Copyright © 2008, International Technologies & Systems Corp. All rights reserved.
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VersaKey™ Programmable Keyboard User Manual
6.0
Keyboard Operation
To install the VersaKey, plug the keyboard into an USB port. When the VersaKey is
powered on, it performs a self-test and initiation sequence with the computer. During the
self-test, the MagStripe reader will beep. The keyboard power LED will light to indicate
power is applied.
Test the keyboard with normal use in a text editor like Word. The non-programmed keys
would not have any key codes associated and therefore does not have output. Test the
reader by swiping a magnetic stripe card through the reader slot. The magnetic stripe must
be facing toward the front of the keyboard. A beep will also sound to indicate a good read
on each magnetic track, as appropriate. If three tracks are available on the reader and all
have been read successfully, the reader will beep three times. Readers with a non-
keyboard type of communication interface must be tested using the PC MagStripe
application software; otherwise, for readers with a keyboard (scan code) output, the card
data is seen on the text editor as when testing the keyboard.
6.1
Reader Configuration
The VersaKey Reader is an intelligent magnetic stripe reader that decodes, verifies, and
transmits stripe data. The reader also provides a convenient formatting and content editing
capability for transmitted data. The MagStripe data can be edited and arranged by the
reader; characters can be added to the formatted data. The added characters form either a
prefix or a suffix to the formatted MagStripe data. To support the reader’s formatting
capability, ID TECH provides an easy to use configuration utility, MagSwipe Software.
Configuration settings can also enable the reader to work with the host system
communication port settings, data transmission intervals, or data rates for example.
MagSwipe Software supports the Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP,
and Windows Vista operating systems. When readers are configured appropriately to an
application and computer, these configuration settings are stored in the reader’s non-
volatile memory (they are not affected by the cycling of power). MagSwipe User Guide
and Software application are available on our website at www.idtechproducts.com.
The reader is shipped from the factory with the default settings already programmed. See
Appendix B. The reader has been factory programmed with the least restricted settings,
thus making the reader able to read most standard format magnetic stripe cards out of the
box.
