ALIEN TECHNOLOGY® ALH-901x Series Handheld User’s Guide Windows Mobile Dec 2015 ALH-901x Series
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Alien Technology® User’s Guide ALH-901x Series Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1 About this Manual .................................................................................................................................. 1 Who should read this manual? ..................................................................................................................
TABLE OF CONTENTS Starting the ALH-901x RFID Demo Software....................................................................................... 20 Inventory Utility .................................................................................................................................... 21 Geiger Tag Utility .................................................................................................................................. 22 Tag Access Utility ....................................
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Chapter 1 Introduction About this Manual This manual provides you with safety information, technical support information, and sources for additional product information. Who should read this manual? This manual is written for the person who is responsible for installing, configuring, and maintaining the ALH-9010/9011 (“ALH-901x”) handheld. This manual provides you with information about the features of the ALH-901x, and how to install, configure, operate, and maintain it.
INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 Package components After opening the product packaging box, check the items listed as below. If there are missing or defective items, please contact the Alien customer support, or your place of purchase. Adaptor and AC Cable Main Battery Cradle Pistol Grip Protective Film USB Sync Cable Stylus Hand Strap ALH-901x Body 2 ALH-901X USER’S GUIDE DOC.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Handheld Components Camera (ALH-9011) RFID Reader Barcode Scanner Speaker WLAN LED Main Battery F7/F8 F9 Phone Speaker Power Volume Touch Screen L/R Arrow Key Keypad Reset Button Microphone Battery Latch DC Power Jack Handstrap Hole Cradle Connector Earphone Jack USB Sync Connector Trigger Button (F19) Pistol Grip ALH-901X USER’S GUIDE DOC.
INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 Description of Each Component Part UHF Reader 1D/2D Barcode Scanner Reset Button The 900MHz UHF RFID tag reader module. The laser beam is emitted through this window. Do not look directly at the laser! Enables you to perform a Soft Reset. Press along with the button to perform a Hard Reset. Microphone Records audio from the surrounding environment. WLAN LED Indicates WLAN power on-off status. Battery Latch Allows you to detach the main battery.
CHAPTER 2 BASIC FUNCTIONS Chapter 2 Basic Functions Power and Battery The ALH-901x battery system is composed of main battery, an optional pistol grip battery, and a backup battery. The main battery supplies the power to the system and RAM which retains saved data. A backup battery saves the data in RAM in the situation where the main battery is discharged completely. Main Battery: 3,000 mAh, 3.7v Lithium–Polymer Pistol-Grip Battery (optional): 4,400 mAh, 3.7v Lithium-Ion Backup Battery: 100 mAh, 3.
BASIC FUNCTIONS CHAPTER 2 Attaching the Main Battery Put the top part of battery into the upward groove, and then press down on the bottom part of the battery into the battery compartment. Slide the battery latch to the left (LOCK side) to attach the battery firmly. R/L Battery Attaching Groove Charging You must charge the battery only with the provided adapter or cradle. The Power LED illuminates red while charging and green when charging is complete. Connecting Adapter 1.
CHAPTER 2 BASIC FUNCTIONS Power On and Off Pressing the button once causes the device to enter low-power (sleep) mode. Pressing button once again activates the system. Power On and Off With Button Power Off: 1. When the system is on, press the button for a couple of seconds and the backlight will be turned off and it will enter the low-power sleep mode. Power On: 1.
BASIC FUNCTIONS CHAPTER 2 To unlock the locked screen, you swipe across the slider at the top of the screen. Status Bar Slide to Unlock Clock Display Power Off Automatically If the device has not been used for a period of time, the system will enter low-power (sleep) mode automatically. Carefully setting the sleep mode time in the Power Management control panel can save power and prolong the life of the battery.
CHAPTER 2 BASIC FUNCTIONS Checking the Battery Gauge Battery life is largely affected by the user’s usage habits. The battery may need up to twelve hours to charge completely. Checking Battery Gauge [Start] > [Settings] > [Power] > [Battery] Low Power Warning If the remaining battery charge cannot support the running system any more, a low power warning message window will appear on the screen. You will need to press the button to turn off the power, and charge the battery as soon as possible.
BASIC FUNCTIONS CHAPTER 2 System Reset If there is no response from the handheld, or an application is locked up and stops responding, then a reset of the handheld may be necessary. Resetting the system is also required when you want to upgrade firmware, Soft (Warm) Reset If there is no response from the system, you should first perform a soft reset. A soft reset will halt running programs and the user memory will be deleted. Installed programs and saved data are not affected.
CHAPTER 2 BASIC FUNCTIONS Installing a MicroSD Card Carefully slide the metal cover to the right, along the direction of the arrow, to open it. Lift the cover up along arrow direction. Set the MicroSD card into the slot and lower the cover again. Slide the cover to the left to lock it, and reattach the main battery. You can find the MicroSD memory card icon in the File Explorer, after inserting the MicroSD card. ALH-901X USER’S GUIDE DOC.
BASIC FUNCTIONS CHAPTER 2 System Settings Most of the system settings can be changed through the Settings control panel, which is accessed via the Start button. Settings control panel Start button Setting Screen Contrast The screen brightness/contrast is one of the biggest parts of your power consumption, so you may need to adjust it to suit your actual needs.
CHAPTER 2 BASIC FUNCTIONS Screen Calibration The first time the device is used, or if you haven’t used the device for a long time, you may find that you cannot accurately select the place where you touch with the stylus. In this case, you need to perform the screen calibration. [Start] > [Settings] > [System] > [Screen] > [Align Screen] Press and hold the stylus pen briefly on the center of the cross symbol, and repeat five times as it moves around the screen.
BASIC FUNCTIONS CHAPTER 2 Setting the Date and Time [Start] > [Settings] > [Clocks & Alarms] Using the Keypad The physical keypad enables you to input numbers, letters and special symbols. You can also execute other preset functions with the button.
CHAPTER 2 BASIC FUNCTIONS Entering Data Numeric Keypad Mode, “1”: Press the <1 ALP> button or keypad icon on the taskbar to change to the numeric mode. Pressing a keypad button will directly enter the number printed on that key. Alphabet Keypad Mode, “A,a”: Press the <1 ALP> button or keypad icon on the taskbar to change to the lowercase (a) or uppercase (A) mode. Each keypad button has 2-4 letters or symbols.
BASIC FUNCTIONS CHAPTER 2 Using the Stylus You can tie the stylus to the hole in the hand strap connector, to allow you to use the stylus like a mouse on a PC. The hand strap has a small integrated holster for storing the stylus safely. Use the stylus to: Select a letter on the onscreen soft keypad. Select a program on the desktop or taskbar. Select a button, tab bar, or other control in an application window. Caution: Please do not use sharp objects on the touch screen.
CHAPTER 2 BASIC FUNCTIONS The installation was finished. Now when you use the USB cable to connect to the USB port on your computer, ActiveSync will automatically detect the device and make a connection. Handheld Firmware [Start] > [Settings] > [System] > [Versions] You can check the handheld’s firmware version in the Version control panel. In order to load a new firmware image, you must use the unit’s Boot Menu (described later). Go to the Version control panel to examine the current firmware version.
BASIC FUNCTIONS CHAPTER 2 the purposes of upgrading firmware. Do not put any other files on the MicroSD card! Once the two firmware files are on a memory card, and inside the handheld, you use the Boot Menu to install them Boot Menu To perform a Hard Reset and go to the Boot Menu, press the button, and then immediately hold the button. After a few seconds, the [Boot Menu] window will appear. Enter the [Boot Menu] in any of the following situations: To upgrade the unit’s firmware.
CHAPTER 2 BASIC FUNCTIONS [Boot Menu] 1.SD Image Update 2.Clean on Exit (No) 3.Factory Reset 0.Exit Selection : 1 Connected to Media...! Completed..!! Please Cold Reset..!! Once complete, you will be prompted to cold reset the handheld. Press the Power and Reset keys at the same time, to perform a cold reset. Before allowing the unit to boot after a firmware upgrade, it is a good idea to perform a Factory Reset on the unit.
RFID TAG READER CHAPTER 3 Chapter 3 RFID Tag Reader The ALH-901x handheld readers contains a full-featured 900 MHz UHF RFID tag reader. It is able to inventory, selectively read from, and write to, RFID tags which support the EPC Gen2 protocol. The Frequency range is 850MHz - 960MHz, and can be adjusted for different regions. UHF Reader Starting the ALH-901x RFID Demo Software The Alien RFID demo software is accessible from the Alien Demos folder in the Start menu.
CHAPTER 3 RFID TAG READER Inventory Utility The Inventory utility allows you to scan all of the tags within range of the reader, and see each tag’s EPC and read count in a scrollable list. You start and stop the inventory utility by either holding the pistol-grip trigger button, or by clicking once on the green Start button. The reader continues to read tags until you release the trigger or click the Stop button. Click the OK button at the bottom-right corner to return to the main screen.
RFID TAG READER CHAPTER 3 Geiger Tag Utility The Geiger Tag utility is designed to assist you in finding the location of a particular tag, or one of a group of tags. It does this by measuring the returning signal strength (RSSI) from the tag, and displaying this information on the screen, along with an audible and vibratory queue. As you pass the reader near a tag, the RSSI increases, and you will see, hear, and feel the change.
CHAPTER 3 RFID TAG READER Tag Access Utility The Tag Access utility allows you to read from and write to specific portions of a tag’s memory. The utility is divided up into two separate tabs: the Basic tab and the Advanced tab. The Basic tab gives a quick overview of the tag’s memory layout, and gives you basic ability to write new data to the tag.
RFID TAG READER Pressing one of the small green buttons labeling each memory field will cause the reader to only read data from that field. CHAPTER 3 Pressing one of the red “write” buttons causes the reader to write the shown data to the tag. You can edit the data in the field before writing it to the tag. The field turns orange while writing, and then turns white or red, depending on the success of the write operation.
CHAPTER 3 RFID TAG READER Advanced Access Tab The Advanced Access tab has three general control areas: Read, Write, and Lock. All three operations require you to specify the bank of tag memory to access (Reserved, EPC, TID, and User). When reading and writing, you must specify the offset into that bank of memory where you would like to access. The reading operation also requires you to specify the length of the data to read.
RFID TAG READER CHAPTER 3 When locking, you have the option of locking the Access Password and Kill Password (both in the Reserved bank) separately, so the Lock command has a list of tag memory fields instead of banks. The other parameter is the type of lock: Lock, Unlock, PermaLock, and PermaUnlock. All locking operations require you to confirm by clicking OK to an alert message. The “Perma” options are, well, permanent, so use caution.
CHAPTER 3 RFID TAG READER Tag Mask When the application first launches, it is configured to look for and report every tag it sees. You don’t always want to read every tag – perhaps you are searching for only one class of product, or are trying to access one particular tag in order to write data to it.
RFID TAG READER CHAPTER 3 Tag Mask – Scan The Scan tab acts just like the Inventory screen – start/stop the reader with the trigger or Start Scan button, and all tags in range are displayed. Select a tag from the list and click the Set Mask to Selected Tag button. To clear the mask, click an empty part of the list and then click the Clear Mask button.
CHAPTER 3 RFID TAG READER Tag Mask – Specify The Tag Mask “Specify” tab allows you to do three things: take a quick peek at tag memory (to help you determine your mask definition), define an arbitrary or “EPC Prefix” mask, and verify your mask. The upper section, called Unmasked, lets you choose a bank, pointer offset, and number of words to read. Clicking the green Read button will query any tag in the field (without any masking) and report the data from that tag.
RFID TAG READER Defining an arbitrary mask requires you to specify the bank and offset, along with the data. This TID mask example selects all Alien Higgs3 tags. Masks defined with the EPC Prefix method are displayed on the utility screens as that initial part of the EPC. 30 CHAPTER 3 Using the Verify Mask feature, you can make sure you’ve entered the mask correctly. Be sure to test tags that match as well as tags that don’t match.
CHAPTER 3 RFID TAG READER Tag Mask – Presets The third way to set a tag mask is with the Presets tab. This screen shows a list of pre-defined tag masks, such as “all tags”, “all Higgs3 tags”, etc. These presets are hard-coded in the application, but you can replace the default list with one of your own. Masks chosen from the Presets tab are shown on the utility screens with the display name in the mask preset definition. Your own mask presets might display “Blue Jeans” or “Pallet Tags” instead.
RFID TAG READER CHAPTER 3 Tag Mask – Assets The Assets feature of the RFID demo application shows how you might associate an EPC code, barcode, or photo snapshot (ALH-9011 only) to an actual physical asset. By linking those pieces of information, you can cross-reference a barcode scan with the EPC code on that product’s RFID tag, and see a picture of the asset each time the tag is read.
CHAPTER 3 The Barcode scan is first. Just pull the trigger to scan a barcode and advance to the next step. When the barcode is successfully scanned, it is displayed in the middle of the screen. RFID TAG READER Next step is reading the RFID tag. Just pull the trigger, press the Scan button above the keypad, or tap on the RFID button again to read the EPC. When you take a photo of your asset, you have two different camera options to use.
RFID TAG READER The B&W camera from the 2D barcode scanner takes lower-quality images, but is much faster, and the preview image while pointing the camera appears right in the Asset screen itself, rather than in a separate window. CHAPTER 3 A third option exists: you can load an image file already stored on the device. Just select the “File…” radio button instead of one of the camera options, and you will see the standard Open File dialog, where you can find and select your image file.
CHAPTER 3 RFID TAG READER Reader Settings The Reader Settings screen allows you to see and change certain parameters of the RFID reader, such as transmit power, and some Gen2-specific parameters on the RFID tab. You get to the Reader Settings screen from the menu button at the bottom of the main screen. There is a second Network tab with some additional parameters related to the reader’s network interface and some common Alien features, such as a Heartbeat and TagStream functionality.
WIRELESS LAN CHAPTER 5 Chapter 4 Barcode Scanner (1D & 2D) The ALH-9010 comes equipped with a 1D barcode scanner, and the ALH-9011 is equipped with a 2D barcode scanner. Both models are designed to recognize all known 1D and 2D barcodes. Barcode Scanner (ALH-9011 shown) Barcode Demo The Barcode demo application is accessible from the Start menu. [Start] > [Alien Demos] > [Barcode] Starting the Barcode demo app, toward the bottom of the Start menu. 36 Press the Scan button to read a barcode.
CHAPTER 5 WIRELESS LAN Setting Barcode Symbology There are many different barcode encoding standards, depending on the region and industry. You must make sure that the barcode scanner is set to decode the types of barcodes that you expect to encounter. Selecting too many symbologies can increase the time it takes to decode a barcode, or result in the barcode being misinterpreted.
WIRELESS LAN CHAPTER 5 Chapter 5 Wireless LAN The ALH-901x handheld readers are equipped with an internal 802.11 radio module to transfer data, and interface the unit with your network using wireless communication. It supports TCP/IP network protocols, and can communicate with a host computer directly. Powering Up the WLAN Radio [Start] > [Settings] > [System] > [WiFi Power] Running the WiFi Power control panel. Turn the WiFi module on/off here.
CHAPTER 5 WIRELESS LAN If no known networks are found, you may see a notification like this when it finds a new network. Click the OK menu button to initiate the connection process. Use the Menu button, and the Wi-Fi Settings option to see the list of wireless servers that are known or available. The Wi-Fi Settings screen lists all visible networks. It will automatically connect to a known network. Select a different network and click the Connect button, or tap-hold on it to see a contextual menu.
BLUETOOTH CHAPTER 6 Chapter 6 Bluetooth The ALH-901x handheld readers feature Bluetooth technology for wireless communication with other devices, such as wireless printers, supporting the Serial Printer Profile (SPP). By default, the Bluetooth service is turned off. Turning on Bluetooth The Bluetooth radio is turned off by default. To use Bluetooth, turn it on first with the Bluetooth control panel.
CHAPTER 6 BLUETOOTH Connecting Bluetooth Printers (SPP) The Bluetooth control panel connects to a printer through a virtual serial port. The SPP Bluetooth device will appear as a virtual Com port. Start at the Devices page of the Bluetooth control panel. In the Bluetooth Devices screen, click the Add New Device… button. The handheld will look for available Bluetooth devices. Select the one to connect to and press the Next menu button.
BLUETOOTH CHAPTER 6 Once the device is in the device list, you need to select which services you wish to use from the Bluetooth device. Click the device item to open the Partnership Settings page. Select one of the services the device offers, and click the Save menu button. Click the Connect button to finish the connection. Switch to the COM Ports page, and click the New Outgoing Port button to map the Bluetooth device to a virtual COM port.
CHAPTER 7 USING GPS Chapter 7 Using GPS The ALH-9011 handheld reader contains an internal GPS module for finding the geographic location of the handheld reader. The GPS service requires line-of-sight visibility with at least four of the constellation of orbiting GPS satellites, so the speed of the initial fix and the accuracy of all data depend greatly on the quality of the signal from the orbiting satellites.
USING THE CAMERA CHAPTER 8 Chapter 8 Using the Camera The ALH-9011 is equipped with a 3 megapixel camera which allows for adjustments of brightness, video resolution, picture quality, etc. Camera (ALH-9011 only) Using the Camera The camera is accessible as a standard Windows camera device, so custom applications would generally use the Windows APIs to access it. A convenient way to use the camera, though, is with the built-in “Pictures & Videos” control panel.
CHAPTER 8 USING THE CAMERA The Windows Camera Dialog Aim the camera, and press the Enter button on the keypad to take the snapshot. Then press the OK button to close the Camera Dialog. ALH-901X USER’S GUIDE DOC. CONTROL #8102117-000 REV D The control panel saves the image in My Pictures, by default. Your application can put the image wherever it wants to.
USING THE SIM CARD CHAPTER 9 Chapter 9 Using a SIM Card The ALH-9011 is equipped with a SIM card slot and wireless HSDPA radio supporting enhanced 3G connectivity. After inserting the SIM card, you’ll have to do some initial configuration, depending on the wireless carrier you choose. After that, the ALH-9011 can use the 3G network for wireless data communications. Installing SIM Card A SIM card can be easily inserted and pulled out along the arrow direction.
CHAPTER 9 USING THE SIM CARD Creating the 3G Network Connection Before you use the 3G phone for the first time, you need to define the network connection. After that is done, all you need to do is turn the 3G phone on and off, and it will automatically connect to the cellular network as needed. Use the Connections control panel to do this. [Start] > [Connections] > [Connections] Starting the Connections control panel.
USING THE SIM CARD Most providers will require you to enter in one of their not-so-secret username / password combinations. This username is WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM, and the password is CINGULAR1. Click the Finish button when you’re done. CHAPTER 9 In the Connections control panel’s Tasks page, click the “Manage existing connections” link to see all of your network connections that have been created.
APPENDIX CONFIGURATION Appendix Configuration Physical and Environmental Characteristics Dimensions 6-1/4” x 3-1/4” x 4-5/8” (5-1/8” with pistol grip) 15.8 cm x 8.0 cm x 11.5 cm (13.5 cm with pistol grip) Weight 320g Operation Temperature -10ºC to 50ºC Storage Temperature -30ºC to 60ºC Humidity Non-condensing Drop 1.5m drop to concrete Performance Characteristics Processor Marvell™ PXA320 806MHz Operating System Windows Mobile 6.5 Memory ROM 256MB; RAM 256MB Display 3.
