Programming Overview
The RF system's programmable feature settings can be modified to accommodate your unique requirements. Listed below are the various methods to configure scanner and Base Station units:
Base Stations and the scanners linked to them must possess compatible configuration files.
NOTE
Scanner
1.
The Base Station’s configuration files can be automatically downloaded to the scanner at the time of linking. See the sec-
tions, Linking the Scanner to a Base Station on page 150 and Com-
mon Configuration on page 174 for more details.
2.
The easiest, most comprehensive way to program the scanner is to use the Configurator Express™ On-Screen Programming Kit.
Contact PSC for more information about this product.
3.
The scanner can be configured using special programming bar codes like those contained in this section. For the most part, the programming instructions and bar codes on the following pages address this method of scanner configuration.
If you program the scanner using any of the methods above, the scanner will store the changes until reprogrammed or returned to factory defaults.
NOTE
RF Programming Manual
9
Base Station
Base Station configuration is primarily performed by first programming a scanner with the desired options, then downloading the config-
uration to the Base Station from that scanner via the barcode Transmit
Scanner Configuration to Base Station on page 11.
CAUTION
Verify that the scanner and Base Station host interface types (RS-232, Keyboard Wedge, etc.) are matched before attempting to download any configuration files or perform any custom programming sessions. Go to the section
and
set the scanner to the Base Station’s I/F type.
10
PowerScan™ RF Scanner
Transmit
Scanner
Configuration to Base Station
Feature is applicable to scanner and Base Station.
There are two reasons why a scanner’s configuration would need to be downloaded to a Base Station:
•
A configuration item affecting the Base Station is to be changed.
NOTE
When configuring the system using programming bar codes, changes will not be implemented in the
Base Station until they are transmitted from the
scanner using the
bar code.
•
A new/replacement scanner may have a custom configuration or may have been modified with special programming. It may be desirable to download its configuration to the Base Station.
If this is the circumstance, download configuration settings from a scanner to the Base Station following this procedure:
1.
Using a scanner that is currently linked to the Base Station,
scan the bar code, DISABLE Common Configuration on page 175.
2.
Scan the bar code, Transmit Scanner Configuration to Base Sta-
tionTransmit Scanner Configuration to Base Station on page 11.
3.
Link the new scanner containing the desired configuration to
the Base Station (see Linking the Scanner to a Base Station on page 150).
RF Programming Manual
11
12
4.
Download the new scanner’s configuration to the Base Station
by scanning the Transmit Scanner Configuration to Base Station
bar code below.
CAUTION
After the Base Station receives the entire configuration, it will drop all links to scanners other than the scanner transmitting the new configuration. This will require the user to relink all other scanners (see
on page 150).
Prior to the time of relinking, it is advisable to con-
sider enabling the feature,
on page 174, ensuring that the Base Station will
attempt to share the new configuration with scanners as they are linked.
Transmit Scanner
Configuration to Base
Station ---------
What Is
Programming
Mode?
The scanner must be placed into the Programming Mode state in order to accept programming commands. When programming using the bar code labels in this manual, the scanner is placed in Programming Mode by scanning the "SET" label at the top of most programming feature pages.
While in Programming Mode, the scanner only recognizes special pro-
gramming bar codes. See the Appendix E: LED and Beeper Indications on page 203 for information about scanner indications while in Program-
ming Mode.
PowerScan™ RF Scanner
The
Programming
Session
Scanner programming allows you to customize the scanner’s configuration to match your specific needs. A typical programming session is conducted as follows:
1.
Scan the SET bar code at the top of the page. The scanner will emit one beep, indicating it has read the bar code and the green
LED will flash on and off slowly while the scanner remains in
Programming Mode. Normal scanning functions are disabled.
2.
Scan the programming bar code(s) to make the desired changes. With few exceptions, the scanner will emit a triple beep each time you scan a valid programming bar code.
NOTE
Not all features are available for all interfaces. The scanner will sound an error tone when scanning programming bar codes for features that cannot be used with the currently active interface. Only features supported by the currently active interface will be implemented.
NOTE
If you are enabling a different interface (I/F), we suggest/recommend that you change the I/F designation first and then proceed with other changes.
Once a bar code is scanned that changes the scanner's I/F, all previous I/F configuration items scanned in the programming session are lost.
3.
Scan the END label at the bottom of the page to save any new settings and exit Programming Mode. The scanner will sound a beep and reset upon exiting Programming Mode, and the green LED will return to its usual state (on steady or off).
The scanner will not exit Programming Mode unless the END bar code is scanned or the scanner’s battery is removed.
Removing power during Programming Mode, before scanning the END label, will cause all new settings to be ignored. On power-up, the scanner will return to previous settings.
4.
Maintain a record of all changes made
to ensure that you know if the original factory settings have been changed. Use
the table in Appendix D: Record of Programmable Features on page
195 to log your custom configuration changes
RF Programming Manual
13
Programming
Sequence
To modify a scanner feature (item), the programming bar codes contained in this manual must be scanned in a given sequence depending
upon the feature being programmed (as shown in Table 2). There are
three possible programming sequences:
A. Programming sample A (the most commonly used format) demonstrates how three bar codes are scanned in sequence to do the following:
1.
Place the scanner in Programming Mode (SET bar code).
2.
Scan the Item Tag
1
that will enable the new feature.
3.
End the programming session and reset the scanner (END bar code).
B. Sample B provides an example of a programming feature requiring the entry of a range value. Like sample A, the scanner is placed in Programming Mode and an Item Tag
1
is scanned. Then, a value must be entered before ending the programming session. In the example, three digits must be
scanned from the number pad in Appendix C: Keypad. This type
of format, requiring a total of as many as six programming bar codes, is necessary to allow flexible programming with larger item value numeric ranges.
C. The programming sequence shown in example C requires scanning of a single, extended length bar code. This special programming bar code contains all the data necessary to enter
Programming Mode, set the Item Tag
1
and Item Value, and exit
Programming Mode (all in one step).
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1. An “Item Tag” is a term used to describe an assigned number, which is encoded in a programming bar code, that toggles (selects, enables, disables, etc.) a specific programming feature.
PowerScan™ RF Scanner
RF Programming Manual
SET
Table 2. Programming Sequence
ITEM TAG ITEM VALUE END/RESET
A
1
SET
2
ENABLE
NEW FEATURE
3
END
B
1 2 3 4 5 6
0
SET
ENABLE NEW
FEATURE
USING THE
FOLLOWING
SETTINGS...
0
END
8
C
1
ONE BAR CODE CONTAINS SET + ITEM TAG + ITEM VALUE + END
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