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This is an example of how to set up a Bluetooth barcode scanner to work with a PC. First I will show how to set up the Scanner to work in RS232 mode as if connected to a virtual serial port and then how to adapt the configuration to work as a virtual KeyWedge™ scanner.

The hardware and software I used is listed below (different hardware or software may need to be handled differently)...

• Regular Laptop running Windows XP. Before I started the laptop had no built-in Bluetooth capability.
• Gryphon Bluetooth scanner kit. Altek part number DLGRYBT100.
• Bluetooth Class 1 dongle supplied by Altek with their scanner kit.
• Bluetooth 'Blue Soleil' software supplied free with the kit.
• Virtual Keyboard Wedge Software supplied free with the kit.

Step 1: Install the Bluetooth Dongle

• Power up the computer.
• Insert the bluetooth dongle into a spare USB port.
• The computer responds: Found New Hardware: ISSCBTA
• Insert the Blue Soleil dongle driver mini CD.
• The computer responds: Found New Hardware Wizard.
• I do not use the Wizard. I find it usually fails. Cancel it at the earliest opportunity.
• Run d:\bluesoleil 1.6\setup.exe from the CD (assumes your CD root maps to d:\)
• When prompted remove the CD and select restart computer now.
• When the computer restarts the Blue Soleil panel opens up and prompts you to enter some setup info. Accept the defaults and click next.

The Bluetooth dongle is now installed. You will find a 'BlueSoleil' icon on the desktop and a new bluetooth icon in the system tray. Clicking the icon brings up the 'BlueSoleil' Main Window.

Step 2: Linking the Scanner

Before starting make sure the scanner batteries are FULLY charged (overnight). If the batteries go low during installation all sorts of problems can arise.

Scanner Discovery

• If the scanner has not been used for a period it goes to sleep to conserve battery power. Press the trigger on the scanner to wake it up. (Blue light on top should flash occasionally)
• From the Blue Soleil application select: MyBluetooth -> Bluetooth Device Discovery
• A bluetooth icon appears on the dotted elipse. The discovery process is complete when the text reads Gryphon BT100. This may take up to 1 minute to complete.

Pairing the scanner with the Computer

This step has to be completed within about 30 seconds so be prepared with a 'pairing code' (sometimes called a Pass key). The code is used to identify this particular scanner to this PC in the future. There is nothing special or magical about a pairing code but it should be different from any other bluetooth device connected to this computer. You could use the scanner serial number, something more descriptive or just an arbitary code like '12345'. When you have decided on your pairing code do the following...

• Right click the scanner icon and select 'pair device'. A textbox will appear- you now have 30 secs to enter a pairing code/pass key.
• You have now associated the Scanner with the PC. The next step tells the PC how the scanner can communicate.
• Right-click the gryphon icon and select refresh services. A box will appear around the serial icon (3rd from the left). This indicates this device can connect using SPP (Serial Port Profile).
• Right-click the Serial Icon and select Connect. Select Yes when it asks about auto connect in the future. Note the com port number - you will need it later.

The scanner is now linked to the PC. (The scanner icon is firing red dots at the sun).

Step 3: Test the connection

Right-click the Scanner icon and select status. Note the signal strength reduces as the scanner is moved away from the dongle. For normal use the strengh indicator should be about mid way.

Scan some barcodes: The Received Byte count should increase as the data is received at the PC.

This panel also shows which virtual com port has been linked to the scanner.

Typically COM4(SPP) is allocated. If you want different com port you can change it by selecting:
Tools -> Configurations -> Quick connect.

Your scanner is now properly configured as a serial device. An application can read barcode data simply by reading the com port.

You can demonstrate this by using Hyperterminal or some other terminal emulation program to display the data as it is received.

Step 4: Keyboard emulation (Optional)

A scanner configured as a serial device is fine if your application needs serial data but most general purpose software applications do not have this capability.

Many applictions will expect the scanner to work in KeyWedge™ mode. There is a driver to do this on the CD packed with the scanner. Called DLWedgeEmulation it can be found in the SW Tools section.

To install the driver follow these steps...

• Insert CD in drive - it auto runs. (If not open file:///D:/index.htm with a browser)
• From the menu select SW Tools Installation
• Click the Link that says Click Here in order to install DLWedgeEmulation.
• Save the file DLWedgeEmulation.exe in a convienient location- it will be saved by default to the desktop.
• Run the file DLWedgeEmulation.exe enter data or accept the defaults appropriate.
• Re boot the computer
• A new icon appears in the system tray for the Wedge software. Right click and select stop. now select properties and change the com port number to the virtual com port number used by the Bluetooth scanner (usually COM 4). CLick OK. Right click the icon again and select start.

Your scanner is now working as a Wedge device. Data from a scanned barcode will appear on the scren as if it were typed at the keyboard.

To test this open up an editing program like notepad or a word processor. Type a few characters on the keyboard. Now scan a barcode and the data will be sent into your application just as if they have been typed.

Final adjustments

You may need to fine tune the output of the scanner to match your application's needs. For example if you have installed the KeyWedge™ driver you may see an unwanted blank line under each set of data. This is because the scanner by default auto appends a Carriage Return plus Line Feed to each barcode. This may be needed when the scanner is operated as a Serial device but not when used in KeyWedge™ mode.

To correct this open the Gryphon BT refence manual. (The manual can be found on the CD under the documents tab). Find the 'Data Format' section and print a hard copy of the 'Terminator' page. You will also need a printout of the 'Hex and Numeric Table' of barcodes at the end of the manual.

To change the terminator to a single Carriage Return code scan the following barcodes in the order shown:

1. Enter configuration
2. One character terminator
3. 0 (from the hex and numeric table)
4. D (from the hex and numeric table)
5. Exit and save configuration.

Alternatively if you want nothing appended to the barcode...

1. Enter configuration
2. No terminator
3. Exit and save configuration.