Introduction

SPDC is the slim version of its predecessor MPDC mini portable swipe card reader. Both data collection systems are intended for use with attendance tracking in classrooms, trade shows, and conferences. Its key features include  

• Extended swipe length for better first-read rate

• Two-in-one connectivity USB or RS-232

• Battery operated and easy replaceable

• USB or A/C adapter rechargeable

• Low power consumption 100K swipes per charge

• Automatic shutdown for power conservation

• Data retained even if battery removed

• Dual status LEDs operation and charge

• Reads tracks 1, 2, and 3

• Stores 3000 dual-track or 1500 triple-track swipes

• Required tracks configurable

• Only valid swipes are logged

• All swipes are time-stamped

• Hardware password protection

• Easy-to-use download and configuration utility

• Rugged unit body construction and solid hand grip

 

Getting Started

Package Contents

Before getting started, make sure your SPDC package includes the following items:

1. SPDC main unit

2. Li-Ion 3.7V 490 mAh rechargeable battery preinstalled

3. USB cable

4. RS-232 cable

5. Utility/driver CD

6. Data sheet

7. A/C power adapter (optional)

 

Status Indicator

SPDC Portable Magnetic Stripe Card Reader comes equipped with a pair of dual-color LEDs one for showing operation status and the other for exhibiting charge status. See the table below for a complete list of LED statuses:

Operation Status	Green/Red LED #1
Shutdown (Power Off/Auto Shutoff)	Off
Standby (Power On/Awakened)	Blinking red every two (2) seconds
Successful Read	Blinks green once
Unsuccessful Read	Blinks red once
Download in Progress	Flashing green
Memory Full	Flashing red and green alternately
Low Battery Warning (Reader Active)	Flashing orange (red+green)
Low Battery Warning (Reader in Sleep)	Steady orange (red+green)

Charge Status	Green/Red LED #2
Charging in Progress	Steady red
Charging Complete	Steady green

The Operation LED blinks red every two (2) seconds to indicate the reader is in a ready or active state. It stops blinking when 1) the reader shuts itself off after a predetermined period of inactivity, 2) the power switch is turned off, or 3) the battery completely drains. The green color comes on momentarily in response to a good swipe. In case of a bad read, the red color lights up briefly instead.

The Operation LED will flash green while download operation is in progress and switch itself off upon completion. When the internal memory reaches its full capacity, the Operation LED will flash red and green alternately. You must download then erase the captured data at this point in order to resume the reader's operation.

When the battery power drops below its threshold, low battery warning will come on to alert you to recharge the reader. The Operation LED will flash orange when the reader is in active state or turn to steady orange when the reader is in sleep.

Recharge Reader

There are two types of charging operation warm recharge or cold recharge. Refer to the following table for their respective usage:

Type	Warm Recharge	Cold Recharge
Switch Setting	On	On or Off
Precondition	Battery power sufficient to keep the magnetic card reader operative completely drained	Battery power
Procedures	1. Plug in USB or A/C adapter to reader. 2. Long-press wakeup button for about two seconds to Charging. 3. Wait till charging completes. Initiate	1. Plug in USB or A/C adapter to reader to initiate charging immediately. 2. Wait till charging completes.
Notes	* Reader is usable while charging. * Short-pressing wakeup button for about half of a second terminates charging. * Disconnecting then reconnecting USB or A/C adapter resumes Charging. * Turning power switch off launches cold recharge instantaneously when reader is connected to USB or A/C adapter.	* Reader is not usable while charging. * Wakeup button is disabled in switch-off mode. * Cold recharge shortly turns to warm recharge in switch-on mode when battery regains sufficient power to operate reader.

If you left the reader in sleep mode for an extended period of time, chances are you would miss the low battery warning and the battery became completely discharged. You restore the battery power by plugging in USB or A/C adapter to the reader to start Cold Recharge.

If you were alerted of low battery, you might follow the illustration below to reenergize your reader:

1. Low battery warning comes on Operation LED is flashing or steady on orange
2. Plug in USB or A/C adapter to reader then long-press wakeup button
3. Charging is underway Charge LED lights up steady red
4. Charge LED turns to steady green upon completion
5. Unplug reader from USB or A/C adapter to terminate charging
6. Short-presses wakeup button to reactivate reader

Power on Reader

Turn the power switch on and the Operation LED will start blinking red. If there is no activity during a predetermined period of time, the reader will turn itself into a "sleep mode" or "inactive mode" and the Operation LED will stop blinking. Press the wakeup button to reactivate the reader. In order to completely shut off the unit, you will need to turn the power switch off.

Real Time Clock (RTC)

A timestamp in the format of YYYY/MM/DD HH:MM:SS is also stored in the reader along with each data entry. You can enable or disable downloading of the timestamps through the bundled utility. Note that the RTC is not initialized at factory. You need to set it up when you use the unit the first time and each time you install a new battery.

Connect Reader to Host PC

You can use either the RS-232 or the USB cable to connect your reader to a host PC. Plug in the mini USB end of the RS-232/USB cable to the reader and attach the DB9F/USB A-type end to the serial/USB port on your host PC.

Note that you are required to install a device driver in order to operate your reader over the USB connectivity. Refer to “Install Utility and USB Driver” section for installation instructions.

Install Utility and USB Driver

There are two subfolders on the utility/driver CD PDC Utility and USB Driver. Run Setup.exe from the PDC Utility folder and follow the instructions to complete the utility installation.

Windows will prompt you to install a device driver for the newly detected hardware when you plug in the USB cable to your host PC the first time. Specify the path to the USB Driver folder and Windows will complete the driver installation in a few seconds. You only need to run the driver installation once. Windows will load the USB driver automatically the next time around.

Note that USB driver assigns a virtual serial port for communications. Control Panel System Hardware Device Manager Ports (COM & LPT) will lead you to identify the port number.

Login to SPDC

SPDC is password protected to prevent unauthorized access to the data stored in the reader. No default password is set at factory. You have the option not to use this login feature at all. Simply press OK when prompted for your password at login.

Download Captured Data to Host PC

Execute the download command from the main menu of the bundled utility. Upon completion of the download operation, a data window will pop up in the foreground of your screen for your review. You can either print it out or save it to a file for further processing.

User's Guide

A PDF softcopy of the User's Guide is contained in the utility/driver CD. Refer to the step-by-step operating procedures to use the utility to interoperate with the reader.

SpecificationsCommand Set

Processor	80C31 8-bit CPU
Memory Capacity	256KB Flash
Battery	Li-Ion 3.7V 490 mAh, 300 cycles rechargeable
Track Readability	Tracks 1&2&3 configurable
Magnetic Head Life	300,000 passes minimum
Swipe Speed	5 to 60 inch/sec bidirectional
Standard Compliance	ISO 7811
Housing	ABS Plastic
Color	Black
Dimensions	79 mmx23mmx28 mm
Weight	55 grams
Operating Temperature	0to45C o
Storage Temperature	-20 to 70 oC
Relative Humidity	0% to 95% (non-condensing)
USB Cable	Mini USB to A-type male
RS-232 Cable	Mini USB to DB9 female
Operating System	Windows 98, 2000, XP

 

Command Code	Functional Description
P	Login to reader
E	Erase captured data
C	Change password
D	Download captured data
S	Set up auto shutoff
T	Sync up RTC with host
M	Configure magstripe filter

Programming Reference Guide is available upon request and signing of confidentiality non-disclosure agreement is required.