Programming a Tricoder

Tricoder Portable Barcode reader. Other portable readers may work also; contact BBL Systems for information before purchasing another type of bar code reader. The Tricoder can easily read ProfitSystem 3of9 barcodes but will NOT read ProfitSystem I2of5 barcodes.

NOTE

If your Tricoder was purchased through BBL Systems, it has already been programmed and is ready to use, and you can skip ahead to the section Using the Tricoder. If you have purchased the Tricoder directly from Worthington Data Systems, continue with the instructions below.

Before you attempt to program the reader, make sure no data exists in the reader. ​ If it is NEW, there will not be any data, so you can proceed. However, if you have been trying out the reader and there is data, delete it before beginning. ​ To delete data, you must enter into the reader's Upload program (refer to your bar code manual) and perform the steps to upload the data. The reader does not have to be connected to the computer. ​ Once the system has completed its upload cycle, it will ask you to delete the file. Respond with Yes. This will delete the existing data. ​ The TriCoder must be set to read 3of9 full ASCII (refer to TriCoder manual for detailed instructions to do this.) ​

Programming the Tricoder

Turn the reader on.
Press F1 and answer NO to the prompts until it asks:
PROGRAMMING MODE
KEY [YES/NO]?
Press the (YES) key. The reader will ask:
PROGRAMMING MODE
PASSWORD?

Enter WDTRI and press YES from the reader's keypad. Press the blue SHIFT key (in top right-hand corner of the pad) to switch between numeric and alpha input from the readers keypad. The reader will then ask:

Program function key
Create programs 1-3
Voice operations 4
Change set-up 5

Choose Voice operations (#4) and record voice prompts. Refer to the Tricoder manual for more detailed instructions on how to record your voice prompts. Each voice prompt has a number assigned to it. You need to record the following voice prompts and assign them to the following numbers:

19 - style
20 - quantity

When voice recording is complete, press F1 to return to the program function key menu. Then select 1 to edit program number 1:

PROGRAM NO.?
KEY [1-3]?
The reader is asking you which program to modify.
You want program number 1, so enter 1.
The reader will ask:
EDIT PROGRAM 1
KEY [YES/NO]?
Press the YES key. The reader will ask:
PROGRAM NAME_
If a name exists, you can delete it with the delete key. Then enter, from the reader's keypad:

ProfitSystem INVENTORY

When you are finished, press the YES key.

The following prompts will appear. Use the reader's keypad to modify input the program as it appears below. When an entry is completed, press the (YES) key to go to the next entry. You can use the arrow keys on the keypad to review the program statements.

ENTRY TYPE 01
D

PROMPT 01
ENTER ITEM NO.

FREQUENCY
A
MESSAGE NUMBER
19

DATA ID. 01
_

DATA TYPE 01
_

MAX DATA LEN 01
15

MIN DATA LEN 01
01

INPUT DEVICE 01
_

YES/NEXT STMT 01
02

NO/END STMT 01
99

UPLOAD PREFIX 01
A<-10

(No spaces should be seen on the reader.)

Enter an A from the keypad and scan the plastic-covered bar code sheet DEL code (located on bottom right of the FULL ASCII MENU sheet included with the reader). This will create a left arrow on the reader's LCD screen. Then enter 10.

To scan the DEL character, you must squeeze the reader's light pen (squeeze the bottom third of the pen). This will cause the red light in the pen to come on. Keep the pen squeezed while you pass the code until you hear a beep, indicating it has read the code. You do not need to apply much pressure in order for the light to come on.

To read the code, squeeze the pen and slide the tip across the code in a rapid and smooth manner. As a battery saving feature, the reader will beep to indicate a successful read so you can then release the pen to turn off the light.

UPLOAD SUFFIX 01
_

ENTRY TYPE 02
D

PROMPT 02

ENTER QUANTITY
FREQUENCY
A
MESSAGE NUMBER
20

DATA ID. 02
_

DATA TYPE 02
N

MAX DATA LEN 02
03

MIN DATA LEN 02
01

INPUT DEVICE 02
_

YES/NEXT STMT 02
01

NO/END STMT 02
00

UPLOAD PREFIX 02
_

UPLOAD SUFFIX 02
<-10 To enter the arrow, scan the plastic-covered bar code sheet's DEL code, then enter 10.

ENTRY TYPE 03

Press F1, then F1 again.

The program is now ready for data input. The information you have input is permanently stored in the system. You can now turn off the reader. For more detailed instructions on programming the reader, refer to your user's manual or contact BBL Systems.