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Percon Falcon User Manual

Dos portable data terminal
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Falcon
™
DOS Portable Data Terminal
User's Guide
www.percon.com

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  • Page 1 Falcon ™ DOS Portable Data Terminal User’s Guide www.percon.com...
  • Page 3 >> Falcon ™ DOS PORTABLE TERMINALS User’s Guide...
  • Page 4 Copyright Act of 1976. Percon ® is a registered trademark of Percon Incorporated. Falcon™ is a trademark of Percon Incorporated. Datalight ®...

  • Page 5: About This Book

    Falcon Dock and 4-Slot Dock. For additional information about Falcon DOS portable terminals, including instructions on transferring files from a Falcon to a PC, see the Falcon DOS Portable Ter- minals Advanced User’s Guide. NOTE: When used in this book, the word “Falcon” gen- erally refers to any or all of the DOS portable models identified below.

  • Page 6: Getting Help

    If the solution to a technical support question is not available through the Percon Web site or a local reseller, contact Percon tech- nical support directly via e-mail at tech@percon.com. < iv > Falcon DOS Portable Terminals User’s Guide...

  • Page 7: Product Labeling And Safety Information

    O PERATIO N IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOW ING TW O CONDITIONS: (1 ) THIS DEVICE MAY NO T CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE, AND (2) THIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED INCLUDING INTERFERENCE THAT MAY CAUSE UNDESIRED O PERATION. Falcon DOS Portable Terminals User’s Guide < v >...
  • Page 8 (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interfer- ence received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. < vi > Falcon DOS Portable Terminals User’s Guide...

  • Page 9: Table Of Contents

    About Falcon DOS Terminals ........
  • Page 10 The Falcon 4-Slot Dock........
  • Page 11 Falcon Vehicle Bracket........

  • Page 13: Chapter One

    >> Chapter One About Falcon DOS Terminals This chapter provides an overview of the Falcon line of DOS portable terminals. It identifies the various model configurations and accessories and describes some of the features of the Falcon models. CHAPTER CONTENTS Overview <2>...

  • Page 14: Overview

    16-Line Batch >> Optional Accessories Falcon Dock The Falcon Dock is the docking station for the Falcon. It’s two pri- mary uses are: Recharging the Falcon’s NiCD or NiMH battery pack. Providing a connection for serial communications between the Falcon and the host computer.

  • Page 15: Falcon 4-Slot Dock

    Dock. NOTE: There is no 4-slot dock for the Falcon Portable Battery When not using a Falcon Dock or a Falcon 4-Slot Dock, the optional Charger portable battery charger can be used to recharge the Falcon’s bat- teries. Rechargeable batteries that have lost all power can be fully recharged in about 2 hours.

  • Page 17: Chapter Two

    This chapter will demonstrate how easy it is to use the Falcon. Finding Out More: For more information (including instructions on transferring files to and from a Falcon), see the Falcon DOS Portable Terminals Advanced User’s Guide. CHAPTER CONTENTS Turning the Unit On and Off <6>...

  • Page 18: Turning The Unit On And Off

    Power Power Power Power The Power key for the Falcon 31x-32x is located at the top left of the keypad matrix. The Power key for the Falcon 33x is located at the bottom left of the keypad matrix. First-Time Use...

  • Page 19: Batteries

    When the empty-battery icon appears or the warning beep is heard, Batteries turn off the Falcon and recharge or replace the batteries as soon as possible. Turn the Falcon off before changing the batteries. Remov- ing batteries while the unit is on can trigger a number of problems, including loss of stored data.
  • Page 20 For Falcon models , and Turn the Falcon off. Detach the elastic hand strap on the back of the Falcon by pull- ing its hook out of the holder near the base. The battery-compartment cover has a tab located in the middle of the unit.
  • Page 21 For Falcon models Turn the Falcon off. Detach the elastic hand strap on the back of the Falcon by releasing its hook from the connection at the base of the unit. Figure 2-2: NiMH Battery Pack in the Falcon...

  • Page 22: Auto-Shutoff

    Press the power button to turn the unit back on. >> The Keypad Used individually or in combination, the keys of the Falcon keypad provide equivalents to almost all the keys found on a standard key- board. The keypads are shown in figures and 2-4.
  • Page 23 GLeft bracket [ [ [ [ ] ] ] ] *The Falcon’s key provides the functions of these keys. Caps Caps Caps Caps Figure 2-3: The Keypad for Falcon models , and Falcon DOS Portable Terminals User’s Guide < 11 >...
  • Page 24 Using the Falcon Figure 2-4: The Keypad for Falcon models The Falcon has a few keys that are not found on a standard IBM compatible PC keyboard. These keys are shown in table 2-1. Page numbers indicate where to find more information about the keys.
  • Page 25 The Keypad Table 2-1: Falcon Keys Not Found on a Standard Keyboard Models Key Default Use Toggles the Falcon between Alpha mode and Normal Alpha Alpha Alpha Alpha mode (p. 14) When pressed and released, toggles Caps mode on Caps...

  • Page 26: Input Modes

    *For information about reprogramming triggers, left, and right enter keys as keypad keys, see the Falcon DOS Portable Data Terminals Advanced User’s Guide. Input Modes The current input mode determines key functions on the Falcon. The input modes are described in table 2-2.
  • Page 27 NOTE: This section applies only to Falcon models The color coding of the keys and characters on models reflects input mode functions. The yellow key works with the yellow letters on the Alpha Alpha Alpha Alpha other keys. Falcon DOS Portable Terminals User’s Guide < 15 >...

  • Page 28: Double Action Key Mode

    Hold down the key while pressing the key for that Alpha Alpha Alpha Alpha letter. Release the key; the Falcon will still be in Normal mode. Alpha Alpha Alpha Alpha Use the key the same way to enter an uppercase letter Caps...

  • Page 29: Cursors And Icons

    The exception to the above rule is during International key entry. See the section on International key entry for more details. Cursors and Icons The shape of the Falcon’s cursor in the viewport is a key to the cur- rent input mode. Table identifies the various input modes and the corresponding cursors.

  • Page 30: International Characters

    “Letter” column in the letter same row. NOTE: The key ( ) is orange with a white flag in Falcon mod- Intl Intl Intl Intl < 18 > Falcon DOS Portable Terminals User’s Guide...
  • Page 31 To lessen the number of keystrokes required to enter an Interna- tional key, the Falcon keypad is designed according to the following guidelines: key is a combination of keystrokes (Fn-Alt Intl Intl Intl Intl Fn-Alt Fn-Alt). Fn-Alt Falcon DOS Portable Terminals User’s Guide < 19 >...

  • Page 32: Repeating Keystrokes

    The format for entering an International key sequence remains the same. The following table describes the key sequences for all International characters for the Falcon Table 2-5: International Character Key Combinations for the Falcon International Models Accent or Letter Letter Characters á, é, í, ó, ú, É...

  • Page 33: The Viewport

    The Viewport >> The Viewport The Falcon’s viewport is a backlit liquid crystal display of: 21 characters in 8 rows on models 20 characters in 16 rows on models When entering more than the maximum number of characters, the text in the viewport will scroll to the left to display the additional characters in the line.
  • Page 34 Using the Falcon Figure 2-6: Location of the Cursor Keys in the Falcon Press and hold the key and use the cursor keys (see fig- ure 2-6) to move the display up, down, to the left, or to the right.

  • Page 35: Adjusting The Contrast

    5 5 5 5 snap back to the cursor, and display the pressed character (if appli- cable). NOTE: There is a difference in the way the Falcon Falcon models function when exiting panning mode. On the Falcons , once the...

  • Page 36: Using The Backlight

    Using the Falcon Using the When using the Falcon in dim light, the backlight can be turned on Backlight to improve viewport visibility. Falcon models , and Press the ) key below the viewport to turn the Lamp Lamp Lamp Lamp backlight on or off.

  • Page 37: The Laser Triggers

    The left trigger (as seen from the front) is the default setting to op- erate the Falcon laser or another bar code reader attached to the Falcon, and the right trigger toggles the Falcon in and out of Alpha mode (models ) or Function mode (models ).The operation of these triggers can be switched.

  • Page 38: Using The Long-Range Laser

    Range Laser beam to scan bar code labels from a distance. With the spotting beam aimed at the center of the bar code, the Falcon unit is posi- tioned to read the bar code with its scanning beam. NOTE: The Falcon models do not have a long range scanner option at this time.

  • Page 39: Attaching A Bar Code Reader

    >> Attaching a Bar Code Reader If the Falcon does not have an integrated laser scanner, a bar code reader can be attached to the connector at the top. The reader’s cable must have a standard nine-pin squeeze connector at the end.

  • Page 40: The Serial Port

    PC. The port is located at the base of the Falcon unit (see figure 2-11). Designated as COM1, it is a 10-pin telephone-style jack providing a standard RS-232 connection. With a serial cable connected to it, the port allows communications with a host computer or any serial device, such as a printer or mo- dem.

  • Page 41: The Falcon Applications

    The Falcon Applications >> The Falcon Applications When shipped from the factory, each Falcon unit is programmed with several applications collectively known as PAL2. If the Falcon has been customized, it may be programmed with other (or addi- tional) applications.

  • Page 43: Chapter Three

    Instead of attaching a cable each time to trans- mit data to or from the Falcon, simply place the unit into the dock. To use the Falcon for data collection again, just remove it from the dock.

  • Page 44: About The Falcon Dock

    The Falcon Dock >> About the Falcon Dock The Falcon Dock is a handy docking station for the Falcon. It has two primary uses: G Recharges the Falcon’s NiCD or NiMH battery pack G Provides a connection for serial communications between...

  • Page 45: Attaching The Falcon Dock To The Computer

    Percon dealer. Attach the small, round plug of the power adapter to the power in- put jack on the back of the Falcon Dock (see figure 3-2). Plug the other end into an outlet or power strip. The red light-emitting diode...

  • Page 46: Using The Falcon Dock

    While the Falcon is in the Falcon Dock, programs can be down- loaded into the Falcon or data returned from it just as if it were con- nected directly to the computer. The Falcon can be left in the dock while using an attached bar code reader.

  • Page 47: Maintenance

    G Even though the Falcon are IR, the dock allows full duplex communications between the Falcon and host. >> Maintenance With normal use, the Falcon Dock should require no maintenance. Falcon DOS Portable Terminals User’s Guide < 35 >...

  • Page 49: Chapter Four

    The Falcon 4-Slot Dock is specially designed for use with Falcon DOS portable termi- nals. It provides serial communications capabilities and convenient battery recharg- ing for one to four Falcons. This chapter describes how to set up and use the Falcon 4-Slot Dock.

  • Page 50: About The Falcon 4-Slot Dock

    Docks to each other and connecting just one dock to the host. A Falcon in any slot on any dock in the network can exchange data with the host. While a slot is busy, all other slots in the network must wait for that one to become free.

  • Page 51: Back Panel

    About the Falcon 4-Slot Dock Two LEDs for each slot (see figure 4-2) show the status of the Falcon portable in that slot. Green indicates that the Falcon has control of the communi- cations line to the host. CHARGE Red indicates that the Falcon’s batteries are being charged.

  • Page 52: Installation

    NOTE: See the Falcon DOS Portable Terminals Advanced User’s Guide for pin assignments. Connecting the To connect the Falcon 4-Slot Dock to a computer, complete the fol- Dock to the Host lowing steps: Plug one end of the serial cable into the appropriate connector on the back of the 4-Slot Dock.

  • Page 53: Creating A Dock Network

    Fal- con. Transferring Data To transfer programs or data files between a Falcon and a computer through a 4-Slot Dock, a Percon’s XFER utility can be used, the Fal- con Configuration Utility, or any standard serial-transfer program.

  • Page 55: Chapter Five

    The mounting con- figuration is flexible to respond to the variety of vehicle configurations and personal driver preferences. The Vehicle Mount Powered Dock functions with Falcon models with or without an integrated laser. Falcon models without an integrated laser will also work on the Vehicle Mount Powered Dock.

  • Page 56: About The Vehicle Mount Powered Dock

    Figure 4-1: Dock in Vehicle Mounting Bracket Table 1-1: Indicators and Functions Indicator Function PWR (Power) Green when receiving power from a vehicle battery. CHG (Charge) Green when charging the main and backup batteries in the Falcon. < 44 > Falcon DOS Portable Terminals User’s Guide...

  • Page 57: Using The Vehicle Mount Powered Dock

    NOTE: Percon recommends the Falcon be inserted in the dock after the dock is securely mounted to a vehicle. Place the Falcon in the dock with the keypad facing out (on the same side as the indicators). Push the Falcon down into the well and release. The hand strap hook will connect with the upper tab, securing the Falcon in the dock.

  • Page 58: Installation

    Vehicle Mount Powered Dock >> Installation NOTE: If the Falcon contains non-rechargeable batteries, do not connect the power supply to the dock. Hardware and tools needed for attaching the vehicle mounting bracket to the vehicle are not supplied by Percon.

  • Page 59: Fuse Replacement

    This is not for installation to positive ground circuits. When the dock is connected to an unswitched outlet on the fuse box the Falcon battery will always receive a charge from the vehicle battery. If the unit is left turned on for extended periods of time, the Falcon could drain the vehicle battery.
  • Page 60 Fasten the back plate assembly to the dock using the through holes in the back plate and the threaded holes in the back of the dock. Four #8-32 fasteners are provided with the mounting kit. < 48 > Falcon DOS Portable Terminals User’s Guide...
  • Page 61 Installation Figure 4-5: Fasten Back plate Assembly to dock The dock is ready for cabling. Figure 4-6: Dock in Vehicle Mounting Bracket Falcon DOS Portable Terminals User’s Guide < 49 >...

  • Page 62: Custom Mounting Brackets

    Vehicle Mount Powered Dock Custom Mounting When using a non-Falcon mounting bracket, use these dimensions Brackets when placing the OEM bracket on the dock. Figure 4-7: Back view of dock before mounting custom bracket < 50 > Falcon DOS Portable Terminals User’s Guide...

  • Page 63: Chapter Six

    This chapter provides information and direction that will be useful in resolving prob- lems that occur in the performance of the Falcon. The purpose is to give the user the best method to identify and eliminate problems. If the problem persists beyond the...

  • Page 64: Serial Communications

    Do communications parameters agree (COM port, baud doesn't succeed rate, transfer protocol)? Is the cable designed for use with the Falcon (Percon-spe- cific RJ cable) or the dock (25-pin null modem cable)? Is there disk drive space available on the receiver for the file being sent? If not, delete unnecessary files.

  • Page 65: Batteries

    The battery is likely too weak to continue operating the unexpectedly and unit. Replace the main battery pack with a fully charged battery and then turn the unit on. won't turn on Falcon DOS Portable Terminals User’s Guide < 53 >...

  • Page 67: Index

    Functions cable fuse replacement troubleshooting Indicators care and cleaning installing character set, international models charging batteries mounting bracket Falcon DOS Portable Terminals User’s Guide < 55 >...
  • Page 68 (viewport) triggers lithium battery long-range laser serial port low-battery warning turning on and off – viewport FCC information – modes, input 4-Slot Dock moving the viewport display getting help < 56 > Falcon DOS Portable Terminals User’s Guide...
  • Page 69 – shutoff, automatic viewport support backlight contrast cursors in icons in technical support timer, auto-shutoff triggers, laser Falcon DOS Portable Terminals User’s Guide < 57 >...
  • Page 70 Percon window see viewport...
  • Page 72 Fax: +33 01 39 18 53 94 ©2000 Percon Incorporated. Printed in the USA. April 2000. Falcon is a trademark and Percon is a registered trademark of Percon Incorporated. Other brand and prod- uct names are trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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