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Links:
Scanning
| Q. |
I like the new High
Visibility Scanner in the Apex III/IV but sometimes I want
to turn off the Laser Aiming Beam (the laser dot that initially appears when
the scan button is depressed before the actual laser scan occurs). What is the
easiest way to do that? |
| The laser aiming dot can
be easily turned off by going to the C:> prompt and
typing in the following : bcdriver aimtm=0
Then hit enter and verify that the Aiming Beam is turned off. You can learn more
about the Laser Aiming Dot on page 6-6 of the Apex Tech Reference Manual.
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| ____ | |
| Q. | When I activate the laser
scanner from the DOS prompt for purposes of simply
seeing the laser output (not actually reading a bar code) I see a "Z" on the
command line after I release the scan button. Is this what I should see on the
command line after doing this? |
| Yes. The "Z" that you see is a
No Decode Scan Prefix Results Code being
correctly reported back to the screen. If you correctly scan a bar code from
the command line you will see the actual data from the bar code appear on the scan
line. The first version of the bar code driver program will also report back the
symbology prefix appended to the beginning of the scan. See page 6-10 of the
Technical Reference manual for more information on this as well as a full listing of
code types and symbol prefixes. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | When I scan a bar code from the
DOS C:> prompt the Apex response with a letter appended to the beginning of the
scanned data. Is this an error? |
| No. The Apex is reporting the
symbology prefix of the symbol type that was scanned. See page 6-9 of the Technical
Reference Manual for a complete listing of these prefixes. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | Can I turn off the symbology
prefixes from the DOS command line? |
| Yes. The symbolology prefixes can
be easily turned off by going to the C:> prompt and typing in the
following: bcdriver Prfx=N and then hit enter. The prefixes will be turned
off until you reboot the Apex or an application program turns them
back on again. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | Can the Apex differentiate
between keyboard input and bar code scanned input? |
| Most certainly the Apex can
differentiate between keyboard input and scanned input. Two techniques are
listed as follows:
1. The easiest (and preferred) method of Bar Code Driver use is to set up an
external buffer to hold the scanned data. This is easy to do in the application
program and provides a separate buffer for the scanned data. Keypad data is
handled normally through the keypad buffer.
2. A second technique that can be used to disable the SCAN key with
the "BCDRIVER -btn" command. This disables the scanner from automatically
starting when the SCAN key is pressed and gives the program ultimate control
of when the scanning process is allowed. The application program simply
watches for the SCAN key
press (an extended key code of 0x3800) and initiates the scanning
process with a Service 03 call. The program now knows that any
data following this is a result of a scanning operation.
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Power
| Q. | When I press the Red Power
Button on the Apex does this completely power the Apex down? |
| |
| No. This process will put the
Apex into the "Suspend Mode". Users can verify this by depressing only the
Red Power Button at the bottom of the Apex keypad and observing the
Apex screen to go blank. If the Red Power Button is pressed a second time
the unit will immediately "wake-up" and resume terminal operation at the point
where it was when the unit was put into the "Suspend Mode". It is important to
note that some Apex internal circuitry will still be powered while in the
suspend mode and therefore will still place a load on the batteries even though
the unit appears to be powered down. You can learn more about Apex Power Modes
in Section 9 of the Tech Reference Manual. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | What is the correct way to fully
power-down the Apex. |
| |
| Hold down the green FN and
simultaneously depress the Red Power Button. This will completely power down the
Apex. It is important to note, the User should save all data prior to
powering the unit down in this manner as the Apex perform a cold reboot
when the power is reapplied. |
| |
LCD
| Q. | How Can I make the screen fonts
appear larger on the Apex LCD. |
| |
|
The screen size you see during the initial boot process is 8x8 pixels. This size produces a 30 character by 20 line
display. To change the Apex LCD screen font size, we have included an easy to use utility called FONTSIZE.
This utility provides the ability to optimize the LCD font size to the user's application.
For example, this extremely flexible optimization can be used to either minimize the font size
providing the maximum amount of information displayed on the screen) or to maximize the font size
providing easier readability) depending on the user's application requirements.
The FONTSIZE utility allows the user to conveniently change font displayed on the
Apex LCD Screen in both the font height and/or font width.
The available font options include 8 x 8, 8 x 16, 16 x 8, and 16 x 16 pixel configurations.
Syntax: fontsize [t|T|w|W]
Option Description
t font height = 8
T font height = 16
w font width = 8
W font width = 16
r resets font size to 8 x 8
b forces a 16 x 16 font
none "fontsize" with no command line parameter returns help
Example:
fontsize W t
Sets the font to 16 x 8; text window goes to 15 x 20.
fontsize w t (or fontsize r)
Sets the font to 8 x 8; text window goes to 30 x 20.
fontsize w T
Sets the font to 8 x 16; text window goes to 30 x 10.
fontsize T W (or fontsize b)
Sets the font to 16 x 16; text window goes to 15 x 10.
Programing note:
BIOS Int 10h, function 11h, sub-functions 2 and 4 may also be used to
switch font heights (refer to the Display section within the
Technical Reference Manual).
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Interface
| Q. | Can I use the Apex II RS-232
Cable (Compsee p.n. 0227001) with the Apex III and IV? |
| |
| Yes. The RS-232 pinout is identical
between the Apex II, III and IV at the RJ-45 connector. See page 3-1 of the
Technical Reference Manual for more information. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | The Apex provides +5 VDC
on the RS-232 port. Does the Apex also provide this voltage on the
RS-232 port? |
| |
| Yes, but the Apex is shipped
with the 5 VDC turned-off to protect the interface of equipment that might be
hooked to this port. The user can enable the 5 VDC by setting the internal dip
switch 4 to the ON position. This places 5 VDC on Pin 1 at the RJ-45 connector
on the RS-232 End-Cap. See page 3-3 of the Technical Reference manual
for more information about the RS-232 port. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | What is the maximum current
the 5 VDC line on the RS-232 port can supply? |
| |
| 400 ma. See page 3-1 of the
Technical Reference Manual for more information. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | I noticed that the screen alpha
characters are lower case unless I hold down the yellow shift key while I
simultaneously press an alpha key. Is there a way to lock the keypad in
upper case mode? |
| |
| Yes. Hold down the green key
and press the yellow SHIFT key. You will now notice that all the alpha characters
are upper case. This sometimes makes the text that you type in a bit easier to
read. You can change back to lowercase default by holding the key and pressing
the yellow SHIFT key. Please note.. shift lock does not effect the numeric keys
or the Function keys at the top of the keypad. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | I would like to hear a sound
when I press a key. This helps me to verify that I did completely press the
key sufficiently to make contact and produce the desired results. Is there
a "Key Click" option and how do I use it? |
| |
| Yes. First, save any data and
reboot the Apex. Carefully watch the LCD and look for the message that
appears at the bottom of the first boot screen. It says "Press F2 to enter SETUP".
Depress the F-2 button on the top-left of the keypad. After about four seconds
you will see the first reverse video SETUP Screen. Press the down arrow 7
times to bring your cursor to the "Keyboard Features" selection. Hit ENTER one
time. This will open the "Keyboard Features Selection Screen". Press the SPACE key
one time. Then hold down the FN key and press the "E" key twice.
Then hit ENTER twice to exit save the changes. The Apex will then reboot.
After the unit reboots, verify that the Apex produces a click sound when
depressing any key. The volume setting (FN V) will now adjust the volume
of the key click. Using the SHIFT key and the key in conjunction with any
key will produce a double click. See page 4-3 of the Technical Reference
Manual for more information on SETUP. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | What is the simplest method
to reboot the Apex? |
| |
| First, save any data as appropriate.
Depress the SCAN key and momentarily depress the Red Power Button while holding
the SCAN key down. The Apex will then reboot. The Apex can also be
rebooted by depressing the ALT-CTRL and DEL keys. And, a third way to reboot
the Apex is to power the unit down completely by using the FN + Red Power
Button. Then hit the Red Power Button and observe the Apex will cold boot.
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Wireless Trouble Shooting Tips
|
- Avoid interference. Network cabling can be run under floors, around office dividers, or over dropped ceilings. When planning your wiring layout, try to keep cables away from power outlets, large A.C. motors (like air conditioners), florescent lighting fixtures, uninterruptible power supplies, and other sources of strong electromagnetic interference.
- Up linking to other Hubs or Switches. Connect the Access Point to a standard 10BaseT port on your hub or switch. Maximum uplink distance to a switch or a 10Mbps hub is 100 meters (328 feet).
- Check the Access Point LED Indicators. The Link LED (amber) serves two purposes. If the LED is continuously lit, the Access Point is successfully connected to a device through the LAN port. If the LED is flickering, it is an indication of any network activity.
- Reset the Access Point. If you have exhausted everything and still are having difficulties, try resetting the Access Point. You can accomplish this by unplugging DC power to the Access Point for 3 seconds. Then restore power by plugging the D.C. Power back in.
- Reset the Access Point to factory default. If you want to start over and set the Access Point to the factory defaults, you will need to login to the Access Point Main Menu and select Special Functions. In the bottom left portion of the Special Functions Menu you will need to select the Restore Factory Configuration option.
- Cross-over cables. If you are connecting your Access Point directly to your computer's network card, you must use a Category 3 or Category 5 cross-over cable. These can be purchased at most computer stores. (note.. be sure to clearly mark your cross-over cable in some manner to allow it to be easily identified as a cross over cable.)
- Wireless Site Survey. There is no way to know the exact range of your wireless network without testing. Leaded glass, metal, reinforced concrete floors and walls may inhibit the signal and reduce range. Compsee Professional Services can perform detailed site surveys that will ensure your desired coverage in your working environment.
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Wireless FAQ's
| Q. | What is an Access Point? |
| |
| Your Access Point is a transparent Media Access Control (MAC) bridge that provides access for wireless stations to a wired local area network (LAN). With an Access Point, wireless workstations can be added quickly and easily to an existing wired network. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | What is WEP? |
| |
| There are two levels of WEP Encryption - 64 and 128 bit. You may also have heard the number 40-bit used in conjunction with WEP Encryption. 40-bit WEP and 64-bit WEP are two different names for the same encryption method. This level of WEP encryption has been called 40-bit because it uses a 40-bit secret key along with a 24-bit Initialization Vector (40 + 24 = 64). Because there has been no official standardization of these terms, wireless vendors may use either name. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | Does my Access Point work as a firewall? |
| |
| No. An Access Point is only a bridge from wired Ethernet to wireless clients. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | I have excellent signal strength, but I cannot see my network. |
| |
| WEP is probably enabled on your Access Point, but not on your adapter. Ensure that the same Passphrase or Key is being used on both devices. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | Can I mix wireless adapters from other vendors to connect to my Access Point? |
| |
| Yes. Any wireless adapter that adheres to the IEEE 802.11b standard will function with any other IEEE 802.11b compliant Access Point. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | What is Roaming and How Does it Work? |
| |
| Roaming is the ability of a portable data collection device or portable computer user to communicate continuously while moving freely throughout an area greater than that covered by a single access point. In such a system, the user's end node undertakes a search for the best possible access to the system. First, it evaluates such factors as signal strength and quality. Based on that information the node next selects the strongest Access Point and registers its address. Communications between end node and host computer can then be transmitted up and down the backbone. When a node no longer receives acknowledgment from its original access point, it undertakes a new search. Upon finding a new access point, it then re-registers, and the communication process continues. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | What is SSID? |
| |
| Service Set Identifier (SSID)- Sometimes referred to as Extended Service Set Identifier or ESSID, is an identifier attached to packets sent over the wireless LAN that functions as a "password" for joining a particular radio network. Users within an ESS can roam freely between Access Points while being served as a continuous connection. However, all radios and access points within the same network must use the same SSID, or their packets will be ignored. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | What is the ISM band? |
| |
| The FCC and their counterparts outside of the U.S. have set aside bandwidth for unlicensed use in the so-called ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band. Spectrum in the vicinity of 2.4GHz, in particular, is being made available worldwide. This presents a truly revolutionary opportunity to place convenient high-speed wireless capabilities in the hands of users around the globe. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | What is IEEE 802.11b? |
| |
| The IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN standards subcommittee, which is formulating a standard for the industry. The objective is to enable wireless LAN hardware from different manufacturers to communicate. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | Can my wireless information be intercepted? |
| |
| Most wireless adapters features twofold protection in security. On the hardware side, as Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum technology, it has the inherent security feature of scrambling. On the software side, the encryption function (WEP) may be enabled to enhance security. |
| ____ | |
| Q. | What is the maximum number of users supported by the Access Point? |
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| The Access Point supports up to 32 simultaneous users.
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| ____ | |
| Q. | Can my wireless clients share printers? |
| |
| Yes. Wireless adapters perform the same function as LAN products. Therefore it can work with NetWare, Windows NT / 2000, or other LAN operating systems to support printer or file sharing.
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| ____ | |
| Q. | Will the Access Point function in a Mac environment? |
| |
| Yes, the WAP11 will communicate with Macs using 802.11b compliant equipment. |
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