OPL9724
About
The OPL9724 is a wireless 1D terminal scanner. 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 and exposes a simple user interface on the OPL9724's LCD screen. The application can be customized in order to change the behavior of the OPL9274, 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 OPL9724 a simple and flexible solution for many business needs.
The OPL9724 is used in combination with a cradle (typically CRD9723) in order to charge the OPL9724'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 OPL9724 applications can utilize with Opticon's TCP/IP Library.
Downloads
| Notice |
| The downloading and use of any Opticon software implies consent with Opticon's End User License Agreement. |
Documents
| Document | Description | Download |
|---|---|---|
| User Manual: Application LFBP0511 | This is the User Manual for the behavior of the device while it is running the USA Standard Demo (pre-loaded from our warehouse on all OPL9724 units). | Download |
| Universal Menu Book | This document contains all of Opticon's standard configuration barcodes. The ability to configure the OPL9724 terminal with this commands manual is application dependent (not supported on any of the Standard Demos). | Download |
Software
| Software | Description | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Appload | Appload is Opticon's multi-purpose utility for installing firmware onto devices such as the OPL9724. 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 OPL-9724. | Download |
| Firmware: Application - USA Standard Demo | This is the standard application running on all OPL9724s 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 would be 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 the OPN-200x as well as many of Opticon's other products. 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 |
Loading Firmware
The OPL-9724 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-9724 though it is also common for independent software vendors or resellers to develop their own software for use on the OPL-9724 (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-9724. 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-9724 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.
Download Data
All of Opticon's Demo Applications for the OPL9724 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 OPL9724) 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 above on 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'
- Choose RS232 from the menu at left
- 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.
Using the OPL-9724 In Batch Mode With NetO32
Batch mode scanning has the device send and receive data in files. It does not require the device to maintain a connection while scanning barcodes. It can be a little more complicated, however.
On the Device
Clearing the Bluetooth Address - From Main screen, navigate to 'System Menu'->Bluetooth->'Clear BT Addr'. (Navigate up or down by pressing the '1' or '2' buttons, and select options by pressing the center key.) Choose 'Yes' when prompted. Next, navigate from here to 'Master/Slave'. Select Slave when prompted. Now, back out one Menu level and Select the 'Protocol' option. Select 'Interface'. Select 'NetO'.
Now your OPL-9724 is set up to connect and transmit data over the NetO protocol.
Scan your barcodes.
When you are ready to transmit your scanned barcode data, navigate to 'Send Data' from the main menu.
The device will prompt you to input a Bluetooth address for your computer. Set your computer to Discoverable mode and select the 'Discovery' option to search for your computer by name. The discovery process will take a few minutes. When it is done you will be presented with a list of discoverable Bluetooth devices. Select your computer from the list.
Next, choose a PIN code. To input your pin code use button '2' to cycle through different numbers and letters, and button '1' to move between different positions. You will need to input this code into your computer in a later step, so choose something memorable.
When you are finished inputting your PIN code and you have confirmed it, the scanner will attempt to pair with the computer.
On the Computer
Windows will inform you that the OPL-9724 is attempting to pair. Follow the instructions from Windows, and enter the PIN code you selected earlier when prompted. After a few seconds the device will be paired.
Now, open up NetO32. Select 'Tools'->'Options'.
Set these settings on the RS232 page:
- Baudrate: 115200
- IRDA Device: None
- COM Port: Whichever COM port was assigned to the OPL-9724(found in Properties on Devices and Printers screen). There will be two. If the first one you try doesn't work, try switching to the other one.
Set these settings on the Download page:
- Receiving Directory: Select a convenient location for you, like your desktop.
- Downloaded files: Choose either Append, Overwrite, or Unique, depending on what you want NetO32 to do when the file it is writing to already has data in it. Append is the safest option.
Choose 'OK' to store the changes and back out to the main window.
From the main window, select 'File'->'Save As...' to save your settings to a file. NetO32 does not automatically store your settings between sessions, so you will have to 'Open' your settings from the same menu each time you start up NetO32.
Now, select 'Protocol'->'Start'. If your COM port selection and other settings are correct the OPL-9724 should sound a tone. If the baud rate and IRDA device settings are correct, the OPL-9724 will transmit the data and then close the connection.
You can now open up the 'SCANDATA' file in the download location you selected earlier.
Transmitting Data With the OPL-9724
After you have followed the pairing instructions from above, subsequent transmissions are much simpler.
- Open NetO32, and load your settings by selecting 'File'->'Open' then choosing the file where you saved your settings.
- On the device, select 'Send Data' from the main device menu. Press the trigger key a second time, and the device will start to connect with the computer.
- In NetO32, select 'Protocol'->'Start'
Your data file will download in a few seconds.
Using Batch Mode with OpticonRL
When using OpticonRL, there are a few settings that need to be changed from the above instructions.
- When selecting the Protocol, select 'No Protocol' rather than 'NetO Protocol'.
- Open up the program where you want the data. Position the cursor where you want the data to download.
- Instead of using NetO32 on the PC, open up OpticonRL. Select 'Settings', and then the COM port for the OPL-9724. From the menu that pops out, select 'Toggle On/Off'. Immediately click on the window you opened earlier. The data will transmit within a few seconds.
Using Real-time Scanning Mode with OpticonRL
Using Real Mode with OpticonRL is largely the same as using Batch Mode. There are a few different settings that need to be set, and the behavior of the device will be different. If you are trying to use the device to scan and send barcode data in real time then this is the best option. The following sections will guide you through the initial out-of-box setup for Real-time Scanning Mode on the OPL-9724.
On the Device
- From Main screen, navigate to 'System Menu'->Bluetooth->'Clear BT Addr'. (Navigate up or down by pressing the '1' or '2' buttons, and select options by pressing the center key.)
- Choose 'Yes' when prompted.
- Next, navigate from here to 'Master/Slave'. Select Slave when prompted.
- Now, back out one Menu level and Select 'Communicate'->'Protocol'. Select 'Interface'. Select 'No Protocol'.
- Back out one Menu level, then select 'Interface'->'BT Real Mode'.
- Go to the Main Menu. Select 'Scan labels'.
The device will prompt you to input a Bluetooth address for your computer. Set your computer to Discoverable mode and select the 'Discovery' option to search for your computer by name. The discovery process will take a few minutes. When it is done you will be presented with a list of discoverable Bluetooth devices. Select your computer from the list.
Next, choose a PIN code. To input your pin code use button '2' to cycle through different numbers and letters, and button '1' to move between different positions. You will need to input this code into your computer in a later step, so choose something memorable.
When you are finished inputting your PIN code and you have confirmed it, the scanner will attempt to pair with the computer.
On the Computer
Windows will inform you that the OPL-9724 is attempting to pair. Follow the instructions from Windows, and enter the PIN code you selected earlier when prompted. After a few seconds the device will be paired.
From here, open up OpticonRL. Select 'Settings', and then the COM port for the OPL-9724. From the menu that pops out, select 'Toggle On/Off'. You can now scan barcodes with your OPL-9724. The barcode data will be placed wherever you have your cursor on the computer.
Using the OPL-9724 After the Initial Pairing
After the OPL-9724 has been paired with the PC, its use is relatively simple. Each time you wish to use the device, select 'Scan labels' from the main menu of the device, and wait for the 'Waiting Host Connection...'. On the computer, open up OpticonRL and select 'Settings', then the COM port from before, then 'Toggle On/Off'. The devices will connect back up and you can scan barcodes with the OPL-9724 as normal.