The Symbologies menu shows all the commands that allow you precise control of the parameters of all enabled code types. Parameters differ depending on the unique standards of each code type.
Command parameters can be changed directly from this menu.
DotCode is a special code type that can be enabled using the standard Code Type dialog box or using Advanced Settings.
Important: When DotCode is enabled, no other symbologies will be decodable. You must disable DotCode to decode symbols of any other type.
DotCode parameters can be found in the Symbologies menu located in WebLink’s Advanced Settings.
By default, DotCode will look for either horizontal or vertical codes with no rotation (plus or minus 3 degrees). The user can set Rotation Mode to Low Rotation (plus or minus 10 degrees) or to Omni Directional.
When using DotCode, the user can specify the exact number of rows and columns in the code to minimize the possibility of decoding errors and no reads. If you specify the exact row and column dimensions, only DotCode symbols of the same dimension are decoded.
To do this, you must enter the row and column values using a K command via the Terminal under Settings, or via another serial link.
Important: DotCode must be enabled for the column and row settings to take effect.
Serial K Command: <K561,Custom Feature Command String>
Default Setting: “ ”
Options: DOTCODE_COL_ROW=?#?#
The ? character in DOTCODE_COL_ROW=?#?# should be changed to the expected number of columns and rows in the DotCode symbol.
In the example below, 40 is the number of columns, and 7 is the number of rows.
<K561,DOTCODE_COL_ROW=40#7#>
Swap columns and rows when the same symbol is oriented vertically.
<K561,DOTCODE_COL_ROW=7#40#>
Smart Assist uses the Symbology Advanced Settings. If any of these are set independent of the others, then WebLink will show a Custom option.
Advanced Decoding Parameters can help you read difficult and damaged symbols, and are optimized for direct part marks (DPM).
Fast Linear Mode
Fast Linear Mode optimizes 1D symbol decoding. Fast Linear Mode accelerates 1D decode speeds by restricting the orientation in which barcodes can be aligned, and only decoding barcodes in that orientation.
If you know the direction the application’s symbols will be oriented relative to the reader (horizontally or vertically), set Fast Linear Mode to match that direction. This will cause the reader to decode only symbols in that orientation, thereby reducing the processing needed and speeding up decode times.
If you prefer to use serial commands, the following command allows you to enter your settings via a Terminal.
Serial Command: <K562,Fast Linear Mode>
Default Setting: Disabled
Options:
0 = Disabled
1 = Horizontal
2 = Vertical
Examples:
<K562,0> = Disabled
<K562,1> = Horizontal
<K562,2> = Vertical
Horizontal requires that the entire symbol be oriented horizontally in the reader’s field of view.
Vertical requires that the entire symbol be oriented vertically in the reader’s field of view.
Curved 2D
Curved 2D is designed for Data Matrix and QR Code symbols on bottles and other cylinders.
Curved Data Matrix
Curved QR Code
Curvature in a captured image is usually created when the reader is pointing to the symbol at an angle. This algorithm, when enabled, will only be active when the curvature is great enough. If the length ratio between the red and green line shown in the example below is greater than 20:1, the Curved 2D algorithm will be activated.
If you prefer to use serial commands, the following command allows you to enter your settings via a Terminal.
Serial Command: <K563,Curved 2D>
Default Setting: Disabled
Options:
0 = Disabled
1 = Enabled
Examples:
<K563,0> = Disabled
<K563,1> = Enabled
Convert Shift-JIS to UTF-8
For any symbol (often QR Code but not always), this feature converts decoded Shift-JIS characters to UTF-8 characters.
If you prefer to use serial commands, the following command allows you to enter your settings via a Terminal.
Serial Command: <K564,Convert Shift-JIS to UTF-8>
Default Setting: Disabled
Options:
0 = Disabled
1 = Enabled
Examples:
<K564,0> = Disabled
<K564,1> = Enabled
This feature allows a symbol to be decoded even when there is noise in the quiet zone on one or both sides of a symbol. This command is specific to UPC, Code 128, Code 39, and Codabar.
If you prefer to use serial commands, the following command allows you to enter your settings via a Terminal.
Serial Command: <K565,1D Quiet Zone Violation>
Default Setting: Disabled
Options:
0 = Disabled
1 = Enabled
Examples:
<K565,0> = Disabled
<K565,1> = Enabled
There is also a Both option that allows you to scale the image up or down.
If you prefer to use serial commands, the following command allows you to enter your settings via a Terminal.
Serial Command: <K566,Scale Image>
Default Setting: Disabled
Options:
0 = Disabled
1 = Scale Up
2 = Scale Down
3 = Both
Examples:
<K566,0> = Disabled
<K566,1> = Scale Up
<K566,2> = Scale Down
<K566,3> = Both
2D Damaged Mode allows you to decode symbols with distorted grid alignment or bad cell registration.
If you prefer to use serial commands, the following command allows you to enter your settings via a Terminal.
Serial Command: <K567,2D Damaged Mode>
Default Setting: Disabled
Options:
0 = Disabled
1 = Enabled
Examples:
<K567,0> = Disabled
<K567,1> = Enabled
Attempt Morphology Manipulation applies morphology dilation and attempts to decode. If this isn't successful, it applies morphology erosion and attempts to decode.
If you prefer to use serial commands, the following command allows you to enter your settings via a Terminal.
Serial Command: <K568,Attempt Morphology Manipulation>
Default Setting: Disabled
Options:
0 = Disabled
1 = Enabled
Examples:
<K568,0> = Disabled
<K568,1> = Enabled
Examples of 2D Damaged Mode, Attempt Morphology Manipulation, Scale Image Up, and Scale Image Down
Some Advanced Decoding Parameters can be combined and others cannot, as follows: