Wasp Bar Code CCD Scanner User Manual

Barcode Scanning Made Easy

Programming Guide

CCD Scanner Programming Guide

Please Read

Note:

The Wasp®WCS3900 Series Scanners

are ready to scan the most popular barcodes out of the box.

This manual should only be used to make changes in the
configuration of the scanner for specific applications. These

scanners do not require software or drivers to operate. The
scanner enters data as keyboard data. Please review this manual
before scanning any of the programming barcodes in this manual.

Tech Tip

If you are unsure of the scanner configuration or have scanned
the incorrect codes, please scan the default barcode on page 7.
This will reset the scanner to its factory settings.

Check Version

© Copyright Wasp Barcode Technologies 2007

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means without the written permission of Wasp Barcode Technologies. The information
contained in this document is subject to change without notice.

Wasp and the Wasp logo are registered trademarks of Wasp Barcode Technologies. All other
trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Chapter 2. Barcode Symbologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Chapter 3. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Chapter 4. Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Chapter 5. Setup & Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-28

1. Factory Default & Keyboard Connection . . . .7

2. Autosense Stand Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

3. Beep and Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-9

4. Upper/Lower Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

5. Keyboard Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

6. Preamble/Postamble Configuration . . . . . . .12

7. Terminator/Code ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

8. Enable/Disable Barcode Symbologies . . .14-15

9. Barcode Symbology Settings . . . . . . . . .16-28

Code 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Interleaved 2 of 5 and Code 93 . . . . . . . . . .17

Code 128 and UCC/EAN 128 . . . . . . . . . . . .18

MSI/Plessey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Codabar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

UPC-A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

UPC-A Supplemental / UPC-A to EAN-13 . .22

UPC-E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23-24

EAN-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25-26

EAN-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27-28

Appendix A Barcode Test Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29-31

Appendix B ASCII Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32-35

Appendix C Codes for PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Appendix D Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Product Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Chapter 1

Introduction

Barcoding is the most common Automated Data Collection (ADC)
technology providing timely, error-free information that can be used to
increase productivity, accuracy, and efficiency in the workplace. Virtually
every type of industry is using barcodes to replace keyboard data entry.
Studies have shown that a proficient data entry operator will make one
error for every 300 characters that are manually entered. The error rate
using barcodes is almost negligible and can be error-free using barcode
symbologies with the check digit enabled.

The Wasp Charged Coupled Device (CCD) technology is a technique
whereby a barcode is photographed, digitized, and electronically sampled
by built-in photodetectors. The detectors process the measurement of
every bar and space using the number of adjacent photodetectors which
contrast a black mark and a white space. Wasp WCS3900 Series Scanners
are extremely rugged since they have no moving parts. WCS3900 Series
Scanners plug into your PC’s USB or PS/2 port. As you scan a barcode,
the barcode value is automatically displayed in your application (eg. an
Excel cell, inventory application, etc.) where the blinking curser is, just as
if it had been typed on the keyboard.

Of all the hand held barcode scanning devices on the market, the CCD
reader is the easiest to use and most cost effective for the typical business
user. To activate the scanner, the user simply points the scanning aperture
towards the barcode, pulls the trigger, and aims the red LED beam across
the barcode. This scanner will work at a range of contact up to 1.5” away
from the barcode.

2

Chapter 2

Barcode Symbologies

Barcodes are symbols consisting of a series of bars and spaces which can
be applied to packages, cartons, bottles, and other commercial products.
The bars and spaces in each symbol are grouped in such a way to
represent a specific ASCII character or function. The interpretation of
these groups is based on a particular set of rules called symbologies.
Various symbologies have been developed for particular applications.
Some examples are shipping and receiving, manufacturing, retail,
healthcare, transportation, document processing and tracking, and
libraries.

The resolution of a barcode is dependent on the narrowest element of a
barcode (X dimension), and can vary from high density (nominally less
than 0.009 in./0.23 mm), medium density (between 0.009 in./0.23 mm and

0.020 in./0.50 mm), and low density (greater than 0.020 in./0.50 mm).
Medium and low densities are the most common since these are the
easiest to read (scan) with nearly all scanning devices. The scanner can
read barcodes with X-dimensions as low as 5 mils (0.005 in/0.13mm).

WCS3900 Series Scanners can read the most popular barcode
symbologies including Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, Interleaved 2 of 5,
UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN/JAN-8, EAN/JAN-13, Codabar, and MSI/Plessey.

Please see test chart on pages 29-31.

32

Chapter 3

Installation

WCS3900 USB Scanner

Trigger

USB Port

1. Insert the USB cable directly into your PC’s USB port.

WCS3900 PS2 Scanner

Scanning Aperture

Trigger

Scanning Aperture

1. Turn off your computer.

2. Unplug your PC keyboard cable and plug the male end (Din 6)
of the WCS3900 Scanner directly into your PC keyboard port.
Plug your keyboard cable into the other end (female Din 6) of the
the scanner.

3. Turn your computer on.

Din-6M

Din-6F

4

Chapter 4

Quick Start

Your Wasp WCS3900 Series Scanners are ready for use. The default
settings of the scanners have been pre-programmed for the most common
barcode configurations. Use the “Setup & Configuration” sections only to
customize the scanners settings. Please review the “Enable Barcode
Symbologies” configuration beginning on page 14 to see the list of
barcodes symbologies which are enabled by default.

Tip:

• Use the pre-printed "Barcode Test Symbols" in Appendix A on pages
29-31 as a test chart to practice scanning.

PS2 Connection

USB Connection

54

Chapter 5

Setup & Configuration

In order to configure Wasp WCS3900 Series Scanners, you must
familiarize yourself with the setup procedures on the following pages. The
default settings of the scanners are identified on each page and clearly
marked using an asterisk (*).

programmed for the most common barcode configurations. Use
the setup & configuration barcodes only to customize the
WCS3900 Series Scanner settings. If you need to configure the

Scanner, the default settings will be overwritten. All the programmed
settings are stored permanently in non-volatile memory; therefore, your
configuration will be maintained even if the keyboard power to the
WCS3900 Series Scanners are removed by turning off your PC.

In order to configure Wasp WCS3900 Series Scanners,
two basic steps need to be followed:

(1) Locate the group that contains the options to be changed.
(2) Scan the barcode representing the option to be changed.

The scanner will sound two beeps.

The default settings have been

To change Minimum/Maximum Length:

(1) Scan the Minimum or Maximum Length barcode on page 15.
(2) Scan a 2 digit value from the ASCII table on pages 31-34
(3) Scan the Minimum or Maximum Length barcode again.

Example:

0 then 1, then scan the minimum barcode again. To have a maximum
length barcode of 10, you must scan a 1 then 0, then scan the
maximum barcode again.

To have a minimum length barcode of 1, you must scan a

6

FACTORY DEFAULT & KEYBOARD CONNECTION

Chapter 5

Factory Default

Use the Factory Default barcode to reset the scanner to the Default settings.

F a c t o ry Default

Continuous Mode

Scan this continuous scan mode barcode to enable continuous scanning.
This feature allows the scanner to be used with a stand for hands free
scanning. The trigger is functionless in this mode. To turn this mode off
scan the default barcode above.

Continuous Scan Mode Enable

Keyboard Connection

The Keyboard Connection is used to program the Wasp WCS3900 Series
scanner for the type of host computer.

PC (USB or PS/2) * N o t e b o o k

*Default

7

Chapter 5

The 'Beep and Delay' configuration supports the general control options
for the WCS3900 Series Scanners. These options include the volume,
intercharacter delay, and interblock delay.

Interblock delay is the minimum time interval between two adjacent scans.
If the processing speed of your host device is slower than your scanning
speed, a longer interblock delay may ensure the data integrity.

Intercharacter delay is the time period that the scanner will wait before
transmitting the next character. If data sent by the scanner has incorrect or
missing characters, a longer intercharacter delay may solve the problem.
The intercharacter delay should be changed only if the transfer rate cannot
be maintained between the scanner and the keyboard buffer of the
computer.

Note: The default for the intercharacter delay is set to '140us' and is the
most common configuration; however, your PC may be different. When
you scan a barcode, if stray or scrambled characters appear, increase the
intercharacter delay to slow down the transfer rate.

BEEP AND DELAY

Beep Settings

Beep Off

Beep Medium *

Beep High to Low

Beep Hi

Beep Low to High

Beep Low

*Default

8

BEEP AND DELAY

Chapter 5

Interblock Delay Intercharacter Delay

0ms *

1 0 m s

5 0 m s

1 0 0 m s

2 0 0 m s

140us *

5 0 0 u s

1 m s

4 m s

1 6 m s

5 0 0 m s

*Default

9

Chapter 5

• Caps Lock Auto (For PC XT/AT only):

In Auto mode, the scanner will keep track of the Caps Lock
status automatically. For some PCs, the scanning performance
may be compromised because of the auto tracing. If the
scanning performance is poor (or cannot scan) or the scanner
cannot output the upper/lower case characters correctly, try to
select one of the next two choices instead of auto tracing.

• Caps Lock Off:

When the keyboard is in the unshifted state
(Caps Lock is not pressed), select “Lower Case.”

• Caps Lock On:

When the keyboard is in the shifted state (Caps Lock is on),
select “Upper Case.”

UPPER/LOWER CASE

Caps Lock On

Caps Lock Off *

Caps Lock Auto

10

*Default

KEYBOARD LANGUAGE

The ‘Keyboard Language’ setting controls the key codes for your
keyboard’s language.

U.S. *

G e r m a n

F r e n c h

Chapter 5

S p a n i s h

I t a l i a n

11

*Default

Chapter 5

The ‘Preamble/Postamble’ configuration is used to add a prefix or suffix
set of characters to the barcode value. Up to 8 characters may be added
for each option separately. Preamble and postamble characters can
function concurrently, but need to be configured separately.
To add preamble or postamble characters, follow the steps below:

1) Scan the ‘Clear Pre/Postamble’ barcode on this page.

2) Scan the ‘Preamble’ or ‘Postamble’ barcode.

3) Use Appendix B on pages 32-35 to locate the characters you want to
add as preamble or postamble characters. Make sure that you scan
the barcode associated with each letter before preceding to the next
character. For example, to add the letter “A,” scan the barcode
corresponding to the letter “A” on page 34. The letter “A” will always
appear in your data as prefix or suffix to the barcode value.

4) Scan the corresponding 'Pre/Postamble' barcode on this page to exit
this setting.

PREAMBLE/POSTAMBLE CONFIGURATION

Clear Pre/Postamble

P r e a m b l e

P o s t a m b l e

12