OPL9723

Revision as of 13 September 2012 10:22 by cparker (Comments | Contribs) | (Device Instructions)

About

See here for general information about the OPL9723.

Device Instructions

First Time Setup

Follow the instructions below to get started with the OPL9723 on a Windows PC.

Installation

  • To retrieve data from your OPL9723 you will need to download and install NetO32. If you are using a USB cradle then you will also need Opticon's USB drivers. Both of these are located in the Downloads section of this page. You will only need to do this part once per computer.

Download Data

All of Opticon's Demo Applications for the OPL9723 support downloading of data through Opticon's proprietary protocol called NetO (Net-Oh). As with all communications there are two sides. In this case these are the terminal (the OPL9723) and the host (usually a PC). This section covers setting up and using such a communication channel.

Setting Up the Host

To use NetO communications on a PC you need an application called NetO32. This can be downloaded from the Downloads table at the bottom of this page. Simply run the installer after download is complete and follow the setup instructions here.

  • 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 OPL9723

After NetO32 is in Polling mode (see above) follow these steps. First, of course, it is expected that you will have scanned some barcodes using the OPL9723.

  • 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 OPL9723 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 unit will now be back at the startup splash screen.
  • Your Data File is now on the PC in the folder specified previously.

Alternative Transfer Modes

Although the NetO protocol will work in the vast majority of situations, the OPL9723 does support alternative protocols, including OSEComm and Raw ASCII. Depending on your needs and the level of support for NetO available within your platform, you may find either of these protocols to be more useful.

Enabling Raw ASCII Mode

Raw ASCII Mode will transfer the data file as a character stream over the COM port. You'll need software to listen on the other end, buffer the output, and process it into a text file. To enable Raw ASCII Mode on the OPL9723, first choose System Menu from the main menu. From here, select Communicate, and in this submenu select Protocol. To use Raw ASCII, make sure that No Protocol is checked.


Firmware Loading

The OPL-9723 is basically a mini computer. As such it has an Operating System and runs Applications (one at a time, loding one application erases the previous one). The process for loading either the OS or an Application file is the same for both and so the instructions for either are combined here. Opticon always provides updates to the OS (see the Downloads table above). Opticon also provides free Applications for use on the OPL-9723 though it is also common for independent software vendors or resellers to develop their own software for use on the OPL-9723 (this is especially true if the company also provides PC side software). Applications made by Opticon are available at the Downloads table above (with the exception of software made custom by contract which is provided in other ways to the purchaser). Applications made by a third party must be retrieved from said party.

Download Files

You will need a few files to update your OPL-9723. All of these files can be found in the Downloads table above.

  • USB Cradle Drivers
  • Firmware: OS
  • Firmware: Application
  • Appload

Set Up Your Cradle

It is likely that you are using your OPL-9723 in conjunction with the cradle CRD-9723. For instructions setting this up including installing Drivers see here.

Install and Configure Appload

Appload is a PC application that we use to load firmware on most of Opticon's devices. Once it is installed (by running the installer found in the Downloads table above) it will launch automatically. Change the options 'Settings' > 'Port' to match the COM port of either the USB or RS232 interface (whichever was used). You may also need to change 'Settings' > 'IrDA Adapter/cradle type' to be 'Not Installed'.

Load the Firmware

Now that the cradle is configured, Appload is installed and configured you need to simply place the unit on the cradle then select 'File' > 'Download' from the Appload menu and browse to the firmware file you wish to load. Note that if you must upgrade the OS as well as an Application you will need to follow this step twice.


Downloads


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

Software

Software Description Download
Appload Appload is Opticon's multi-purpose utility for installing firmware onto devices such as the OPL9728. Currently Windows only. Download
NetO32 NetO32 is an application that is used to download data from a few of Opticon's devices. Data is downloaded in whole file format exactly as it is stored on the device it is being uploaded from. Download
Firmware: OS This is the latest Operating System firmware file for the OPL9723. Download
Firmware: Application - USA Standard Demo This is the standard application running on all OPL9723s from our warehouse. It supports a large variety of barcode symbologies (which ones are configurable). Data is stored as a database including the barcode data scanned, the number of times that barcode has been scanned (with optional user quantity input) and the date and time the last entry was updated). Note that when data is viewed on the PC there is significant white space after the barcode data before you will see the quantity and time stamp information due to the nature of the database schema. It is necessary to scroll to the right to see this extra information. Download


Drivers

Platform Description Download
All In One Installer Package USB-to-serial drivers installer package for both 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows XP (32 bit only), Vista, and 7. This package contains two drivers. The first driver is for most of Opticon's cabled devices. The second driver is for Opticon's cradles and a few other products. You can choose any of the drivers to install on the first screen of the installer program. Download