Frequently Asked Questions: PSC / Percon Products

VS1000, VS1200 & HS1250

1. What is Programming Mode?
2. How can I program my scanner using bar codes?
3. Which interfaces are supported by VS1000, VS1200 and HS1250?
4. Which symbologies are supported by VS1000, VS1200 and HS1250?
5. What does a flashing indicator and a repeated series of tones mean?
6. Can I disable the first and/or last digits of a UPC/EAN barcode?
7. Do these scanners accept and respond to serial host commands?
8. How can I adjust the speaker volume?
9. What is "Sleep Mode" and how does it work?
10. Can I connect a handheld bar code reader to my VS1200 or HS1250 scanner?
11. How do I install the HS1250 in my counter?
12. Which scan window options are available for the HS1250?
13. Do these scanners have an Electronic Activation System (EAS) option?
14. How often should I clean my scanner's window and what procedure do I use?

 1.  What is Programming Mode?

Programming Mode is a state in which the scanner must be placed in order to accept programming commands. To enter Programming Mode, scan any SWITCH label in the programming guide. For VS1000 only you may also enter Programming Mode by pressing the Operator Switch until the scanner emits a low tone. While in Programming Mode the green LED will continually flash, and the scanner will only recognize the special programming bar codes contained in this programming guide. Programming changes made to the scanner are set in default memory and are saved even if the scanner is powered down.

To exit Programming Mode, scan the SWITCH label again or press the Operator Switch (VS1000 only). The scanner will reset upon exit.

Additional Tips

• The scanner will reject the label, sounding an error tone.

Scanning a valid programming label while in Programming Mode

• If the feature is supported by the active interface, the scanner will sound a "good read" tone.
• If incorrect programming has been entered, the error tone will be sounded. Additionally, when programming a feature requiring you to scan single digits to set a multi-digit number, such as Minimum Length ID or Label ID, scanning the SWITCH label before completing all input will result in an error tone and cause the scanner to exit Programming Mode. Under these circumstances, the current feature you were trying to set is thrown out; any previous labels scanned during the session will take effect.

If, during the programming session, you find that you are unsure of the scanner's settings or wish to reset the scanner's configuration, use the Return to Factory Settings label available in the Programming Overview section of the above programming guides. (Note: Use this label with caution, as it will disable ALL features that may have been programmed since the scanner's installation.)

2.  How can I program my scanner using bar codes?

For a scanner feature to be modified bar code data must be scanned in the sequence listed below. The simplest programming requires scanning at least three bar code labels:

1. SWITCH label (Enter Programming Mode; green LED flashes). For VS1000 you may also enter Programming Mode by pressing the Operator Switch down until the scanner emits a tone (approximately three seconds).
2. ITEM TAG/ITEM VALUE label (Scan label for features you want to enable or change such as Set Baud Rate to 1200)
3. SWITCH label (Exit Programming Mode); or press the Operator Switch (VS1000 only)

Some programming changes require the scanning of additional labels to allow flexible programming with larger item value numeric ranges.

1. SWITCH label (Enter Programming Mode; green LED flashes). For VS1000 you may also enter Programming Mode by pressing the Operator Switch down until the scanner emits a tone (approximately three seconds).
2. ITEM TAG label (Scan labels for feature you want to enable or change such as I 2 of 5: Set First Fixed Length)
3. SELECT ITEM VALUE DIGIT ONE
4. SELECT ITEM VALUE DIGIT TWO
5. SWITCH label (Exit Programming Mode; the scanner will reset) ); or press the Operator Switch (VS1000 only)

Note: Not all features are available for all interfaces. The scanner will sound an error tone when scanning programming labels that are invalid to the current interface.

3.  Which interfaces are supported by VS1000, VS1200 and HS1250?

• VS1000, VS1200, and HS1250 support the following interfaces:
• IBM Multidrop (Note: Not supported by VS1000)
• OCIA
• RS232
• Wand Emulation (Note: Not supported by VS1200 and HS1250)
• 6-Bit

4.  Which symbologies are supported by VS1000, VS1200 and HS1250?

The VS1000 supports:

• UPC/EAN
• Code 39
• Code 93
• Code 128
• Codabar
• Interleaved 2 of 5
• MSI/Plessey

Note: VS1000 will hold only 2 symbology families at a time in a first-in, first-out sequence. For this reason, it is important to scan all symbologies required each time a change is made.

The VS1200 and HS1250 support:

• UPC/EAN plus ONE of the following three codes at a time:
  • Code 39
  • Code 128
  • Interleaved 2 of 5

5.  What does a flashing indicator and a repeated series of tones mean?

The VS1000, VS1200 and HS1250 scanners have a built in self-test that is initiated upon start up. If a scanner failure occurs during scanning or power-up, the scanner's indicator will flash repeatedly and a repeated series of tones will sound. The error tone alerts the operator of a possible system or component failure and only sounds when a problem is detected. Error tones require that your scanner be sent in for repair.

6.  Can I disable the first and/or last digits of a UPC/EAN barcode?

The first digit (NSD or Number System Digit) and last digit (Check Digit) can be disabled on the VS1000 scanner. Bar code labels are available in the Symbology Selection, UPC/EAN portion of the VS1000 & SP*ACE Programming Kit.

Only the last digit (Check Digit) can be disabled on VS1200 and HS1250 scanners. Bar code labels are available in the Changing Barcode Types, UPC Check Digit Transmission section of the VS1200 & HS1250 Programming Kit.

7.  Do these scanners accept and respond to serial host commands?

Yes. The VS1000, VS1200, and HS1250 scanners will accept and respond to the following keyboard strokes:

• R = Reset the scanner
• E = Enable the scanner
• D = Disable the scanner

8.  How can I adjust the speaker volume?

The speaker volume can be adjusted for low, medium or high by pressing the button next to the speaker icon on top of the scanner. You can also adjust the speaker volume using programming labels which can be found in the Operational Settings (VS1000) or Programmable Speaker Features (VS1200 and HS1250) section of the above programming guides.

9.  What is "Sleep Mode" and how does it work?

When your scanner experiences a prolonged period of inactivity it will automatically shut down and the indicator lamp will begin flashing once per second. This is condition is referred to as "Sleep Mode."

Sleep Mode extends the life of scanner components by removing power from the laser diode and motor when the scanner is not in use. The length of time that the scanner waits before going into Sleep Mode can be changed using programming labels contained in Timeouts, Setting Laser Timeout and Setting Motor Timeout (VS1200 & HS1250) or in the Operational Settings (VS1000) section in the programming guide.

10.  Can I connect a handheld bar code reader to my VS1200 or HS1250 scanner?

Yes. An undecoded handheld scanner can be attached to the VS1200 or HS1250 scanner. The scanner will decode the bar code label and transmit the data to the host terminal.

You may not connect a handheld scanner to VS1000.

Available through Customer Administration. Call 1-800-695-5700 (domestic) or 1-541-683-5700 (international) for interface cable part numbers and ordering.

11.  How do I install the HS1250 in my counter?

Complete installation instructions including illustrations are available in the Installation section of the HS1250 User's Guide.

12.  Which scan window options are available for the HS1250?

The scan window options for HS1250 are Tin Oxide, Wear Resistant Glass (WRG), and Long Life Top (LLT). Tin Oxide is our standard glass window, WRG has a sapphire glass window, and our LLT option combines a stainless steel top with a sapphire glass scan window.

13.  Do these scanners have an Electronic Activation System (EAS) option?

Yes. The EAS option is available at the time of order or you may purchase an upgrade kit for your existing installation.

14.  How often should I clean my scanner's window and what procedure do I use?

A daily cleaning of the scan window will help to maintain top scanning performance. Use any standard glass cleaner and a soft, lint free cloth. Complete cleaning instructions can be found in Routine Maintenance section of the user's guide.

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