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K N O W - W E D G E
F O R C O D E 3 9
S T A N D A R D E D I T I O N
V E R S I O N 1 . 1 5
U S E R ' S M A N U A L
Copyright (c) 1991 05/29/92
Computer Resources Group (714) 624-8734
i-1
KNOW-WEDGE SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT
This is a legal agreement between you, the end user, and COMPUTER
RESOURCES GROUP. COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP retains ownership of KNOW-
WEDGE and it's associated files (the "SOFTWARE"). The SOFTWARE is
licensed to you for use under the following conditions:
(1) You may install and use the SOFTWARE on any single user computer
system, provided you only use the SOFTWARE on one system at a time.
(2) You may make three copies of the original program diskette(s)
for backup or archival purposes.
(3) You may transfer the SOFTWARE and accompanying materials on a
permanent basis provided you retain no copies and the recipient agrees
to the terms of this license.
(4) You may not make copies of the documentation or program
diskette(s), except as granted above.
(5) You may not loan, rent, sub-license or otherwise transfer the
documentation or SOFTWARE except as granted above.
(6) You may not decompile, disassemble, or create derivative works
from the SOFTWARE.
KNOW-WEDGE is offered "as-is." All warranties and representations of
any kind with regard to KNOW-WEDGE are hereby disclaimed, including
the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particu-
lar purpose. Under no circumstances will the manufacturer or develop-
ers of KNOW-WEDGE be liable for any consequential, incidental, spe-
cial or exemplary damages occurring due to the use of KNOW-WEDGE.
USER SUPPORT
Registered users are entitled to free technical support (see APPENDIX
A). Technical support personnel are available at (714) 624-8734
from 9am through 4pm, Pacific Standard Time. When you place the
call, give the operator your name and KNOW-WEDGE registration num-
ber. If a support technician is not immediately available, you will
be asked for a phone number where you may be reached so that a support
technician can return your call. Alternatively registered users may
access COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP's online service, ZONE TWIXT THE BARS,
(See APPENDIX B for details).
All registered users will be notified, by mail, of any anomaly fixes
and program upgrades. Anomaly fixes and minor version upgrades will
be made available promptly and may be downloaded from ZONE TWIXT THE
BARS, the COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP online service. Anomaly fixes and
minor version upgrades may also be obtained directly from COMPUTER
RESOURCES GROUP by completing and returning the UPGRADE REQUEST, which
will be included with all notifications. There will be a $10.00
charge to cover the cost of media, packaging, and shipping.
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 i-2
TRADE MARKS
dBASE is a registered trademark of Ashton-Tate Corporation.
EPSON is a registered trademark of Epson America, Incorporated.
HBCS and HEDS are registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Company.
LOTUS and 123 are registered trademarks of Lotus Development Corpora-
tion.
MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
PC, PC-DOS, and XT are registered trademarks of International Business
Machines Corporation.
SIDEKICK PLUS is a registered trademark of Borland International
Incorporated.
WORDSTAR is a registered trademark of WordStar International Incorpo-
rated.
i-3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION............................................1
PURPOSE AND THEORY.................................1-1
FEATURES...........................................1-3
INSTALLATION............................................2
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS................................2-1
HARDWARE INSTALLATION..............................2-1
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION..............................2-1
INSTALLING KNOW-WEDGE MANUALLY................2-2
INSTALLING KNOW-WEDGE AUTOMATICALLY...........2-3
CONFIGURATION...........................................3
CONFIGURING KNOW-WEDGE FROM THE COMMAND LINE.......3-1
CONFIGURING KNOW-WEDGE WITH KWUTIL.................3-7
CONFIGURING KNOW-WEDGE AUTOMATICALLY...............3-10
USING KNOW-WEDGE........................................4
APPENDICES..............................................A-J
A. REGISTRATION..................................A
B. COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP ONLINE SERVICE.......B
C. CUSTOMIZED HARDWARE INSTALLATION..............C
D. KNOW-WEDGE FILES..............................D
E. CHECK CHARACTERS................ .............E
F. SAMPLE PROGRAMS...............................F
G. KWUTIL HELP WINDOWS...........................G
H. ERROR MESSAGES................................H
I. KNOW-WEDGE DEFAULTS...........................I
J. CODE 39 ASCII CHART...........................J
1-1
SECTION 1 -- INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE AND THEORY
COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP are the developers of a set of software pack-
ages for DOS based systems, that eliminate the need for hardware
decoders. Heretofore, desktop users desiring bar code reading capa-
bilities were required to insert a hardware wedge between the keyboard
input and the keyboard itself. Different keyboard interfaces compli-
cated installation and frequently created configuration nightmares for
novice users. Portable and Laptop users were even less fortunate.
With no keyboard input, they were forced to utilize cumbersome hard-
ware serial wedges connected by umbilicus to a power supply. As if to
add insult to injury, the portable users were required to purchase
additional software if the hardware was to work with other than custom
applications.
Compatibility issues aside, hardware solutions inevitably impose a
scanning "learning curve" on wand users and lackluster performance
regardless of input device chosen.
KNOW-WEDGE addresses these compromises and provides a seamless inter-
face between the microcomputer and bar code reading input device. The
Standard Editions utilize a game port and support most common bar code
reading input devices, including wands, slot readers, and laser guns
or CCD's with wand emulation. The Laptop Editions utilize a serial
port and support all low current input devices.
We, at COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP, feel that the KNOW-WEDGE solution to
bar code data collection is truly revolutionary and invite you to put
it to the test.
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 1-2
THE SOFTWARE INTERFACE
KNOW-WEDGE is a terminate and stay resident (TSR) program. A TSR is
a program that is loaded into the computer's memory and stays there,
waiting, until activated by some event. In the case of KNOW-WEDGE,
this event is reading/scanning a bar code.
There are many small programs waiting to be activated to perform such
tasks as putting a character on the monitor, retrieving a file from
the disk drive, updating your clock, refreshing your memory, etc. One
of these programs works almost identically to KNOW-WEDGE. This is the
program that reads your keyboard strokes and passes the information
back to the current program. When a user presses a key, the program
is activated. First it decodes the information received from the
keyboard and then translates the information into the appropriate
character. The character is then placed in a holding area, known as
the "keyboard buffer," until it is read by the currently operating
program.
KNOW-WEDGE works similarly. Information is read from the bar code
input device (a wand, CCD reader, laser scanner, etc.), then translat-
ed (decoded) into the appropriate character, and stored in the key-
board buffer until read by the currently operating program.
It makes no difference to the operating program whether the informa-
tion in the keyboard buffer actually came from the keyboard, or from
the bar code reader. In fact, it cannot tell the difference. Conse-
quently, KNOW-WEDGE can operate efficiently and transparently with
programs that were designed for keyboard input as well as those pro-
grams that were specifically designed for bar code input.
THE HARDWARE INTERFACE
The input signal for KNOW-WEDGE is accessed through address 201 hex.
This is the same input/output address used to control the game port.
By using this address, the software is able to work with existing game
ports.
1-3
INTRODUCTION
KNOW-WEDGE FEATURES
KNOW-WEDGE provides the most elegant, cost effective, and flexible
approach to collecting data encoded in CODE 39 and/or UPC/EAN symbolo-
gies available today. The state of the art software design provides
fool proof data collection in ANY DOS based PC environment. KNOW-
WEDGE capabilities are unrivaled in the industry. Users will now be
able to fully exploit their systems as data collectors, without having
performance compromised by cumbersome, inefficient, external decoding
devices. KNOW-WEDGE features include:
*- KNOW-WEDGE is provided on both 360k 5 1/4" and 720k 3 1/2" floppy
diskettes and is not copy protected.
*- the main program, KW.COM is written in assembly language for speed
and efficiency.
*- KNOW-WEDGE is memory resident, allowing bar codes to be scanned
into any spread sheet, word processor, or database application. The
possibilities are limitless.
*- the KNOW-WEDGE TSR, KW.COM, can be removed from memory WITHOUT re-
booting your system.
*- the TSR has minimal memory requirements, consuming less than 3K of
RAM when resident.
*- runs from diskette, hard drive, even from RAM disk.
*- automatically supports bar code concatenation for CODE 39.
*- configurable to satisfy virtually any user requirement. Configura-
ble options include:
BEEP after valid scan can be turned on or off. The frequency and
duration of the beep are also configurable.
DELIMITERS can be a comma, space, tab, carriage return, or none.
START and STOP characters can be retained or discarded.
*- supports the most sophisticated CODE 39 error checking schemes.
Both MODULUS 43 and WEIGHTED MODULUS 43 check characters can be evalu-
ated. Additionally, if check characters are utilized they may be
retained or discarded.
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 1-4
*- KNOW-WEDGE provides THREE methods for customizing operation.
KNOW-WEDGE is configurable from the command line.
KNOW-WEDGE can be painlessly configured with KWUTIL, a powerful,
menu driven utility program with a user friendly visual inter-
face. You can even use KWUTIL to restore the original KNOW-WEDGE
defaults.
KNOW-WEDGE can be automatically configured by scanning a setup
bar code.
*- provides a TERSE mode which disables the copyright screen and other
screen messages.
*- contains it's own data buffer (up to 32 characters can be stored),
eliminating keyboard buffer problems associated with hardware wedges.
*- eliminates the new user's "learning curve" associated with hardware
wedges. Consistency in speed and smoothness of scan are not critical
with KNOW-WEDGE. Scan rate is ALWAYS superior to hardware wedges,
regardless of whether a bar code is scanned forwards, backwards, or
even upside down.
*- cost effective; KNOW-WEDGE runs on any DOS based PC equipped with a
standard game port. It eliminates the need for complicated, expensive
hardware interfaces and the inevitable interrupt conflicts that go
with them. As KNOW-WEDGE supports a multiplicity of input devices,
old input devices from any vendor can usually be utilized.
*- KNOW-WEDGE supports two bar code input devices on a single game
port.
*- flexible; KNOW-WEDGE works transparently with other software and
supports most bar code input devices.
2-1
SECTION 2 -- INSTALLATION
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Minimum system requirements are an 8086 microcomputer with at least
one 5 1/4" or one 3 1/2" floppy disk drive, a game port, and a bar
code reading input device. Operating system is assumed to be DOS 2.0
or higher.
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
If your system has a game port installed and you purchased a single
bar code input device with KNOW-WEDGE, you're ready to go. The game
port is available on most multifunction or input/output computer
expansion boards. Expansion boards are also available that are com-
pletely dedicated to game ports, some of which are equipped with two
female D-type 15-pin connections. These expansion boards are designed
so that two game paddles can be connected at the same time. The con-
nector that supports the second game paddle differs from the primary
port and can not be utilized for bar code reading device input. The
primary game port on this type of expansion board is generally the top
connector. Simply plug the male DB15 connector on the bar code read-
ing input device into the female DB15 socket of the game port. Tight-
en the two retaining screws on the male DB15 connector and proceed to
INSTALLING KNOW-WEDGE. Inadvertently connecting to the secondary port
connector will not damage any of your equipment. It just will not be
able to read any bar codes. See APPENDIX C (CUSTOMIZED HARDWARE
INSTALLATION) for other installations.
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
Prior to running or installing KNOW-WEDGE, make a copy of the original
diskette(s) and store the original in a safe place. KNOW-WEDGE is
distributed on a 360k 5 1/4" and a 720k 3 1/2" floppy diskette and is
not copy protected. You can use the MS-DOS commands DISKCOPY, COPY, or
XCOPY to make your working copy. Under the terms of the KNOW-WEDGE
SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT you are allowed to make three copies of the
original diskette(s) for backup or archival purposes. You are encour-
aged to do so.
You may custom install manually or use the install program included on
your KNOW-WEDGE diskette(s). The install program will automatically
create a subdirectory named KW on drive C and copy the files to that
directory. If you want to invoke KNOW-WEDGE from any drive or direc-
tory, be sure to include the KNOW-WEDGE directory in the PATH state-
ment in your AUTOEXEC.BAT, or it's equivalent (see APPENDIX F).
For example:
PATH H:\BAT;C:\UTILS;C:\DOS;C:\UTILS\ARC;C:\KW
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 2-2
INSTALLING KNOW-WEDGE MANUALLY
To custom install KNOW-WEDGE manually, create a KNOW-WEDGE directory
and copy the desired files from the KNOW-WEDGE diskette(s) to that
directory (see APPENDIX D for a file list). For example: assume the
KNOW-WEDGE diskette is in drive B. You want to copy all of the files
to a directory named KW on drive G.
Mon 06-17-1991
9:15:49.11 <C:\>MD G:\KW
Mon 06-17-1991
9:16:14.04 <C:\>COPY B:*.* G:\KW
B:AUTOEXEC.BAT
B:INSTALL.BAT
B:KW.COM
B:KW.MAN
B:KW123.BAT
B:KWDEMO.DBF
B:KWDEMO.EXE
B:KWDEMO.PAS
B:KWDEMO.PRG
B:KWDEMO1.BAS
B:KWDEMO2.BAS
B:KWFILES.TXT
B:KWUTIL.EXE
B:KWWS.BAT
14 file(s) copied
Mon 06-17-1991
9:17:13.25 <C:\>
If you install KNOW-WEDGE manually, we suggest that you insure that
both KW.COM and KWUTIL.EXE reside in the same directory. As you will
see later, both MUST reside in the same directory if you wish to
utilize KWUTIL, the KNOW-WEDGE utility program.
2-3
INSTALLATION
INSTALLING KNOW-WEDGE AUTOMATICALLY
To use the install program, put a COPY of the KNOW-WEDGE diskette
in either floppy drive; close the drive door; make the floppy drive
current; type INSTALL and press enter. For example: assume you put
the diskette in drive B.
1) type B: and press ENTER (to make drive B current)
2) type INSTALL and press ENTER
When KNOW-WEDGE has been installed successfully, a screen similar to
FIGURE 1 will be displayed.
K N O W - W E D G E 1 . 1
Copyright (c) 1991
Computer Resources Group (714) 624-8734
INSTALLING KNOW - WEDGE
CREATING KNOW - WEDGE DIRECTORY ON DRIVE C (C:\KW)
COPYING KNOW - WEDGE FILES TO C:\KW
KNOW - WEDGE FILES SUCCESSFULLY COPIED TO C:\KW
Sun 06-16-1991
15:45:56.54 <B:\>
FIGURE 1
KNOW-WEDGE INSTALLATION SCREEN
3-1
SECTION 3 -- CONFIGURATION
KNOW-WEDGE is extremely flexible and may be easily customized to meet
individual user requirements. Three methods are provided for custom-
izing KNOW-WEDGE operation. KNOW-WEDGE options may be entered on the
command line when KNOW-WEDGE is invoked; they may be interactively
selected through the KNOW-WEDGE utility program, KWUTIL; or they may
be scanned from a SETUP bar code from the OPENING SCREEN of the KNOW-
WEDGE utility program, KWUTIL.
Options entered on the command line remain in effect only during the
current KNOW-WEDGE session. The KNOW-WEDGE utility program, KWUTIL,
redefines the defaults in the main KNOW-WEDGE program, KW.COM, and
those options become the defaults each time KNOW-WEDGE is loaded. Not
all KNOW-WEDGE options are available from the command line.
CONFIGURING KNOW-WEDGE FROM THE COMMAND LINE
KNOW-WEDGE is invoked by entering KW, followed by a forward slash and
the appropriate option switch(es). Switches may be entered in any
order and are not case sensitive. Spaces may be inserted between
switches for clarity, but are not required. For example, both
KW/B/DC/1S and kw /1s /dc /b are valid and equivalent. Switches not
specified assume the current defaults. The interface board (game
port) must be installed and an input device connected to invoke KW.
If either are absent, the following error message will be displayed:
"Know-Wedge was not installed! Game Card/Port/Equipment not found.
All equipment must be connected to load Know-Wedge into memory."
KNOW-WEDGE configuration can not be changed while KNOW-WEDGE is ac-
tive. KNOW-WEDGE must first be disabled or terminated and removed
from memory (UNLOADED) by invoking KW /U. If you attempt to change
KNOW-WEDGE options, or reload it while it is active, the following
error message will be displayed:
"KNOW-WEDGE is already resident and active. To reload, you must
unload KNOW-WEDGE with the command line unload switch /u."
In the event KNOW-WEDGE has been configured with KWUTIL (see page 3-7)
and KW.COM is invoked with a command line option switch, all options
assume the ORIGINAL defaults (see APPENDIX I).
Each command line option switch is discussed in turn:
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 3-2
/? KNOW-WEDGE COMMAND LINE HELP SCREEN
Displays the KNOW-WEDGE COMMAND LINE HELP SCREEN (see FIGURE 2), but
does not load KNOW-WEDGE. If this switch is used in conjunction with
other switches, they will be ignored. This is the only switch that is
functional when KNOW-WEDGE is active.
Know-Wedge 1.1 Copyright (c) 1991 Computer Resources Group
/? Command line help -- This display screen.
/b Turn off the valid read beep (default is on).
/cm Use the CODE 39 Modulus 43 check character.
/cw Use the CODE 39 Weighted Modulus 43 check character.
/dc Use the Comma as a delimiter.
/dn Use no delimiter.
/ds Use the Space as a delimiter.
/dt Use the Tab as a delimiter.
/i Send/Include check character (when switch /cm or /cw is set).
/s Send stop/start characters (asterisks).
/t Terse, disable all Know-Wedge screen messages.
/u Unload Know-Wedge TSR program from memory.
/1a Port 1 equipment. Where "a" is the connected reader type:
n=no connection h=HBCS (default) e=HEDS s=slot c=CCD l=laser.
/2a Port 2 equipment. Where "a" is the connected reader type:
n=no connection (default) h=HBCS e=HEDS s=slot c=CCD l=laser.
* Note: Switches are not case sensitive.
FIGURE 2
KNOW-WEDGE COMMAND LINE HELP SCREEN
/b DISABLE BEEP
Turns off the valid read beep. If your application beeps each time an
entry is completed you will probably want to disable the KNOW-WEDGE
beep. The frequency (tone) and duration of the beep may be modified
with the KNOW-WEDGE utility program, KWUTIL. By default KNOW-WEDGE
beeps each time a valid read is recognized.
3-3
CONFIGURATION
/cm USE MODULUS 43 CHECK CHARACTER
Although CODE 39 is a self checking symbology, applications requiring
extreme data security may resort to the use of a check character (See
APPENDIX E). The check character is placed after the encoded data
and before the stop character. The check character is the modulus sum
of all of the data character values . CAUTION: Use this switch ONLY
if your symbology includes a MODULUS 43 check character. Any symbolo-
gy without a MODULUS 43 check character will be considered invalid and
WILL NOT be read. By default, KNOW-WEDGE assumes there is no check
character.
/cw USE WEIGHTED MODULUS 43 CHECK CHARACTER FOR CODE 39
Similar to MODULUS 43, but considerably more robust, WEIGHTED MODULUS
43 differs in that the CHARACTER's VALUE is multiplied by a weighting
constant and the respective products are summed. The result is then
divided by 43 and the remainder is the VALUE of the CHARACTER. (See
APPENDIX E). CAUTION: Use this switch ONLY if your symbology includes
a WEIGHTED MODULUS 43 check character. Any symbology without a
WEIGHTED MODULUS 43 check character will be considered invalid and
WILL NOT be read. By default, KNOW-WEDGE assumes there is no check
character.
/dc USE A COMMA AS A DELIMITER
Some applications require that a delimiter separate each data item.
If /dc is included on the command line KNOW-WEDGE will append a comma
to each scanned data set. The default KNOW-WEDGE delimiter is a
carriage return followed by a line feed.
/dn NO DELIMITER
KNOW-WEDGE will not append a delimiter to each scanned data set.
/ds USE A SPACE AS A DELIMITER
KNOW-WEDGE will append a space to each scanned data set.
/dt USE A TAB AS A DELIMITER
KNOW-WEDGE will append a right tab to each scanned data set.
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 3-4
/i INCLUDE CHECK CHARACTER
If it exists, KNOW-WEDGE reads the check character of each scanned
data set. Normally, the check character itself is not considered part
of the bar code message and is not passed to the program. There may,
however, be applications that require that the check character be
included with the bar code message. The /i switch facilitates this.
By default KNOW-WEDGE strips off the check character.
/s SEND START AND STOP CHARACTERS
Use /s if you want to include the asterisks. By default, KNOW-WEDGE
ignores the leading and trailing asterisks (*) which are the CODE 39
start and stop characters.
/t TERSE MODE
The /t switch prevents the copyright screen and all error messages
from being displayed. When used in conjunction with /u, the UNLOAD
switch, the messages: "KNOW-WEDGE successfully unloaded, allocated
memory was restored." or, if KNOW-WEDGE was not the last program
loaded, "KNOW-WEDGE is now disabled. To reclaim the memory allocated
to Know-Wedge, the program must be located (in DOS) as the last memory
resident program." are not displayed. This switch is provided for
users desiring to load and unload KNOW-WEDGE transparently from within
an application. See APPENDIX F for a dBASE programing example. As
the /t switch turns off all error messages it should be used with
caution, and only after thorough testing with the parent application.
By default KNOW-WEDGE displays the copyright screen (see FIGURE 3)
when successfully loaded, or an error message if an error condition
exists and the program is not loaded.
/-------------------------------------------------\
| |
| K N O W - W E D G E 1 . 1 |
| for CODE 39 |
| |
| Now Resident |
| |
| Copyright (c) 1991 |
| Computer Resources Group (714) 624-8734 |
| |
\-------------------------------------------------/
FIGURE 3
KNOW-WEDGE COPYRIGHT SCREEN
3-5
CONFIGURATION
/u UNLOAD KNOW-WEDGE
KNOW-WEDGE may be UNLOADED so the memory allocated to KNOW-WEDGE (less
than 3K) can be made available for use by other applications, provided
KNOW-WEDGE is the last memory resident program loaded. KNOW-WEDGE
must be UNLOADed (or disabled) and reloaded to effect a change in the
program configuration. If you attempt to UNLOAD KNOW-WEDGE while
another program is loaded on top of it, KNOW-WEDGE will be disabled
and the following message is displayed:
"KNOW-WEDGE is now disabled. To reclaim the memory allocated to Know-
Wedge, the program must be located (in DOS) as the last memory resi-
dent program."
Once disabled (even if memory is not reclaimed) KNOW-WEDGE may be
reloaded. When KNOW-WEDGE is successfully UNLOADED the message:
"KNOW-WEDGE successfully unloaded, allocated memory was restored."
is displayed.
/1[a] PORT 1 INPUT DEVICE SELECTION
With the appropriate cable (see APPENDIX C), KNOW-WEDGE will support
two input devices. As different devices utilize different approaches
to recognizing an encoded message (a bar code), several options are
provided to assure optimal performance. In most instances, however,
KNOW-WEDGE will function even if a port is incorrectly configured!
Indications that a port is improperly configured are:
(1) The copyright screen (see FIGURE 3) is displayed slowly and
in a jerky fashion when KNOW-WEDGE is loaded.
(2) Scanned data is displayed slowly, sometimes one character at
a time, and in a jerky fashion.
(3) Screen writes and refreshes are unusually slow.
To implement the INPUT DEVICE SELECTION switch replace the "a" with
the letter that best describes your input device.
c=CCD with wand emulation (LINKER)
e=HEDS HEWLETT PACKARD Economy Wands (HEDS-3000 and HEDS-3050) and
many generic wands
h=HBCS All HEWLETT PACKARD Low current wands (HBCS-6100, HBCS-6300,
HBCS-6500, HBCS-A000, HBCS-A100, HBCS-A200, HBCS-A300, HBCS-
A400, HBCS-A500, & etc.
n=NO INPUT DEVICE
l=LASER SCANNER with wand emulation (LINKER)
s=SLOT READER
For example, to load KNOW-WEDGE with a slot reader on port one, issue
the command: KW /1s
The default for port 1 is the HEWLETT PACKARD HBCS series (/1h).
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 3-6
/2[a] PORT 2 INPUT DEVICE SELECTION
If you have a dual port cable, a secondary input device may be used.
The switches are identical to, and are implemented in the same manner
as for port one. For example, to load KNOW-WEDGE with a slot reader
on port 1 and a CCD on port 2, issue the command: KW /1s /2c
If you have but a single port cable, the PORT 2 INPUT DEVICE SELECTION
switch MUST NOT be implemented. Additionally, you must have at least
one port enabled to load KNOW-WEDGE. If you attempt KW /1n /2n the
following error message will be displayed:
"Know-Wedge was not installed! Equipment Port selection error!
Both Equipment Ports have been selected to default to "NONE"."
The KNOW-WEDGE default for port 2 is NO INPUT DEVICE (/2n).
NOTE: If both input devices scan an encoded message (bar code) at
exactly the same instant in time, PORT 1 always takes priority and the
input from PORT 2 will be ignored.
3-7
CONFIGURATION
CONFIGURING KNOW-WEDGE WITH KWUTIL
The KNOW-WEDGE utility program, KWUTIL, provides an alternative to
configuring KNOW-WEDGE from the command line. In addition to provid-
ing a powerful, user friendly visual interface, KWUTIL includes four
options that are not available from the command line. In addition to
the command line options, KWUTIL permits scanning in a preselected
configuration, restoring KNOW-WEDGE to its ORIGINAL configuration, as
well as setting beep frequency and duration.
As KWUTIL actually changes KW.COM defaults, once KNOW-WEDGE is config-
ured with KWUTIL, it can be invoked from the command line without
switches. KWUTIL, however, does not modify a copy of KNOW-WEDGE
currently resident in memory. In order to effect configuration
changes, the resident copy must be UNLOADED and KW reinvoked. It
should also be noted that BOTH KWUTIL.EXE and the appropriate KW.COM
must reside in the current directory. If you attempt to run KWUTIL
without KW.COM in the current directory, the following error message
will be displayed:
"The Know-Wedge files, KW.COM and KWUTIL.EXE, must both be located
within the same directory to use the KWUTIL.EXE utility program."
If you attempt to run KWUTIL with an incompatible version or edition
of KW.COM, the following error message will be displayed:
"KNOW-WEDGE files are not compatible!
The two Know-Wedge files, KW.COM and KWUTIL.EXE, must be the same
Version Number and the same Edition to run the Setup Utility.
Your KWUTIL.EXE is:
KNOW-WEDGE 1.10 for CODE 39
You may determine the Version and Edition of KW.COM by
using the /v (version switch). At the DOS prompt enter: KW /v"
KWUTIL automatically determines what type of monitor and graphics
adapter your system has installed and loads in color or monochrome ac-
cordingly. If you are using a monochrome monitor you may have to
adjust the contrast and brightness to clearly view highlighted op-
tions. Although most monochrome graphics adapters and monitors are
able to display highlighted characters in a high intensity (bold)
format, some monitors are not capable of doing so. If you have such a
monitor, or are having difficulty seeing the high intensity charac-
ters, you may use the optional command line switch /M. The /M (for
monochrome) will display highlighted characters in reverse video. This
option will force a color monitor to display in black and white. To
start the KNOW-WEDGE utility program in the black and white mode you
would enter:
KWUTIL /M
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 3-8
When KWUTIL is invoked, the KWUTIL OPENING SCREEN is displayed. You
may press any key to proceed to the KWUTIL MAIN SETUP SCREEN and begin
the setup or you may scan a setup bar code to automatically configure
KNOW-WEDGE. More on setup bar codes later (see page 3-10). If you
wish to abort KWUTIL, press "Esc" and you will be returned to DOS.
The KWUTIL MAIN SETUP SCREEN is the heart of the utility program. The
first time you invoke KWUTIL you are advised to press the F1 key and
browse through the seven HELP WINDOWS (see APPENDIX G for the complete
text).
All options in KWUTIL function identically to the KNOW-WEDGE command
line switches. They are not case sensitive. For details refer to
their discussion in the COMMAND LINE OPTIONS section of CONFIGURING
KNOW-WEDGE.
The options in the upper left corner of the KWUTIL MAIN SETUP SCREEN
are toggled from y (yes) to n (no) when the appropriate letter (BEEP =
B, TERSE = T, SEND START/STOP CHARACTERS = E, SEND CHECK CHARACTER =
D) is pressed.
The current default DELIMITER is indicated by an asterisk (*) within
the parentheses to the left of the option. The location of the aster-
isk may be changed to select a different DELIMITER by pressing the
appropriate letter (CARRIAGE RETURN = G, NONE = N, COMMA = C, SPACE =
P, TAB = A).
If you press "R" to RESTORE ORIGINAL DEFAULTS, all current settings
will be discarded and KW.COM will assume the default settings of the
original KNOW-WEDGE program on your distribution diskette(s) and the
message, "RESTORED" will be briefly displayed. The original default
settings are:
Beep = yes Send stop/start characters = no
Beep Duration = 1 Check character = do not use
Beep Frequency = E Send check character = no
Terse = no Port One = HP HBCS
Delimiter = carriage return Port Two = off
3-9
CONFIGURATION
If you press "V", to REVISE/SET EQUIPMENT CONNECTIONS, the EQUIPMENT
CONNECTIONS window will pop up.
The current default EQUIPMENT SETTINGS are indicated by an asterisk
(*) within the parentheses to the left of the option. The location of
the asterisk may be changed to select a different input device for
either port by pressing the appropriate letter (for PORT 1 - NONE = N,
HP HBCS = H, HP HEDS = E, SLOT READER = S, CCD = C, LASER SCANNER = L;
for PORT 2 - NONE = O, HP HBCS = B, HP HEDS = P, SLOT READER = T, CCD
= D, LASER SCANNER = A). On selecting the input device(s), close the
EQUIPMENT CONNECTIONS window and EXIT by pressing "X".
If you press "F", to SET BEEP FREQUENCY AND DURATION, the FREQUENCY
AND DURATION window will pop up.
The current default FREQUENCY AND DURATION SETTINGS are indicated by
an asterisk (*) within the parentheses to the left of the option. The
location of the asterisk may be changed to select a different FREQUEN-
CY by pressing the appropriate letter (from "A" to "F"). "A" is the
highest frequency and "F" is the lowest. To change the DURATION of
the beep, press the appropriate number (from 1 to 6). The higher the
number, the longer the DURATION of the beep. After setting the FRE-
QUENCY AND DURATION of the beep, you can TEST it by pressing "T".
Once the optimal beep is determined and selected, close FREQUENCY AND
DURATION window and EXIT by pressing "X".
If you press "H", to SHOW CODE 39 FOR CURRENT SETUP, the CODE 39
REPRESENTATION window will pop up.
If the CODE 39 REPRESENTATION displayed is encoded in CODE 39 format,
the bar code may be scanned at the KWUTIL OPENING SCREEN and KWUTIL
will automatically set the defaults and save them. For example, a CODE
39 REPRESENTATION of %RTEWDVSDXS:
loads KNOW-WEDGE in TERSE mode, with a short, fairly low frequency
beep, using WEIGHTED MODULUS 43, outputting both the CHECK CHARACTER
and START/STOP CHARACTERS, with a carriage return as a DELIMITER, and
with a slot reader on port 1 and a CCD reader on port2. Press "Esc"
to close the CODE 39 REPRESENTATION window.
If you press "S", to SAVE SETUP, the selected options will be written
to KW.COM as the new KNOW-WEDGE defaults and the modified KW.COM will
be saved and the message, "SAVING" will be briefly displayed as the
old KW.COM is overwritten. The new defaults will be loaded the next
time KW is invoked.
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 3-10
If you press "X" to EXIT TO DOS, KWUTIL will be terminated and you
will be returned to DOS. If you have made configuration changes but
have not SAVEd them, you will be advised "Setup not Saved." and
prompted "Save during Exit? Y/N (Escape to Return)." Press "Y" if
you wish to SAVE your changes; press "N"if you wish to discard them;
press "Esc" if you want to return to the KWUTIL MAIN SETUP SCREEN.
CONFIGURING KNOW-WEDGE AUTOMATICALLY
If a SETUP bar code is scanned at the KWUTIL OPENING SCREEN, KWUTIL
will automatically set the defaults accordingly and save them.
The SETUP bar code must be CODE 39. To determine the bar code message
for a given configuration, select the desired configuration options
with KWUTIL and press "H" at the KWUTIL MAIN SETUP SCREEN to SHOW CODE
39 FOR CURRENT SETUP. The CODE 39 REPRESENTATION shown is the message
your SETUP bar code should contain. If you print a CODE 39 bar code
with the message: %RTEWDVSDXS
and scan it at the KWUTIL OPENING SCREEN, KWUTIL will automatically
set the defaults accordingly and save them. KNOW-WEDGE will load in
TERSE mode, with a short, fairly low frequency beep, using WEIGHTED
MODULUS 43, outputting both the CHECK CHARACTER and START/STOP CHARAC-
TERS, with a carriage return as a DELIMITER, and with a slot reader on
port 1 and a CCD reader on port2.
If you don't have bar code printing software but have an EPSON dot
matrix or compatible, you can download KNOWBARS.ZIP from the COMPUTER
RESOURCES GROUP ONLINE SERVICE (see APPENDIX B).
KWUTIL A FINAL CAUTION
KWUTIL is an extremely powerful utility. As usual, with power comes
attendant hazards. As you are now aware, KWUTIL is capable of actual-
ly, modifying the main KNOW-WEDGE program KW.COM. The "gotcha" is
that KWUTIL overwrites the KW.COM it used as a template. Simply put,
the current configuration of the template is lost once KWUTIL modifi-
cations have been SAVED. The only way to restore the previous config-
uration is to reconfigure with KWUTIL, unless you have a BACKUP copy
of KW.COM with your working configuration.
In most instances, once working defaults have been selected, there
should seldom be a need to change them. The simplest method of pro-
tecting KW.COM from inadvertent modification is to remove KWUTIL from
the directory in which KW.COM resides. Both KWUTIL.EXE and KW.COM
must be in the current directory in order to run KWUTIL.
Alternative methods of protecting KW.COM include renaming it or chang-
ing the file attribute to read only. The most effective method of
protecting KW.COM is, of course, keeping backup copies of each config-
ured version.
4-1
SECTION 4 -- USING KNOW-WEDGE
KEEPING YOUR OPTIONS OPEN
KNOW-WEDGE is unbelievably flexible and should perform flawlessly in
virtually any DOS application. KW can be invoked from the command
line, from a batch file, and even called from within an application.
If your system is more or less dedicated to running a single data
collection application that includes reading CODE 39 bar codes, you
might even consider including KW in your AUTOEXEC.BAT. If you run
several different applications that include reading CODE 39 bar codes
or use several different input devices, you might find that approach
confining.
Consider the sample AUTOEXEC.BAT in APPENDIX F:
KNOW-WEDGE is loaded each time the system is started and assumes a
slot reader is connected to port 1 and an HEWLETT PACKARD HBCS wand is
connected to port 2 (C:\KW\KW /1S /2H). KNOW-WEDGE is loaded prior to
SIDEKICK PLUS in deference to BORLAND's warning, "Remember you must
load SideKick Plus last." (SIDEKICK PLUS OWNER'S HANDBOOK p. 16).
BORLAND has good reasons to insist that SideKick Plus be the last
loaded memory resident program. The memory allocated to SideKick
Plus, or any TSR, is trapped while another program is loaded above it
in memory. If you attempt to unload SideKick Plus from a shell or
after another TSR has been loaded, you will be informed, "Cannot
remove SideKick Plus. You must be at the DOS prompt with SideKick
Plus as the last memory resident program." If BORLAND allowed you to
terminate SideKick Plus under the above conditions, the memory allo-
cated to SideKick Plus (at least 72K) would be trapped and could not
be reallocated until the system was rebooted.
COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP faced the same dilemma with KNOW-WEDGE.
Recognizing that users might need to use different KNOW-WEDGE configu-
rations on the same system, and that KNOW-WEDGE could easily be
trapped by programs loaded after KW, KNOW-WEDGE compromised. If you
UNLOAD KNOW-WEDGE (KW /U) and memory above KNOW-WEDGE is allocated,
"KNOW-WEDGE is now disabled. To reclaim the memory allocated to Know-
Wedge, the program must be located (in DOS) as the last memory resi-
dent program." will be displayed. Although the memory allocated (less
than 3K) to KW.COM is trapped, KNOW-WEDGE has been disabled and anoth-
er copy can be loaded.
The most elegant approach is to invoke KNOW-WEDGE from within a BATCH
file or from within the application itself. The primary advantage of
invoking KNOW-WEDGE from a batch file is that it's always there when
you want it and it's out of the way when you don't. Additionally it
is always properly configured for the current application. APPENDIX F
includes sample batch files for LOTUS 123 and for WORDSTAR.
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 4-2
If you write your own applications, and your platform permits it, you
can invoke KNOW-WEDGE transparently from within your application and
then unload it prior to exiting. This approach gives you the most
control and is encouraged. KNOW-WEDGE includes the TERSE (/T) switch
specifically for this purpose. The TERSE switch turns off the copy-
right screen and all KNOW-WEDGE messages, including all error mes-
sages. As a consequence, the TERSE switch should only be implemented
after a thorough testing of the application. See APPENDIX F for a
dBASE programing example.
What if using command line switches is anathema, and you run several
applications on the same system, each with differing bar code reading
requirements? Use KWUTIL to make as many differently configured
copies of KW.COM as you need. Of course, if you want to keep them in
the same directory, each copy must have a different name. This ap-
proach will cost a little in terms of disk space, but is probably
worth it. KW.COM occupies 4 hard disk clusters. A cluster (4K for a
10M drive, 2K for a 20M or larger) is the smallest amount of disk
space DOS allocates for a single file. In other words, if you create
a file that contains nothing but the letter "a" (a 1 byte file) DOS
will allocate either 2K or 4K to that file, depending on the size of
your drive. Consequently each version of KW.COM stored on hard disk
will cost you either 8K or 16K of disk space.
THE ENDLESS BAR CODE OR BREAKING UP ISN'T HARD TO DO
Your boss walks in and announces, "I've got a great idea!" A knot
starts to develop in the pit of your stomach, as he puts his hand on
your shoulder and continues, "We're going to set up a simple inventory
system to track our MIS documentation and reference material. I'm
getting tired of not being able to find a reference manual when I need
it. The way I see it, we'll put a bar code label on the inside cover
of each book. The bar code will include the authors name, the pub-
lisher, and the title. When a programmer checks out a book he scans
his ID card, then scans the bar code label in the book." He pats you
on the back a couple of times and heads for the printer room. As he
opens the door, the din of the line printers aggravates the migraine
you didn't have five minutes ago. Time seems suspended as the door
closes ever so slowly. Just before it thuds shut, he yells, "I leave
it in your capable hands. Should be a piece of cake. See if you
can't knock it out in your spare time."
4-3
USING KNOW-WEDGE
Although you first approached the project with restrained enthusiasm,
as you savor the simplicity and elegance of your user interface, you
can't quite stifle the self-veneration that warms your ego. It isn't
until you pull the first batch of bar code labels off the laser print-
er, that you realize you have a serious problem. Each label has three
bar codes. The top bar code is the author's name, the second is the
publisher, and the one on the bottom is the title. The problem is
that some of the bar codes are too long to read with the department's
3" CCD reader. In fact, a few bar codes are so long that they won't
fit on the inside cover of the book, let alone fit across the label.
As panic sets in, you grasp for a solution. You're already printing
the bar codes in high density. That gives you a little less than nine
and a half characters per inch. The CCD should be able to read a 27
or 28 character bar code, but it's not enough. "If only you could
break the bar code down into smaller chunks and the add them together
as they are scanned into the data base," you ruminate. Then it dawns
on you! With KNOW-WEDGE, you can do exactly that. It's called CON-
CATENATION.
Space constraints or bar code input device capabilities may make it
preferable or necessary to separate long bar codes into multiple
linked messages. KNOW-WEDGE fully supports the Code 39 concatenation
rules that allow the linking together of two or more bar code mes-
sages.
When KNOW-WEDGE encounters a space as the first data character of a
bar code message, the data elements (excluding the space) are passed
to the keyboard buffer without a separating delimiter. This continues
with each successive read until a bar code without a leading space is
encountered. When this happens, the final bar code message receives a
delimiter as it is passed to the keyboard buffer, thus, completing the
linked bar code message.
The ending delimiter will be the one currently selected. Use of the
KNOW-WEDGE concatenation feature is completely automatic. No command
line switch or other selections are necessary.
APPENDIX A -- KNOW-WEDGE REGISTRATION A-1
Please complete the following KNOW-WEDGE REGISTRATION FORM and mail it
to COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP. Included in your distribution package are
two identical adhesive CODE 39 bar code labels. Retain one for your-
self and put it in a safe place, perhaps on one of your KNOW-WEDGE
distribution diskettes or in your KNOW-WEDGE USER'S MANUAL. Affix the
other to the KNOW-WEDGE REGISTRATION form on the spot labeled "SERIAL
NUMBER." Your SERIAL NUMBER is unique and includes details specific to
the files on your distribution diskette. This information aids us in
providing efficient support and notifying users of maintenance re-
leases of KNOW-WEDGE. We also use this information to set up your
complementary account on COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP ONLINE SERVICE (see
APPENDIX B for details).
KNOW-WEDGE REGISTRATION FORM
**********************************************************************
COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP
KNOW-WEDGE REGISTRATION
629 SILVERDALE DRIVE SERIAL NUMBER: ________________
CLAREMONT, CA 91711-3651
YOUR NAME:____________________________________________________________
COMPANY:______________________________________________________________
STREET:_______________________________________________________________
CITY:_______________________________________ STATE:____ ZIP___________
DAYTIME PHONE:(___)___-____ EXT _____ EVENING:(___)___-____ EXT _____
I OBTAINED KNOW-WEDGE FROM:___________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
MY APPLICATION IS:____________________________________________________
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE FOLLOWING FEATURES IN THE NEXT VERSION OF KNOW
- WEDGE:______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
COMMENTS:_____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
DO YOU WANT AN ACCOUNT ON COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP ONLINE SERVICE? Y/N
SIGNED ____________________________________ DATE: / /199_
**********************************************************************
APPENDIX B -- COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP ONLINE SERVICE B-1
COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP maintains ZONE TWIXT THE BARS, a complemen-
tary online service for the clients of COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP and
users of COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP software products. REGISTERED
USERS of KNOW-WEDGE (see APPENDIX A for information on registration)
have automatic access ZONE TWIXT THE BARS.
In addition to furnishing an electronic forum for COMPUTER RESOURCES
GROUP ONLINE SERVICE users, the SERVICE provides technical support,
maintains software libraries and an EMAIL system, and sponsors online
conferences.
The KNOW-WEDGE CONFERENCE provides immediate access to anomaly fixes,
maintenance and minor version upgrades. TIPS & TRICKS as well as user
reported anomalies and work-arounds are promptly posted.
COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP ONLINE SERVICE is available 24 hours a day
Monday through Saturday. The system is down for maintenance Sunday
from 7am 1pm Pacific Standard Time.
To access ZONE TWIXT THE BARS, set your communications software to 8
data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit and dial (714) 626-1054. On
connecting press enter a couple of times, so we can adjust our baud
rate to yours. After a welcome message and any important bulletins,
you will be prompted for your name and password. When prompted for
your pass word, enter the SERIAL NUMBER from the bar code label in-
cluded in your distribution package.
If you returned your KNOW-WEDGE REGISTRATION FORM and requested an
ONLINE SERVICE account, you will be logged on to the system with full
privileges.
If you returned your KNOW-WEDGE REGISTRATION FORM but did not request-
ed an ONLINE SERVICE account, you will be logged on to the system with
"NEW USER" privileges until your permanent account has been estab-
lished for you. NEW USERS enjoy full privileges, but are limited to
30 minutes connect time. Permanent accounts are added to the user
base daily at 7am.
If COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP has not received your KNOW-WEDGE REGISTRA-
TION FORM, you will be asked to respond to a questionnaire. Once
completed, you will be logged on to the system with "GUEST" privi-
leges. A Permanent account will be established for you as soon as the
information in the questionnaire has been verified. GUESTS may ex-
plore the SERVICE (view bulletins, conferences, library file lists,
public messages, etc.), but cannot participate in conferences, send
EMAIL, or download files. Temporary accounts automatically expire in
30 days.
APPENDIX C -- CUSTOMIZED HARDWARE INSTALLATION C-1
The input signal for KNOW-WEDGE is accessed through address 201 hex.
This is the same input/output address used to control the game board.
By using this address, KNOW-WEDGE is able to work with existing game
ports. If you don't have a game port you will have to install one.
To determine if your system has a game port, check the back for a
female D-type 15-pin connector. If your system is not a portable
(many portables use a female D-type 15-pin connector for an external
disk drive-- check your system documentation), and you find such a
connector it is probably a game port. If you don't find a female D-
type 15-pin connector, but your system has a multi I/O (input / out-
put) expansion board installed, chances are good that it includes a
game port but the adapter cable was never connected. Check your I/O
expansion board or system documentation.
INSTALLING A GAME CARD
1) turn off the computer
2) turn off all peripherals (modem, monitor, printer, modem, etc.)
3) unplug all power cables
4) if your computer system is a standard PC, XT, AT, or clone, locate
and remove the system cover retaining screws (there are usually 5
screws located around the periphery of the rear panel). If you
have a different system, refer to your owner's manual for instruc-
tions on removing the system cover.
4) Slide the system cover forward, being very careful not to snag or
disconnect any cables, until it won't slide any further. Lifting
the cover from the front, carefully remove it.
5) Select an empty expansion slot and remove the retaining screw that
holds the slot cover in place. Note: Slot 8 (the inner most slot)
on the XT and some clones is dedicated to a "board selected" func-
tion and is electrically isolated from the other slots. Unless
the documentation on the game, or I/O, expansion board
specifically states that you can use slot 8, pick another slot.
6) remove the slot cover.
7) pick the expansion board up by its top edge and gently but firmly,
slide the edge connecter into the slot. CAUTION: Electrostatic
discharge can cause damage to the expansion board. Handle the
expansion board only by its edges and mounting bracket. Do not
touch the edge connector or any of the integrated circuits.
8) replace the retaining screw from step 5.
9) put the cover back on your system.
10) replace the cover retaining screws from step 4.
11) plug in all power cables
12) turn on peripherals
13) turn on the computer.
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 C-2
CABLE CONNECTIONS
Virtually all PC game ports utilize a female DB15 for connecting an
input device. Unfortunately. most bar code input devices are equipped
with a male six pin DIN or a DB9 connector. Others may use RJ11 (a
telephone jack connector) or proprietor connectors. None, of which we
are aware, come standard with a male DB15. The information that
follows is provided so you can replace your current connector, fashion
a custom cable, or make an adapter.
Regardless of the pedigree of your bar code input device (true lasers
are the exception, and, as with devices that require more than 6
volts, are not supported) and the connector it uses, you only need to
determine the identity of three leads. They are:
1) POSITIVE INPUT (POWER)
2) DATA SIGNAL (OUTPUT)
3) GROUND
On the DB15 side of the matter, first jumper pins 2 and 4. The volt-
age for your bar code input device(s) can be taken from any one of
pins 1, 8, 9, or 15. Data signal is connected to pin 7 for the first
bar code input device, and pin 10 is available for a second bar code
input device. Ground is connected to pin 5.
Custom cables, cable adapters, interface cards, and bar code reading
input devices, may be obtained through your dealer, distributor, or
directly from COMPUTER RESOURCES GROUP.
APPENDIX D -- KNOW-WEDGE FILES D-1
AUTOEXEC.BAT
A sample AUTOEXEC.BAT to demonstrate loading KNOW-WEDGE on system
startup.
INSTALL.BAT
The KNOW-WEDGE installation program
KW.COM
The main KNOW-WEDGE program.
KW.MAN
The KNOW-WEDGE USER'S MANUAL in ASCII format.
KW123.BAT
A sample batch file for loading KNOW-WEDGE for LOTUS 123.
KWDEMO.DBF
Data base file for KWDEMO.PRG
KWDEMO.EXE
Compiled KWDEMO.PAS
KWDEMO.PAS
A sample PASCAL program demonstrating collecting scanned data.
KWDEMO.PRG
A sample dBASE program demonstrating loading KNOW-WEDGE from within an
application and collecting scanned data.
KWDEMO1.BAS
A sample BASIC program demonstrating collecting scanned data.
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 D-2
KWDEMO2.BAS
A sample BASIC program demonstrating collecting scanned data.
KWFILES.TXT
List of the files, and their sizes, on your distribution diskette(s).
KWUTIL.EXE
The KNOW-WEDGE utility program
KWWS.BAT
A sample batch file for loading KNOW-WEDGE for WORDSTAR.
PRINTMAN.BAT
A batch file for printing the KNOW-WEDGE USER'S MANUAL.
APPENDIX E -- CHECK CHARACTERS E-1
CODE 39 CHECK CHARACTERS
Although CODE 39 is a self checking symbology, applications requiring
extreme data security may resort to the use of a check character.
Check characters are special encoded characters used to provide an
increased level of data security. The check character is placed
immediately after the data and before the stop character. When a bar
code is read, the program performs a mathematical calculation (ex-
plained below) to decode the check character. If the check character
calculation does not match up to the preceding data, then the bar code
message is not passed to the program. The user must scan the bar code
again and obtain a good read.
When the optional check character is used, all bar codes that will be
read, must contain the encoded check character. If a bar code is
encountered that does not contain the check character or utilizes an
error checking scheme other than that specified, no data will be
passed to the program.
KNOW-WEDGE supports two types of data checking, Modulus 43 and Weight-
ed Modulus 43. To use either method, the option and type of check
must first be selected. Use either the command line switch (/cm for
MODULUS 43 or /cw for WEIGHTED MODULUS 43) when loading KNOW-WEDGE or
change the start up defaults using the KNOW-WEDGE Utilities program,
KWUTIL.
Normally, the check character itself is not part of the bar code
message and is not passed to the program (KNOW-WEDGE defaults to not
passing the check character). There are situations, however, where it
is desirable to include the check character as part of the message and
pass it to the program. To select this option, use either the command
line switch /i (for include) or the KNOW-WEDGE Utilities program,
KWUTIL.
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 E-2
CHARACTER VALUES FOR CODE 39 CHARACTER SET
/---------------------------------------------------------------\
|CHARACTER|VALUE|CHARACTER|VALUE|CHARACTER|VALUE|CHARACTER|VALUE|
|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| | | | | | | | |
| 0 | 0 | B | 11 | M | 22 | X | 33 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| | | | | | | | |
| 1 | 1 | C | 12 | N | 23 | Y | 34 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| | | | | | | | |
| 2 | 2 | D | 13 | O | 24 | Z | 35 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| | | | | | | | |
| 3 | 3 | E | 14 | P | 25 | - | 36 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| | | | | | | | |
| 4 | 4 | F | 15 | Q | 26 | . | 37 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| | | | | | | | |
| 5 | 5 | G | 16 | R | 27 | SPACE | 38 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| | | | | | | | |
| 6 | 6 | H | 17 | S | 28 | $ | 39 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| | | | | | | | |
| 7 | 7 | I | 18 | T | 29 | / | 40 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| | | | | | | | |
| 8 | 8 | J | 19 | U | 30 | + | 41 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| | | | | | | | |
| 9 | 9 | K | 20 | V | 31 | % | 42 |
|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| | | | | | | | |
| A | 10 | L | 21 | W | 32 | | |
\---------------------------------------------------------------/
TABLE 1
E-3
APPENDIX E
MODULUS 43
The check character is the modulus sum of all of the data character
VALUES (see TABLE 1). To calculate the check character, sum the VALUE
of each data element and divide the result by 43. Note the remainder.
The check character is the CHARACTER whose VALUE is the remainder.
The following two examples illustrate the concept.
EXAMPLE I
KNOW-WEDGE
K N O W space - space W E D G E
20 + 23 + 24 + 32 + 38 + 36 + 38 + 32 + 14 + 13 + 16 + 14 = 300
300 is divisible by 43 6 times, leaving a remainder of 42.
The CHARACTER associated with the VALUE 31 is %. Hence the check
character for KNOW-WEDGE is %.
EXAMPLE II
CODE 39
C O D E space 3 9
12 + 24 + 13 + 14 + 38 + 3 + 9 = 113
113 is divisible by 43 twice, leaving a remainder of 27.
The CHARACTER associated with the VALUE 27 is R. Hence the check
character for CODE 39 is R.
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 E-4
WEIGHTED MODULUS 43
Similar to MODULUS 43, but considerably more robust, WEIGHTED MODULUS
43 differs in that the CHARACTER's VALUE is multiplied by a weighting
constant and the respective products are summed. The result is then
divided by 43 and the remainder is the VALUE of the CHARACTER. The
weighting constant is a number from 1 to 43, derived from the position
of the data character. The weighting factor is assigned from right to
left. The last data character has a weighting factor of 1, the second
from the last data character has a weighting factor of 2, the third
from the last data character has a weighting factor of 3, and so on.
The following two examples illustrate the concept.
EXAMPLE I
KNOW-WEDGE
K N O W space - space W E D G E
20 23 24 32 38 36 38 32 14 13 16 14 VALUE
x12 x11 x10 x9 x8 x7 x6 x5 x4 x3 x2 x1 FACTOR
240 +253 +240 +288 +304 +252 +228 +160 + 56 + 39 + 32 + 14 = 2106
2106 is divisible by 43 48 times, leaving a remainder of 42
The CHARACTER associated with the VALUE 42 is %. Hence the check
character for KNOW-WEDGE is %.
EXAMPLE II
CODE 39
C O D E space 3 9
12 24 13 14 38 3 9 VALUE
x7 x6 x5 x4 x3 x2 x1 FACTOR
84 +144 + 65 + 56 +114 + 6 + 9 = 478
478 is divisible by 43 11 times, leaving a remainder of 5.
The CHARACTER associated with the VALUE 5 is 5. Hence the check
character for CODE 39 is 5.
APPENDIX F -- SAMPLE PROGRAMS F-1
BATCH FILE EXAMPLES
AUTOEXEC.BAT
ECHO SYSTEM SETUP IN PROGRESS! DO NOT INTERRUPT THE PROCESS!
@ECHO OFF
SET TEMP=H:\TMPFILES
SET TMP=H:\TMPFILES
MD G:\TEMP
MD H:\BAT
MD H:\TEMP
MD H:\TMPFILES
XCOPY D:\BAT\*.BAT H:\BAT
PATH H:\BAT;C:\UTILS;C:\DOS;C:\UTILS\ARC
PROMPT $D$_$T $L$P$G
C:\UTILS\MHZ
C:\UTILS\PCMAG\CAPSON
C:\DOS\DOSKEY
C:\KW\KW /1S /2H
D:
CD\SKPLUS
SKPLUS
CD\
C:
C:\DOS\CHKDSK C:/F
C:\DOS\CHKDSK D:/F
C:\DOS\CHKDSK E:/F
C:\DOS\CHKDSK F:/F
C:\DOS\CHKDSK G:/F
C:\DOS\CHKDSK H:/F
ECHO SYSTEM SETUP COMPLETED! YOU MAY NOW USE THE SYSTEM!
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 F-2
BATCH FILES(Cont.)
KWWS.BAT
REM A BATCH FILE FOR WORDSTAR
@ECHO OFF
C:\KW\KW /1S /2H
C:
CD \WS6
WS
C:\KW\KW /U
CD\
KW123.BAT
REM A BATCH FILE FOR 123
@ECHO OFF
C:\KW\KW /1S /2H
C:
CD \LOTUS
123
C:\KW\KW /U
CD\
F-3
APPENDIX F
BASIC PROGRAM EXAMPLES
KWDEMO1.BAS
10 INPUT "SCAN NOW: ";X$
20 PRINT "The variable X$ is now equal to: ";X$
30 END
40 REM This short BASIC routine uses the BASIC INPUT command to input a
50 REM bar code message. After scanning a bar code, the variable X$ will
60 REM contain the bar code message. Both bar code and keyboard input
70 REM are possible.
KWDEMO2.BAS
10 PRINT "Scan Now:"
20 K$=INKEY$:IF K$="" THEN 20
30 IF ASC(K$)=13 THEN 50
40 X$=X$+K$:GOTO 20
50 PRINT "The variable X$ is now equal to: ";X$
60 END
70 REM This short routine demonstrates how to read bar code input one
80 REM character at a time. After running this routine, the variable
90 REM X$ will contain the scanned code. Both bar code and keyboard
95 REM input are possible.
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 F-4
dBASE PROGRAM EXAMPLE
KWDEMO.PRG
STORE SPACE(3) TO mquit
SET TALK OFF
CLEAR
!D:\DBASE\CRG\BCODE\KW /T
DO WHILE .T.
@ 1, 2 TO 3,78 DOUBLE COLOR R/
@ 4, 2 TO 17,78 DOUBLE COLOR R/
SET COLOR TO BG/
@ 2, 3 SAY "************** K N O W - W E D G E D E M O N S T R A;
T I O N *************"
@ 5, 3 CLEAR TO 16,76
USE F:\DBASE\CRG\BCODE\KWDEMO
GO BOTT
mrecno = RECNO()
DO WHILE .NOT. EOF()
SET COLOR TO BG/,B/W
@ 7, 5 SAY "QUANTITY:"
@ 7,15 GET Quantity PICTURE "9999";
MESSAGE "Scan or enter quantity."
@ 9, 5 SAY "DESCRIPTION: "
@ 9,19 GET Desc PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX";
MESSAGE "Scan or enter description."
@11, 5 SAY "LOCATION: "
@11,16 GET Location PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX" ;
MESSAGE "Scan or enter location."
@13, 5 SAY "DESTINATION: "
@13,19 GET Dest PICTURE "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX" ;
MESSAGE "Scan or enter destination."
@15, 5 SAY "RECORD NUMBER:"
@15,20 SAY mrecno
@15,40 SAY "QUIT? " GET mquit PICTURE "@M NO,YES";
MESSAGE "Press space bar to toggle."
READ
APPEND BLANK
mrecno = RECNO()
IF mquit = "NO"
LOOP
ELSE
!D:\DBASE\CRG\BCODE\KW /U /T
RETURN
ENDIF
ENDDO
ENDDO
F-5
APPENDIX F
PASCAL PROGRAM EXAMPLE
KWDEMO.PAS
PROGRAM Kwdemo; {PASCAL bar code input example}
VAR Scanned : String;
BEGIN
Write('Scan Now: ');
Readln( Scanned );
Writeln( 'The variable SCANNED is now equal to: ',Scanned );
END.
{This short program will read input from a bar code or the keyboard.}
{After a bar code message is scanned, the variable "Scanned" will}
{contain the bar code message. PASCAL's READ and READKEY can also}
{be used to input bar code messages.}
APPENDIX G -- KWUTIL HELP WINDOWS G-1
Program Overview
The Know-Wedge Default Setup Utility allows users to configure Know-
Wedge so that their desired options are included each time Know-Wedge
is loaded into memory.
This program does not change the defaults of an active (currently
resident in memory) copy of Know-Wedge. To change the current de-
faults, it is necessary to first unload the active copy of Know-Wedge
[KW /u] and then reload it [KW].
Video Options
Know-Wedge Utilities automatically detects the monitor type and ad-
justs to color or monochrome accordingly. Most monochrome monitors
display highlighted characters as high intensity. However, some
monitors are not capable of displaying high intensity characters.
With these monitors, you may use the optional command line switches /M
or /A. /M (for monochrome) displays highlighted characters in reverse
video and /A (for alternate) underlines the highlighted characters.
Changing/Selecting Defaults
To change/select a default option, press the highlighted letter asso-
ciated with your selection. Options preceded by a [y] or [n] will
toggle between the yes and no default settings, while options preceded
by an asterisk (*) will select the one of the several available
choices.
Saving
Any changes you make to the default settings must be saved. The pro-
gram keeps track for you, and will alert you if you make changes and
attempt to exit without saving.
Original Default Settings
Your may restore the original default settings that came with your
Know-Wedge program by selecting 'R' and then saving. The original
default settings are:
Beep = yes Delimiter = carriage return
Terse = no Port One = HP HBCS
Stop/start character = no Port Two = no connection
Check character = do not use Beep Frequency = E
Send check character = no Beep Duration = 1
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 G-2
Automatic Setup
You may store automatic default setups in Code 39 format, and then
scan the setup bar code at the opening screen. The setup bar code
will automatically set the defaults and save them.
To see the Code 39 representation for any default setup, press the 'H'
key at the Main Setup Screen.
APPENDIX H -- ERROR MESSAGES H-1
KW.COM ERROR MESSAGES
Duplicate or contradictory switches were selected.
You attempted to load KNOW-WEDGE with duplicate or contradictory
option switches set.
Invalid switch -- Request terminated.
You have attempted to load KNOW-WEDGE with an unrecognized option
switch set.
Invalid switch -- Request terminated. Valid check character switches
are /cm and /cw.
You attempted to load KNOW-WEDGE with an invalid CHECK CHARACTER
switch option.
Invalid switch -- Request terminated. Valid delimiter switches are
/dc, /dn, /ds, and /dt.
You attempted to load KNOW-WEDGE with an invalid DELIMITER switch
option.
Invalid switch -- Request terminated. Valid port 1 switches are /1n,
/1h, /1e, 1s, 1c, and /1l.
You attempted to load KNOW-WEDGE with an invalid switch option
for port 1.
Invalid switch -- Request terminated. Valid port 2 switches are /2n,
/2h, /2e, 2s, 2c, and /2l.
You attempted to load KNOW-WEDGE with an invalid switch option
for port 2.
Invalid switch -- Request terminated. The /i is valid only when used
in combination with /cm or /cw.
You attempted to load KNOW-WEDGE with /i (include check charac-
ter) without selecting an error checking scheme. You must select
either MODULUS 43 (/m) or WEIGHTED MODULUS 43 (/w) in conjunction
with /i.
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 H-2
KW.COM ERROR MESSAGES
Know-Wedge is already resident and active. To reload, you must first
unload Know-Wedge with the command line unload switch /u
You attempted to load KNOW-WEDGE while it is active. Enter KW /u
to UNLOAD KNOW-WEDGE and proceed.
Know-Wedge is not Resident!
You attempted to UNLOAD KNOW-WEDGE when it isn't loaded.
Know-Wedge is now disabled. To reclaim the memory allocated to Know-
Wedge, the program must be located (in DOS) as the last memory resi-
dent program.
You attempted to UNLOAD KNOW-WEDGE when it wasn't the last resi-
dent program loaded. THERE IS NO DANGER! You can proceed but the
memory allocated (less than 3K) to KNOW-WEDGE is trapped and will
not be released until you reboot the system.
Know-Wedge was not installed! Equipment Port selection error! Both
Equipment Ports have been selected to default to "NONE".
You attempted to load KNOW-WEDGE with both ports set to NONE (KW
/1N /2N). At least one port must be configured in order to load
KNOW-WEDGE.
Know-Wedge was not installed! Game Card/Port/Equipment not found.
All equipment must be connected to load Know-Wedge into memory.
You attempted to load KNOW-WEDGE and a port error has been de-
tected. In order to load KNOW-WEDGE a working game port must be
installed and a bar code input device must be connected. If you
have a two port board, try connecting the bar code input device
to the other port.
This evaluation copy of Know - Wedge has expired. Please contact your
sales representative.
You are using an evaluation copy of KNOW-WEDGE. Evaluation copies
refuse to load after a given date. Try setting your system clock
to 01/01/1990.
H-3
APPENDIX H
KWUTIL.EXE ERROR MESSAGES
Disk Not Ready - (R)etry (A)bort?
You attempted to SAVE your configuration but KWUTIL is unable to
write to disk. If you are using a floppy diskette, make sure it
is in the drive and that the drive door is closed. If you are
using a hard disk, press A to ABORT and use the DOS command
CHKDSK to identify and correct the problem.
Disk Write Protected - (R)etry (A)bort?
You attempted to SAVE your configuration but your diskette is
write protected so KWUTIL is unable to update KW.COM.
KNOW-WEDGE files are not compatible! The two Know-Wedge files, KW.COM
and KWUTIL.EXE, must be the same Version Number and the same Edition
to run the Setup Utility. Your KWUTIL.EXE is: KNOW-WEDGE 1.10 for
CODE 39. You may determine the Version and Edition of
KW.COM by using the /v (version switch). At the DOS prompt enter: KW
/v.
You have attempted to run KWUTIL with an incompatible version or
edition of KW.COM. KWUTIL will only load if recognizes a KW.COM
that it can modify. BOTH files (KWUTIL.EXE and KW.COM) MUST be
from the KNOW-WEDGE Standard Edition for CODE 39 and UPC/EAN.
KW.COM file not found! - (R)etry (A)bort?
You attempted to SAVE your configuration but KWUTIL can not find
KW.COM. You have either changed directories after invoking
KWUTIL or have switched floppy diskettes. Correct the problem
and press "R" to RETRY or "A" to ABORT.
KW.COM file not found error! The two Know-Wedge files, KW.COM and
KWUTIL.EXE, must both be located within the same directory to use the
KWUTIL.EXE utility program.
You have attempted to run the KNOW-WEDGE utility KWUTIL and it
can't find a copy of KW.COM to read. Make sure both KWUTIL.EXE
and KW.COM are in the CURRENT directory.
KNOW-WEDGE STANDARD EDITION for CODE 39 version 1.10 H-4
KWUTIL ERROR MESSAGES
Unable to write to KW.COM file. KW.COM file has the `Read Only' At-
tribute set!
You attempted to run KWUTIL while KW.COM's file attribute is set
to read-only. KWUTIL must be able to write to KW.COM or it will
not execute. Use the DOS command ATTRIB to clear the read-only
file attribute (ATTRIB -R KW.COM).
APPENDIX I -- KNOW-WEDGE DEFAULTS I-1
Beep = yes Send stop/start characters = no
Beep Duration = 1 Check character = do not use
Beep Frequency = E Send check character = no
Terse = no Port One = HP HBCS
Delimiter = carriage return Port Two = off
