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The Bookmark Project
Developed in South Australia by experienced teacher-librarians and educators for use by students and teachers, the Bookmark Library Automation System is a library automation system for use in smaller schools and none-school libraries with small to medium size collections.
The ability for users to do remote loans and returns with a portable bar code reader (eg: Cipher 1166/1266 wireless bar code reader) is part of the WinCirc addon module. There are different ways that the WinCirc system allows for this:
1. There is a special program called Offline.exe which can be installed on a laptop, network, etc. This simply collects barcode labels into a file. It also helps users step through the correct process.
2. Users can scan labels into a text file, provided they do this in the correct sequence as detailed in the WinCirc manual. WinCirc can then import and process this file.
3. Users can download labels from a portable reader and have these processed.
For further details on this contact the Bookmark Help Desk directly.
Using the ROV MS2200 Reader "TimeStamp" Feature
ROV-Time Wedge is a software utility program specifically designed for use with the Microvision ROV™ MS2200BT and ROV™ MS2200 portable bar code scanners. The program's principle function is to act as a software support and enhancement tool to aid other application programs that may be conducting asset collection, time and attendance or other similar functions. ROV-Time Wedge can also be used independently to collect, display and store time and date recordings.
Full advantage is taken of the ROV scanner's inbuilt "TimeStamp" feature to record and append time and date fields to preceding data fields. When the ROV-Time Wedge program detects selective bar code data it can automatically append user designated control commands to the data or modify the data to provide enhanced information for the user's recipient application. The diversity of recipient application programs can range from comprehensive Production Line Time and Motion studies to fundamental Time and Attendance modules.
The ROV-Time-Wedge.Help file contains examples on how the TimeStamp feature is used.
It is a requirement for the standard ROV scanner to be interfaced to the host computer using the Microvision direct RS232 or USB VCOM Wedge method, the ROV™ MS2200 is normally supplied with the Microvision direct RS232 cable as an all inclusive package.
ROV-Time Wedge by Dataman is CopyRight 2008 - 2009 All rights reserved.
Bar Code Reader Interface Options
Modern bar code readers are normally available with one of three "output options" - either "Keyboard Wedge" output, RS232 serial output or USB HID output. The question is "Which Bar Code Reader Interface is right for my application"?
Many users are experiencing difficulties interfacing their old keyboard wedge style bar code readers with their NEW computers??
In recent times many NEW computers are being supplied with USB or wireless keyboards, in some cases the supplied computers only have USB slots available. In these cases it may not be possible to make the old bar code reader work with the new computer.
While devices do exist that convert keyboard signals to USB these conversion devices may still not satisfactorily solve the problem, this is because in many cases the keyboard wedge style bar code reader still expects to have an old style keyboard connected to its spare socket. Without the keyboard attached the bar code reader simply does not send the data to the computer.
In cases where you may be having these types of difficulties please contact our technical staff for advice and assistance.
What is a CCD Bar Code Reader?
The term CCD is an acronym for Charge Coupled Device. Bar code readers that employ this methodology to read the bar code image are known as CCD scanners/readers. CCD based bar code readers are ideal for use in offices and libraries, they provide a lower cost solution than alternative scanning technologies.
What is a Laser Bar Code Reader?
The use of a Laser Beam mechanism within the bar code reader is an alternative methodology to read the bar code image. Bar code readers that use lasers are well suited to read high density bar codes and often perform better in high ambient light conditions than their CCD counterparts.
What is an Omnidirectional Bar Code Reader?
An Omnidirectional Bar code reader uses a special version of oscillating Laser Beam mechanism that rapidly sweeps the beam in a rotational tumbling pattern, this creates a reading field that takes into account the various possible orientations of the bar code image.
As a result of this action the operator is no longer required to align the bar code to the scanner because the beam will automatically cross the bar code at some point, thus allowing the operator to quickly pass the bar code beneath the scanner and achieve a faster throughput.
What is Adobe PDF?
Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) lets you capture and view robust information — from any application, on any computer system — and share it with anyone around the world.
What is Long Range or Extended Distance Scanning??.
This terminology as applicable to CCD bar code readers should NOT be confused with wireless or bluetooth remote scanning.
Many users of bar code readers would be familiar with the use and behavior of low cost basic CCD scanners, depending upon the resolution of the bar code being scanned these units need to be held within 0 - 2 Cm from the bar code to enable the reader to decode the bar code. The reason this depth of field of 0 - 2 Cm is relatively small is because the optics employed in these basic bar code readers is simple and uncomplicated.
In the real world however it is not always possible to position the bar code reader so close to the bar code. For this reason CCD bar code reader manufacturers have employed more sophisticated optics to increase the reading depth of field and in doing so have enabled the bar code reader to be able to scan a bar code between a distance of 5 - 15 Cm, this is known as Long Range or Extended Distance Scanning.
Users of long range or extended distance scanners sometimes misunderstand the operational requirements of these bar code readers and attempt to read bar codes by positioning the bar code reader much too close to the bar code and in doing so incorrectly assume the unit is malfunctioning because it appears to not read the bar code.
The correct manner of operating an extended distance bar code reader is to hold the unit at a distance about 15 Cm away from and at an angle of approx 15 - 20 degrees from the vertical of the bar code being scanned, press the trigger and smoothly bring the scanner in towards the bar code until a good read signal is achieved. Once this technique is understood it usually becomes second nature to the operator and satisfactory scanning can be undertaken very quickly.
What is ISBN ?
The ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique machine-readable identification number, which marks any book unmistakably. As of 1 January 2007 all book and book-related products must carry 13-digit ISBNs. What will be happening with ISBNs?
ISBN-13 Calculator & Bookland EAN-13 image generator
Unfortunately despite requests from users it is not possible to set any bar code reader to automatically discern which ISBN mode (10 digit or 13 digit) is required, it is only possible to set the unit to operate in one mode or the other.
For those users of the Cipher Labs range of bar code readers (Model 1021 excluded) who need to constantly swap the setting of their bar code reader from ISBN-10 mode to ISBN-13 mode can use the downloadable program chart below to make this task as easy as possible.
Cipher Lab ISBN-10/ISBN-13 program chart
Installing Cipher 1166/1266-Lite with USB Dongle.
The Cipher 1166 and 1266 Bluetooth wireless scanners are available with a USB Dongle instead of the more costly model 3666 cradle with inbuilt radio combination. USB Dongle driver installation and USB serial to keyboard software configuration instructions can be downloaded here along with the required Cipher SerialToKeyboard.Exe software utility.
Cipher 1166/1266-Lite with USB Dongle Installation
Cipher SerialToKeyboard program
Beta Software testers needed.
Have you ever wished your standard bar code reader could be used as a number pad to enter values while the computer keyboard is out of reach or wished your portable (wireless) bar code reader could be used like a data terminal to associate and enter stock quantities along with the item code while stocktaking. (See Notepad example below).
Dataman have developed a resident background utility software program that achieves the above criteria while still transparently allowing normal bar code reader activity to continue and now need a few willing volunteers to test it out with us.
We have placed the .hlp HELP file on the site so any interested parties can download this file to see and better understand the program's function. If you are interested in testing this program please use the "Contact Us" page to provide us with your details and e-mail address and we will upload a .Zip zipped up copy of the beta program to you to play with. It is a requirement that you have access to a normal bar code reader to be able to test the program, you will also need a printer (preferably a laser) to produce the control chart that is supplied in Portable Data Format (.PDF).
Cipher 1067M Portable Bar Code Reader Operating Instructions.
The Cipher Labs model 1067M was an extremely successful portable bar code reader model that unfortunately is now no longer made. The reason given by the manufacturer for ceasing production was due to the termination of supply of certain critical components used in the 1067M's construction.
In the past many library managers purchased this unit and it is still widely used for stocktaking purposes, at the time of purchase Dataman Barcode Systems supplied their customers with purpose written operating instructions.
Over time these instructions have often become misplaced and it is at the request of our many customers we have made these instructions available as a .PDF download, you will need a printer (preferably a laser) to produce the bar code control chart.
Dataman Operating Instructions Cipher 1067M portable.