POSMicro Symbol DS3478, Product Reference Manual

Page: 268 / 417

Advanced Data Formatting 15 - 5
Rules Hierarchy (in Bar Codes)
When programming rules, be sure to program the most general rule first, as rules are stored at the “top” of a rules
list in a buffer as they are entered. For example, if you create three rules, the list is configured as follows:
Third Rule
Second Rule
First Rule
After scanning data, the rules hierarchy checks the rules list from top to bottom to determine if the criteria matches
(and therefore, whether to apply the actions). Actions modify the data format specified by the first matching set of
criteria it finds, then disregard subsequent rules. For this reason, be sure to program the most general rule first.
For example, if the THIRD rule states:
When scanning a bar code of any length, send all data, then send the ENTER key.
and the SECOND rule states:
When scanning a Code 128 bar code of length 12, send the first four characters, then send the ENTER key,
then send all remaining data.
and you scan a Code 128 bar code of length 12, the THIRD rule applies and the SECOND rule does not function.
Note standard data editing functions (scan options) are considered ADF rules, and the previous hierarchy applies
to them. Scan options include prefix/suffix programming in the parameter
Scan Data Transmission Format on page
14-5 . These rules reside in the same “rule list” as ADF rules, so the order you create them is also important.
Default Rules
Every scanner has a default rule to send all scan data. Scanners with custom software may have one or more
default rules burned in. The rules hierarchy checks user programmable rules first, then the default rules. To disable
default rules enter the following general rule in the user programmable buffer:
When receiving scan data, send all data.
Since this rule always applies, ADF never applies the default rules.
Special Considerations for Multipoint Networks
ADF rules scanned by an individual scanner are NOT broadcast to other scanners in the piconet, as are other
parameters; however, ADF rules that 123Scan generates ARE broadcast to all scanners in the piconet. 123Scan
rules transmitted from the base are stored at the BEGINNING of the ADF rule buffer, regardless of the presence of
existing rules, while rules scanned by the scanner are appended to the existing buffer. For this reason, transmit
rules to be shared by all scanners from 123Scan FIRST. Then, scan rules to customize an individual scanner.