Agrident GmbH, Steinklippenstr. 10, D-30890 Barsinghausen Phone +49 5105 582573-10 - Fax +49 5105 582573-17 APR250 User Manual Firmware v1.
APR250 User Manual © Copyright 2020 by Agrident GmbH TB All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Agrident GmbH. Agrident GmbH reserves the right to make changes to any and all parts of this documentation without obligation to notify any person or entity of such changes.
APR250 User Manual Content 1 Introduction.......................................................................................................... 5 2 Before you start ................................................................................................... 5 3 Reader Hardware ................................................................................................ 6 4 3.1 Parts of the APR250..................................................................................... 6 3.
APR250 User Manual 7.6 Setup .......................................................................................................... 29 7.6.1 Reader Settings .................................................................................. 30 7.6.1.1 Animal Counter On/Off .................................................................... 30 7.6.1.2 Set Read Mode................................................................................ 30 7.6.1.3 Set Online Mode .............................
APR250 User Manual 1 Introduction The APR250 is a high quality, ruggedized portable RFID reader for tags complying with the ISO11784 / 11785 standard. It can read transponders with FDX-B and HDX technology. In addition to the reading functions, the device can store up to 100.000 records in several groups in the large internal memory. Each record also contains a timestamp plus a Visual ID and an Alert, if available. The data are transmitted via both interfaces (USB and Bluetooth) directly after reading.
APR250 User Manual 3 Reader Hardware This chapter describes the APR250 hardware including all accessories. 3.1 Parts of the APR250 The dimensions of the APR250 are 190x98x40 millimeters and it has a weight of only 280 grams. It provides a good reading performance, a large 2.4 inch color TFT display, two status LEDs above the display, a speaker and a vibrating motor. The reader can be controlled with seven ergonomic keys below the display.
APR250 User Manual 3.2 Accessories The APR250 comes with a USB-A to Magnetic-Connector cable. The USB-A plug can be connected to any USB-port of a computer. Please note that the appropriate USB driver has to be installed first. When it is necessary to use a USB extension, this should only be high quality cable and it should not be longer than two meter. The maximum cable length for USB is five meter and this can already lead to problems in practice (slower charging or USB failures).
APR250 User Manual 3.3 Connecting the USB cable The APR250 uses a Magnetic-USB connector. Because the magnets are polarized, the connectors 'find' the correct orientation almost automatically. When the magnetic connector of the cable is moved towards the plug at the bottom of the reader (1), the magnets will attract each other in the correct orientation (2). In the wrong orientation, the magnets will repel each other.
APR250 User Manual 4.1 APR250 Display 4.1.1 Home Screen After the reader is switched on, the following home screen appears: Battery status indicator Connection status USB, BT Current function of the left soft-key * Current time Current function of the right soft-key * * A 'Softkey' is a key that performs different functions depending on the associated screen display. The battery status indicator shows the approximate battery level. In this example the battery is fully charged.
APR250 User Manual 4.1.2 The status symbols at the top of the display There is a status bar in the first display line. Beside the time (on the right side) it provides information about the battery status and the different interfaces. The orange symbol is for Bluetooth. The color of this symbol depends on the current connection status. 4.1.2.1 Battery status The battery symbol on the left side indicates the approximate battery capacity. Status Meaning Battery capacity is higher than 80 percent.
APR250 User Manual 4.1.2.2 Bluetooth status Status Meaning Slave Mode – APR250 can be connected from other devices Master Mode – APR250 is trying to connect to remote device. Connected (in either Bluetooth Mode) Bluetooth init: This symbol is displayed when the Bluetooth module is currently booting, being configured or a Firmware update is in progress. 4.1.2.
APR250 User Manual 4.2 The status LEDs above the display The APR250 has two status LEDs above the display. RGB Blue The left LED is a multicolor type and is used for multiple purposes. When the display is switched off, it indicates the charging status of the battery. During the activation of the RFID engine it shows the reading status. The LED on the right is blue and it is used for indicating the connection status with the display is switched off.
APR250 User Manual 4.3 Using the keyboard The APR250 has 7 keys in order to allow the easy and convenient operation of the reader. There is a directional pad with an ENTER key in the middle and there are two additional soft-keys below the display which change their function depending on the current action. Right soft-key Left soft-key ENTER key Direction keys Key Operation Enters the menu in the home screen.
APR250 User Manual 5 Operating states The APR250 has several operating states concerning display status and communication possibilities over USB. The following chart shows the different states. When the reader is switched on and it is connected via USB, it works in CDC-Mode. That means a virtual comport is created on the computer and it is possible to send commands to the device via a serial port connection.
APR250 User Manual 6 Reading Transponders 17/11/20 Page 15 of 46
APR250 User Manual 17/11/20 Page 16 of 46
APR250 User Manual After a tag has been read, the display will show the information as in the following screenshot: VID – Visual ID EID – Electronic ID Name of the current group, here: ‘group 3’ Number of records in the current group, here: ‘15’ Return to home screen Show more information If ‘Data’ was pressed, the screen on the left side is shown. It provides information about the EID, VID (if available), Date and Time of reading and the Alert text (if there is one for this tag).
APR250 User Manual 7 Menu items In order to enter the APR250 menu, please press while in the home screen. In the lower left corner of the display you can also see the information that a press of the left soft key will force the device to enter the menu. This screenshot shows the highest menu level. It only contains the items ‘New Group’, ‘Data’, ‘Print’ and ‘Setup’. If another language than the default one has been selected, the menu items will look different.
APR250 User Manual 7.1 Menu structure The following table shows the menu structure of the APR250 including submenus and options. Options or actions are shown in italic and the default values for options are marked with ‘ * ’.
APR250 User Manual Main Menu Setup 1st sub menu Reader Settings 2nd submenu Volume & Vibrator 3rd submenu Set Volume Vibrator On/Off Display Set Date/Time Set Switch Off Time Set Display Colors Set language Interface Setup Setup Scale Setup Printer Bluetooth [set values manually] 60 min 30 min 20 min 10 min 5 min 3 min 2 min 90 sec 60 sec * 30 sec 20 sec 10 sec 5 sec Black * White [depends on uploaded languages] Set Scale Type [same as setup printer on the previous page] Set Bluetooth Mode Start
APR250 User Manual 7.2 New Group In the memory of the APR250, records are organized in groups. One group can contain up to 10.000 records maximum. A new record is created for every transponder which has been read. If you do not wish to create new records for duplicate reads, please enable the ‘Animal Counter’ – then duplicates will not be saved again within one group (see chapter 7.6.1.1) After ‘New Group’ was selected, the user will be prompted to insert a group name.
APR250 User Manual 7.3 Tasks This submenu is only visible if Task-Definitions have been uploaded. Such definitions are usually very much dependent on the application and thus Agrident cannot provide them. They are normally created by distributors who also offer Management-Software that supports Agrident mobile readers. If no Task-Definitions have been uploaded, this menu item will not be shown at all. Please contact your local distributor for further details about Task-Mode.
APR250 User Manual That is a Date-Field. The device suggests the current date but the user has the chance to edit it. … Increase number … Decrease number … Next field … Previous field … Confirm input When this field is shown, the APR250 will start scanning for a transponder after has been pressed. After a tag has been read successfully, the display will show the EID and ask for a confirmation. By pressing ‘OK’ (left soft key) the EID will be stored and the Task is continued.
APR250 User Manual 7.4 Data The ‘Data’ menu contains items for showing and deleting data. 7.4.1 Show Data When the item ‘Show Data’ was selected, the device will show a list of all groups which are present in the memory at the moment. Each entry shows the group name and the number of records within the group in brackets.
APR250 User Manual In order to show detailed information for a particular record, select an entry from the list and confirm with . The details of the record are shown on two pages. The first page shows the EID, the VID, date and time of reading and the alert string, if there is one assigned. / / … Switch to next page … Delete record (only last record in last group) / … Return to list of records Page two shows the so called ‘advanced ISO information’ like Animal Bit, Retagging Counter or Species Code.
APR250 User Manual 7.4.2.1 Clear Groups Clear Last Groups: Erases the last group completely Select Group: opens the list of groups in order to select a particular group to delete Clear All Groups: Erases ALL groups from the device memory (no Task-Data) 7.4.2.2 Clear Task Data Select Task: only the data of one particular Task will be erased Clear All Task Data: erases the Task data of ALL Tasks which are present on the device 7.4.
APR250 User Manual 7.5 Print The APR250 allows to send the collected records to a mobile Bluetooth printer. There are different options available for the printing procedure, like only printing the last group, printing a particular group or printing all groups. It is also possible to change basic printer settings here. Please ensure that your printer is set up correctly before you try printing records. The APR250 stores the printers Bluetooth address as a secondary address only.
APR250 User Manual 7.5.4 Print Barcode It is also possible to print a barcode of a particular EID. This can be useful if you want to label blood samples, for example. In order to be able to print the EID as a barcode, the APR250 has to read the transponder first. When you select ‘Print Barcode’, the device will activate the RFID engine. After the tag has been read, the APR250 is sending an appropriate command to the mobile printer. The barcode type is ‘2of5 interleaved’.
APR250 User Manual If Bluetooth is switched off, the APR250 shows the corresponding error message. In this case please activate Bluetooth first (see chapter 7.6.3.3) After the scan has been completed, the available devices are listed. Please note that not only printers are listed here, but also other Bluetooth devices. So ideally you should know the device name of your Bluetooth printer. Sometimes it might be useful to see the BD-address of the found devices instead of the names.
APR250 User Manual 7.6.1 Reader Settings 7.6.1.1 Animal Counter On/Off The animal counter decides about the question, if double reads are saved or not. A double read occurs if a tag with one and the same EID is read within the same group again. When the animal counter is activated, it is not possible to store the same EID within the same group again. If not activated, it is possible to do that - the APR250 does not check for double reads then.
APR250 User Manual 7.6.1.3 Set Online Mode The Online Mode deals with the format used for sending the EID to the interfaces directly after a tag has been read. The interface can be USB or Bluetooth. Usually the EID is further processed on a third party device then, like a weighing indicator or a smartphone. It is important to know which format is expected by this other device and to configure the correct one. After selecting ‘Set Online Mode’ a new menu appears.
APR250 User Manual 7.6.1.4 Wireless Sync On/Off RFID readers according to ISO11784/11785 have activation and listening periods. If two or more readers operate in close vicinity, they should be synchronized in order to prevent interference and hence a reduction of reading performance, especially for HDX transponders. Since it is not possible to synchronize mobile readers wired in the field, Agrident readers offer a feature called ‘Wireless Synchronization’.
APR250 User Manual 7.6.1.5 Volume & Vibrator The APR250 provides a speaker and a vibrating motor for signalization in addition to the LEDs and the display. These can be configured in this menu. After selecting ‘Volume & Vibrator’, a new menu is shown. The first menu item allows to set the speaker volume, the second is used to activate the vibrating motor or to deactivate it. Select the desired volume by using the / keys.
APR250 User Manual 7.6.2.1 Set Date/Time DD … Date - Day MM … Date - Month YY … Date - Year hh … Time - Hour mm … Time - Minute / … Modify value in the current field / … Switch to previous / next field … Apply the new settings 7.6.2.2 Set Switch Off Time The ‘Switch Off Time’ determines after which period (of no action) the APR250 enters suspend mode. Any action, like a key press, will reset this timer. Please also see chapter 5 for further details.
APR250 User Manual 7.6.2.4 Set Language The default display language is always English. It is possible to upload up to 9 custom languages. If the language you want to use is not available, please contact your local distributor for further details. / … Select the desired language … Set the selected language 7.6.3 Interface Setup The Interface Setup contains settings for configuring the APR250s Bluetooth interface. The scale and printer settings can be configured here as well. 7.6.3.
APR250 User Manual 7.6.3.2 Setup Printer The printer setup is the same as described in chapter 7.5.5, here is just another menu entry for configuring the same settings. 7.6.3.3 Bluetooth The APR250 always incorporates a Class1 Bluetooth module. The range is up to 80 meters in ‘line of sight’. Inside buildings or when any other obstacles are present, it will be less. Please note that the range also depends on the Bluetooth partner. If the other device is only Class2, the range is much lower.
APR250 User Manual The APR250 starts scanning for other Bluetooth devices in range. This can take quite a long time, also depending on how many devices are found, but at least 10 seconds. The discovered devices are listed after the scan, sorted according to their names. Sometimes it might be useful to see the BD-address of the found devices instead of the names. You may switch between both views by using the key.
APR250 User Manual The APR250 supports five different Bluetooth profiles: Serial Port Profile (SPP), IAP, Human Interface Device (HID) (+ HID smart) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), where BLE is more or less another technology rather than a profile. SPP emulates a serial cable to provide a simple replacement for RS232 connections. Commands can be sent into both directions – it uses virtual serial ports. IAP The readers Bluetooth module is compliant with Apple’s iPod® Accessory Protocol.
APR250 User Manual The menu item ‘Bluetooth Info’ shows some Bluetooth hardware and firmware related information, the configured Bluetooth Mode & Profile and the connection status. Details concerning the color of the Bluetooth symbol depending on the connection status are explained in chapter 4.1.2.2.
APR250 User Manual 7.6.4 Configuration After selecting ‘Configuration’, the menu shown on the left side will be displayed. 7.6.4.1 Set Factory Configuration ‘Set Factory Configuration’ puts all settings back to the factory default values. This might be useful if particular settings have been changed and the APR250 is not operating as intended anymore. Please note that this action cannot be undone. Settings different from the factory defaults have to be made again. …confirm reset … abort reset 7.6.
APR250 User Manual 7.6.5.1 Show Battery Info When fully charged, the battery info shows ‘100%’. Below the charging indication, the display shows rough estimates concerning the remaining operating time in standby mode (APR250 running but RFID engine is off), here 22 hours, and in continuous read mode, here 7 hours and 10 minutes. In this example the battery capacity is at 57 percent. The expected standby time is 12 hours and in continuous read mode there are 4 hours left.
APR250 User Manual 8 Battery precautions There are some important things to consider concerning the rechargeable battery pack. The allowed charge temperature is between 0°C to +45°C (32°F to 113°F). Discharging is allowed within the range of -20°C to +60°C (-4°F to 140°F) – this is the allowed operating temperature for the battery. Storage instructions: ▪ ▪ ▪ It shall be kept in shipping condition (70% discharge) or over than 70% discharge condition to storage for long period.
APR250 User Manual While charging: ▪ Be sure to follow the rules listed below while charging the battery. Failure to do so may cause the battery to become hot, explode, or ignite and cause serious injury. • When charging the battery, only use chargers supplied by Agrident. • Do not attach the batteries to a power supply plug or directly to a car's cigarette lighter. • Do not place the batteries in or near fire, or into direct sunlight.
APR250 User Manual 10 Warranty The manufacturer of the APR250 Reader Electronic will provide a warranty of 12 months from the day the device is shipped and subject to the following conditions: 1. Without submission of proof of purchase no warranty can be given. 2. In the event that defects are detected the manufacturer is entitled to choose between up to two attempts at repair or supplying a replacement device on one occasion.
APR250 User Manual 11.2 FCC and IC digital device limitations This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. FCC Interference Statement (Part 15.
APR250 User Manual 12 Apple – Legal Notice iPod, iPhone, iPad are a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. “Made for iPhone” and “Made for iPad” mean that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPhone, or iPad, respectively, and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards.