Hand Held Products Quick Check 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 containe d in this document without prior notice, and the reader shou ld in all cases consult Han d Held Products to determine whethe r any such changes have been made. The information in this public ation does[...]

Statement of Agency Compliance This device complies with par t 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this devic e may not cause harmful interferen ce, and (2) this device must accept any interfer ence receive d, including interferenc e that may cause undesired oper ation. FCC Class A Compliance Statement Thi[...]

The CE mark on the product indi cates that the system has been tested to and conforms with the provisions n oted within the 89/336/EEC Electromagnetic Compatibility Directi ve and t he 73/23/EEC Low Voltage Directive. For further information please contact: Hand Held Products, Inc. Nijverheidswe g 9 5627 BT Eindhoven The Netherlands Hand Held Produ[...]

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

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 S[...]

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

Introduc tion Hand Held Products is pleased to supply yo u with the Quick Check ® PC bar code verification system. The instrument and software offer an easy-to-use and powerful combinatio n that provides both pass/fail testing and full traditiona l and ISO/IEC verification with significant detail. This manual contains information on Quick C heck ?[...]

Getting Started with Quick Check ® PC Unpacking / What's Included When you first receive your Quick Check ® PC, inspect the packaging for any signs of shipping damage. If there is evide nce of damage, please k eep ALL packing materials and contact the delivery carrier as soon a s 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 proba bly skip reading the manual and just click different parts of the control pane l until you figure things out. That's okay. Quick Check ® PC software is designed to allow an intu itive interface for those familiar with the verificati [...]

• Press to turn unit off. • LED Status indicator: • The LED indicator is a 3-colo r indicator. • Green indicates that the interface mo dule is f unctioning properly and has established connection w ith the Quick Check ® PC software. • Amber (yellow) indicat es an error during communicati ons. • Red indicates that the interface modu le [...]

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 Che ck ® PC software onto your hard drive. You will have the option of selecting a n alternate location or folder/directory name for installation. If you choose this option, be su[...]

 Note : your settings will automatically be sav ed when 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 u seful functions not available w ith conventional[...]

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

• If you have more than one Wand or Mouse Wand, select the one that most closely matches the size of the symbols you will be verifying. (See Help Topics or “Choose the Ri ght Wand” under the “Using Quick Check ® PC” for Aperture Size recommendations or re fer to page 22.)  Disable virus checkers (BIOS and softwar e)  NOTE : Althoug[...]

with known reflectance and d imensional performance characteristics. Scan ning this symbol provides the Quic k Check ® PC with the proper reference. If you have not already done so, turn on the interface unit and start the Quick Check ® PC software. • Scan the calibration page (for the Mouse Wand) insi de the manual to begin the calibration pr [...]

• Also see below for Com port problems • Check to see if any programs are run ning that seize control of the communications port interrupt s (such as “autoanswer” fax programs). Close any conflicting applicati ons.  “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 diff erent areas). 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 configuratio n and 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 indic ate whether the software is ready to accept scans or not. • “Battery Low” indicator in low er right hand 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 gra phically. 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 wi dth). Notes • Add a text note to sy[...]

• 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 i ndicator 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, re verse only, both). • Speed Variance • Normal, Marginal, High -- whatever the cas e may be.  Right-click to select/deselect : Display of speed variance in formation Reflectance Measures Both traditional and ISO/IEC parameters are displ ayed in this area. For further information on interpretin[...]

• High intensity” red or green in dicates the achieved grad e  Right-click the “LED” area to sele ct the minimum passing ISO/IEC grade. Format Parameters • Check Digit • Pass/Fail/Not Applicable Indi cator (P, F, or N/A) and visual indicator (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 i ation as a multiple of the X dimension • Pass/Fail indicator • Visual Pass/Fail indicator (Pass/Fail backgr ound displays green or red) • Bar Width “LED” display • Five LEDs indicates bar width growth or reduction as a perc[...]

• Pass/Fail indicator • Visual Pass/Fail indicator (Pass/Fail backgr ound displays red or gree n)  Note : See Appendix A for complete listing of Additional D ata Messages. Status Bar At the bottom of the control pa nel are variable advis ory notes. • Prompts/General Messages • Ready to scan (if you don't see this, the program does n[...]

Configuration and Settings Quick Check ® PC software can be easily con figured to meet one or more application requirements. Followin g ar e the user-configur able settings. 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 produc[...]

Message Le ngth  Right Click Msg. Length display • Select variable or fixed messa ge length  Note: If fixed-length message format is selected, it will ap ply to all symbologies enabled. Wide-to-Narrow Ratio  Right Click W/N Ratio display • Enable/disable Wide-to-Narrow element ratio checkin g • Set W/N ratio requirements Speed [...]

Choosing an inappr opriate scanning apertur e will result in inaccur ate quality measures. Too small an aperture may det ect reflectance nonunif ormities (spots and voids) that would not affect scanning with a “normal” aperture size. Too large an aperture will not be abl e to resolve individual el ements of the symbol. This will generally resul[...]

Hand Held Products calibratio n page (Q CRFPG).. Scan smoothly. If you're not scanning properly, you'll b e advised of t he specific probl em by the software. • Ten consecutive scans are require d for calibration. An audi o tone indicates a successful scan. Screen pr ompts will advise yo u of your progress. Note, if scans are too variab[...]

If you need to use a different wand (apertur e), the Quick Check ® PC will accept any Hand Held Products inter changeable wand. For scanni ng with a traditional Pen Wand, the plastic support and wa nd tip must both be flat agai nst the scanning surface to maintain the pro per scanning angle.  Note: When using a Pe n Wand, both the tip of the wa[...]

View Scan Reflectance Profile View the scan reflectance profile of a sc an. The bar/sp ace pattern is displayed below the analog signal. A Zoom feature al lows detailed visual ins pection of the symbol pattern and profile. Scan Profile  V iew, S can Profile Options include the display of specific areas in the symbol profile that deter mined t[...]

Notes You can add notes to any symbol report. Notes apply to al l individual scans. Notes  V iew, User No tes Reflectometer The Quick Check ® PC can serve as a reflectometer and return static reflectance readings. Reflectometer  V iew, R eflectometer Select “Reflectometer” and place the wa nd over the area from which the readin g i[...]

Select the file you want to open. If it was not stored in the defaul t directory, select the proper drive and/or direct ory. Select the details to be inc luded in either the symbol or scan report format . If no changes are required from the previo us report format, you do not have to select these param eters and can go directly to “Print.” Conf[...]

Context Sensitive Help Context-sensitive Help  none 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 Qui ck Check ® PC. Exit  F ile, E xit  [Alt], [F4] You will be asked whether yo u rea[...]

In 1982 the American National Standards Inst itute, (ANSI) X3A1 Technical Subcommittee with the assistance of other ANSI and in dustry committees and bar code authorities, began studyin g the i ssue of bar code print qua lity in other symbologies for all types of printing methods. Through the years, bar codes had been printed that met the existing [...]

Numeric ranges exist within the alphab etic grades. Use of the numeric equivalents may provid e greater assistance i n determining symbol problems. The following illustration show s 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 profi[...]

The lowest reflectance value for at leas t one bar (Rmin) must be half or less than the highest reflectance value f or a space (Rmax). For example, if the highest space reflectance value is equ al to 80%, t he reflectance 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 element is individually ev aluated for its reflectance non- uniformity. Element reflectance non-uniform ity is the differe[...]

PC, the symbol will fail Decode even if all other param eters pass. Decode is a Pass/Fail parameter. The Scan Grade is the lowest grade rece ived out of the eight parameters tested from a given scan profile. Even though an “A ” grade might be achieved on most of the parameters, if a “C” grade is received on on e parameter then the Sc an Gra[...]

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

Possible Causes: • Small X dimension (<0.10”) m akes narrow spaces appear too narrow. • Verifier aperture too large Potential Solutions: • Make narrow spaces slightly wider th an narrow bars (if possible). • Check for proper verifier apert ure size (see Wand/Mouse Aperture Selection Table on page 21 .)  Problem: High Defects Possibl[...]

• Too fast, too slow, too variable • Practice scanning smoothly, with little pressur e on the wand. • Practice scanning the symbol, outsi de of Quiet Zone to outside of Quiet Zone in about one-half second.  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 element widths (wide and narrow). Codabar, Code 39, and Interleave d 2-of-5 are two-width symbologies. • Multiple-width symbologies have more tha n tw[...]

• Whether there is a required c heck 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 ch eck digits or characters. It is important to know whether a s ymbol contains an optional c heck digit/character or not since the decod[...]

The Quick Check ® PC provides a quick and compreh ensive basis for a bar code quality program. Setting up a bar code quality p rogram requires an understan ding of the requirements of a given applic ation, wh ether for in-ho use use or to satisfy customer requests. Reference symbology spec ifications a nd app ropriate applic ation standards (indus[...]

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 cha racters (letters), numeric digits (numbers) and[...]

average edge: An imaginary line dissecting the irregulariti es of the character edge. background: The light area between and s urrounding the bars of a printe d machine-read able symbol. The background can be the substrate on whic h the symbol is printed or an over-printing of a suitable light color. bar: Any of the dark lines in a printed machine-[...]

pressure exerted by the pri nting plate over the entire surfa ce of the symbol, and/or to prevent a short scan by the bar code read er. bi-directional: In two directions - specifically, backwards and forwards. Denoting that a machine-read able symbol can be read succ essfully either backwards or forwards. Denoting a scan ner that can operat e succe[...]

pattern of wide and narrow el ements deter mines the character bein g encoded. The intercharacter gaps are spaces wit h a minimum nominal width of 1X. See appropriate ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31 reference, when available. Code 128: A continuous, variable length, bar code symbo logy capable of encoding the full ASCII 128 character set, the 128 extend ed ASC[...]

data character: A single numeric digit, alp habetic character or punctuati on mark, or control character, that repr esents information. Compare to “symbol character”. data check character/digit: A digit or character calcul ated from data and appended as part of the data string to ensur e that the data is correctly composed and transmitted. Comp[...]

depth of field: The range of distances over whic h a scanner can reli ably read a symbol of given characteristic s. Equal to the range of the scanner minus it s optical throw. discrete bar code symbol: A symbology in which the spaces betwe en symbol characters (intercharacter ga ps) do not contain informatio n as each character begins and ends with[...]

flexography: A method of direct rotary printing using resilie nt, raised image printing plates, affixed to variable repeat pl ate cylinders, inked by a roll or engraved metal roll that is wiped by a doct or blade, carrying fluid or paste-t ype inks to virtually any substrate. font: A set of characters of a specific styl e and size of graphic type. [...]

intercharacter gap; intercharacter space: The space between the last b ar of one symbol character and the first bar of the next in a discre te bar code symbology. See “discrete code,” “contin uous code.” Interleaved 2-of-5 (ITF): A bar code symbology encodi ng the ten digits 0 through 9. The name Interleaved 2 of 5 is derived from the metho[...]

from several directions. Light sources for bar code rea ding equipment are typically infrared (900 nanometers peak), visi ble red (630 to 720 nanom eters), and incandescent (400 to 9 00 nanometers). The source wavelen gth of He-Ne laser light is precisely 632.8 n anometers. linear symbol: A one-dimensional bar code symbol. An array (linear sequ enc[...]

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

the maximum width of an element in mod ules. See “module,” “modular symbology.” nanometer; nanometre: A unit of measure used to define the wavelen gth (and hence color) of light. One nan ometre is one thousand milli onth 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 od d number of binary ones in their structure) or 'even' (having an even num ber of binary ones in their structure), used as self-checking me cha nism in machine-readable sy mbols. A parity bit (parity bar or module) can be incorporate d into an encoded character to ma[...]

read rate: The percentage repres enting the num ber of successful reads per 10 0 attempts to read a particular symbol. An attempt is a single pass of the scanner, or a single trigger pull, depending upo n the application. reader: A device used to capture the dat a encoded in a mac hine-readable symbol or other automatic data captur e me dia. Machin[...]

Reflectometer: A device that measures the amou nt of light reflected from an illuminated surface. resolution: (1) A measure of the fineness o f detail of an image that a piec e of equipment can produc e or distinguish. (2) The narr owest bar dimension that can be produced by a partic ular device or method or scann ed successfully by a particular sc[...]

space reflectance (R s ): The largest reflectance va lue in a space or quiet zone. speck: See “spot”. spectral response: The sensitivity of a scanner or other device to l ight of different wavelengths. specular reflection: Reflection from a surface in which the angl e of reflection to normal equals the angle of inc idence to normal. Specul ar r[...]

readable symbol has been c orrectly composed an d read. The symbol check character does not form part of the data encoded in the symbol. symbol contrast (SC): The reflectance difference bet ween the points of highest and lowest reflectance respec tively in a scan reflectance profile. symbol density; bar code density: The number of characters that c[...]

(2) The printing substance for xerographic p rinters and copiers. truncation: Printing a symbol with less than the symbol ogy specification’s recommended minimum height for a symbol of that length, THAT can make the symbol difficult for an operator to successfull y scan end to end. two-width symbology: A bar code symbology in which sy mbol charac[...]

emitter, typically in the range of 880nm (infra red laser 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 e lements. width code: One of two fundamental ways (see "delta code") of enc oding information in a one-dime nsional medium. Ea[...]

The Old Vicarage Haley Hill, Halifax, HX3 6DR West Yorkshire, England, UK Tel: +44 1422 368 368 Fax: +44 1422 3 55604 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 Ce nter, 1009 Lenox Drive, Suite 202, La[...]

• Input Device Connector: 9-pin plastic “squeeze to release” male • Allows input from any existing or future Hand Held Pro ducts interchangeabl e wand • I/O Connector: 9-pin DB-9 Male • Interfaces the input box to the PC serial port • Power Connector: uses the existing Ha nd Held 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 EA N/UPC • [BAD Char Seq. ] • Improper sequence of charac ters in Code[...]

Appendix B Notes for Windows Additional Notes For Windows:  If you have added a communications c ard to your system, you can have Windows set up your communications card by clickin g “Start” on the Windows TaskBar, selecting “Settings” and the n “Control Panels.” In the Control Panels window, select “Add New Hardware.”  Follow[...]

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) 2178-050 0 Fax: +55 (21) 2178-0505 E-mail: brsuporte@handh eld.com Mexico Telephone: (704) 998- 3998, option 8, option 3 E-mail: latechsupport@handheld.c om Europe, Middle East, and Africa Teleph[...]

Hand Held Products provides service for all its products through serv ice centers throughout the world. To obtain warranty or non-warranty s ervice, return the unit to Hand Held Products (postage pa id) wit h a copy of the dated purchase re cord attached. Contact the appropriate loc ation below to obtain a Return Materi al Authorization number (RMA[...]

Japan Telephone: +813-5 770-6312 Fax: +813-5770-6313 E-mail: apservice@handhe ld.com Online Product Service and Repair Assistance You can also access product service and re pair assistance online at www.handheld .com . 63[...]

Hand Held Products, Inc. 700 Visions Dri ve P.O. Box 208 Skaneateles Falls, NY 13153 -0208 QCPC600-UG Rev D 3/07[...]