USER MANUAL Revision 2.
Description The RS420 reader is a rugged portable hand-held scanner and telemeter for Electronic Identification (EID) ear tags specifically designed for livestock applications. The reader fully complies with ISO standards ISO11784 / ISO11785 for FDX-B and HDX technologies.
Figure 1 - Reader features and user interface. Table 1 – Reader features and description of use Item 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Feature Description of use Antenna Emits activation signal and receives RFID tag signal. Fiberglass Tube Enclosure Rugged and watertight enclosure. Audible beeper Beeps once on first tag reading and 2 short beeps for repeat. Large graphical readout with Displays information about current reader status. backlight Green indicator Illuminates whenever a tag data has been stored.
Operation Getting Started It is necessary to first fully charge the Battery Pack as described below and to have a few electronic identification ear tags or implants available for testing. It is very important to carry out the three steps described in this section before using the reader (see “ Battery handling instructions” section for more information) Step 1: Installing the battery pack in the device. 1 Insert the battery in the reader. The pack is keyed for proper installation.
Plug the adapter into a power outlet. The battery icon 3 indicates the battery pack is in charge with the bars flashing inside the icon. It also gives the battery charge level. The battery icon will remain in a fix state when charging has finished. Charging takes approximately 3 hours. 4 Remove the power cord. Unplug the adapter from the power outlet, and remove the data-power cable inserted in the reader. Power on / off instructions Press the green button on the reader handle to power on the reader.
Reading an EID Ear Tag Scanning animals Place the device near the animal identification tag to be read, then press the green button in order to activate the reading mode. The screen backlight switches on and the red light will be flashing. During the reading mode, move the reader along the animal to scan the ear tag ID. The reading mode remains activated during a programmed duration. If the green button is held down, the reading mode remains activated.
Note 3 Two short beeps and a short vibration mean that the reader has previously read the tag in the current session. A beep/vibration of medium-duration means that the reader has read a new tag which has NOT been previously read during the current session A long beep/vibration means that there is an alert regarding the tag which has been read (see “Comparison sessions” section for more information).
Tips for efficient reading Tag reader efficiency is often linked with reading distance. The device's read distance performance may be affected by the following factors: Tag orientation: See Figure 2. Tag quality: It is normal to find that many common tags from different manufacturers have different read range performance levels. Animal movement: If the animal moves too quickly, the tag may not be located in the read zone long enough for the ID code information to be obtained.
Note 6 – icon informs that a comparison session is currently active. The comparison session is displayed between “> <” symbols (ex: “>My List<”). Note 7 – icon informs that alerts are currently enabled. Note 8 – Comparison sessions can be uploaded into the reader using EID Tag Manager PC software or any third party software implementing this feature. You can change the comparison session using the reader menu (see Menu 9) Note 9 – When an alert occurs, the reader will generate a long beep and vibration.
Note 12 – Up to four data fields can be used for a given tag. If a comparison session is used and contains three data fields, only one data entry list can be used. Note 13 – A list named “Default” containing numbers (1, 2…) is always available. Note 14 – When a tag is read twice or more, the reader will preselect the previously validated data. If the data entry is different, a duplicate tag is stored in the session with the new data.
Managing the menu Using the menu With the reader powered on, press the black button for over 3 seconds. Menu 1 – Menu listed after pressing of the black button for over 3 seconds.
Note 18 – Each ID code is stored internally in the reader’s memory until the user erases the sessions after downloading them to a PC or other storage device, such as an USB stick. Note 19 – If enabled, the reader provides a time and date stamp for each identification number stored. The user can enable/disable the date and time transmission using EID Tag Manager software. Note 20 – By default, the session will be named “SESSION 1”, the number being incremented automatically.
Bluetooth® management Menu 6 - Menu “Bluetooth®” Item 1 2 3 Sub-Menu Back On/Off Select device Definition Return to the previous screen Enable / Disable the Bluetooth® module. Configure the reader in SLAVE mode or scan and list all Bluetooth® devices in the reader vicinity to configure the reader in MASTER mode. 4 Authentication 5 6 iPhone discoverable About Enable / disable the security feature of the Bluetooth® Make the reader discoverable by iPhone®, iPad®.
Read settings Menu 8 - Menu “Read settings” Item 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sub-Menu Definition Back Return to the previous screen Comparison and Manage comparison and alerts settings (see Menu 9).
Menu 11 - Menu “Data entry” Item 1 2 3 Sub-Menu Back On/Off Select data list Definition Return to the previous screen Enable / Disable data entry feature Select one or several data entry list(s) (up to 3 list selectable) to be used to associate data entry with the tag read Menu 12 - Menu “Counter mode” Item 1 2 Sub-Menu Back Session | Total 3 Session | Unique tags 4 Session | MOB Definition Return to the previous screen 1 counter for all IDs stored in the current session and 1 counter for all IDs s
General settings Menu 14 - Menu “general settings” Item 1 2 Sub-Menu Back Profiles 3 Quick action 4 5 6 Vibrator Buzzer Protocol 7 Language Definition Return to the previous screen Recall a profile saved in the reader. By default, the factory settings can be reloaded. Attribute a second feature to the black button (see Menu 15). Enable / Disable vibrator (see Note 20) Enable / Disable audible beeper (see Note 21) Select the protocol used by the communication interfaces (see Menu 16).
Menu 16 – Menu “protocol” Item 1 2 3 Sub-Menu Back Standard protocol Allflex RS320 / RS340 Definition Return to the previous screen Select the standard protocol defined for this reader Select the protocol used by ALLFLEX’S readers RS320 and RS340 Note 28 – All commands of ALLFLEX’S reader are implemented but some features are not implemented.
Connect the reader to a PC This section is meant to describe how to connect the reader to a smartphone or to a personal computer (PC). The device can connect in 3 ways: a wired USB connection, a wired RS-232 connection, or by a wireless Bluetooth® connection. Using USB interface The USB port allows the device to send and receive data via a USB connection. To establish a USB connection, simply connect the reader to a PC with the data-power cable.
The RS-232 serial interface comprises a 3-wire arrangement with a DB9F connector, and consists of transmit (TxD/pin 2), receive (RxD/pin 3), and ground (GND/pin 5). This interface is factory configured with the default settings of 9600 bits/second, no parity, 8 bits/1 word, and 1 stop bit (“9600N81”). These parameters can be changed from the PC software. Serial output data appears on the device’s TxD/pin 2 connection in ASCII format.
If you are using a smartphone or a PDA, an application is required (not supplied). Your software supplier will explain how to connect the PDA. Note 36 - We advise that to achieve successful Bluetooth® connection with your reader, simply follow the implementation methods listed (see the following). Note 37 - If these implementation methods are not followed, the connection may become inconsistent, thus causing other reader related errors.
Start your PC Bluetooth® Manager program or PDA Bluetooth® services, Depending on which Bluetooth device your PC is using the Bluetooth Manager may vary in how it pairs a device. As a general rule the program should have the option to “Add a Device” or “Discover a Device”. With the reader turned on, select one of these options. The Bluetooth® program should open a window within one minute showing all Bluetooth enabled devices in the area.
The program will assign 2 communication ports for the reader. Most applications will use the outgoing port. Make note of this port number for use when connecting to a software program If this fails use the following links, search the reader in the peripheral list and connect it. You have to add an outgoing port that makes a connection to the device. Follow the steps described in the links below. For Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883259/en-us For Windows 7: http://windows.microsoft.
Power Management The RS420 uses a 7.4VDC – 2600mAh Li-Ion rechargeable battery pack, which serves as its primary power source. This feature adds hours of scans with a fully charged battery. Alternately, the reader can be powered and used indoors only by the following methods: 1. From its AC Adapter. Once the external AC adapter is connected, the reader is powered-up, it will remain on until the AC adapter is disconnected and the Battery Pack is charged.
At the top of the screen, the icon of the battery level shows the discharge level as well as the charge level during the charge mode. Display Summary Good Quite good Medium Slightly depleted, but sufficient Depleted. Recharge the battery (Low battery message will show) Reader power instructions Note 41 - The reader is designed to operate only with the Battery Pack provided. The reader will not operate with individual battery cells of either disposable or rechargeable variety.
Caution 1. Do not use or leave the battery in high heat environments (for example, at strong direct sunlight or in a vehicle in extremely hot weather). Otherwise, it can overheat, ignite, or battery performance will be degraded, thus shortening its service life. 2. Do not use it in a location where static electricity is rich, otherwise, the safety devices may be damaged, causing a harmful situation. 3.
Accessories for the reader Battery pack fast charger The fast charger (indoors use only) can charge up to 2 battery packs simultaneously in 3 hours. A light indicates the status of each battery charging. Green light Off Blinking On Off Red light Off Off Off On or Blinking Charger status Shutdown - Not Charging – Standby Normal Charging Complete charge Battery fault Note 46 – The lights switch off when the batteries are fully charged.
Plastic Carry Case Durable Plastic Carry Case is available as an optional extra or is included in the “Premium Kit” Package.
Specifications General Norms User interface USB interface Bluetooth® interface Serial interface Memory Battery Date/Time autonomy Battery charge duration Mechanical and physical Dimensions Weight Material Operating temperature Storage temperature Humidity Reading Distance for ear tags (cattle) Distance for ear tags (sheep) Distance for implants 7 ISO 11784 and full ISO 11785 for FDX-B and HDX tags IP67 with battery inside and cap screwed onto connector Graphical display 128x128 dots 2 keys Buzzer and Vib
Reader physical integrity The device has been built from rugged and durable materials to withstand use in harsh environments for long periods of time. However, the reader contains electronic components that can be damaged if they are deliberately exposed to extreme abuse. This damage can adversely affect, or stop the reader's operation. The user must avoid deliberately striking other surfaces and objects with the device. Damage that results from such handling is not covered by the warranty described below.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. The user must be at 20 cm of the reader antennas. Notice to Consumers: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. Canada – Industry Canada (IC) This device complies with RSS 210 of Industry Canada.
Regulatory Compliance ISO 11784 & 11785 This device complies with the standards set forward by the International Standardization Organization. Specifically with standards: 11784: Radio frequency identification of animals -- Code Structure 11785: Radio frequency identification of animals -- Technical Concept. FCC NQY-30002 IC 4246A-30002 CE Marking Trademark Notices Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
Allflex Offices Allflex UK Ltd. Unit 6 - 8 Galalaw Business Park HAWICK United Kingdom TD9 8PZ Phone: 44 (0) 1450 364120 Fax: 44 (0) 1450 364121 www.allflex.co.uk Allflex USA, Inc. P.O. Box 612266 2805 East 14th Street Dallas Ft. Worth Airport, Texas 75261-2266 United States of America (800) 989-TAGS [8247] (972) 456-3686 (972) 456-3882/FAX www.allflexusa.com Sistemas De Identificaçao Animal LTDA Rua Dona Francisca 8300 Distrito Industrial Bloco B – Módulos 7 e 8 89.
