monitored goods. Pre-determiniation of appropriate alarm parameters is an essential
component of this processes. The simple user interface of TagMate USB
®
allows
users to get to the end-result of data analysis (alarm or no alarm) without a need to
understand the details. The next section describes the use of USB data files for
subsequent viewing of all outcomes and data via a computer with
Session Manager
software, or via the Internet with hosted solutions.
Tag Data Files
The outcome of every successful READ event, and if so enabled, every START event,
is saved as a data file on TagMate USB
®
. the USB drive need not be plugged in at all
times, because the TagMate USB
®
can accumulate between 125 and 500 data files in
its internal memory, depending on their length.
Tag Data file creation is partially controlled by user-configurable DIP switches (see
“Operating Modes…” above). File creation from START events is controlled by DIP
switch 3, and a requirement for adequate internal file storage space (enforcement of
the 125-500 tag memory limit) is controlled by DIP switch 4, as described in more
detail above.
Bar Code Scan Data
TagMate USB
®
models equipped with internal barcode scanners will accumulate
barcode scans in temporary memory, then incorporate as many of the scans as
possible, starting with the most recent one, into each tag’s data file.
11
Scan data are
accumulated between tag processing events, and each event clears the scan buffer.
The memory limitation in tag data files is 38 characters, plus possibly another 16
characters for a START event.
12
There is a single character added between scans,
and no truncation of scans will be permitted.
Barcode scanning is designed to enable the incorporation of identification information
associated with monitored goods into the data record from the tag, and possibly onto
the tag itself (see footnote 12).
File Management Processes
Whenever a USB drive is plugged in, the TagMate USB
®
will clear its internal memory
of all tag data files and it will transfer them to the TAGMATE\DATA folder on the USB
drive. On the USb drive, TagMate
®
data files are named “<fname>.TMD”, where
<fname> is eight alphanumeric characters. The file contents are only partially-
readable if the file is opened with a text viewer. These files are designed for efficient
transfer to
Session Manager
or other dedicated software, whereupon a more
accessible version of the data is created as a new data file, database entry, and/or
on-screen view. Inside the TAGMATE\DATA folder on the USB drive, there is usually
a folder called BACKUP. The BACKUP folder is where data files end up after they
have been tranferred from the USB drive by dedicated software.
File transfer into
Session Manager
software requires software version 2.3.4.6 or
later. When this software is running, and the USB drive is plugged into the PC, an
automated file importation sequence will take place, briefly displaying each file on
screen, then saving all files on the computer in its normal formats, which include a
11
If scan data are present when starting a tag, this will serve to override the DIP switch 3 setting and
force creation of a tag data file.
12
If barcode scan data is stored in memory when starting a tag, and if there is nothing written to the tag’s
Info field (16 character length), then the most recent barcode scan will be written to the tag if it is 16
characters or less. This allows all 38 bytes of scan-data storage space in the data file to be allocated to
earlier scans, if any.
TagMateUSB Aug 11, 2009
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