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Synergy Controller
Application Note 4
August 2010, Revision - C
Tidal Engineering Corporation © 2010
Synergy Controller Bar Code Reader
Applications
Synergy Controller with
OCR-A
Hand Held Products Bar Code Scanner
Labeled Part
Introduction
The value of the ubiquitous "Bar Code Scanner" for speeding data entry and improving
accuracy is obvious to anyone that shops at a grocery store. The Synergy Controller
offers the advantages of bar code scanning to environmental test users.
This application note describes the capabilities of the Synergy Controller's bar code
scanner feature and some typical applications.
This application note employs the Synergy Controller's powerful macro capability to
automatically select and start an environmental test profile simply by scanning the
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) plain text label on the part.
In addition, the use of the bar code feature to log data such as product part numbers,
serial numbers, employee id's and other data is demonstrated.
The Hand Held Products IT4800 OCR Barcode Scanner is used in this note with OCR-A
text; however, virtually any bar code reader can be used for this application.
Page 1 of 18
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Summary of Contents for Tidal Engineering Corporation Synergy Controller
- Page 1 Introduction The value of the ubiquitous “Bar Code Scanner” for speeding data entry and improving accuracy is obvious to anyone that shops at a grocery store. The Synergy Controller offers the advantages of bar code scanning to environmental test users.
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Page 2: Installation
2. Hand Held Products part number: 42206132-02, PS/2 keyboard wedge. 3. Hand Held Products part number: 42206161-01, USB Type A Interface. The Synergy Controller (VersaTenn V controller will work also) Bar Code feature is available in software version 2.0.6 and newer. These are both available from Tidal Engineering ®... - Page 3 Configuring the Barcode scanner We followed the steps below to configure the ImageTeam 4800 for use with the Synergy controller and OCR-A fonts. If a different configuration or barcode scanner is required, see Appendix A for alternative settings for other devices.
- Page 4 Synergy Controller Application Note 4 August 2010, Revision - C Tidal Engineering Corporation © 2010 2. Enable Control + ASCII mode on the barcode. 3. If using the Bar code reader with the USB interface, scan the following. Scan only when using the USB interface.
- Page 5 Synergy Controller Application Note 4 August 2010, Revision - C Tidal Engineering Corporation © 2010 5. Enable OCR-A font recognition. 6. Add the Carriage Return Suffix if using the PS/2 Keyboard interface. (appended after the barcode data.) a. Scan the “Add CR Suffix All Symbologies” symbol.
- Page 6 7. Add the Prefix Delay before sending the barcode data. a. Scan the “Interfunction Delay” symbol. b. Scan the “9” symbol. c. Scan the “9” symbol. d. Scan the “Save” symbol. The barcode scanner is now configured for use with the Synergy Controller. Page 6 of 18...
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Page 7: Controller Setup
Macro File Format The macro file used by the Synergy Controller is a simple comma separated file easily generated with Microsoft Excel, or any other program that can save to .csv files. - Page 8 Saving the file as type CSV Importing the Macro File The Synergy Controller can import the .csv macro file either from a floppy disk or from a USB Hard Disk. Copy the macro file in .csv form from the PC to the root directory of either a floppy disk or a USB Hard Disk.
- Page 9 Synergy Controller Application Note 4 August 2010, Revision - C Tidal Engineering Corporation © 2010 The import screen will appear. Click on Browse and then select the file you want to import, then click the Select button. Then click the Import button.
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Page 10: Testing The Setup
Application Note 4 August 2010, Revision - C Tidal Engineering Corporation © 2010 A message box will then let you know if the import was successful or not. Now that the file is imported, we can now use the barcode scanner. - Page 11 Synergy Controller Application Note 4 August 2010, Revision - C Tidal Engineering Corporation © 2010 Example Profile “Product2.vpl” Page 11 of 18...
- Page 12 Synergy Controller Application Note 4 August 2010, Revision - C Tidal Engineering Corporation © 2010 Test the Bar Code scanner with a Macro Having followed the steps above, everything is ready and the barcode scanner should be fully functional. Printed below are two example OCR-A Test Labels that can be scanned to test the configuration.
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Page 13: Troubleshooting
Export the log file to view the entry. COPY LOG FILE HERE - CRAIG Trouble Shooting If the barcode scanner does not work with the Synergy Controller try the following trouble shooting steps. Test Scanner on a PC To test the functioning of the scanner, plug it into the keyboard port on you PC. Open a test editor such as notepad. - Page 14 This is the specification for the barcode scanner setup for use with other barcode scanners. The format required by the Synergy Controller is as follows: [CTRL+S][400ms pause][Barcode Data][Carriage Return] [Carriage Return] Any barcode scanner that can attach via a keyboard wedge, and can be configured with the above format will work with the Synergy Controller.
- Page 15 Synergy Controller Application Note 4 August 2010, Revision - C Tidal Engineering Corporation © 2010 Appendix C – Symbol LS2208 USB Scanner Setup The Symbol LS2208 USB Scanner is a popular low cost bar code scanner that is compatible with both the Synergy Micro and Synergy Nano controllers.
- Page 16 Synergy Controller Application Note 4 August 2010, Revision - C Tidal Engineering Corporation © 2010 1. Setup Scanner. Scan the Bar Codes below in the order printed. Page 16 of 18...
- Page 17 Synergy Controller Application Note 4 August 2010, Revision - C Tidal Engineering Corporation © 2010 2. Create and Load the macro File. Edit the macro file in Notepad or other plain text editor as shown below. Note that a carriage return at the end of the final line is required.
- Page 18 Tidal Engineering Corporation © 2010 About Tidal Engineering Headquartered in Randolph, NJ, Tidal Engineering Corporation has been designing and building award winning embedded hardware and software for test and measurement and data acquisition applications since 1992. The company further provides product...
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