 30 ms for each secondary reader in the daisy chain. If no data is received within the read cycle timeout, the primary reader sends a No Read message to the host. Otherwise the complete data is sent.

If, for example, the primary reader is set to timeout in 120 ms, the first secondary reader reader downstream might be set to 90 ms, the next to 30 ms, and so forth, thus assuring that at least 30 ms elapses between transmissions.

Daisy-chained readers can send a series of symbols by enabling and a common multisymbol separator. If the primary reader does not receive the expected number of symbols, No Read messages are appended to the data string to make up the difference between the number

of symbols enabled in Multisymbol and the number of symbols read. For example, a primary and two secondary readers have Number of

Symbols set to 3 and Multisymbol Separator defined as %. If the primary

and the first secondary reader do not find symbols, but the next secondary reader registers a good read, the transmitted results would be:

symbol data % No Read % No Read

Multisymbol

a. The above example assumes a best- case scenario. Other factors, such as baud rate, dynamic focus timing, number of characters in a given symbol, and the number of secondary readers in the daisy chain can affect timing and may need to be included in your calculations for complete accuracy.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-15

Auxiliary Port Connections

Command Processing Mode

Usage: Allows a user to send configuration settings from the host port to the auxiliary

port.

Definition: When enabled, Command Processing Mode allows commands to be

entered via the auxiliary port and direct externally triggered read cycle data in one of two ways:

• Symbol data, including the serial trigger (if used), will be transmitted to the last port from which a command was sent.

• If the last command came from the host port, then externally triggered read cycle data will only be output to the host port.

Serial Cmd: <K101,aux port mode,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits,daisy chain i.d.

status,daisy chain i.d.>

Options: 5 = Command Processing

3-16 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Communications

Daisy Chain ID Status

Usage: Used in a daisy chain setup in cases where the host needs to know which

reader in the chain sent the data.

Definition: Each reader in a daisy chain can be assigned a one or two character ID

that will appear in front of decoded data and identify its source.

Serial Cmd: <K101,aux port mode,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits,daisy chain i.d.

status, daisy chain i.d.>

Default: Disabled Options: 0 = Disabled 1 = Enabled

Note: Enable/disable and length must be the same in all readers.

Daisy Chain ID

Usage: Used in a daisy chain setup in cases where the host needs to know which

reader in the chain sent the data.

Definition:

Serial Cmd:

Default: 1/

Options: Any one or two ASCII characters.

A one or two character prefix which identifies the particular daisy chain reader from which the data is being sent to the host.

<K101,aux port mode,baud rate,parity,stop bits,data bits,daisy chain i.d. status,daisy chain i.d.>

Important:

For <: <K101h,,,,,,,3C> For >: <K101h,,,,,,,3E>

, : <K101h,,,,,,,2C>

For

See ASCII Character Entry Modifier on page 3-32 for a detailed explanation of how to

enter ASCII characters as hex values.

The ASCII characters <, >, and , can only be entered as hex pairs:

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-17

Auxiliary Port System Data Status

Definition: When enabled, system data will be routed to the Auxiliary Port. This

includes decoded data and diagnostic warning messages. When disabled, system data will not be routed to the Auxiliary Port.

Serial Cmd: <K146,aux port system data status> Default: Disabled Options: 0 = Disabled 1 = Enabled

3-18 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Communications

Host

Primary

Imager

Secondary

Imager

Secondary

Imager

SSS

Host

Primary

Imager

Secondary

Imager

Secondary

Imager

ESS

Daisy Chain Autoconfigure

Usage: For quick setup and configuration of your daisy chain network. Definition: The command to autoconfigure the daisy chain is sent to the primary

imager and the software responds in the following ways:

• Counts the number of secondary readers in the daisy chain.

• Assigns an internal ID number (1...n) to each secondary reader, where the first secondary reader is number 1 (the primary reader’s ID being a 0).

• Propagates the communications settings and the relevant operating modes of the primary imager to the host and auxiliary ports of each secondary reader.

• Resets each secondary reader.

• Confirms that each secondary reader has acquired the new settings.

Serial Cmd: <K150DAISY>

Note: All secondary readers must be set to Serial for Daisy Chain to function.

When setting up a daisy chain operation, perform the following steps:

1. Set the primary imager (the one connected to the host) to Serial. This sets all the imagers in the chain to Serial when the command is executed.

Before Autoconfigure you must set the primary imager to Serial (S):

2. Send <K150DAISY>.

3. If necessary, set the primary imager to Edge.

After

Autoconfigure

must remain in

you may set the primary imager to

Serial (S

Edge (S

), but the other imagers

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-19

Response Timeout

Usage: Only used when a response is required from the host. While in Multidrop, if

the imager does not receive an ACK or NAK from the host after sending

polled data, it will act on a fault. The reader can be set to wait indefinitely by

setting Response Timeout to zero.

Definition: The time that the imager will wait before timing out if ACK, NAK, and ETX

are enabled, and a host response is expected.

Serial Cmd: <K143,response timeout> Default: 12 (in 1 ms increments)

Options: 0 to 255 (A zero (0) setting causes an indefinite wait.)

Note: See USB HID Interface on page 3-23 for protocol information relating to USB.

3-20 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Communications

LRC Status

(Longitudinal Redundancy Check)

Usage: Used when extra data integrity is required. Definition: An error-checking routine that verifies the accuracy of transmissions. It is

the exclusive OR of all characters following the STX (start of text) up to and

including the of all the characters in a transmission are cumulatively added in a column and each resulting odd integer is assigned a 1 and each even integer a 0 (two 1s = 0, two 0s = 0, a 1 and a 0 = 1). The extra LRC character is then appended to the transmission, and the receiver (usually the host) performs the same addition and compares the results.

Serial Cmd: <K145,status> Default: Disabled Options: 0 = Disabled 1 = Enabled

ETX

(end of text). What this means is that the binary representation

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-21

Protocol Configuration Examples

Point-to-Point (Main Port)

<K100,8,0,1,1> Baud Rate: 115.2K; Parity: None; Stop Bits: 2; Data Bits: 8 <K140,0> Point-to-Point <K102,0> RS-232 enabled; <K102,1> = RS-422 enabled

Polling Mode (Main Port)

<K100,4,0,1,1> Baud Rate: 9600; Parity: None; Stop Bits: 2; Data Bits: 8 <K140,5,23> Polling Mode; Address: 23 <K102,0>

<K143,30> 30 ms Response Timeout

RS-232 Point-to-Point polling; (switched transmitter)

“User-Defined” Polling Mode (Main Port)

<K100,4,0,1,1> Baud Rate: 9600; Parity: None; Stop Bits: 2; Data Bits: 8 <K140,5,12> Polling Mode; Address: 12 <K148,,08,09,18,0B,0C,0D> Default RES (0x04), REQ=0x08; EOT=0x09; STX=0x18;

ETX=0x0B; ACK=0x0C; NAK=0x0D

<K102,0> RS-232 Point-to-Point polling; <K102,1> = RS-485 (true

multidrop with switched transmitter)

<K143,40> 40 ms Response Timeout

<K102,1>

= RS-422/RS-485 true multidrop

ACK/NAK (Main Port)

<K100,9,0,1,1> Baud Rate: 230K; Parity: None; Stop Bits: 2; Data Bits: 8 <K140,4> ACK/NAK <K147,,,01,1B,2E,1F> Default RES and REQ (00, disabled); STX=0x01; ETX=0x1B;

ACK=0x2E; NAK=0x1F

<K102,1> RS-422 enabled; <K102,0> = RS-232 enabled <K143,50> 50 ms Response Timeout

Auxiliary Port

Listed below are several examples of Auxiliary Port commands.

<K101,2,4,0,1,1> Half Duplex; Baud Rate: 9600; Parity: None; Stop Bits: 2; Data Bits: 8 <K101,1,5,0,1,1> Transparent; Baud Rate: 19.2K; Parity: None; Stop Bits: 2; Data Bits: 8 <K101,3,7,0,1,1> Full Duplex; Baud Rate: 57.6K; Parity: None; Stop Bits: 2; Data Bits: 8 <K101,5,6,0,1,1> Command Processing; Baud Rate: 230K; Parity: None; Stop Bits: 2;

Data Bits: 8

3-22 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Communications

USB HID Interface

The USB version of the Quadrus MINI Imager operates as an HID (Human Interface Device) on the USB bus. HID-class devices communicate via “report” packets. An HID may support multiple report types, each of which is identified with a unique report ID. The Quadrus MINI supports two different report types:

• Microscan HID Report (ID = 1)

• Keyboard Report (ID = 2)

The imager always outputs the same data for both report types. The user may enable or disable either report type.

Regardless of the report type used by the host application, the application protocol via USB

is identical to RS-232/RS-422 ports. HID Reports are used as a channel for standard

Microscan imager communication, command input, and symbol data output.

Important: No matter how the imager is configured, it is always able to receive and respond to commands from the host application using Microscan HID Reports.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-23

USB HID Interface

Report Options

The following functionality conditions hold true regardless of how

1. The host application must establish a connection with the imager to receive Microscan HID IN Reports (symbol data) and to send Microscan HID OUT Reports (commands,

serial triggers).

2. The imager can always receive

3. The host application can always send commands through Micr oscan HID OUT Reports. If the command requires a response (a part number, for example), the imager will always send the response through Microscan HID IN Reports.

4. The imager always ignores Keyboard OUT Reports sent by the host operating system.

5. The content of both the Keyboard Report s and Microscan HID IN Reports is identical, except for Keyboard Reports non-printable data limitations.

Microscan HID OUT Reports

HID Reports

(commands, serial triggers).

are configured:

Microscan HID IN Reports

HID Reports are used as a channel for standard Microscan imager communication, command input, and symbol data output. There are two types of Microscan HID Reports:

Report Type Data Content

Microscan HID IN (imager to host) Microscan HID OUT (host to imager) Commands; serial triggers

Symbol data; No Reads; Service messages

Note: The imager is always able to receive commands and serial triggers from the host through Microscan HID OUT Reports, regardless of the Microscan HID IN Report status.

If the imager receives a command that requests a response, such as a part number query,

the imager will send a Microscan HI D IN Report regardless of the IN Report status.

Serial Cmd: <K149,Microscan HID IN Report status,Keyboard IN Report status> Default: 1 Options: 0 = Disabled 1 = Enabled

Microscan HID IN Reports Enabled

When this feature is enabled, the imager will send Microscan HID IN Reports to the host,

containing data originated by the imager.

Microscan HID IN Reports Disabled

When this feature is disabled, the imager will not send host, containing data originated by the imager.

Microscan HID IN Reports

to the

3-24 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Keyboard IN Reports

Communications

The host operating system will interpret user were typing keyboard text. The host operating system sends keystrokes to the current application. This is commonly called a

There is one type of Keyboard Report used:

Report Type Data Content

Keyboard IN (imager to host)

Note: If Keyboard IN Reports is enabled, and Micro scan HID IN Reports is disabled, the read cycle must be Continuous Read 1 Output, because there will be no External

Trigger or Serial Trigger. It is not possible to send commands to the imager as Keyboard OUT Reports. To send commands to the imager via USB, the host application must establish a connection with the imager and send Microscan HID OUT Reports.

Serial Cmd: <K149,Microscan HID IN Report status,Keyboard IN Report status> Default: 0 Options: 0 = Disabled 1 = Enabled

Keyboard IN Reports

Keyboard Wedge

Symbol data; No Reads; Service messages

from the imager as if the

configuration.

Keyboard IN Reports Enabled

When this feature is enabled, the imager will send Keyboard IN Reports to the host,

containing data originated by the imager.

Keyboard IN Reports Disabled

When this feature is disabled, the imager will not send Keyboard IN Reports to the host,

containing data originated by the imager.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-25

USB HID Interface

Microscan HID Report Format

Size: 64 bytes, fixed-length. The USB HID standard defines all reports as being fixed-length. Structure: REPORT ID (1) LENGTH (1) DATA (62)

Values in parentheses indicate the size, in bytes, of the field.

Field Descriptions

REPORT ID

Size: 1 byte Value: 0x01

Note: Report ID is the method employed by USB HID to allow multiple report formats to be

sent and received from the same interface.

LENGTH

Size: 1 byte Value: 0-62

Note: Length indicates the number of valid data bytes in the fixed-length data field. This is necessary because the USB HID standards define HID Reports as fixed-length, yet the

imager or host may require a smaller data size in any given report.

DATA

Size: 62 bytes, fixed-length Value: 0x00 to 0xFF

Note: The Data field is left-justified, meaning it begins immediately after the Length field.

All unused data space is NUL (0x00) padded. Data values can be “binary”, meaning that they span the entire 8 bit range of 0x00 to 0xFF.

3-26 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Communications

Report Format Examples

For clarity, all report format examples are shown as follows: report fields separated by an

underscore ( _ ), REPORT ID and LENGTH fields shown as decimal values, data fields

shown as printable ASCII characters, and the number of NUL padding bytes shown as decimal values (nn).

IN report (to host)

1_11_A]002374938 (51) REPORT ID = 1 = Microscan HID LENGTH = 11 DATA = ”A]02374938” = This is a Code 39 symbol. NUL padding = 51 bytes

OUT report (from host to imager)

1_27_<K200,3><K220,0,300><K714?> (35) REPORT ID = 1 = Microscan HID LENGTH = 27 DATA = “<K200,3><K220,0,300><K714?>” = These commands enable External Edge, set

a 3 second timeout, and request the No Read configuration command. NUL padding = 35 bytes

IN report (to host)

1_62_<K714,1, A LONG MESSAGE STREAMED OVER MULTIPLE MICROSCAN HID RE (0) REPORT ID = 1 = Microscan HID LENGTH = 62 DATA = “<K714,1, A LONG MESSAGE STREAMED OVER MULTIPLE MICROSCAN HID

RE” = This shows the response to the <714?> command. Note that the command status response is not yet complete. See the next report example for the complete response.

NUL padding = 0 bytes

IN report (to host)

1_6_PORTS>(56) REPORT ID = 1 = Microscan HID LENGTH = 6 DATA = “PORTS>” = This is the end of the response to the <K714?> command from the

previous example. The entire <K714> command response is as follows: DATA = “K714,1, A LONG MESSAGE STREAMED OVER MULTIPLE MICROSCAN HID

REPORTS>” . NUL padding = 56 bytes

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-27

USB HID Interface

Keyboard Report Format

Size: 9 bytes, fixed-length.

Structure: REPORT ID (1) MODIFIER (1) RESERVED (1) KEYCODES (6)

Values in parentheses indicate the size, in bytes, of the field.

Important: The host application does not need to understand and process Keyboard Reports. This task belongs to the host operating system. Keycodes are passed to the host

application as if a user were typing keyboard text. The host application must be the active application in order to receive keystrokes.

Keyboard Reports protocol requires that two reports be sent for every keystroke. The first report indicates which key is pressed. The second report indicates “no key pressed”, with all keycodes NUL (0x00) to indicate that all keys have been released. In the case of the Quadrus MINI Imager, each byte output is equivalent to a keystroke, with a “key pressed” report and a “no key pressed” report. For this reason, data rates are much slower when

using Keyboard Reports.

Field Descriptions

REPORT ID

Size: 1 byte Value: 0x02

Note: Report ID is the method employed by USB HID to allow multiple report formats to be

sent and received from the same interface.

MODIFIER

Size: 1 byte Value: 0x00 to 0xFF

Note: Modifier is an 8 bit field, corresponding to the state of the modifier keys at the time

the keycode field was generated.

Bit Key

0 LEFT CTRL 1 LEFT SHIFT 2 LEFT ALT 3LEFT GUI 4 RIGHT CTRL 5 RIGHT SHIFT 6 RIGHT ALT 7 RIGHT GUI

3-28 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Communications

Field Descriptions

RESERVED

Size: 1 byte

Value: 0x00

Note: This field is Reserved. Its value is always NUL (0x00). KEYCODES

Size: 6 bytes Value: 0x00 to 0xFF

Note: The Quadrus MINI Imager translates 8 bit data values into Keycode data in the

following ways:

8 Bit Data Value Keycode Data

0x00 to 0x1F and 0x7F to 0xFF Decimal key ( . ) unless otherwise noted. CR, 0x0D Enter key TAB, 0x09 Tab key ESC, 0x1B ESC key

“Printable” characters, 0x20 to 0x7E These all translate to the keystrokes that produce them.

This includes a-z, 0-9, punctuation, and SHIFT in the

Modifier field, when necessary. Only the first Keycode

in the 6 byte array will be populated.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-29

USB HID Interface

USB HID Configuration Options

The user has the following options for configuring and defaulting a USB version of the Quadrus MINI:

Configuration Symbols (Data Matrix with “Configure Reader” Flag)

Symbol configuration can be performed “out-of-the-box”, as the Quadrus MINI is configured

for Continuous Read Mode, and Data Matrix is enabled by default. Data Matrix symbols

are used to encode configuration commands when the symbology’s “configure reader” flag is set.

If the read cycle is changed, or if Data Matrix is disabled, another configuration/default method must be used. This is because the USB Quadrus MINI has no external trigger,

unless the user has configured the EZ button as a trigger.

EZ Button Configuration

By default, basic calibration can be initiated from the EZ button (3 beeps). Note that this

only changes the camera, image processing, and symbology settings of the imager. To

default the USB Quadrus MINI, hold down the EZ button during power-on.

Note: This only overwrites Power-On settings with Custom Default settings, as when the

<Zrc> command is received. It does not overwrite Power-On settings with Factory

Defaults, as when the <Zrd> command is received. If Custom Defaults are misconfigured,

another method must be used to default the imager.

Implementing the Host Operating System API and Establishing a Connection with the Microscan HID Interface

When a connection is made, the host can send serial configuration/default commands. The imager will always be able to receive configuration commands from the host application and send responses to those commands. However, the imager can be configured to stop producing IN Reports to the host from symbol data output and diagnostics (service messages).

3-30 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Communications

Configuration Exceptions for USB

Read Cycle Mode

By default, the imager operates in Continuous Read Mode. If the imager is configured

using Data Matrix symbols, the read cycle mode should be the last item changed before saving the configuration settings and beginning operation. This is because all read cycle

modes other than Continuous Read Mode require a trigger event. In USB, a trigger event

can only be initiated by serial command. To send a trigger command the imager, the host

application must establish a connection with the imager’s Microscan HID interface and send the trigger command in a Microscan HID Report.

The following read cycle conditions are required for USB Quadrus MINI:

Serial Cmd: <K200,read mode> Default: Continuous Options: 0 = Continuous Mode 1 = Coninuous Read 1 Output Mode

2 = Level Mode 3 = Edge Mode 4 = Serial Mode 5 = Serial and Edge Mode

Important:

• To use Level Mode, you must enable Undelimited Start Trigger Character <K229> and Undelimited End Trigger Character <K230>.

• To use Edge Mode, you must enable and use the Undelimited S tart T rigger Character

<K229>.

• To use Serial Mode, you must use the Delimited Trigger defined by <K201>, or enable and use the Undelimited Start Trigger Character <K229>.

• To use Serial and Edge Mode, you must use the Delimited Trigger defined by

<K201>, or enable and use the Undelimited Start Trigger Character <K229>.

Communications

For the USB version of Quadrus MINI, no communications serial commands have any effect on the imager except the following:

• USB HID Report Status <K149>

• Preamble <K141>

•Postamble <K142>

EZ Button

Default on power-on cannot be disabled <K770,,default> = <K770,,1>. This ensures a level of safety for recovering from misconfigured Power-On settings <Z>. However, it is not foolproof, as defaulting with the EZ button only recovers Custom Default settings, which

can be misconfigured themselves. For this reason, do not save to Custom Default settings

<Zc> until the imager’s configuration has been tested.

Symbologies

If the imager is going to be configured with Data Matrix symbols, do not disable Data Matrix

<K479>. Disabling Data Matrix will prevent the imager from reading configuration symbols.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-31

ASCII Character Entry Modifier

Commands that require ASCII text fields, such as Preamble and Postamble commands, can be sent to the imager as hex pairs (see Appendix F, ASCII Table, for conversions).

Serial Cmd Format: <Knnnh,00-FF>

To enter ASCII fields as hex values (00 to FF), add a lower-case h directly after the command’s

number, and then enter the hex value that corresponds with the desired ASCII character.

Example:

Consider the Postamble command:

Serial Cmd: <K142,status,postamble character(s)>

Imagine that your application requires the ASCII character > to be the postamble in your

symbol decode output.

The ASCII characters <, >, and postamble in your symbol decode output, enter the Postamble command as follows:

<K142h,,3E>

Note that the “status” field contains only a

changed is the “postamble character(s)” field. (See Serial Configuration Command

Conventions on page A-13 for a more detailed explanation of this command shortcut.)

, can only be entered as hex pairs. So, to make > the

, . This is because the only field that is being

3-32 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Communications

Preamble

Preamble Status

Usage: Useful for identifying and controlling incoming data. For example, defining

the preamble as a carriage return and a line feed causes each decoded message to be displayed on its own line.

Definition: Defines a one to four character data string that can be added to the front of

the decoded data.

Serial Cmd: <K141,status,preamble character(s)> Default: Disabled Options: 0 = Disabled 1 = Enabled (within any protocol)

Preamble Characters

Serial Cmd: <K141,status,preamble character(s)> Default: ^M corresponds to: carriage return. Options: To enter control characters within a serial command, hold down the Ctrl

key while typing the desired character.

Example: <K141,1,CNTL-m> to enter the control character ^M.

Important:

For <: <K141h,,3C> For >: <K141h,,3E>

, : <K141h,,2C>

For

See ASCII Character Entry Modifier on page 3-32 for a detailed explanation of how to

enter ASCII characters as hex values.

The ASCII characters <, >, and , can only be entered as hex pairs:

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 3-33

Postamble

Postamble Status

Usage: Useful for identifying and controlling incoming data. For example, defining

the postamble as a carriage return and a line feed causes each decoded message to be displayed on its own line.

Definition: Allows the user to enable or disable up to four postamble characters that

can be added to the end of the decoded data.

Serial Cmd: <K142,status,postamble character(s)> Default: Enabled Options: 0 = Disabled 1 = Enabled (within any protocol)

Postamble Characters

Serial Cmd: <K142,status,postamble character(s)> Default: ^M^J corresponds to: carriage return/line feed.

Options: To enter control characters within a serial command, hold down the control

key while typing the desired character.

Example: <K142,1,CNTL-m CNTL-j> to enter ^M^J.

Important:

For <: <K142h,,3C> For >: <K142h,,3E>

, : <K142h,,2C>

For

See ASCII Character Entry Modifier on page 3-32 for a detailed explanation of how to

enter ASCII characters as hex values.

The ASCII characters <, >, and , can only be entered as hex pairs:

3-34 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

4 Calibration

Calibration Serial Commands .......................................................................................................4-2

Calibration Overview.....................................................................................................................4-2

Calibration Options .......................................................................................................................4-3

Calibration by ESP..................................................................................................................... 4-11

Initiating Calibration ................................................................................................................... 4-13

Additional Notes about Calibration............................................................................................. 4-19

Contents

This section shows the Quadrus MINI Imager’s calibration options, and explains the different ways that those options can be configured.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 4-1

Calibration Serial Commands

Calibration Options <K529,gain,shutter speed,focus position,symbol type,WOI

framing,WOI margin,line scan height,processing>

Autocalibrate

@CAL

Calibration Overview

Autocalibration is one of the most powerful features of the Quadrus MINI. The calibration

process can be initiated by serial command, EZ button, or ESP user interface.

When the imager enters calibration, it runs through an optimization cycle that sets the ideal parameters for reading symbols at the highest possible level of performance. Autocalibration can be specially configured to optimize specific parameters, such as focus, gain, shutter speed, and symbol type.

The calibration process consists of five separate phases: quick focus, search pass, focus pass, medium pass, and fine-tune pass. During this process the imager quickly locates configuration setup, defines a calibration range for the configuration parameters, and then tunes those parameters for optimal performance.

4-2 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Calibration

Calibration Options

This command specifies the operation of the imager’s calibration feature. The default configuration is set up to perform calibration on gain, focus, and symbol type. The default shutter speed setting is disabled, because not all applications require shutter speed, and when it is required, the application-specific settings tend to vary widely.

Note: Background Color (page 6-51) is part of the calibration process regardless of the

calibration setup. After successful completion of the calibration routine, the background color will be set to the appropriate value, depending on the symbol in the field of view. The

Mirrored Image parameter (page 10-27) is not part of the calibration process, and it must

be configured appropriately prior to calibration.

Gain

Definition: When enabled, gain will be calibrated to provide the best available image

quality and performance. When disabled, gain is fixed and is not part of the calibration process.

Serial Cmd: <K529,gain,shutter speed,focus position,symbol type,WOI framing,WOI

margin,line scan height,processing>

Default: Enabled Options: 0 = Disabled 1 = Enabled

Shutter Speed

Definition:

Serial Cmd: <K529,gain,shutter speed,focus position,symbol type,WOI framing,WOI

Default: Disabled Options: 0 = Disabled 1 = Enabled

Note:

various line speeds. The configurations shown depend on the imager’s optical configuration, and on symbol element size.

The following table shows general guidelines for shutter speed configurations based on

Shutter Speed Line Speed

0 - 250 static 250 - 750 5” / sec 750 - 1500 10” / sec 1500 - 2000 15” / sec 2000 - 2500 20” / sec

Unless an application is a static setup, the shutter speed setting should be configured by the user based on the application. For dynamic applications, the user should configure the shutter speed setting so the calibration process can optimize the gain for that setting.

margin,line scan height,processing>

2 = Fast Shutter

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 4-3

Calibration Options

Disabled (Shutter Speed)

When this feature is disabled, the shutter speed is fixed and is not part of the calibration process.

Enabled (Shutter Speed)

When this feature is enabled, shutter speed will be calibrated to provide the best possible image quality and performance.

Fast Shutter

The calibration process will concentrate on achieving the fastest possible shutter setting that will still provide good performance. The image quality or contrast may not be as good as

what would be achieved with the Enabled setting. The calibration process is not designed to

choose the fastest shutter speed that can decode a symbol, but rather to optimize for the fastest shutter speed that still provides good image quality.

4-4 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Calibration

Focus Position

Definition: Since focus can be configured by entering the target distance from the

imager’s parting line, the user will normally configure the focus setting without needing to calibrate. However, if it is necessary to calibrate the focus distance, there are two methods for doing so: the standard “Search Method”, or a “Quick Focus” method, both of which are defined below.

Serial Cmd: <K529,gain,shutter speed,focus position,symbol type,WOI framing,

WOI margin,line scan height,processing>

Default: Quick Focus

Options: 0 = Disabled 1 = Enabled

2 = Quick Focus

Disabled

When this feature is disabled, the focus position is fixed and is not part of the calibration process.

Enabled (Search Method)

When this feature is enabled, the focus position will be calibrated to provide the best possible image quality and performance. This method is essentially a search method that identify the desired focus using a search algorithm that cycles through focus settings to try and locate the desired focus as quickly as possible. This is accomplished when the given symbol in the field of view is decoded. Once a focus distance that will decode the given symbol has been located, the search algorithm will fine-tune the search to locate the “inside” and “outside” focal distances. The final focus distance will be between the “inside” and “outside” values.

attempts to

Note: This method can be time-consuming if the focus is not found on the first pass.

Quick Focus

Quick Focus is designed to quickly locate the focus setting for an object in the field of view. This is accomplished with minimal processing of the image by analyzing a histogram of the image frame. Before performing the focus calibration, a value for shutter speed and gain is determined and then the calibration process will step through the focus range of the system, capturing the required number of image frames for each focal position. A histogram is performed on each image frame and the histogram results for each focus position are averaged. When this process is completed, the data is analyzed and the optimal focus position is determined.

Note: Quick Focus may not work well for all applications. It is not recommended for

applications that use very small symbols.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 4-5

Calibration Options

Symbol Type

Serial Cmd: <K529,gain,shutter speed,focus position,symbol type,WOI framing,WOI

margin,line scan height,processing>

Default: Enabled Options: 0 = Disabled 1 = Enabled

Disabled

When this feature is disabled, only the currently-enabled symbologies will be considered during the calibration process.

Enabled

When this feature is enabled, autodiscrimination will be in effect during the calibration process. All symbologies that are readable by the imager except PDF417 and Pharmacode will be considered during calibration. Any new symbologies successfully decoded during calibration will remain enabled at the end of the process. All enabled symbologies will remain enabled.

For example, assume that only Code 39 is enabled at the beginning of calibration. If a Code 128 symbol is read during calibration, then Code 128, as well as Code 39, will be enabled after the calibration process is complete.

4-6 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Calibration

Configured WOI

Starting WOI

After Decode

Calibration Passed

Calibration Failed

Configured WOI

After Decode

Calibration Passed Calibration Failed

Window of Interest (WOI) Framing

Definition: If a WOI framing mode is enabled, it will set the camera WOI to a full-size

image when calibration begins. Once a symbol is decoded, the camera WOI will be zoomed-in both vertically and horizontally (regardless of which WOI mode is enabled) to include the symbol plus an additional margin area. This is done to accelerate the calibration process.

When a successful calibration process is completed, the camera WOI will be adjusted according to the mode enabled. Otherwise, the original WOI configuration will be retained.

Serial Cmd: <K529,gain,shutter speed,focus position,symbol type,WOI framing,WOI

margin,line scan height,processing>

Default: Disabled Options: 0 = Disabled 1 = Row and Column

2 = Row 3 = Column 4 = Straight Line 5 = Straight Line Framed

If WOI framing is not enabled, the current WOI configuration will be used until a symbol has been decoded. After a symbol is decoded, the WOI is framed exactly as it would be if a WOI framing mode was enabled. When the calibration process is complete, the original WOI configuration is restored. Refer to the diagram below:

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 4-7

Calibration Options

Disabled

When this feature is disabled, the Window of Interest is not modified after the calibration process is complete.

Row and Column

If the calibration process is successful, the Window of Interest will be modified to frame the

symbol as well as an additional margin area around the symbol, determined by the WOI

Margin parameter. Refer to the diagram below:

Column

If the calibration process is successful, the Window of Interest columns will be modified to vertically frame the symbol, plus an additional margin area around the symbol, determined

by the WOI Margin parameter. Refer to the diagram below:

Row

f the calibration process is successful, the Window of Interest rows will be modified to horizontally

frame the symbol, plus an additional margin area around the symbol, determined by the

Margin

4-8 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

parameter. Refer to the diagram below:

WOI

Straight Line

Calibration

This feature is intended for use with linear symbologies. If the calibration process is successful the orientation of the symbol is determined and the Window of Interest is modified according to the symbol orientation. The scan line orientation is determined to be vertical if the symbol tilt is between 225° and 315°, or between 45° and 135°. Otherwise, the scan line will be horizontal.

If the symbol is vertical, the image column size will be set by the scan height parameter, and will be configured for full row resolution. If the symbol is horizontal, the image row size will be set by the scan height parameter, and will be configured for full column resolution. The scan line will be centered in the middle of the symbol. If the symbol is tilted such that the scan line will not pass completely through the symbol, the scan width will be adjusted to include the entire symbol. Refer to the diagram below:

Straight Line Framed

This parameter is the same as “Straight Line”, except that the Window of Interest will also frame the scan line on the symbol length as well. The scan line includes the symbol plus

an additional margin area determined by the WOI Margin parameter.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 4-9

Calibration Options

Window of Interest (WOI) Margin

Definition:

Serial Cmd: <K529,gain,shutter speed,focus position,symbol type,WOI framing,WOI

Default: 75 (pixels)

Options: 20 to 1280

Sets the margin size that is applied to the calibrated symbol. This parameter is expressed in number of pixels. If the margin causes the image to exceed the maximum image size, it will be reduced accordingly.

margin,line scan height,processing>

Line Scan Height

Definition: This parameter is only used with the Straight Line modes. It sets the scan

height of the straight-line image, and it is expressed in number of pixels.

Serial Cmd: <K529,gain,shutter speed,focus position,symbol type,WOI framing,WOI

margin,line scan height,processing>

Default: 64 (pixels)

Options: 3 to 1024

Processing

Definition: This setting defines the amount of time and effort the imager will spend

attempting to decode a symbol for each parameter configuration.

Serial Cmd: <K529,gain,shutter speed,focus position,symbol type,WOI framing,WOI

margin,line scan height,processing> Default: Medium Options: 0 = Low 1 = Medium

2 = High 3 = Definable

Low

The imager will spend a low amount of effort attempting to decode the given symbol for each parameter configuration.

Medium

The imager will spend a medium amount of effort attempting to decode the given symbol for each parameter configuration.

High

The imager will spend a high amount of effort attempting to decode the given symbol for each parameter configuration.

Definable

The processing time for each image frame is defined by the Image Processing Timeout parameter <K245>.

4-10 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Calibration

Before and After tabs give the user an authentic representation of the difference in what the imager “sees” before and after the calibration routine.

Determines the amount of time and effort the imager will spend attempting to decode a symbol for each parameter configuration. (Low, Medium,

High, Definable).

Focus, Shutter, Gain, and Image Quality values

are all tracked in real-time during the calibration process.

Initiates the calibration routine.

Cancels the calibration process, if necessary.

The Window of Interest section of the Calibration interface allows the user to make precise adjustments to WOI Framing, WOI Margin (in pixels), and the scan height of the straight-line image (in pixels).

Dropdown menu of 1D and 2D symbologies, and a check box for enabling or disabling Composite symbologies.

Gain, Shutter Speed, and Focal Distance (Capture Settings) are all configurable in the Calibration interface.

Calibration by ESP

ESP’s Calibration view incorporates all the functionality of the <K529> (Calibration Options) command in a single easy-to-use, intuitive interface. This calibration process

allows the user much finer control of individual parameters than the calibration routine in

EZ Mode or on the Video tab.

Before/During Calibration

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 4-11

Calibration by ESP

Notice the improved image resolution after the calibration process is complete.

The calibration progress bar indicates that the process has been completed.

Saves the optimal configuration parameters determined by calibration results.

The Focus, Shutter, Gain, and Quality indicator bars remain stationary at the end of calibration to provide a visual reference for the final values of these four parameters.

After Calibration

4-12 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Calibration

Initiating Calibration

Calibration can be initiated by serial command, the EZ button, or from the Calibration interface in ESP.

In ESP, the Calibrate button starts the calibration routine.

To initiate calibration by serial command, enter the serial command such as and readability.

ESP

’s

Terminal

interface.

<@CAL>

is a calibration routine that emphasizes contrast

<@CAL>

from a terminal,

See Calibrate by EZ Button on page 1-11 for the EZ button calibration procedure.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 4-13

Initiating Calibration

Search Pass

Calibrated

Successfully

Focus Pass

Medium Pass

Fine-Tune Pass

Calibration Progress Indicators

During the calibration process, the imager has a number of ways to communicate its progress to the user. The following three types of feedback are the primary ways that the imager communicates calibration progress.

Read Rate LEDs

When calibration is initiated through a serial command or the EZ Button, the imager’s Read Rate LEDs indicate calibration progress as follows:

LEDs Calibration Progress

20% Search Pass in progress. 20%, 40% Focus Pass in progress. 20%, 40%, 60% Medium Pass in progress. 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% Fine-Tune Pass in progress. 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100% Calibrated Successfully (holds for green flash duration).

Beeper/Green Flash

The beeper and green LED flash are used to indicate calibration status as shown in the table below:

Indicator Status

2 quick beeps Calibration has started. 5 quick beeps Calibration has failed. 1 long beep Calibration has been completed successfully. 1 sec. Green Flash Calibration has been completed successfully.

4-14 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Calibration

Calibration Progress Output to Terminal

When initiated by serial command or EZ button, the autocalibration operation will output

progress and process information to a terminal if the system is configured to do so.

Terminal

Depending upon how the calibration options are configured, the autocalibration process can have up to 5 steps (Quick Focus, Search Pass, Focus Pass, Medium Pass, Fine-Tune Pass). Calibration data is shown in a simple table format under 8 category headings, each of which are defined below.

Heading Definition

Prog Progress indicator with a range of 0 - 100. Indicates percent complete. Rating Rating indicator; higher ratings are more favorable. Decode Number of successful decodes for the pass. Quality Quality indicator; higher ratings are more favorable. Focus Focus position under operation. Shutter Shutter setting under operation. Gain Gain setting under operation. Locate Time required to locate symbol, expressed in milliseconds.

Calibration Progress Output Examples (Terminal)

Quick Focus

This mode is only run if Quick Focus calibration mode is enabled (see F ocus Position on page 4-5). Quick Focus calibration mode is designed to quickly locate the focus setting

for an object at the center of the imager’s field of view. There is no terminal output for this

operation.

Search Pass

The purpose of Search Pass is to decode a symbol in as few configurations as possible

during calibration. This process is designed to quickly identify symbology type, and any image processing parameters that are already calibrated, as well as determining focus position.

Running Search Pass

Prog Rating Decode Quality Focus Shutter Gain Locate

12 0 0 0 313 250 0 0 14 0 0 0 313 250 9 0 16 0 0 0 313 250 18 0 18 2174 1 72 313 250 27 24

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 4-15

Initiating Calibration

Focus Pass

The purpose of This is accomplished by determining the inside and outside focus positions and then recording the center position as the desired focal position.

Prog Rating Decode Quality Focus Shutter Gain Locate

38 0 0 0 353 250 0 0 38 0 0 0 353 250 9 0 38 4256 2 48 353 250 18 5 38 0 0 0 409 250 0 0 38 4236 2 28 409 250 9 5 38 0 0 0 447 250 0 0 38 4236 2 28 447 250 9 4 38 0 0 0 492 250 0 0 38 4232 2 24 492 250 9 4 38 0 0 0 536 250 0 0 38 2128 1 24 536 250 9 5 38 0 0 0 572 250 0 0 38 0 0 0 572 250 9 0 38 2144 1 40 572 250 18 4 38 0 0 0 601 250 27 0 38 0 0 0 601 250 36 0 38 0 0 0 601 250 45 0 38 0 0 0 601 250 45 0 38 0 0 0 601 250 45 0 38 0 0 0 601 250 45 0 42 4280 2 72 297 250 45 6 42 4280 2 72 283 250 45 5 42 4280 2 72 270 250 45 5 42 4280 2 72 258 250 45 5 42 4280 2 72 247 250 45 5 42 4280 2 72 236 250 45 6 42 4280 2 72 227 250 45 5 42 4280 2 72 217 250 45 5 42 4280 2 72 209 250 45 6 42 4280 2 72 200 250 45 6 46 0 0 0 601 250 45 0

Focus Pass

is to determine the optimal focal position of the optical system.

Running Focus Pass

Inside Focus = 200; Outside Focus = 572; Center Focus = 386

4-16 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Calibration

Medium Pass

The theory behind Medium Pass is to develop a readable range from which to dial in a

decoded symbol.

Running Medium Pass

Prog Rating Decode Quality Focus Shutter Gain Locate

51 4216 2 8 386 250 0 5 53 8436 4 20 386 250 4 4 55 6336 3 24 386 250 8 4 57 8448 4 32 386 250 12 4 59 8456 4 40 386 250 16 5 61 8464 4 48 386 250 20 4 63 8472 4 56 386 250 24 5 65 8488 4 72 386 250 28 5 67 8504 4 88 386 250 32 5 69 8512 4 96 386 250 36 5 71 8528 4 112 386 250 40 6 73 8584 4 168 386 250 44 5 75 8644 4 228 386 250 48 5

Rating List (Best):

Rating = 8606; Focus = 386; Shutter = 250; Gain = 48 Rating = 8581; Focus = 386; Shutter = 250; Gain = 44 Rating = 8553; Focus = 386; Shutter = 250; Gain = 40 Rating = 8527; Focus = 386; Shutter = 250; Gain = 36 Rating = 8505; Focus = 386; Shutter = 250; Gain = 32 Rating = 8488; Focus = 386; Shutter = 250; Gain = 28 Rating = 8476; Focus = 386; Shutter

= 25

0; Gain = 24

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 4-17

Initiating Calibration

Fine-Tune Pass

The theory behind Fine-Tune Pass is to dial in a decoded symbol based on the range supplied by the Medium Pass.

Running Fine Tune Pass

Prog Rating Decode Quality Focus Shutter Gain Locate

77 6416 3 104 386 250 38 7 79 6424 3 112 386 250 39 6 81 6424 3 112 386 250 40 6 84 6432 3 120 386 250 41 6 86 6448 3 136 386 250 42 5 88 6464 3 152 386 250 43 5 90 6476 3 164 386 250 44 5 93 6488 3 176 386 250 45 5 95 6506 3 194 386 250 46 6 97 6524 3 212 386 250 47 5

100 6538 3 226 386 250 48 6

Rating List (Best):

Rating = 6527; Focus = 386; Shutter = 250; Gain = 48 Rating = 6517; Focus = 386; Shutter = 250; Gain = 47 Rating = 6505; Focus = 386; Shutter = 250; Gain = 46 Rating = 6491; Focus = 386; Shutter = 250; Gain = 45 Rating = 6476; Focus = 386; Shutter = 250; Gain = 44 Rating = 6462; Focus = 386; Shutter = 250; Gain = 43 Rating = 6449; Focus = 386; Shutter = 25

Calibration PASSED.

0; Gain = 42

4-18 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Calibration

Additional Notes about Calibration

The following conditions apply to the imager’s calibration process. Some of these items are noted at various points throughout this section, or in other sections of the imager’s documentation.

1. The Mirrored Image parameter <K514> is not part of the calibration process.

2. Background Color <K451> is calibrated.

3. If Window of Interest Framing is enabled, the WOI will be set to full frame when calibration begins. If WOI Framing is disabled, the current WOI configuration will be used for the Search Pass.

4. IP Mode <K527> will not be altered during calibration.

Threshold Mode <K512>

successful calibration, previous setting. Otherwise, the value will revert to its original state.

6. If Symbol Type is enabled for calibration (Autodiscriminate), then Interleaved 2 of 5

Range Mode Status (Interle aved 2 of 5) <K472>

Interleaved 2 of 5 symbols to be decoded. If an Interleaved 2 of 5 symbol is decoded during calibration, then code length # 1 will be set to the decoded symbol length at the end of calibration. Otherwise, the symbol lengths will be restored to their original configurations.

will be set to

Threshold Mode

Adaptive

will remain set to

during calibration. At the end of a

will be enabled. This allows variable-length

Adaptive

regardless of its

7. Pharmacode is not calibrated.

8. The symbol size, dimension, and orientation parameters of the No Symbol Message and Bad Symbol Message, and 2D Symbology Qualification command <K718>

will be updated if calibration is completed successfully.

9. All symbol types that were enabled before calibration will still be enabled after calibration. For example, if Data Matrix ECC 200 was enabled before calibration, and the calibration routine was performed on a Code 128 symbol, then after calibration is completed both Data Matrix ECC 200 and Code 128 will be enabled.

10. The calibration process does not modify the global Composite status <K453>. The

global Composite status must be configured properly before calibration.

11. If the user requires calibration of a stacked symbology <K482>, <K483>, or <K484>,

that symbology must be enabled and configured appropriately before calibration.

12. UPC Supplementals will be disabled during calibration.

13. The Search process will use the configurable Window of Interest for image captures.

However, when the search process is completed, the WOI will be reduced to include only the symbol of interest and some additional boundary area.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 4-19

Additional Notes about Calibration

4-20 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Contents

Read Cycle by ESP ...................................................................................................................... 5-2

Read Cycle Serial Commands......................................................................................................5-3

Read Cycle Setup......................................................................................................................... 5-4

Multisymbol...................................................................................................................................5-5

Trigger Mode and Filter Duration.................................................................................................. 5-6

External Trigger Polarity ............................................................................................................. 5-11

Serial Trigger ..............................................................................................................................5-12

Start Trigger Character (Non-Delimited) .....................................................................................5-13

Stop Trigger Character (Non-Delimited) ..................................................................................... 5-14

End of Read Cycle...................................................................................................................... 5-15

Capture Mode............................................................................................................................. 5-17

Capture Timing ........................................................................................................................... 5-22

Image Processing Timeout ......................................................................................................... 5-24

Image Storage ............................................................................................................................ 5-25

Minimum Good Reads ................................................................................................................ 5-27

Compare Mode ........................................................................................................................... 5-28

Setting Up the Imager for EZ Trax.............................................................................................. 5-29

5 Read Cycle

After you’ve established communications and completed basic read rate testing, you will need to address the spatial and timing parameters associated with your application. This section explains those parameters.

Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual 5-1

Read Cycle by ESP

Click this button to

bring up the Read Cycle tree control.

To change a setting,

double-click the

setting and use your cursor to scroll through the options.

To open nested options,

single-click the +.

Click this button to bring up the

App Mode view.

Read Cycle by ESP

5-2 Quadrus MINI Imager User’s Manual

Microscan Quadrus MINI Imager User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual