BackBarcode and RFID Connector Utilities
27 Oct 2021
This article walks through the Barcode and RFID Connector Utilities. These utilities allow you to configure the barcode and RFID modules for your unit.
Barcode Connector Utility
 |
|
Home
Startup
Startup Barcode Connector on bootup:
- When this option is checked the Barcode Connector app will automatically open when you log in.
Start Barcode Connector Minimized:
- When this option is checked the Barcode Connector app will automatically open and minimize when you log in. The assigned hardware key and keyboard wedge function will still work while the utility is minimized.
Scan Test
Use this button to verify everything is scanning correctly. Adjust the settings in the app as needed.
User
General
Barcode Scan Time:
- This determines how long the barcode module will attempt to read a barcode.
Beep on good read:
- A beep will sound if the barcode module successfully reads a barcode.
Beep on bad read:
- A beep will sound if the barcode module has not read a barcode when the scan time expires.
Copy Method
Use copy/paste buffer:
- The data is placed into the copy buffer and a Ctrl+V (paste) is simulated. This method has a slight speed advantage when reading larger tags. Some programs may not work well with this option.
- CAUTION: If you are scanning sensitive information, this method leaves the data in the copy buffer.
Use individual keystrokes:
- When using individual keystrokes, each character from the tag is sent as a single keystroke.
Keyboard Wedge Method
Use Virtual-Key Codes:
- This is a method used to send keyboard data to the system. If your application does not work with this method, select Use Unicode Characters.
Use Unicode Characters:
- This is a method used to send keyboard data to the system. If your application does not work with this method, select Use Virtual-Key Codes.
Select Scan Button
Use the drop-down menu to assign a hardware key for the scan action. When this key is pressed the barcode module starts scanning for tags.
Picklist Mode
This enables the barcode module to decode barcodes only aligned with the center of the laser aiming pattern.
Enhanced LCD Screen Scanning
When this option is enabled the barcode module can more easily read a barcode on an LCD screen.
Scan Consecutive Read Level
This option determines how many times a certain type of barcode must be read before the data is sent to the user. Select a number from 1 to 4.
- 1: Codabar, MSI, Discrete 2 of 5, and Interleaved 2 of 5 need two consecutive reads. All other barcodes only need one read.
- 2: All code types must have two consecutive reads.
- 3: Codabar, MSI, Discrete 2 of 5, and Interleaved 2 of 5 need three consecutive reads. All other barcodes only need two reads.
- 4: All code types must have three consecutive reads.
Reset to Default Barcode Settings
This option resets the barcode controller to the default operating parameters.
CAUTION: This cannot be undone.
Data Format
This option allows the user to automatically add additional information before (prefix) or after (suffix) a barcode is scanned. Select your preferred option from the drop-down list.
- none
- NULL
- Line Feed
- Carriage Return
- #
- $
- Tab
- Date
- Time
Barcode Types
Each screen allows you to configure the barcode module for the specific types of barcodes listed below:
- 1D Code Types Numeric
- 1D Code Types 2 of 5
- 1D Code Types UPC/EAN
- 1D Code Types Other
- Composite Codes
- Postal Codes
- 2D Code Types
For more information about barcode types, see Wikipedia: Barcode.
About
This screen shows the following information about the Barcode Connector application.
- Barcode Connector Version
- Barcode Model Number
- Barcode Imager Type
- Barcode Serial Number
- Barcode Firmware
- Support Number: 435-753-1881
For the latest Barcode Connector version or firmware update, see Mesa 3 Downloads or Mesa 2 Downloads.
RFID Connector Utility
 |
|
Home
Startup
Startup RFID Connector on bootup:
- When this option is checked the RFID Connector app will automatically open when you log in.
Start RFID Connector Minimized:
- When this option is checked the RFID Connector app will automatically open and minimize when you log in. The assigned hardware key and keyboard wedge function will still work while the utility is minimized.
Scan Test
Use this button to verify the RFID module is scanning correctly. Adjust the settings in the app as needed.
User
General
Beep when scanning during Off Time:
- This is only used on the Mesa 2.
- If the power is set too high, the RFID module cannot run continuously and must turn off for part of the time. A beep will sound if the RFID module is used during this off time.
Beep on good read:
- A beep will sound if the RFID module successfully reads a tag.
Beep on bad read:
- A beep will sound if the RFID module has not read an RFID tag when the scan time expires.
Copy Method
Use copy/paste buffer:
- The data is placed into the copy buffer and a Ctrl+V (paste) is simulated. This method has a slight speed advantage when reading larger tags. Some programs may not work well with this option.
- CAUTION: If you are scanning sensitive information, this method leaves the data in the copy buffer.
Use individual keystrokes:
- When using individual keystrokes, each character from the tag is sent as a single keystroke.
Keyboard Wedge Method
Use Virtual-Key Codes:
- This is a method used to send keyboard data to the system. If your application does not work with this method, select Use Unicode Characters.
Use Unicode Characters:
- This is a method used to send keyboard data to the system. If your application does not work with this method, select Use Virtual-Key Codes.
Select Scan Button
Use the drop-down menu to assign a hardware key for the scan action. When this key is pressed the RFID module starts scanning for tags.
Scan Type
Single Scan:
- The RFID module will scan for as long as the scan time value is set. It stops scanning as soon as the time is up, or after the first tag is found.
Continuous Scan:
- The RFID module will scan for as long as the scan time value is set. It will chain all the tags read together (including the prefixes and suffixes indicated on the Data Format tab) and send the data at the end of the scan.
Scan Time and Power Level
Scan Time:
- This determines how long the RFID module will try to read a tag.
Power Level:
- This determines the amount of power the RFID module uses. The higher the power level is set, the more range you will have. Use a lower power setting when you don't need as much range or when you are trying to read tags that are closer to the scanner if there are lots of tags in the area.
RFID Type:
- On devices that include an ATA license, select if you are reading an ATA tag or a Gen2 tag.
Worse Case Off Time:
- This only applies to the Mesa 2.
- If the power is set too high, the RFID module cannot run continuously and must turn off for part of the time. This time is based on the power level and duration of the last scan.
Data Format
This screen allows the user to automatically add additional information before (prefix) or after (suffix) a tag is read. Select your preferred option from the drop-down list.
- none
- NULL
- Line Feed
- Carriage Return
- #
- $
- Tab
- Date
- Time
About
This screen shows the following information about the RFID Connector application.
- RFID Connector Version
- Region
- Board Version
- Hardware Version
- Model Number
- Firmware Date
- Bootloader Version
- Firmware Version
- Serial Number
- Support Number: 435-753-1881
For the latest RFID Connector version or firmware update, see Mesa 3 Downloads and Mesa 2 Downloads.
