PDA User Manual

Chapter 6: Peripheral Devices & Accessories
Scanning Techniques
Ikôn Rugged PDA (Windows CE 5.0) User Manual 243
Scanner/imagers available for your Ikôn include: 1D Laser SE955, 1D Imager EV15, and
the 2D Imager SX5400.
It is critical that you review the safety information in the Ikôn Rugged PDA Regulatory &
Warranty Guide, PN 8000148, before proceeding.
6.11.1 Scanning Techniques
• Hold the scanner at an angle. Do not hold it perpendicular to the bar code.
• Do not hold the scanner directly over the bar code. In this position, light can reflect back
into the scanner’s exit window and prevent a successful decode.
• Scan the entire bar code. If you are using a 1D laser scanner, make certain that the scan
beam crosses every bar and space on the bar code, including the margins on either end
of the symbol.
• If you are using a 2D imaging scanner, make certain the red, oval shaped framing mark
is centered within the bar code you want to scan.
• When using imaging scanners, do not move the scanner while decoding the bar code.
Movement blurs the image.
• Hold the scanner farther away for larger bar codes.
• Hold the scanner closer for bar codes with bars that are close together.
A bar code icon appears on the screen during a scan. While the scanner beam is active, the
onscreen message states: SCANNING. If you want to turn off the onscreen message, disable
Scan Indication in the Options tab of the Scanner Settings menu in the Control Panel.
When the scan is successful, the bar code data is displayed on the screen until the scan
button is released, but only if Scan Result is turned on in the Options tab of the Scanner Set-
tings menu in the Control Panel.
6.11.2 Troubleshooting
If the scanner is not working, investigate the following:
• Is the unit on?
• Check that the bar code symbology being scanned is enabled for the Ikôn you are using.
Check any other parameters that affect the scanning procedure or the bar code.
• Check the bar code to make sure it is not damaged. Try scanning a different bar code to
verify that the problem is not with the bar code.
• Check that the bar code is within the proper range.
• Does the Ikôn display the warning without scanning? This suggests a hardware problem
in the PDA.