Barcode Scanner Configuration

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When it's running PTS Comms is visible as a barcode icon in the Windows notification area. It is frequently hidden, and will have to be exposed using the "^" button.

This guide assumes that the PTS Comms Client is installed and connected to the server without errors. If you have any doubts, see the PTS Comms Client Installation page first. You won't be able to configure your barcode scanners until PTS Comms is up and running on the PC.

Overview

One of the major features of our various barcode scanning applications is that they are designed to allow the host PC to be used by other people, and other applications, even while the barcode scanner is in use. We accomplish this by setting the scanners up as emulated serial or COM ports. However, out-of-the-box, most barcode scanners function as a virtual keyboard and when a barcode is scanned behave as if you were typing the barcode text into the PC. This would of course require the PC to be focused on a dedicated text field of some sort, and is therefore not something that could run in the background.

For this reason you'll need to configure new devices to work properly with the PTS Comms Client, which is done with the use of setup codes included in the bundled hardware manual. The primary setup code you need will be labelled as one of:

  • USB-COM
  • USB-COM-STD
  • CDC Mode
  • Serial Emulation
  • PAP130

Scan the appropriate code as directed by the user manual to reconfigure the scanner. If the scanner does not work properly, consider scanning the appropriate "Reset" or "Restore Factory Defaults" codes and trying again.

If the device is a wireless scanner and base station combo, you'll probably have to scan an appropriate link or unlink code as a means to connect it up to the new base station.

How do I know if my barcode scanner needs configuring?

A barcode scanner in virtual keyboard mode will do something like this when a barcode is scanned and Notepad is open. PTS will not be able to connect to a scanner in this mode.

More often than not a brand new barcode scanner will act as a virtual keyboard, which is not the correct mode for use with PTS. You can identify this problem quite easily by bringing up a Notepad window, and while it has focus, scan a PTS barcode. If the barcode text is written to the Notepad window then the scanner is in virtual keyboard mode and should be reconfigured as described below.

In addition a cordless scanner needs to be configured if its signal indicator or other factors imply that it is not connecting to the base station.

It's worth pointing out that even if neither of these examples seem to be apparent, reconfiguring a problematic scanner can sometimes still help as the device will be reset as part of the procedure.

Cheatsheet for popular scanners

Scanning barcodes directly off the screen is something traditional 1D scanners struggle with, so you'll have to consider printing the relevant pages.

You can use the middle button of your mouse to open the links in a new tab.

If you still have the manual/s that came in the box with your scanner you should be able to find the same barcodes in there; however the page numbers may not match.

Datalogic Heron HD3430

  1. Page 16: Scan "Factory Default Settings"
  2. Page 9: Scan "Select USB-COM-STD"

Datalogic Heron HD3130

  1. Page 14: Scan "Factory Default Settings"
  2. Page 6: Scan "Select USB-COM-STD1 (simulates RS-232 standard interface)"

Datalogic Powerscan M8300

  1. Run through this setup sheet.
  2. Note: these scanners are approaching end of life.

Datalogic Powerscan 9100

  1. Page 17: Scan "Restore Custom Default Configuration"
  2. Page 19: Scan "Unlink"
  3. Wait for 5 seconds, then place the scanner in the base station and wait for no less than 10 seconds (the scanner may beep while it connects - wait for this to complete).
  4. Page 17: Scan "Restore Custom Default Configuration"
  5. Page 15: Scan "Select USB COM-STD"
  6. Scan your user code, and then complete the configuration according to the instructions on the PC screen.

Datalogic Powerscan 9300

  1. Page 18: Scan "Restore Custom Default Configuration"
  2. Page 19: Scan "Unlink"
  3. Wait for 5 seconds, then place the scanner in the base station and wait for no less than 10 seconds (the scanner may beep while it connects - wait for this to complete).
  4. Page 18: Scan "Restore Custom Default Configuration"
  5. Page 15: Scan "Select USB COM-STD"
  6. Scan your user code, and then complete the configuration according to the instructions on the PC screen.

Datalogic Touch 65 TD1100

  1. Page 14: Scan "Restore Custom Default Configuration"
  2. Page 10: Scan "Select USB-COM-STD"

Zebra/Symbol Scanners

  1. Page 239: Scan "USB CDC Host"
  2. Page 88: Scan "Add Enter Key (Carriage Return/Line Feed)"

Honeywell Voyager 1200g

  1. Page 1-9: Scan "Remove Custom Defaults"
  2. Page 1-9: Scan "Activate Defaults"
  3. Wait for 5 seconds, then place the scanner in the base station and wait for no less than 10 seconds (the scanner may beep while it connects - wait for this to complete).
  4. Page 2-6: Scan "PAP130"
  5. Remember that prior to PTS 5.0.3.7, the Voyager drivers are only installed with Complete installations of the PTS Comms Client.

Datalogic Gryphon GM4100

  1. Unplug the base station from mains power so it is connected via USB only. You can plug the power supply back in when finished.
  2. Page 24: Scan "Unlink"
  3. Page 30: Scan "Restore Custom Default Configuration"
  4. Wait for 5 seconds, then place the scanner in the base station and wait for no less than 10 seconds (the scanner may beep while it connects - wait for this to complete).
  5. Page 68: Scan "Select USB-COM-STD"
  6. Scan your user code, and then complete the configuration according to the instructions on the PC screen.

Datalogic Quickscan QM2400

  1. Download Datalogic Quickscan QM2400 Manual
  2. Page 11: Scan "Unlink"
  3. Wait for 5 seconds, then place the scanner in the base station and wait for no less than 10 seconds (the scanner may beep while it connects - wait for this to complete).
  4. Page 12: Scan "Standard Product Default Settings"
  5. Page 14: Scan "Select USB-COM-STD"
  6. Scan your user code, and then complete the configuration according to the instructions on the PC screen.

Newland NLS-HR22 & NLS-HR23

  1. Put the scanner into the cradle and press the join button. The scanner should beep to confirm.
  2. Download Newland NLS-HR22 Manual
  3. Page 39: Scan "Enter Setup"
  4. Page 39: Scan "Restore All Factory Defaults"
  5. Page 66: Scan "USB CDC"
  6. Page 66: Scan "Exit Setup"

A note on cordless scanners and power supply

Some scanners, namely Gryphon scanners, will not configure properly if the base station is plugged in via mains power as well as USB, and the mains power supply should be disconnected while configuring them. Unfortunately we have no control over this. You can and should of course reconnect the power supply when the devices are configured successfully. We acknowledge the oddness of this procedure.

It's worth noting that these scanners, and indeed most if not all cordless scanner options we supply, will only supply a "trickle" charge to scanners in the cradle if only connected via USB due to the low power rating of the USB 2 standard. This is usually not much of a problem but if the devices are heavily used, or if many devices share a small number of cradles for charging, they may not ever be getting a full charge which can result in flat batteries.

If you begin to struggle with scanners going flat during operating hours, you should strongly consider using a mains power supply.

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