Friday, August 12, 2011

Configuring the DataMan 100/200 for Match String Validation

The DataMan 100 and 200 can be configured to make a specific code the string to be matched for all subsequent codes. This is useful in packaging situations when you want to make sure that all packages on the line have the same code on them. Additionally, a code can be set as the match string on the fly, so you don’t need the DataMan setup tool running on a computer to change the match string. This note will show how this can be accomplished.


Once you have connected to your DataMan reader (DataMan 200 is being used in this instance with version 3.5.1 of the DataMan Setup Tool) select the Data Validation screen from the task tree. For any codes that you want to read (Data Matrix, QR, 1D/Stacked/Postal) set Match String Validation.  This allows a match string to be entered or taught for purposes of verifying that the correct code is present.


To be able to set the match string on the fly, on the System Setting screen, on the tab for Inputs, under “Input line 1 action” check the box next to “Set Match String.” As more than one box can be checked for the action to take when input 1 is on, be careful of what you select.

The Set Match String option could alternatively be assigned to the button on the reader itself for manual selection. The match string would be taught when the button on the reader is pressed for 3 seconds.

For specifics on using input 1 for this function see the tech note titled “Train Code or Set Match
String for DataMan 100 & 200’s.”


An output can also be set to turn on when the code that is present does not match the set string. As is shown here (System Settings task, Outputs tab) Output 0 is set to pulse closed for 100ms when a code is read; even if the code does not match it may still be read. If the code were unreadable or there was not a code present this output would not close.

Output 1 is set so that it will close for 100ms when the code that is read does not match the set string. If a code was read but it did not match the set string both outputs would close for 100ms.


Once the match string has been set, if you were to look once again at the Data Validation task, the string would appear in the match string box, as shown in this image (0123456789). To reiterate, this string could be entered manually in the box with the setup tool open and connected to the DataMan, or it can be taught using one of the inputs or the button on the reader.


When a code is presented that matches the set string, you would see something like the image above in the Results Display task. In the Read Result History, you would see whatever data has been configured to appear when a code is read (in this instance the decode string, the time taken to decode and the average size of module). In the Detailed Results Pane (rightmost pane) the code would Pass the data validation test (the codes match).


In this image a code is presented that does not match the set string. In the Read Result History the string is shown (5555555555) along with the “no match” designation. In the Detailed Results Pane the data validation test fails as the codes do not match.

(AA)








Where Did My HyperTerminal Go?


So you've just upgraded to Windows 7 and went to use Hyper Terminal – your trusty serial debugging tool that you've used forever in Windows XP (2000, 98, 95...) only to find that it is no longer there. And after searching the entire hard drive on your PC, you realize it is not anywhere to be found.

What are you going to do?

Don’t sweat it. All you need is to get a hold of a computer that is running Windows XP and copy the following files:

C:\Program Files\Window NT\hypertrm.exe
C:\Program Files\Window NT\htrn_iis.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hypertrm.dll
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hticons.dll
C:\WINDOWS\Help\hypertrm.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Help\hypertrm.hlp

Store them in a folder on your Windows 7 Computer and now anytime you need it, simply run the hypertrm.exe file and you are off and running.

So why did Microsoft decide to leave it out of Windows 7? Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe better!

If you don’t have a Windows XP computer available, simply visit the Kendall Electric ftp site at ftp:\\12.192.249.152 and snag a copy. Look for the Hyper Terminal Folder under the Info folder.

(EP)