HandHeld Entertainment PC600 manual

Quick Check® PC600 Bar Code Verifier User’s Guide[...]

Disclaimer Hand Held Products, Inc. (“Hand Held Pr oducts”) reserves the right to make changes in specifications and other in formation contained in this docume nt without prior notice, and the reader should i n all cases consult Hand Held Products to determine whether any such cha nges have been made. The information in this publication does n[...]

Statement of Agency Compliance This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operat ion is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interfer ence received, includ ing interference that may cause undesired operatio n. FCC Class A Compliance Statement This e[...]

The CE mark on the product indi cates that the system has been tested to and conforms with the provisions noted wit hin the 89/336/EEC Electromagnetic Compatibility Directi ve and the 73/2 3/EEC Low Voltage Directive. For further information please contact: Hand Held Products, Inc. Nijverheidsweg 9 5627 BT Eindhoven The Netherlands Hand Held Produc[...]

EXCEPT AS MAY BE OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER COVENANTS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, ORAL OR WRITTEN, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. HAND HELD PRODUCTS’ RESPONSIBILITY AND PURCHASER’S EXCLUSIVE RE[...]

5[...]

i T able of Cont ents Introduction ....................................................................................... 1 Getting Started with Quick Check ® PC............................................. 2 Unpacking / What's Included ............................................................................. 2 Quick Check ® PC Quick St[...]

Frequently Asked Questions ........................................................... 35 Glossary of Terms ............................................................................ 39 Additional Sources of Information ................................................. 56 Electrical Specifications .................................................[...]

Introduc tion Hand Held Products is pleased to supply you with the Quick Check ® PC bar code verification system. The instrument and software offer an easy-to-use and powerful combination that pro vides both pass/fail testing and full traditional and ISO/IEC verification with significant detail. This manual contains information on Quick Check ® P[...]

Getting Started with Quick Check ® PC Unpacking / What's Included When you first receive your Quick Check ® PC, inspect the packagin g for any signs of shipping damage. If there is evidenc e of damage, please keep ALL packing materials and contact the deliv ery carrier as soon as possible for claim procedure. Unpack the Quick Check ® PC car[...]

Quick Check ® PC Quick Start If you've used a Quick Check ® or other verifier before, you'll probably skip r eading the manual and just click different parts of the control panel until you figure things out. That's okay. Quick Check ® PC software is designed to allow an intuitive interface for those familiar with the verificatio n[...]

• Press to turn unit off. • LED Status indicator: • The LED indicator is a 3-color indicat or. • Green indicates that the interface mo dule is functio ning properly and has established connection with the Quick C heck ® PC software. • Amber (yellow) indicates an er ror during communications. • Red indicates that the interface module ca[...]

Type D:setup and click “OK”. (Note, if your CD is not drive “D” then you should type that letter instead of “D”.) The Install program will install the Quick Check ® PC software onto your hard drive. You will have the option of selecting an alternate loc ation or folder/directory name for installation. If you choose this option, be sur[...]

 Note : your settings will automatically be saved wh en you exit the Quick Check ® PC program.  Note : For information on default settings , see the “Select Verification Parameters” in the following section. 2. You are now ready to verify symbols. Quick Check ® PC software provides many useful functio ns not available with conventional [...]

 Keyboard shortcut or operati on  IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN AV AILABLE COM PORT: STOP! For computers with USB and parallel ports (no seri al ports) you can use a USB to serial converter (USB on PC end, male serial on end that connects to the QCDB09F female 9-pin serial port or a PC C ard (PCMCIA) with a male serial adapter. You may not connect th[...]

• If you have more than one Wand or Mouse Wand, select the on e that most closely matches the size of the symbols you will be verifying. (See Help Topics or “Choose the Right W and” under the “Using Quick Check ® PC” for Aperture Size recommendations or refer to page 2 2.)  Disable virus checkers (BIOS and software)  NOTE : Althoug[...]

with known reflectance and di mensional performance c haracteristics. Scanning this symbol provides the Quick Check ® PC with the proper referenc e. If you have not already done so, turn on the interface u nit and start the Quick Check ® PC software. • Scan the calibration page (for the Mouse Wand) inside the manu al to begin the calibration pr[...]

• Also see below for Com port problems • Check to see if any programs are running tha t seize control of the communications port interrupts (such as “aut oanswer” fax programs). Close any conflicting applications.  “No Connection!” appears on the Quick Check ® PC status bar. • Check to make sure the interface module is t urned on [...]

Quick Check ® PC Features The Quick Check ® PC screen is divided into a number of different are as). Title Line • Program name; name of open Quick Check ® PC saved file (if any) in brackets. Menu Line • Provides access to the Quick Check ® PC's configuration an d file management functions. Toolbar Icons • Quick and easy access to the[...]

• Scan status (# of #) • Current COM port selection • Status “LED” red/green/off indicator in lower right to indicate wheth er the software is ready to accept scans or not. • “Battery Low” indicator in lower right ha nd corner (appears only during battery low conditions). Menu items are shown below. • For menu access, Quick Check [...]

Next Scan • View the results of the one next scan (of a series). Scan Profile • View the scan reflectance profile graphic ally. Element Graph • View graph of element widths for current scan. Calculate X • Calculate the width of the narrow elem ent in inches or centimeters (by entering measured symbol width). Notes • Add a text note to sym[...]

• Accumulated Scans • Indicates the total number of scans required (red indicators) for a symbol profile; the number of scans already completed (green bars). As scans are completed, red indicat or bars turn green.  Right-click to set: Number of scans • ISO/IEC Symbol Grade • Running average of all scans, symbol grade in ISO/IEC format[...]

: Allowable scan direction(s) (forward only, reverse on ly, both). • Speed Variance • Normal, Marginal, High -- whatever the cas e may be.  Right-click to select/deselect : Display of speed variance information Reflectance Measures Both traditional and ISO/IEC parameters are displayed in this area. For further information on interpreting [...]

• High intensity” red or green indicates the ac hieved grade  Right-click the “LED” area to sele ct the minimum passing ISO/IEC grade. Format Parameters • Check Digit • Pass/Fail/Not Applicable Indicator (P, F, or N/A) and visual indicat or (red, green, gray)  Right-click the Check Digit “circle” to turn on or off optio [...]

: Code 39 : Interleaved 2-of-5 (ITF, I 2/5) : Codabar • Average Bar Error • Numeric measure of bar width dev iation as a multiple of the X dimension • Pass/Fail indicator • Visual Pass/Fail indicator (Pass/Fail background d isplays green or red) • Bar Width “LED” display • Five LEDs indicates bar width growth or redu ction as a perc[...]

• Pass/Fail indicator • Visual Pass/Fail indicator (Pass/Fail background d isplays red or green)  Note : See Appendix A for complete listing of Additional Data Messages. Status Bar At the bottom of the control pa nel are variable advisory note s. • Prompts/General Messages • Ready to scan (if you don't see this, the program does not[...]

Configuration and Settings Quick Check ® PC software can be easily configure d to meet one or more application requirements. Following ar e the user-configurable settin gs. Verification Parameters Number of Scans Set Scan Count  S ettings, S can  Right click Accumulated Scans display • Select from 1 to 50 indi vidual scans to produce[...]

Message Length  Right Click Msg. Length display • Select variable or fixed message length  Note: If fixed-length message format is selected, it will apply to all symbologies enabled. Wide-to-Narrow Ratio  Right Click W/N Ratio display • Enable/disable W ide-to-Narrow element ratio checking • Set W/N ratio requirements Speed Var[...]

Choosing an inappropri ate scanning aperture will result in i naccurate quality measures. Too small an aperture may det ect reflectance nonuniformities (spots and voids) that would not affect scannin g with a “normal” aperture size. Too larg e an aperture will not be able to resolve i ndividual elements of the symbol. This will generally result[...]

Hand Held Products calibration pag e (Q CRFPG).. Scan smoothly. If you're not scanning properly, you'll be advised of t he specific problem by the software. • Ten consecutive scans are required for cali bration. An audio tone indicates a successful scan. Screen prompt s will advise you of your progress. Note, if scans are too variable, [...]

If you need to use a different wand (apertur e), the Quick Check ® PC will accept any Hand Held Products interchan geable wand. For scanning with a traditi onal Pen Wand, the plastic support and wa nd tip must both be flat against the scanning surface to maintain the proper scanning angle.  Note: When using a Pen Wan d, both the tip of the wand[...]

View Scan Reflectance Profile View the scan reflectance profile of a sc an. The bar/space pattern is disp layed below the analog signal. A Zoom feature allo ws detailed visual inspection of the symbol pattern and profile. Scan Profile  V ie w, S can Profile Options include the display of specific are as in the symbol profile that determined t[...]

Notes You can add notes to any symbol report. Notes apply to all indiv idual scans. Notes  V ie w, User No tes Reflectometer The Quick Check ® PC can serve as a reflectometer and return static reflectance readings. Reflectometer  V ie w, R eflectometer Select “Reflectometer” and place the wa nd o ver the area from which the reading[...]

Select the file you want to open. If it was not stored in the defaul t directory, select the proper drive and/or directory. Select the details to be included in e ither the symbol or scan report format. If no changes are required from the previous repor t format, you do not have to select these parameters a nd can go directly to “Print.” Config[...]

Context Sensitive Help Context-sensitive Help  non e Select context-sensitive Help then cli ck on dif ferent areas of the screen for an explanation. Admittedly, humans should be allowed to have only so much fun so at some point you will need to exit Quick Check ® PC. Exit  F ile, E xit  [Alt], [F4] You will be asked whether you real[...]

In 1982 the American National Standards Institute, (ANSI) X3A1 Techn ical Subcommittee with the assistance of other ANSI and indust ry committees and bar code authorities, began studying the i ssu e of bar code print quality in other symbologies for all types of printing methods. Through the y ears, bar codes had been printed that met the existing [...]

Numeric ranges exist within the alphabetic gr ades. Use of the numeric equivalents may provide great er assistance in determining symbol pro blems. The following illustration shows a Scan Re flectance Profile from a Quick Check ® PC scan of a symbol. To differentiate bars and spaces, a Global Threshold is established on the scan reflectance profil[...]

The lowest reflectance value for at leas t one bar (Rmin) mu st be half or less than the highest reflectance value for a space (R max). For example, if the highest space reflectance value is equal to 80%, t he reflectanc e value of at least one bar in the profile must be 40% or less. Minimum Reflectance is a Pass/Fail parameter. Rmin ≤ 0.5 Rmax =[...]

A ≥ 70% B ≥ 60% C ≥ 50% D ≥ 40% F < 40% Defects are voids (light areas) found in the bars or spots (dark areas) found in the spaces and quiet zones of the code. According to the ISO/IEC print quality guideline, each eleme nt is individually evaluat ed for its reflectance non- uniformity. Element reflectance non-uniform ity is the differe[...]

PC, the symbol will fail Decode even if all other parameters pass. Deco de is a Pass/Fail parameter. The Scan Grade is the lowest grade receive d out of the eight parameters tested from a given scan profile. Even though an “A” grade might b e achieved on most of the parameters, if a “C” grade is received on one par ameter then the Scan Grad[...]

common corrective actions that can be attempted to remedy symbol qual ity problems.  Problem: Low Symbol Contrast (SC) or PCS Possible Causes: • High Minimum Reflectance (Rmin) • Bars too “light” • Incorrect verification light source • Low Maximum Reflectance (Rmax) • Dark substrate Potential Solutions: • Darken bars, i.e., use a[...]

Possible Causes: • Small X dimension (<0.10”) makes narr ow spaces appear too narrow. • Verifier aperture too large Potential Solutions: • Make narrow spaces slightly wider than narr ow bars (if possible). • Check for proper verifier aperture size (see W and/Mouse Aperture Selection Table on page 21 .)  Problem: High Defects Possibl[...]

• Too fast, too slow, too variable • Practice scanning smoothly, with little pressure on the wa nd. • Practice scanning the symbol, outsi de of Quiet Zone to outside of Quiet Zone in about one-half secon d.  Scanner Missing, Scanner Disable d • The software is unable to detect the presenc e of a wand. • Make sure the verification input[...]

Parts of a Bar Code Symbol Each symbology has its own characteristi cs. Basic charact eristics of bar code symbologies are: • The number of element widths. • Two-width symbologies have only two eleme nt widths (wide and narrow). Codabar, Code 39, and Interleaved 2-of-5 are two-width symbologies. • Multiple-width symbologies have more than two[...]

• Whether there is a required check di git or character for the symbology, Check digits/characters help ensure that symbol data is correctly entered into the computer system. • Some symbologies have optional check dig its or characters. It is important to know whether a symbol co ntains an optional check digit/character or not since the decodin[...]

The Quick Check ® PC provides a quick and comprehens ive basis for a bar code quality program. Setting up a bar code quality program req uires an understanding of the requirements of a given applic ation, wh ether for in-house use or to satisfy customer requests. Reference symbology specific ations a nd appropriate app lication standards (industry[...]

Glossary of Terms achieved width: The actual element width based on measurements. algorithm: A set of steps guaranteed to effect a desired result by virtue of mathematical proof. A set of steps wit hout the proof is referred to as a procedure. alphanumeric: A character set that contains alphabetic characters (letters), numeric digits (numbers) and [...]

average edge: An imaginary line dissecting the irregularities of the character edge. background: The light area between and surroun ding the bars of a printed machine-readabl e symbol. The background can be the substrate on whic h the symbol is printed or an over-printing of a suitable l ight color. bar: Any of the dark lines in a printed machine-r[...]

pressure exerted by the printi ng plate over the entire surface of the symbol, and/or to prevent a short scan by the bar code reader. bi-directional: In two directions - specifically, backwards and forwards. Denoting that a machine-readable sym bol can be read successfully eit her backwards or forwards. Denoting a scanner that can operate successfu[...]

pattern of wide and narrow elements deter m ines the character being encoded. The intercharacter gaps are spaces with a minimum n ominal width of 1X. See appropriate ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31 reference, when available. Code 128: A continuous, variable length, bar code symbolo gy capable of encoding the full ASCII 128 character set, the 128 extende d ASCI[...]

data character: A single numeric digit, alphabetic charact er or punctuation mark, or control character, that repr esents information. Compare to “symbol character”. data check character/digit: A digit or character calculated from data and appended as part of the data string to ensur e that the data is correctly co mposed and transmitted. Compa[...]

depth of field: The range of distances over whic h a scanner can reliab ly read a symbol of given characteristics. Equal to the range of the s canner minus its optical throw. discrete bar code symbol: A symbology in which the spaces between s ymbol characters (intercharacter gaps) do not cont ain information as each char acter begins and ends with [...]

flexography: A method of direct rotary printing using resilient, raised imag e printing plates, affixed to variable repeat plate cylind ers, inked by a roll or engraved metal roll that is wiped by a doct or blade, carrying fluid or paste-type inks to virtually any substrate. font: A set of characters of a specific styl e and size of graphic type. A[...]

intercharacter gap; intercharacter space: The space between the last bar of one symbol character and the first bar of the next in a discrete bar code symbology. See “discrete code,” “continuou s code.” Interleaved 2-of-5 (ITF): A bar code symbology encoding t he ten digits 0 through 9. The name Interleaved 2 of 5 is derived from the method [...]

from several directions. Light sources for bar code reading equi pment are typically infrared (900 nanometers peak), visible re d (630 to 720 nanometers), and incandescent (400 to 900 nanom eters). The source wavelength of He-Ne laser light is precisely 632.8 nanom eters. linear symbol: A one-dimensional bar code symbol. An array (linear sequence) [...]

minimum reflectivity difference: The difference between the smallest minimum space reflectance value and the largest maximum bar reflectance value as measured across the entire symbol; wher e: MAD = Min (As min) - Max (Ab max), As = Minimum Space Reflectance, Ab = Maximum Bar Reflectance . Bar, space, and MAD reflectances can be expr ess ed as perc[...]

the maximum width of an element in modules. See “modu le,” “modular symbology.” nanometer; nanometre: A unit of measure used to define the wavelengt h (and hence color) of light. One nanometre is on e thousand millionth of a meter (10 -9 meters), or ten angstroms. Abbreviation: nm. NDC (National Drug Code): A ten-digit code number assigned [...]

parity: A system for encoding characters as 'odd' (having an odd numb er of binary ones in their structure) or 'even' (having an even number of bin ary ones in their structure), used as self-checking me chanism in machin e-readable symbols. A parity bit (parity bar or module) can be incorporated into a n encoded character to mak[...]

read rate: The percentage repres enting the num ber of successful reads per 100 attempts to read a particular symbol. An attempt is a single pass of the scanner, or a single trigger pull, depending upon the applicati on. reader: A device used to capture the data en coded in a machine-rea dable symbol or other automatic data captur e medi a. Machine[...]

Reflectometer: A device that measures the amou nt of light reflected from an illuminated surface. resolution: (1) A measure of the fineness of detail of an image that a piece of equipment can produce or dis tinguish. (2) The narrowest bar dimens ion that can be produced by a particul ar device or method or scanned successfully by a particular scann[...]

space reflectance (R s ): The largest reflectance value i n a space or quiet zone. speck: See “spot”. spectral response: The sensitivity of a scanner or other device to light of different wavelengths. specular reflection: Reflection from a surface in which the angle of reflec tion to normal equals the angle of incidenc e to normal. Specular ref[...]

readable symbol has been c orrectly composed and read. The symbol che ck character does not form part of the data encoded in the symbol. symbol contrast (SC): The reflectance difference bet we en the points of highest and lowest reflectance respectively in a sca n reflectance profile. symbol density; bar code density: The number of characters that [...]

(2) The printing substance for xerographic printers an d copiers. truncation: Printing a symbol with less than the symbology specification’s recommended minimum height for a symbol of that length, THAT can make the symbol difficult for an operator to successfully scan end to end. two-width symbology: A b ar code symbology in which sy mbol charact[...]

emitter, typically in the range of 880nm (infrared las er diodes) to 633nm (He-Ne lasers). wide/narrow ratio: In a two-width symbology, the ratio of the widths of wider elements in a symbol to those of the narrow elements. width code: One of two fundamental ways (see "delta code") of encodi ng information in a one-dimensi onal medium. Eac[...]

The Old Vicarage Haley Hill, Halifax, HX3 6DR West Yorkshire, England, UK Tel: +44 1422 368368 Fax: +44 1422 355 604 Website : www.aimuk.org GS1 Europe Blue Tower, Avenue Louise, 326 BE 1050 Brussels Belgium Tel: +32 2 788 7800 Fax: +32 2 788 7899 Website : www.GS1.org North America Princeton Pike Corporate Cen ter, 1009 Lenox Drive, Suite 202, Law[...]

• Input Device Connector: 9-pin plastic “squee ze to release” male • Allows input from any existing or future Hand Held Products interchangeable wan d • I/O Connector: 9-pin DB-9 Male • Interfaces the input box to the PC serial port • Power Connector: uses the existing Hand H eld Products Quick Check ® AC charger • Provides power f[...]

Appendix A Messages Additional Data Messages: • [nnn% Magnified ] • Magnification report (UPC/EAN) • [Total = nn X ] • Total number of elements in symbol • [Quiet Zones OK ] • Both Quiet Zones pass. Error Messages: • [BAD # System ] • Disallowed UCC Prefix in EAN/UPC • [BAD Char Seq. ] • Improper sequence of characters in Cod e [...]

Appendix B Notes for Windows Additional Notes For Windows:  If you have ad ded a communications card to your system, you can h ave Windows set up your communications card by clicking “Sta rt” on the Windows TaskBar, selecting “Settings” and then “Cont rol Panels.” In the Control Panels window, select “Add New Hardware.”  Follo[...]

Telephone: (704) 998-3998, option 8, option 3 Telephone: (800) 782-4263, option 8, option 3 E-mail: latechsupport@handheld.c om Brazil Telephone: +55 (21) 2178-0500 Fax: +55 (21) 2178-0505 E-mail: brsuporte@handheld. com Mexico Telephone: (704) 998- 3998, optio n 8, option 3 E-mail: latechsupport@handheld.c om Europe, Middle East, and Africa Teleph[...]

Hand Held Products provides service for all it s products through service centers throughout the world. To obtain warranty or non-warranty service, return t he unit to Hand Held Products (postage paid) wit h a copy of the dat ed purchase record attached. Contact the appropriate location be low to obtain a Return Material Authorization number (RMA #[...]

Japan Telephone: +813-5770- 6312 Fax: +813-5770-6313 E-mail: apservice@handheld. com Online Product Service and Repair Assistance You can also access product service and repair assist ance online at www.handheld. com . 63[...]

Hand Held Products, Inc. 700 Visions Drive P.O. Box 208 Skaneateles Falls, NY 13153-020 8 QCPC600-UG Rev D 3/07[...]