PX-36

px36.jpg

About

The Opticon PX-36 is a 2D CMOS Imager that quickly and accurately scans a wide variety of 1D and 2D barcodes. Features Bluetooth 4.0 (HID and SPP), a real-time clock and 18-key operations as well as data entry. The PX-36 sample application layer is fully programmable and channel partners can quickly create custom solutions around the mobile device using the free Opticon SDK.

The PX-36 can transmit data via its Bluetooth™ 4.0 connection (HID or SPP), or store data onboard for later transfer via USB or RS232 through various charging/communication cradles (sold separately).

PX-36 Product Highlights

  • Integrated 2D CMOS Imager with fast decode speed of 60 frames per second (FPS)\Rapidly scans and decodes a wide variety of 1D or 2D barcodes
  • Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 (HID or SPP) transmission of data to a host
    • Data can also be transferred via USB and RS232 through the various communication/charging cradles that are sold separately
  • 18-key keypad and monochrome 112x64 pixel LCD screen with backlight
  • Memory: 512KB of flashROM and 1MB of SRAM
  • Compact size and weight: 1.73" x 5.51" x 0.98" (WxLxD), 4.1 ounces
  • Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 1880 mAh battery
  • Rugged: IP54 rating against dust and moisture, survives 5 foot drops to concrete
  • Programmable—free Opticon SDK enables solution providers to create customized scanning solutions
  • Two year warranty

Setup with NetO32

Follow these directions for first time setup, software installation, and configuration for transferring data from the PX-36.

Setting up the Host

Collect Materials

You will need the following items.

  • A windows computer
  • A PX-36
  • A CRD9723 cradle
  • A 32-00601-00 power adapter for the CRD9723
  • Either a USB-A to USB-B cable or an Opticon RS232 cable

Assembly

  1. Connect the 32-00606-00 power adapter to a power outlet.
  2. Connect the 32-00606-00 power adapter to the CRD9723.
  3. Connect the communication cable to the CRD9723.
  4. Connect the communication cable to the computer.
  • If using USB then you can plug the USB cable in to any active USB port on the computer.
  • If using RS232 your computer must have a DB9 (nine pin RS232) connector on the back.

Software Installation

In this section we step through installing both Opticon's USB drivers and NetO32.

Installing USB Drivers

If you are using RS232 please skip to Installing NetO32. Opticon's USB drivers need to be installed for the cradle to be properly via USB.

  1. Download the USB drivers from the Driver Downloads section.
  2. Open the zip file by double clicking on it.
  3. Launch the installer by double clicking on it.
  4. Follow the prompts to finish the installation.

Installing NetO32

The PX-36 uses a piece of windows software called NetO32 to save the data file to the computer. To install NetO32 follow the steps below.

  1. Download NetO32 from the Software Downloads section.
  2. Open the zip file by double clicking on it.
  3. Launch the installer by double clicking on it.
  4. Follow the prompts to finish the installation.

Configuring NetO32

  • Select 'Tools' > 'Options'
    • Choose RS232 from the menu at left
      • Choose the COM port for your cradle (COM 1 if using RS232, check Device Manager for USB ['Start' > 'Run' > 'devmgmt.msc' > click 'OK' and look under the 'Ports' section])
      • Change Baudrate to 115200
      • Change IrDA Device to 'None'
    • Choose 'Download' from the menu at left
      • Click the 'browse' folder icon at right to change the destination folder of the file once you have downloaded it.
      • Choose between 'Append', 'Overwrite', and 'Unique' to determine what happens when you download a data file but a file by that same name is already present.
    • Click 'OK'
  • Select 'File' > 'Save As'
    • Choose a filename appropriate for you (such as your name or your company's name) to save the settings you just changed.
    • Now every time after this that you open NetO32 you must select 'File' > 'Open' and choose this file to load your settings.
  • Select 'Protocol' > 'Start'

NetO32 is now in 'Polling' mode. Note that you should see the yellow light on the cradle blinking steadily. This means it will sit here indefinitely sending queries to the cradle and waiting for the right response to start a download. Multiple downloads can all be done without ever closing NetO32. When you are done using NetO32 simply select 'Protocol' > 'Stop' and NetO32 will discontinue polling mode. The application can then be closed.

Starting the Upload from your PX-36

After NetO32 is in Polling mode (see above) follow these steps. Note that you should see the yellow light on the cradle blinking steadily. This means it will sit here indefinitely sending queries to the cradle and waiting for the right response to start a download. Multiple downloads can all be done without ever closing NetO32. When you are done using NetO32 simply select 'Protocol' > 'Stop' and NetO32 will discontinue polling mode. The application can then be closed.

  • For the purposes of the initial test, please scan some barcodes if you have not yet done so.
  • Select 'Send Data' from the main menu (use the arrow keys to move up and down and trigger (center key) to select an option.
  • The screen that appears should say 'Transmit Data via Cradle NETO Protocol -PRESS ANY KEY-'. Press any key.
  • The unit will change to say 'Sending File Waiting NetO Connection ...'. At this point simply place the unit on the cradle.
  • The PX-36 will emit a series of short beeps and display 'File Was Sent. Delete Data File?'. Choose either YES or NO by pressing the appropriate arrow button below the display.
  • The NetO32 status log will indicate that the data was downloaded.
  • Your Data File is now on the PC in the folder specified previously.

Bluetooth Setup

Navigate to the System Menu > Communicate > Interface and select BT Real Time Use the CLR button to back out of the Interface, Communicate, and System Menus Be sure to choose YES when asked to save settings while exiting the System Menu.

Navigate to Scan labels and press UP for SLAVE. The screen will display "Waiting Host Connection"... On your Computer/Tablet/Phone, search for the Bluetooth device OPL-9815_xxxx The scanner will ask you to confirm the PIN. Be sure to use the ENT key.

The device will be paired in HID mode. In SPP mode you will need to open the serial port to complete the pairing process.

You can change between Bluetooth-HID (Keyboard) mode and Bluetooth-SPP (Serial) mode by navigating to System Menu > Bluetooth > Set Mode Press UP for HID or DOWN for VCP(SPP).

Loading Firmware

Follow the directions above for Setting up the Host.

Software Installation

Follow the Directions above for Installing USB Drivers

Installing Appload

  1. Appload is Opticon's multi-purpose utility for installing firmware onto devices such as the PX-36. To install Appload follow the steps below.
  2. Download Appload from the Downloads Software Section.
  3. Open the zip file by double clicking on it.
  4. Launch the installer by double clicking on it.
  5. Follow the prompts to finish the installation.

Configuring Appload

This section outlines how to configure Appload to communicate with the PX-36. Appload is a PC application used to load firmware on most of Opticon's products.

Select COM Port

  1. Select Settings
  2. Select Port
  3. Select the appropriate Port number so that it will match the COM port of either the USB or RS232 interface (whichever was used).
    1. If you are using an RS232 interface the physical serial port is usually assigned COM1 by Windows so if you are using an RS232 interface this is likely your COM port number.
    2. If you are using a USB interface then select the COM port will usually be a number between 2 and 250. The cradle should identify itself as an 'Opticon OPL/CRD USB Serial Port'.

Set IrDA type

  1. Select Settings
  2. Select IrDA Adapter/cradle type
  3. Select Not Installed

Download Firmware

You will need to download and unzip the appropriate firmware file for the action you wish to perform from the Software Downloads section.

Loading the Firmware

PX-36 Firmware Setup

  • The PX-36 must be placed into a download mode for firmware to install correctly. To do this follow the steps below.
  • Enter the OS-level system menu on the device (press [up], [scan], and [down] at the same time)
  • Choose the menu option to download software
  • Return the device to the cradle

Load the Firmware

  • Drag the OS file onto Appload to program the OS or choose 'File' > 'Download' and navigate to the OS firmware file.
  • After the OS is finished programming, you can immediately drag the Application file onto Appload or choose 'File' > 'Download' and navigate to the OS firmware file to load the application.

Application Development

The PX-36 firmware is split into two levels, an Operating System and an Application. The Operating System Exposes the functions of the hardware to the Application level firmware, and the Application determines how the device behaves. The Operating System is developed and maintained solely by Opticon, however anyone can make an application for the PX-36 using using the C-Library Kit. For code samples please write devsupport@opticonusa.com.


Downloads

Notice: The downloading and use of any Opticon software implies consent with Opticon's End User License Agreement.

Documents

Document Description Version Download
Datasheet Technical details at a glance. Download
Quick Start Guide This document provides product information and instructions Download
Universal Menu Book The Universal Menu Book is a document containing instructions and configuration options for the majority of Opticon's products. Support of the commands in this manual is product specific. A must read for System Integrators. In effect this is the User Manual for all of Opticon's products that do not have a User Manual of their own and a supplement to all others. December 2009 Download

Software

Software Description Version Download
Appload Appload Is Opticon's multi-purpose firmware update utility. It is a Windows PC application that provides the capability to download firmware onto most Opticon products. It also contains a versatile terminal interface that allows serial communication to any serial port connected to the PC (be it RS232, USB-VCP or Bluetooth-SPP). Opticon products can be queried and configured in this manner. EAGV0183
1.83
Download
NetO32 A PC application implementing the NetO protocol to transfer files from the PC to the terminal barcode reader. EGF2001H (2.1.0.0) Download
OseComm32 A PC application implementing the OseComm protocol to transfer files from the PC to the terminal bar code reader and a variety of other file-related functions. 1.0.17.0 Download
Firmware: OS This is the latest Operating System firmware file for the PX-36. XBTV0213 Download
Firmware: Application This is the latest standard application firmware file for the PX-36. XFOS0879 Download
C-Library Kit The C-Library Kit is Opticon's SDK for developing custom firmware for many of Opticon's product families (OPN, OPL97xx, OPL98xx, OPH, etc.). Included find sample code, full application samples, library files, documentation, compilers for certain products and more. This download is a zipped collection of the installer and associated files. The Toshiba C Compiler requires a separate download which is located here 2.38 Download

Drivers

Driver Description Version Download
All-In-One PC Drivers USB-to-serial drivers installer package for 32 and 64-bit versions of Windows XP (32-bit only), Vista 7, 8, 8.1 and 10. This package contains four drivers. The first and fourth drivers are for the Opticon cradles. The second driver is for the OPN200x scanners along with many other Opticon products. The third driver is an ATEN driver for a popular RS232 <-> USB-VCP adapter. You can choose any of the drivers to install on the first screen of the installer program. *Note: Opticon USB Drivers may not install or operate correctly if FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) is enabled on your host computer* 1.615 Download