Socket CF RFID Reader Card 6, CF RFID Reader-Scan Card 6, CF RFID Reader-Scan Card 6P User Manual

CF RFID Reader Card™
CF RFID Reader-Scan Card™

Series 6

User’s Guide

9/2012 Document # 6410-00266 N

Copyright Notice

Copyright © 2012 Socket Mobile, Inc. All rights reserved.
Socket, the Socket logo and Mobility Friendly are registered trademarks of Socket Mobile,

Inc. CF RFID Reader Card, CF RFID Reader-Scan Card, SoMo, RFID Demo,
SocketScan Plug-in, and SocketScan Trigger are registered trademarks or trademarks of
Socket Mobile, Inc. All other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective
holders.

The CF RFID Reader Card and CF RFID Reader-Scan Card contains technology licensed
under United States Patent No. 5,902,991 and 7,003,627.

Reproduction of the contents of this manual without the permission of Socket Mobile is
expressly prohibited. Please be aware that the products described in this manual may
change without notice.

Feel free to contact Socket Mobile at:

Socket Mobile, Inc.

39700 Eureka Drive
Newark, CA 94560-4808
USA

Other than the above, Socket Mobile can assume no responsibility for anything resulting
from the application of information contained in this manual.

Please refrain from any applications of the CF RFID Reader Card or CF RFID Reader­Scan Card that are not described in this manual. Please refrain from disassembling the
device. Disassembly of this device will void the product warranty.

You can track new product releases, software updates and technical bulletins by visiting
the Socket Mobile website at: http://www.socketmobile.com/

Table of Contents

COPYRIGHT NOTICE 2
1 | INTRODUCTION 5

About the Software 6
Package Contents 6
System Compatibility Requirements 6
Accessory 6
Product Registration 7

2 | SETUP FOR THE SOMO® 8

STEP 1: Assign Trigger Button(s) 9
STEP 2: Start SocketScan Plug-in 13
STEP 3: Insert the Card 13
STEP 4: Open Your Application 14
STEP 5: Read Data into Your Application 15

3 | SETUP FOR NON-SOMO PDA 18

STEP 1: Uninstall Other Scanning Software 19
STEP 2: Install the Software 19
STEP 3: Assign Trigger Button(s) 21
STEP 4: Start SocketScan Plug-in 23
STEP 5: Insert the Card 23
STEP 6: Verify Card Mode 23
STEP 7: Open Application 24
STEP 8: Read Data 25

4 | SOCKETSCAN PLUG-IN SOFTWARE 28

RFID Settings 29
Symbology Selector 32
SocketScan Trigger 33
DUAL DEVICE SUPPORT 35

5 | RFID DEMO 36

Read an RFID Tag 37
Enable Inventory and Loop Modes 39
Select Tag Type 40
ADVANCED: Write to Tag 41

APPENDICES
A PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS 44

B HF RFID STANDARDS AND TAG DESCRIPTIONS 46

ISO15693 46
Tag-it HF 50
I·Code1 51
PicoTag 52

ISO14443 53

C BARCODE LABEL SPECIFICATIONS 56
D ENABLING OR DISABLING SYMBOLOGIES 57
E LASER DECODE ZONE 59
F TROUBLESHOOTING 60
G TECHNICAL SUPPORT 61
LIMITED WARRANTY 62
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE 64

4

1 | Introduction

Model

RFID Reader/Writer

Barcode Scanner

CF RFID Reader Card 6E

Yes

Not included

CF RFID Reader-Scan Card 6P

Yes

Class 2 laser (2D)

The Socket CF RFID Reader Card Series 6 enables you to can add high frequency RFID
read/write capability to your Socket SoMo
based device.

For applications that require both RFID and barcode reading functionality, the series
includes the dual-function CF RFID Reader-Scan Card 6P, which offers both capabilities
in the same compact form factor.

All three versions read and write to all ISO 15693 and many proprietary 13.56 MHz RFID
tags.

®

handheld computer or other Windows Mobile

The CF RFID Reader Card Series 6 includes three versions:

The CF RFID Reader Cards feature a sleek design with no cables or batteries. The
Battery Friendly
operation.

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 5

®

product draws minimal power from the host device, allowing long-lasting

About the Software

SocketScan Plug-in ™ software enters the RFID tag ID or barcode data
directly into any open Windows program, as if the data were manually typed.
Includes configuration utility.

The RFID Setup utility allows you configure what kinds of data are returned
after reading RFID tags, including tag ID, tag memory, tag types, tag type
prefix, etc.

Socket RFID Demo allows you to read memory blocks of selected RFID tags
in range in either Inventory Mode or a continuous Loop Mode. Advanced
users can write data to the RFID memory.

SocketScan Trigger places a software trigger on your screen that you can
tap to trigger the RFID reader or barcode scanner. Installation is optional.

The Socket Trigger Select program allows you to press a button to quickly
switch between the RFID and laser scanning modes of the CF RFID
Reader-Scan Card.

The Read Barcode program allows you to assign a button on your device to
triggering the barcode laser scanner.

The Read RFID program allows you to assign a button on your device to
trigger the RFID reader.

For software updates, please visit: http://www.socketmobile.com/support/downloads

Package Contents

• CF RFID Reader Card

• SocketScan Plug-in Installation CD

• Booklet with copyright and warranty information

System Compatibility Requirements

• Any of the following Windows Mobile versions:

− Windows Embedded Handheld

− Windows Mobile 2003, 2003SE or 5.0 for Pocket PC

− Windows Mobile 6 Classic/Professional

• Available CompactFlash slot

• Software installation requires a host PC with Microsoft ActiveSync or Windows Mobile

Device Center software

Accessory

FlexGuard is a protective silicone cover for the SoMo handheld computer and RFID card.
http://www.socketmobile.com/products/handheld-computer/accessories/flexguard-cf-card/

6

Product Registration

Socket highly recommends that all customers register their products. Registered users receive
priority technical support and can opt to receive product updates, and special offers. Register
online at: http://support.socketmobile.com/

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 7

2 | Setup for the SoMo®

This chapter shows how to install, configure, and use the CF RFID
Reader Card Series 6 on any version of the Socket SoMo handheld
computer.

Setup Summary

STEP 1: Assign a trigger button.
STEP 2: Start SocketScan Plug-in.
STEP 3: Insert the card.
STEP 4: Read tag IDs into your program.

Note: No software installation is required to use the CF RFID Reader Card on the SoMo.
However, you may choose to upgrade the SocketScan Plug-in software. The latest
software is available online at: http://www.socketmobile.com/support/downloads

8

STEP 1: Assign Trigger Button(s)

You must set up a mechanism for triggering the CF RFID Reader Card. Hardware button(s)
are the best triggering method from a handheld device.

Note: If you do not want to assign a hardware button, you use SocketScan Trigger
software, which enables you to tap on a software icon to trigger SocketScan Plug-in and
the RFID reader/barcode scanner.

Windows Mobile 6

1. In the Today screen, tap Getting Started.

2. In the list, tap on Set up Data Capture triggers.

CHAPTER 2: SETUP FOR THE SOMO 9

3. CF RFID Reader Card 6E:
Tap LEFT or RIGHT in the first set of links. The SoMo will automatically set up the
trigger button and send a confirmation message to your inbox.

CF RFID Reader-Scan Card 6P

• In the second set of links, tap LEFT or RIGHT for your barcode scanner trigger.

The SoMo will automatically set up the trigger button and send a confirmation
message to your inbox.

• You will return to the list of Getting Started tutorials. Tap Set up Data Capture

triggers.

• For the RFID reader trigger, tap on the link for the side you did not choose for the

barcode scanner trigger. The SoMo will automatically set up the trigger button and
send a confirmation message to your inbox.

10

Windows Mobile 5

If SocketScan Plug-in is not open, SocketScan Plug-in will launch.

SocketScan Plug-in by manually tapping through menus.

Please refer to the chart below to determine which SocketScan Plug-in functions you would
like to assign to buttons on your device.

Note: If you have the CF RFID Reader-Scan Card 6P, SocketScan Plug-in allows you to
configure up to four buttons for launching SocketScan Plug-in and/or triggering the RFID
reader or barcode scanner.

Program What happens when you press a button assigned to this program?

If SocketScan Plug-in is open and you have the CF RFID Reader Card 6E, the
RFID reader will activate.

If SocketScan Plug-in is open and you have the CF RFID Reader-Scan Card
6P, either the RFID reader or the laser scanner will activate, depending on
which mode the card is in.

If you assign only one hardware button for use with the CF RFID Reader
Card, this is the program that should be assigned.

If you do not assign a button to SocketScan Plug-in, you can only start

If you are using the CF RFID Reader-Scan Card 6P, this program will switch
the device from RFID mode to barcode scanning mode, or vice versa. This is
designed to be used with a trigger button assigned to SocketScan Plug-in. You
can also use Socket Trigger Select to toggle to other Socket Mobile barcode
scanners that use a software trigger.

The laser bar ode scanner will activate. SocketScan Plug-in must be running.

The RFID reader will activate. SocketScan Plug-in must be running.

CHAPTER 2: SETUP FOR THE SOMO 11

1. Tap Start | Settings | Buttons.

2. In the Button list, select a button. In the drop-down menu, select the program. If
desired, repeat to assign additional trigger buttons. When done, tap ok.

Note: For best ergonomics, choose the left or right buttons.

12

STEP 2: Start SocketScan Plug-in

Icon

Meaning.

1. If you assigned a hardware button to SocketScan Plug-in, you can press
the button to quickly launch the program. Otherwise, tap Start |
Programs | SocketScan Plug-in folder | SocketScan Plug-in.

2. An icon will appear in the task tray of the Today screen indicating that the system
does not detect the RFID reader.

When SocketScan Plug-in is running, any of the following icons will appear in the task
tray of the Today screen:

Card detected, RFID mode. SocketScan Plug-in detects the card and is ready to
read RFID tags.

Card detected, scanning mode. SocketScan Plug-in detects the card and is
ready to read barcodes.

No RFID Reader Card detected. The reader card is either missing or improperly
inserted.

STEP 3: Insert the Card

1. Open the card slot cover on top of the SoMo.

2. Insert the card into the CompactFlash slot. Make sure the card is right-side up, with the
blue label on top. Push the card all the way into the slot.

CHAPTER 2: SETUP FOR THE SOMO 13

Windows Mobile 5: If you have the CF RFID Reader-Scan Card 6P, and you did not
assign buttons to Trigger ISC or Trigger RFID, make sure the card is in the correct mode
you wish to use. The SocketScan Plug-in icon at the bottom of the Today screen indicates
your current mode.

To switch modes, do either of the following:

• If you assigned a button to Trigger Select, press the button.

• Tap on the SocketScan Plug-in icon. In the pop-up menu, tap to select the card

mode you want.

STEP 4: Open Your Application

Open the application that you want to receive the data (e.g., Excel, Notepad, etc.). Place
the cursor where you want to enter data.

Note: If reading RFID tags into Excel, you may want to widen the cells to fit the full tag
ID, which may exceed 20 characters.

14

STEP 5: Read Data into Your Application

Parallel,

Please note that the correct positions for RFID reading and barcode scanning are
very different!

CORRECT RFID POSITION:
Hold the card parallel to and directly above the tag, at most 3.0

inches above the tag.

3.0 inches (7.6 cm)
maximum

Note: The LED will turn amber to indicate that the card is reading tag IDs.

CORRECT BARCODE SCANNING POSITION:

Hold the card so that the lens is angled about 45° to the barcode
and at least 2.0 inches away from the barcode. The red laser line
should cover the entire width of the barcode.

Note: The proper scanning distance and angle vary depending on the size, type, quality,
and print surface of the barcode.

CHAPTER 2: SETUP FOR THE SOMO 15

DO NOT direct the RFID Reader-Scan Card at an angle
towards the tag.

WRONG RFID POSITION:

WRONG RFID POSITION:
DO NOT hold the RFID Reader-ScanCard perpendicular to the

tag.

16

When data is read, a beep should sound indicating a good read, and data should appear
in your application.

For example, in an Excel Mobile spreadsheet, data should appear in the cell you
highlighted. The next cell should now be highlighted, ready for the next scan/read.

If the card fails to read data within a few seconds, you must try again.

Note: By default, the RFID reader will return the tag ID. The RFID Setup utility can be
used so that the RFID Reader-Scan Card returns only the tag data, or the tag ID plus
the tag data. (See the next page for instructions.)

CHAPTER 2: SETUP FOR THE SOMO 17

3 | Setup for Non-SoMo PDA

This chapter shows how to install, configure, and use the CF RFID Reader Card
Series 6 on a Windows Mobile pow ered devi ce.

Setup Summary

STEP 1: Uninstall other scanning software.
STEP 2: Install the software.
STEP 3: Assign a trigger button.
STEP 4: Start SocketScan Plug-in.
STEP 5: Insert the card.
STEP 6: Read tag IDs into a Windows program.

18

STEP 1: Uninstall O t he r Scanning Software

Uninstall any barcode scanning software already in your computer, including
previous versions of SocketScan Plug-in ™ software.

1. Make sure the software is not running.

2. Tap Start | Settings | System tab | Remove Programs.

3. Use the utility to delete the software.

STEP 2: Install the Software

ADVANCED USERS: Refer to the README file for CAB file installation
instructions.

Follow these instructions to install SocketScan Plug-in. Afterwards, you can use
the same process to install RFID Demo and/or Floating Trigger.

1. Use a serial/USB cable or cradle and the appropriate Microsoft
synchronization software to make an active connection between your device
and a host PC.

2. Insert the installation CD into your host PC.

3. Use My Computer or Windows Explorer to access your CD-ROM drive. In
the CD, click on SETUP.EXE.

4. The SocketScan Setup Center will appear in your web browser. Read the first
page and click Installation in the left margin.

5. In the SocketScan Installation page, in the Windows CE section, click Install
In the first paragraph.

CHAPTER 3: SETUP FOR NON-SOMO PDAS 19

6. Your web browser will present a series of dialogs.

Internet Explorer:

• In the File Download –Security Warning dialog, click Run.

• In the second warning dialog, click Run.

• Internet Explorer will download the file.

Firefox:

• In the file opening dialog, click Save File.

• Firefox will download the file.

• In the Downloads list, next to SocketScanCE.exe, click Open.

• In the warning dialog, click OK to continue.

7. The InstallShield Wizard for SocketScan Plug-in Software will automatically
launch. Follow the wizard to install the software.

8. If your device warns that the software comes from an unknown publisher, tap
Yes to continue installation.

9. When software installation is complete, remove the device from the cradle.
Soft reset the device by pressing the reset button.

Note: After software installation, several new icons will appear in the Programs
screen.

20