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The material in this manual is subject to change without notice. Symbol reserves the right to make changes to any software or product to improve reliability, function, or design.
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PTC-960X Part Number: 16670-701-01 Release Date: 9/17/93...
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Telxon, TCAL (Telxon Common Application Lan- guage), and RAMSaver are registered trade- marks of Telxon Corporation. MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. Telxon Corporation shall not be liable for technical or editorial omissions or mistakes in this manual nor shall it be liable for incidental or consequential damages resulting from your...
statement This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital de- vice, pursuant to Part 15 of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protec- tion against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environ- ment.
Do not stare into the beam if the protective cover is removed. The laser safety warning label required by the DHHS for the PTC-960X equipped with a short- range laser scanner is illustrated below. This yellow and black label is located on the bottom...
The laser safety warning label required by the DHHS for the PTC-960X equipped with a long- range laser scanner is illustrated below. This red and black label is located on the bottom of the PTC-960X near the scanning window.
This manual provides general information on how to operate, handle, and maintain the PTC- 960X. Use this manual as an introduction to the PTC-960X along with the manual or instructions provided by your supervisor. This manual does not provide instructions on how to perform the tasks specific to your job in your organization.
PTC-960X The Telxon PTC-960X is a battery-powered, hand-held computer used to collect, store, and transmit data. The PTC-960X has a built-in bar- code scanner. Options for transmitting data over telephone lines and printing are also available. The PTC-960X automates your data collection procedures and is custom programmed to effi- ciently handle your organization’s unique data...
Entering data You can enter data into the PTC-960X using either the keyboard or the built-in scanner. When you press a key on the PTC’s keyboard, the corresponding number or letter appears on the display. Pressing the ENTER key stores the data in the PTC’s memory.
Unpacking the PTC-960X The PTC-960X is shipped in a single box containing • a PTC-960X, • a battery charger, • a wrist strap, • a nickel-cadmium battery pack, • the Guide to the PTC-960X, • the Guide to the FLASH Utilities (TCAL or MS-DOS Version), and •...
PTC’s handle. 1. Make sure the PTC is off. 2. Disconnect all accessories from the PTC. 3. Lay the PTC-960X on its right side so the charger connector is facing you. 4. Attach the end of the battery charger’s cable...
If the PTC is operating correctly, you should not see or hear any of the following: • Low battery warning • A blank display screen • Any warning beeps See the “Troubleshooting” section on page 49 if the PTC-960X is not operating correctly.
PTC’s left side. One of a number of special cables that plug into the connector can be used to connect the PTC-960X to a particular computer, printer, or other accessory. Cable part numbers are listed in...
SC-960X or MC-960X communication cradle for instructions. Battery compartment The PTC-960X is powered by a rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery pack installed inside the PTC’s handle. The battery pack and the PTC’s handle end cap are a single unit.
Your display may also be able to dis- play graphics. The display’s contrast can be changed through the PTC-960X’s keyboard, if your PTC’s applica- tion program has been set up to allow this option. End cap/battery pack assembly The PTC handle’s end cap and the nickel-cad-...
The handle attached to the PTC’s body allows you to hold the PTC and aim the built-in scanner when you are scanning bar codes. The handle also contains the PTC-960X’s battery pack. Keyboard The standard keyboard on the PTC-960X has forty-five keys.
Keyboard overlay The keyboard overlay is a small sheet of plastic cut out to fit over the PTC-960X’s keyboard. Labels for the special function keys used by your organization’s application program are printed...
Appendix Status indicators Four light-emitting diode (LED) indicators on the rear face of the PTC-960X provide informa- tion on the PTC’s status. Charging This green LED glows when the PTC is con- nected to a battery charger and the nickel-cad- mium battery pack is being recharged.
Low Bat This red LED glows to warn you when the PTC’s battery pack is running out of power. Immediately stop whatever operation you are in, save any data you have entered or scanned, and recharge or replace the PTC’s battery pack whenever the Low Bat indicator lights.
The exact length of time depends on your application program. Automatic return at on When you turn off the PTC-960X (or when the PTC-960X turns itself off), it remembers where it was in the application. Then, when you turn the PTC-960X back on, it returns to that same point in the application.
Any data or programs loaded into the PTC’s memory will be lost. The PTC-960X has a built-in battery backup sys- tem that provides enough power to protect data stored in the PTC’s memory when the battery pack is being changed or if it runs out of power.
Clock The PTC-960X has a built-in clock that keeps track of the date (month, day, year, and day of the week) and the time (hours, minutes, seconds, and tenths of seconds). The clock operates con- tinuously. How the clock is used depends on your application program.
Memory The PTC-960X has internal memory, which is used to store your organization’s application program and the data you type into the PTC. The amount of memory in your PTC determines how much data you can type in before you have to send it to a host computer or print it.
The PTC-960X is able to communicate with other computers, PTCs, and external accessories such as printers. It can both send and receive data and instructions. Communication is controlled by your organization’s application program. See the manual or instructions provided by your or- ganization for details on conducting communica- tion sessions.
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15508-001) RS-232-type connector that plugs directly into the accessory or is attached to a separate cable that plugs into the accessory or other computer. Both the adapter cable and the correct cable for your accessory or host computer must be ordered separately.
6. Gently slip the connector on the cable into the accessory connector until the tab on the cable’s connector clicks into place. See Figure 2. 7. Connect the other end of the adapter cable to the accessory or to one of the connectors on the accessory cable.
10. Follow the instructions for your application program to communicate. Disconnecting cables Equipment required: • A pen or small screwdriver Always disconnect connectors by pulling them directly away from each other. Do not pull at an angle. Do not use a rocking or twisting motion when pulling two connectors apart.
Connecting to the optional communication cradle See the manual provided with the SC-960X or MC-960X communication cradle for instructions on how to connect the PTC-960X.
PTC can be programmed to read. Follow this procedure to scan bar-code labels. 1. Point the PTC-960X at the label to be scanned. The scanner can be at an angle to the label (see Figure 3).
toward. Quickly center the aiming dot over the bar code. Keep pressing the trigger, and the laser begins scanning the bar code. 3. Watch the line of light made by the scanner as it scans the bar code. The line must pass over all of the bars on the label for the bar code to be read.
PTC-960X Operating conditions Although the PTC-960X is specially sealed to resist dust, dirt, and moisture, it should not be used in excessively dirty or moist environments. It can be operated at temperatures between 32 and 104 degrees F (0 and 40 degrees C).
Do not store the PTC-960X in temperatures below -40 degrees F (-40 degrees C) or above 158 degrees F (70 degrees C). • Do not store the PTC-960X in a damp or humid environment. Use the following procedure to store the PTC-960X.
• A soft, lint-free cloth • A nonabrasive cleaner To clean the PTC-960X, slightly moisten a soft, clean, lint-free cloth with a mild, nonabrasive cleaner and wipe the outside surfaces. Do not use a paper towel. CAUTION! Do not soak the cloth used to clean the PTC and do not spray or pour cleaning liquids directly onto the PTC.
eplacing the battery pack Equipment required: • A charged replacement nickel-cadmium battery pack Removing the battery pack 1. Press the ON/OFF key on the PTC’s key- board to turn the PTC off. 2. With your thumb and index finger, press and hold in the release buttons on both sides of the handle end cap (see Figure 4);...
the end cap and the attached battery pack out of the handle. 3. Refer to page 10 for instructions on properly disposing of your nickel-cadmium battery pack. Installing a new battery pack 1. Make sure the PTC is off. 2. Line up the end cap/battery pack with the opening in the handle.
EPROM The application program instructions for your PTC-960X are stored in an electronic component inside the PTC called a flash EPROM. This is a type of read-only memory, but unlike standard EPROMs, flash EPROMs can be erased and re- programmed while they are inside the PTC.
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• you will connect the PTC’s download cable to the personal computer’s COM1 serial port, • you will use the default settings for the FLASHPC.EXE utility, and • you will run FLASHPC.EXE in interac- tive mode. If your situation differs from this, refer to the Guide to the FLASH Utilities (TCAL or MS-DOS Version), part number 16541-000.
Procedure 1. Connect the PTC to the PC’s COM1 serial communication port using the appropriate adapter cable and download cable. If you connect to the COM2 port, you must change the comm port setting in the FLASHPC.EXE utility in Step 2.
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ARC image file name. Press ENTER again to skip filling in the RF image file name. The RF image file does not apply to the PTC-960X. 6. The Main Menu displays on your PC’s monitor screen: 0. Quit 1.
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To change the baud rate or to reset it to “auto- baud,” type 2 and then press ENTER at the Main Menu. The following screen displays on your PC’s monitor: Select the desired baud rate: 0. Quit 1. 9600 Baud 2.
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10. Select option 1 on the Main Menu, “Send the image(s) to PTC,” to compress the image files for downloading. Your PC displays status messages for each file being compressed. An error occurs if the PC does not have suffi- cient memory to compress the file or if the specified file is too large to fit on the flash EPROM.
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1: User ctrl 2: Exit Type 0 to put the FLASH.EXE program in system control mode. System control mode returns control of the flash EPROM program- ming to your PC. The following prompt displays on your PTC screen: Do you wish to program the flash ROM now? (Y/N):...
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turns itself off. The FLASHPC.EXE program on the PC returns to the Main Menu. If reprogramming is not completed success- fully, refer to the Guide to the FLASH Utilities (TCAL or MS-DOS Version) for more information.
You may not be scan- ning at the correct distance, • change the angle of the PTC-960X to the bar- code label. The PTC may be too far above or below the bar-code label or too far to the side of the bar code to scan properly, •...
If you experience any other problems with your PTC-960X, • notify your Telxon service representative or • contact the Telxon Customer Support Center at 1-800-800-8010.
ppendix A Specifications Physical Length: 8.3 in/21.1 cm Width: 3.5 in/8.9 cm Height: 2.1 in/5.3 cm (8 in/20.3 cm at handle) Weight: Approximately 2.1 lb/1 kg Operating 32 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit temperature: (0 to 40 degrees Celsius) Storage -40 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit temperature: -40 to 70 degrees Celsius Operating...
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Bar-code types supported The PTC-960X can be programmed to read and automatically discriminate among up to ten of the following bar-code types. See the information provided by your organization for the specific bar-code types your PTC-960X is programmed to read.
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Communication Data communications Full duplex, 300 to 19.2 K via accessory connector: bits per second (bps)
B Accessory part numbers The following table contains part numbers for ordering PTC-960X accessory hardware. TABLE 1 Accessory part numbers Item Part number PTC-960X 16670-000 Chargers Battery charger 12176-004 PTC-960X Fast Battery Charger without cycling 16799-000 with cycling 16799-001...
Communication connections Figures 5 through provide information on the connections used to establish and maintain communication between the PTC-960X and other devices. Not all available cables are described in this section. Check with your Telxon representative for information on other cable configurations.
D LED status indicators The following table lists and explains each of the LED status indicators on the PTC-960X’s rear panel. TABLE 2 LED status indicators LED status Explanation indicator Scan This indicator glows when the scanner is operating and is scanning a bar code.
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Carrier detect signal. CD indicates that the modem is receiving a signal from the remote modem. character A letter, number, or symbol. cloning The process of copying a program or data files from one PTC directly to another. Clear-to-send signal. CTS indicates that the line between a modem and a terminal device is clear for transmission.
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data The transport of encoded information from one communication point to another. Data communications equipment. A device that controls and converts incoming data or communication, for example, a modem. display The LCD or LED panel on a PTC. A PTC’s dis- play shows data, prompts, and error messages.
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modem Modulator-demodulator. A communication device that converts serial digital data from a transmitting device to a signal suitable for transmission over a telephone line and then reconverts the signal to serial digital data for the receiving device. MS-DOS Microsoft Disk Operating System. one-way Transport of information from one device to communication...
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Receive data signal. RXD indicates that a device is currently receiving data. signals Electronic impulses that transmit data from one device to another. software A stored program or set of programs that is loaded into RAM for execution. Compare with hardware.