OPL9725

The OPL9725, a portable batch laser barcode scanner from Opticon, features a real-time clock and an easy-to-use one-key keypad. The scanner is ideal for retail, logistics or inventory applications. The OPL9725 is programmable. The OPL9725 stores data onboard for later transfer via IrDA through a charging cradle (sold separately.) It runs a low-level firmware, typically called the "OS", and on top of that runs an application, which essentially drives the behavior of the device. The application can be customized in order to change the behavior of the OPL9727, using Opticon's C-Library Kit and the Toshiba C Compiler. This allows end-users to create custom applications modeled around their barcode-driven processes, making the OPL9727 a simple and flexible solution for many business needs.

The OPL9725 is used in combination with a cradle (typically CRD9723) in order to charge the OPL9725's removable battery, transfer data serially to a host (using plain ASCII, XModem, or Opticon's NetO), and load new OS revisions and applications (using Opticon's Appload). Other types of cradles exist, including a dialup modem cradle and a GSM cradle, which OPL9725 applications can utilize with Opticon's TCP/IP Library.

Setup

Follow these directions for first time setup, software installation, and configuration for transferring data from the OPL9725.

Setting up the Host

Collect Materials

• You will need the following items.
• A windows computer
• An OPL9725
• 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 OPL9725 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 file name 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 OPL9725

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 inital test, please scan some barcodes if you have not yet done so.
• Place the OPL9725 nose down in the cradle.
• The NetO32 status log will indicate that the data was downloaded.
• Your Data File is now on the PC in the folder specified previously.

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 OPL9725. 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 OPL9725. 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

OPL9725 Firmware Setup

• The OPL9725 must be placed into a download mode for firmware to install correctly. To do this follow the steps below.
• Print this barcode sheet.
• Scan the +-DOWNLOAD-+ at the bottom of the sheet. The unit should beep and show a flashing red LED.
• 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.
• After the application finishes, the unit will beep annoyingly.
• Scan the serial number label on the box your device came in to stop the beeping and program the id.

Downloads

Software

Drivers