The POS is able to support barcode scanners connected to any combination of the following:

• Serial scanners connected to COM1 through COM19.
• Keyboard Wedge scanners (maximum 1 wedge scanner)
• COM/OLE connected scanners (advanced programming technique)

Serial connection settings

To connect a serial scanner, the scanner simply needs to send the barcode data and not much else. A trailing CR (return) is useful in most situations. Generally serial scanners will work "out of the box", but the POS has the following default commuication settings:

• 7 Bits (Controlled by the setting BarcodeBits)
• Even parity
• One Stop bit

Keyboard Wedge settings

These scanners will almost always require programming before functioning. This is because the POS is unique in that we are able to detect a barcode scan anywhere, regardless of which field the user is in when they scan a barcode. This differs from many other POS system which require the user to be in a certain place before scanning.

Technically, the POS requires a prefix and suffix character to be sent before and after the barcode digits. This prefix and suffix allow the POS to differentiate between barcode scans and normal keyboard typing. By default, the POS expects a barcode scanner to send a prefix of STX and a suffix of ETX. These are the default values, and correspond to the values %002% and %003% in the prefix and suffix boxes on the barcode configuration screen respectively.

Programming a scanner to accept these values can be somewhat complex the first time a scanner model is encountered. This is because each programming guide for barcode scanners is different, and the method by which scanners are programmed also varies from scanner to scanner. The support area has some instructions and/or printable cards for programming common scanner types.

Not all scanners can be programmed to send STX/ETX, especially low end scanners. If this is true, you may need to select a different set of prefix and suffix characters.

No Prefix/Suffix Operation

It is also possible to configure a wedge scanner that is not able to send prefix and suffix characters (V2.4.4.21). These scanners tend to be low cost models that simply send the actual numbers. Fieldpine do not recommend use of this mode of operation if your scanner is capable of sending prefix and suffix characters, as the overall reliability is not as high and mis-scans and garbled data will occur from time to time. It is however, very useful to be able to configure a system to operate in this mode under some circumstances, such as marketing setups and new stores without the barcode programming manuals.

Restrictions

1. Only numeric barcodes are permitted.
2. Barcodes must be a minimum to 8 digits to read
3. Advanced operation, such as EAN-128 (UCC-128) is not permitted.
4. Slight delays when keying numbers on the keyboard will be apparent.

To setup this mode of operation, on the configure barcode screen, tick the box to enable keyboard wedge handling, and delete the values in the prefix and suffix boxes. Press OK to save these settings. Once set, you will need to restart the POS for the change to be effective, as keyboard wedge control is only installed at POS startup.