Baracoda
Pencil™
User Guide
1. Package contents
Check to make sure you have the following items. Contact your supplier if any item is missing.
• 1 BaracodaPencil
• 1 Battery charger 110-230V/9V 200 mA
• 1 User’s Guide
2. BaracodaPencil Interface
BaracodaPencil is designed for easy use. You simply press a button when scanning a barcode. The color of the
LED (red, green or yellow) shows the status of the device. You can also find a Reset button, located on the back;
this button can help you to reset the default parameters, if necessary (should you experience further problems, plea-
se contact our Customer Support, at [email protected]).
BaracodaPencil can process several types of barcodes: EAN/UPC, Code 39 or Code 128. The bar codes are trans-
mitted either in real time or memorized for later transmission, to remote terminals which use the Bluetooth protocol.
You can download decoding algorithms updates from http://www.baracoda.com
Pictures below show the BaracodaPencil features:
3. User’s Guide
3.1 Usage modes
2 usage modes are possible:
3.1.1 Real Time Mode
In “Real Time mode”, the barcode is decoded and transmitted immediately to a remote device.
3.1.2 Batch Mode
In “Batch mode”, the barcode is read and stored in the BaracodaPencil non-volatile memory*, for later transmission.
This memory can contain up to 1,000 barcodes.
*Non-volatile memory: when the BaracodaPencil is turned off, data is saved in memory.
3.1.3 Mode selection
“Real Time mode” is the default mode. To switch to “Batch mode”, download the Baracoda configuration software
from http://www.baracoda.com
3.2 Real Time Use
To use the BaracodaPencil:
• Check all connections.
• Keep pressing the button during the scan.
• Make sure that the BaracodaPencil tip is in physical contact with the barcode as long as the scan lasts.
3.2.1 Connecting the BaracodaPencil to a remote device
This connection phase opens a communication channel between the barcode reader and a remote device.
• To connect the BaracodaPencil, turns it on by pressing the button. The blinking green LED indicates that the
BaracodaPencil is awaiting a connection. If no connection is made within 3 minutes, the BaracodaPencil switches
off automatically.
• Use the Bluetooth software provided with your Bluetooth device to detect the BaracodaPencil (See the Bluetooth
device documentation).
• Search for available services.
• Enter the default PIN code: 0000. You can change this default code using the Baracoda configuration software.
• Connect the two devices using the Serial Port Profile (SPP). When the BaracodaPencil is connected, the SPP
icon turns green.
BaracodaPencil connected with SPP
• When the BaracodaPencil is connected, the green LED blinks twice as fast.
• After one hour of inactivity, the BaracodaPencil automatically disconnects from the Bluetooth device and switches off.
• When you are done with the BaracodaPencil, close the SPP connection. The green LED blinks again at a slower
rate.
3.2.2 Reading a barcode
To scan:
• Position the barcode reader tip a few millimeters ahead of the barcode,
• Press and hold the button. The tip emits a red light, indicating that the BaracodaPencil
is ready to scan,
• Scan the barcode from left to right OR from right to left (as if you were highlighting the
barcode),
• The LED flashes green for 0.5 seconds if the scan is complete.
• The LED flashes red for 0.5 seconds if the scan fails. In this case,
you must redo the operation.
3.2.3. Automatic connection through the BaracodaPencil
The BaracodaPencil memorizes the address of the last device to which it was connected. A successful scan trig-
gers an automatic connection to this device. The LED blinks green when the connection is made. The LED blinks
yellow if no connection is possible: either the device is turned off or is out of range. In this case, the BaracodaPencil
switches automatically to “Batch mode”. See "Batch mode" below.
3.3. “Batch mode” use for later transmission
In “Batch mode”, the barcode is read and stored in memory, for later transmission to a remote device.
To operate in batch mode:
• Turn on the BaracodaPencil. The LED blinks green.
• Use the Baracoda configuration software to set the BaracodaPencil to “Batch mode”. An yellow blinking LED
indicates "Batch mode".
• Scan the barcodes:
- The LED turns green for 0.5 seconds if the barcode is read,
- The LED turns red for 0.5 seconds if the operation has failed.
- When the LED is yellow, the memory is full. To clear the memory, create a connection with a device and use
the Baracoda configuration software.
3.4. Other functions
3.4.1 Low Battery
The BaracodaPencil is supplied with a charger.
3 periodical red blinks of the LED indicate that the battery level is low. You can continue to use the BaracodaPencil
until it turns off by itself.
To recharge the battery, connect the charger into the battery plug (see 2-BaracodaPencil interface, ‘Battery connec-
tor’).
The LED remains red while the battery is charging. A full recharge takes about 2 hours. You cannot use the
BaracodaPencil during the charging period. Remember to turn off the Bluetooth connection before recharging the
battery.
3.4.2 Battery Manager
In order to economize the battery power, the BaracodaPencil automatically breaks the Bluetooth connection and
turns off after six minutes of inactivity in connected mode and 20 minutes in disconnected mode.
4. BaracodaPencil Status Display
The status of the LED…
indicates the BaracodaPencil status
Green blinking
BaracodaPencil is on, awaiting a connection
Fast green blinking
BaracodaPencil is connected to remote device
One 0.5 seconds green flash
Barcode is decoded
One 0.5 seconds red flash
Barcode cannot be decoded
Yellow blinking
"Batch mode" is set
1 Yellow flash
Full memory
3 red blinks
Low battery
Constant red light
Battery charging
5. Warning
• Avoid putting the BaracodaPencil in contact with water,
• Keep the reading tip clean to insure quality scanning,
• Scan barcodes on smooth surfaces.
6. Technical Specifications BaracodaPencil v1.0
General
Interface : .................................................................................................Radio. Bluetooth 1.1
Recognized Codes:..............................................................................UPC/EAN, Code 39, code 128, Baracoda™
.....................................................................................................................specific codes
Radio specifications
Protocol: ..................................................................................................Bluetooth™ 1.1
Emitting power: .....................................................................................2.5 mW maximum (Class 2)
Range:.......................................................................................................15 m (Class 2)
Frequency:...............................................................................................2,4GHz – 2,48GHz (ISM)
Modulation:..............................................................................................GFSK (Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying) - 1Mbps
Used profiles:..........................................................................................GAP – SPP
Processor
Micro controller: ....................................................................................ARM7 TDMI (RISC 32-bits)
Frequency: ..............................................................................................20MHz
Memory: ..................................................................................................8kB RAM, 256kB Flash
Decoder algorithm:...............................................................................Baracoda™ MBS 1.0
Batch capacity: ......................................................................................More than 1,000 scans
Optical Specifications
Decoding technology: .........................................................................physical contact by optical sensor, composed of a LED
.....................................................................................................................(660 nm), a photodiode and a tip.
Resolution:...............................................................................................0.1 mm.
Field width: ..............................................................................................0.6 mm/0.15 mm
Light source: ...........................................................................................red/660 nm
Scan speed:............................................................................................80 – 600 mm/Sec.
Scan angle: .............................................................................................5° to 40°
Electrical Specifications
Battery: .....................................................................................................NimH – 3.6V – 80mAh
Consumption (Emission / Reception) : ........................................1mA in connection mode, no scan
.....................................................................................................................50mA in scanning mode, connected
.....................................................................................................................80mA (maximum)
Battery capability:..................................................................................2,000 scans in one day.
Physical Specifications
Dimensions:.............................................................................................4.40 in X 0.6 in X 0.98 in (122 mm X 26 mm X 20 mm.)
Weight: .....................................................................................................1.48 Oz (42g)
Environment
Temperature for use: ............................................................................32° F to 104° F (0° C to 40° C)
Temperature for storage:.....................................................................-4° F to 140° F (-20° C to 50° C)
Standardization
CE Norm – European Union EMC Directive FCC
approved Bluetooth™ qualified
7. Barcodes for testing purposes
1.1 Code 39 :
1.2 Code EAN 13 :
Note : use a laser printer (600 dpi) to print new barcodes.
1
Press-button
to scan
2
Tip to read bar
code / write on
screen
3
color control
LED to read status
4
Connector to
recharge the battery
Europe : Baracoda S.A - 55, avenue Auguste Renoir - F 78160 - Marly-Le-Roi - France - Tel +33 (0)1 30 08 89 00 - Fax +33 (0)1 39 16 80 63 - [email protected]
USA : Baracoda, Inc. - 575 Madison Avenue, Suite 2500 - New York, NY 10022-2511 - Tel + 1 800-262-0890 - Fax + 1 212-755-6385 - [email protected]
T
he Bluetooth name and the Bluetooth trademarks are owned by Bluetooth S
IG, Inc, and are used by B
aracoda
TM
under licensed.
B
aracoda
P
encil
T
he most innovative
W
ir
eless Bar
code Reader
W
ireless Dat
a Capture Solutions
Mobile Bar
code Sc
anners
T
he B
aracoda name and the B
aracoda trademarks are owned by B
aracoda.
GOOD
SCAN
GOOD
SCAN
GOOD
SCAN
BAD
SCAN
BAD
SCAN
1
2
3
4
