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you have a program that prompts for (1 )BLDG., then (2)AISLE, then (3)ITEM, then (4)QUANTITY, with a loop that
goes back to ITEM after QUANTITY. To break out of the loop at ITEM and go back to BLDG, use 01 in the NO/END
STMT for ITEM. To break out of the loop at QUANTITY and go to AISLE, use 02 in the NO/END STMT for
QUANTITY.
If you want to exit data collection when the END key is pressed, specify 99 in the NO/END STMT field.
If you want to disable the END key (have it do nothing), specify statement #00 in the NO/EN D STMT field.
The PREFIX field allows you to specify a unique 1-15 character string to be uploaded BEFORE the data for this statement, every
time the statement is executed . The Upload Prefix is an extremely useful tool, as it has more uses than simply adding characters to a
field of data. Here are the six functions of the Prefix field:
1. Identification of a field
2. Adding key sequences for uploading into an application
3. Timing Delays
4. Appending data to another field
5. Trimming data from the front of a field
6. Padding data with spaces or zeros at the front of a field
1. Identification of a field
By specifying particular characters in the Upload Prefix, you ca n help the host computer program identify or distinguish one
field of data from another. For example, if your software identifies part numbers by seeing the letter P before each part number,
specify P in the Upload Prefix. Think of it as a way to add Data Identifiers when they aren‟t already part of your bar code.
PREFIX - - P_
2. Adding key sequences for uploading into an application
If you are uploading your data directly into an application, the upload prefix (and suffix) can add any keystrokes necessary for
your program to accept the data. You would have to get the applicatio n to the point where you would nor mally type the data in,
then upload the TriCoder and let it t ype it for you. For example, if you are uploading into a program that requires that you press
the F1 key before you enter a particular field of a data, you would program an “F1” into the Upload Prefix for that statement by
scanning the correct bar codes on the TriCoder FULL ASCII MENU.
If you use the Upload Prefix or Upload Suffix to emulate keystrokes, the first thing you must do is carefully note (we suggest
writing it down) which keys must be pressed at what point in your ap plication to get the data in the T riCoder to go into the right
spots in your program. The SINGLE CYCLE TRANSMIT feature can help you with this pro cess by uploading one piece of data
at a time, allowing you to check each field as it uploads.
3. Timing Delays for this field only
Timing delays of .10 seconds to 9.9 seconds can be programmed into the Upload Prefix (and Suffix). This inserts a time delay
before or after a field of data, allowing your application to keep up with the data coming from the TriCoder. This is especially
important when uploading directly into an application using the TriCoder as a USB HID Keyboard. As well as giving your
application time to process the data coming from the TriCoder, delays also allow you to keep pace with screen changes and avo id
overloading the keyboard buffer. Delays are often required when uploading into spreadsheet programs such as EXCEL. T iming
delays are programmed by scanning the DE L (ASCII 1 27) from the Full ASCII Menu, then entering two characters - use any
combination between 01 (.10 seconds) and 99 (9.9 seconds). Use as small a delay as possible to avoid a slow upload .
PREFIX - - ?05
The previous example shows a . 5 second delay.
4. Appending data to another field
A very common use of the Upload Prefix (or Suffix) is to append data to a field every time that field i s uploaded. Use the
characters: }xx
where xx is the number of the statement you want to attach. To save space (you are allowed only 15 c haracters in a prefix or
suffix), a single digit can be used when the statement number is a single digit - }2 is the same as }02 - as long as it is not followed
by another valid digit.