Barcode Reader
<Only for model with Barcode Reader>
CAUTION
- Do not look directly into the reading window.
DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE LED LIGHT.

Reading Barcodes

  1. Aim the Barcode Reader (A) at the barcode.
  2. Press one of the Barcode Reader buttons (B).
    The LED lights red to indicate the reading position.
    • When reading a barcode on a horizontal surface
    • When reading a barcode on a vertical surface

To prevent unintended operation

If you press the Barcode Reader button on the handle accidentally, the computer may operate in a manner that you do not intend. You can set the Barcode Reader buttons so that they do not function.
Select [Disabled] in [Handle Button] of the [Main] menu of the Setup Utility.

To Correctly Read a Barcode with This Computer, Observe the Following

  • The reading angle is important factor.
    Perform reading at the angle indicated in the figure. We recommend you to set at approximately 2° to 3° angle from the perpendicular position.
  • Hold the reader farther away when reading a larger barcode, and closer in when reading a smaller barcode or a thinner barcode.
  • Perform reading so that the entire symbol falls within the center of the red LED light.
  • The reader can still read a barcode even if the barcode is not in the center of the red LED light. However, if a part of the barcode lies outside the LED light, the barcode cannot be read. Make sure the entire barcode is inside the LED light.

Selecting Software Mode or Hardware Mode

This computer supports two barcode reading modes; software mode and hardware mode.
If you are using an application program that has its own barcode reading function, set the computer to hardware mode.
If your application program does not have a barcode reading function, set the computer to software mode, as this allows the application program to use the computer’s barcode reading function.

To switch the modes

  1. Start up the Setup Utility.
  2. Select [Advanced].
  3. Select [Serial Port Settings], and press «Enter».
    The sub-menu appears.
  4. Confirm that [Barcode Reader] is set to [Enabled].
    If not, set it to [Enabled].
  5. Set [Trigger Mode] to [Software] to set the computer to the software mode, or [Hardware] to set the computer to the hardware mode.
  6. Press «Enter».
  7. Press «F10», and then select [Yes] and press «Enter».

If the computer is set to undesired mode

If you execute [Load Default Values] and then [Save Values and Reboot] in the [Exit] menu of the Setup Utility, for example, the computer may be set to a mode that does not match your usage environment. In this case, one of the following messages appears.
  • [The barcode reader and the setup utility are now set to the hardware mode. Do you want to change them?]
  • [The barcode reader and the setup utility are now set to the software mode. Do you want to change them?]
    If this happens, proceed as follows.
  1. Click [Yes].
    The mode is changed, and [The setting was changed] is displayed.
  2. Click [OK].
NOTE
- If you click [No] in step 1, [The barcode reader setting and the setup utility setting are inconsistent. The barcode reader might not work correctly. Please confirm the setup utility setting.] appears. Restart the computer and set the computer to the desired mode.
- If the computer fails to change the setting, [Barcode setting failed. Please end the barcode-related application and then retry.] appears.
Exit the running barcode-related application program, and click [Retry]. If the problem still persists, restart the computer.
- If [Initialization failed.] appears, restart the computer.

Cleaning the Reading Window

If the reading window is dirty, gently wipe the reading window with a cloth or a cotton swab moistened with water.
Do not allow materials that can easily scratch the reading window to touch the window, such as sandpaper or metal object.
For parts other than the reading window, please read “Handling and Maintenance” in the OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS.
<Only for model with 2D Barcode Reader>

Decode Capabilities

Following codes are supported as the factory default.
Codabar, Code39, Code128/GS1-128, DataMatrix, I2of 5, PDF417, QR Code, GS1 Databar, UPC/EAN
Following codes also can be used by specifying them with Barcode Configuration Utility.
Aztec, Code11, Code93, GS1Composite, Maxicode, MSI Code, MicroPDF417, Plessey Code, Telepen, TLC39

Barcode Configuration Utility

Using the Barcode Configuration Utility, you can create and perform the configuration files to set up the settings for Barcode Reader module and MCA configuration.

Installing the Utility

Two Utilities have been prepared to set the Barcode Reader operations.
  • Barcode Configuration Utility
    Create the configuration file to set the Barcode Reader operations.
  • Barcode Setting Utility
    This is necessary to set the Barcode Reader operations according to the configuration file.
    If these Utilities are not installed or deleted, install them according to the following procedures.

Installing Barcode Configuration Utility

  1. Log on to Windows as an Administrator.
  2. Click Start (Start) and enter [c:\util\bcr_cfg\setup.exe] in [Search Programs and files], and press «Enter».
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Installing Barcode Setting Utility

  1. Log on to Windows as an Administrator.
  2. Click Start (Start) and enter [c:\util\bcrh_set\setup.exe] in [Search Programs and files], and press «Enter».
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
    You do not have to restart the computer.

Using Barcode Configuration Utility

  1. Click Start (Start) - [All Programs] - [Panasonic] - [Barcode Configuration Utility].
    When you want to use “Apply Configuration”, click Start (Start) - [All Programs] - [Panasonic], then right click [Barcode Configuration Utility] and click [Run as administrator].
    Otherwise the error message may appear, when clicking [Apply Configuration].
  2. Click target model, and then click [OK].
    3. Usually choose the “CF-H2 Series (2D Barcode Reader)”and “With MCA Mode”.
    [Barcode Configuration Utility] screen appears.
  3. When using in the Baseline settings, click [Set Baseline Settings].
    To make detailed settings, perform operations from Data configuration through Barcode Software Tool.
  4. When the Configuration is completed, click Close.
    At the confirmation message, select [Yes].
NOTE
- If an error message appears and nothing is displayed, restart this utility.
- When the computer has resumed from sleep and hibernation, an error may appear and the connection with this utility may be lost. If this occurs, restart this utility.
- A standard user needs to enter an administrator password.

Applying settings

To apply the settings for the Barcode Configuration Utility, follow the steps below.
  1. Click [File] - [Save as] to create a configuration file (*.ini)
    Name the configuration file (*.ini).
  2. To reflect the setting contents to the Barcode module, click [Tools] - [Apply Configuration].
NOTE
- Alternatively you can reflect the setting contents to the Barcode module in the following procedures.
  1. Create and save the configuration file in Barcode Configuration Utility.
  2. Apply the configuration file in the following procedures.
Click Start (Start) and enter [c:\Program Files*1\Panasonic\BCR2DH2_set\BCR2DH2_set.exe
x:\xxxxxxxx\xxxxxxxx.ini*2] in [Search Programs and files], and press «Enter».
A standard user needs to enter an administrator password.
*1 : (64-bit) :Program Files (x86)
*2 : Drive name, folder name and file name for configuration file.
- After applying, the settings occur either in the Barcode module or the Barcode Key Emulator. You do not need to operate the Barcode Setting Utility every time when you restart the computer.

Data configuration

You can change the settings by adding check marks for items.
  1. Click [Data Configuration].
  2. Make necessary configuration.
NOTE
- If the input column is left blank, or the number of characters entered exceeds the maximum limit in the [Add Action] setting, an error message appears. In this case, click [OK] to close the menu and make the setting again. Or, click [Cancel] and close the [Add Action] screen.
- To change the Action already registered, delete Action for [Remove Action] and then register again for [Add Action].

Symbology Configuration

Various settings can be made for each barcode type that can be read.
  1. Click [Symbology Configuration].
  2. Click to select barcode type.
  3. Make necessary settings.
NOTE
- CODE128 and ISBT, or EAN128 and ISBT cannot be Enabled/Disabled at the same time.
- For some items, the setting cannot be changed.

Grid controls

You can select options for the symbology and value.
NOTE
- [Disable 2D Symbologies] is displayed only for 2D Barcode Reader.

Barcode Software Tool

Barcode Software Tool is for MCA Configuration.
You can change the settings by adding check marks for items.