How to connect a Dallas Tag reader to Mandalay CS
Some functionality of the Mandalay CS system requires the use of a Dallas Tag reader. Generally around Electronic identification of vehicles and clients for autonomous or operator assisted operations at a weighbridge.
The following article explains how to attach a Dallas Tag Reader scanner to Mandalay CS. It assumes that the reader has already been configured correctly.
Dallas Tag iButton Tag Reader
To use this type of reader the 1-Wire must be installed first. Once installed the reader can be plugged into the USB port and will then be available for entry into the Mandalay device manager. See this article for more information.
Link 45 Tag Reader
The Link45 Tag reader is a serial device that needs to be connected directly to an available serial port before it can be added to Mandalay CS .
Device Manager
The reader needs to added to the Mandalay Device Manager. This can be found in the menu Start > Programs > Mandalay Technologies > Hardware.
Once this has started click on the Add Device button to begin the process of adding a device.
Add Device Wizard
Click on the Next button to continue
Detect Hardware
Generally barcode scanners can not be auto detected to you will need to select the manual option.
Select the Device Type
- Select the tag reader type to see the list of barcode scanner options.
- The commonly used options will either be Dallas iButton USB or the Link45 for DCS tag devices.
- Click Next to install.
Select the Serial Port (Link45 Only)
Select the serial port that has been assigned to the bar code scanner. For scanners that use virtual com ports you may need to look at the Windows Device Manager to identify the correct COM port. Click Next once it has been identified.
Confirm the Name
Provide a name for the device or leave as the default name. Click Finish to complete the wizard.
Save the changes
Click on the Update Config button and answer yes to the two questions that are prompted.
Test the REader
Once installed it should be possible to test the scanner by double clicking the device in the devices list. Then clicking on the Device tab.
Connect to the device
- Click on the Connect button.
- Click on the Reading Disabled text to enable the reading of the device. (The text will change to Reading Enabled and will be green)
- Add a tag to the reader and the number will appear in the ID history.
If the number does not appear then check the serial settings for the port (Link45) or refer to the manufacturers guides.
Configure Ticketing to Use the Reader
Run Mandalay CS Configuration Manager and ensure that the localhost is added in the Hardware servers list. If it does not appear in the list then type 'localhost' in the Address text box and then press Add.
Add desktop EID
From the DCS tab:
- Check the Use Desktop EID Reader
- Select the device from the drop down box.
- Click ok to complete ticketing.
Restarting Ticketing and the system will now be ready to accepts tags scanned by the device.
Once this is done the tag reader will be available in the Ticketing program and also the Administration program where needed.