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The ExpoTools Download module allows you to extract the data from the BC500LR or TA500LR readers and appends those records to a master database. In addition, it can automatically create a write a copy of the data to any one of a number of locations, such as a floppy for the exhibitor to take with them, or a USB memory drive. Once configured, operation consists of a simple one-button click operation. Data is written as an industry standard CSV file which can easily be imported into Excel or Word. It is extremely simple to operate, in most cases requiring only a single one button click to get things started.

Quick Start / Test Drive
If this is the first time you are using ExpoTools equipment, but you already have a good grasp of lead retrieval, barcodes, computers and file formats, you can get started by following these steps:
  • Select the Communications Port (you should use the serial connection, since the USB drivers may not yet be installed)
  • Hook up a portable reader with some leads captured in it, either a TA600 or a BC600
  • Turn on the portable reader
  • Click the Download button
  • Once the download completes, check the data that has just been downloaded by click the large 'Preview' button. You can also open the file C:\Data_show\Master.csv. You can quickly do this using the File > Recent File menu.
If you open the Master.csv file from Excel, you should see the data from the leads. Note that the name and address information is located to the right of the 64 qualifiers, so you may have to scroll the screen to see some of the data. In addition, you will probably want to resize the columns to fit the data. A quick (but little known) way of doing this is to press Ctrl-A, and then double click on the bars between the column headers. This resizes all the columns to best fit the data.

Screen organization



The Download Module dialog box is organized into four main areas:
  1. a series of buttons allowing the operator to specify what type of file to prepare
  2. a large button used to initiate data extraction
  3. a status display area, informing the operator as to the progress of a transfer
  4. a toolbar and menu area allowing the more advanced user to change the configuration of the program, erase data in the unit, and look at previous downloads

Selecting the Communications Port



When first running ExpoTools Download, you will need to configure a few settings before you can communicate with the BC600 or TA600 portable readers. The most important setting is the communication port used to connect to the readers. If you are using the USB interface, the drivers still make the reader 'look-like' a serial port. Note that if you wind up at event using a computer that you have not installed the USB drivers onto, you can always download the necessary drivers from our website (www.specialtysensor.com).

To set the communication port, connect a reader to the computer using the supplied cable and click on Config > Serial port.



A dialog box will appear with a drop-down list showing which ports have been detected. Select the communications port that corresponds to the one the reader is plugged into, and click Save. Note that you should leave the 'Baud Rate' setting to 56000, except under instruction from our technical staff.



When using the USB interface, a new communications port will be added at the ‘next’ available port number. This can make finding it a little perplexing, since it may not be at the spot you think it should go: other devices or programs may have reserved some of the ports already, making them discontinuous. If you enable the ‘Auto-detect USB on connect’ box, ExpoTools Download will attempt to automatically find this port when connecting to the reader. Note that this feature overrides the Comport selection box. In other words, ExpoTools Download will first look for a USB connection, and if not found, it will then fall back to the serial port listed in the selection box.

You can also connect the reader and click on ‘Autodetect USB’ to quickly check the port number. If the program does not locate the device, it is most likely either not connected, or you have not installed the two required drivers.

Note that when the reader is disconnected from the USB port, the serial (or Com) port associated with it disappears. If you wish to, you can locate this port using the TAPortFind.exe utility, available from our website, or through the Windows Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager > Ports menu. Look for the 'TA Series Com port Emulator' entry. Next to it is the comport number.

If the port does not show up, you have probably not installed the pair of USB drivers, or there is a problem with the USB port on that computer. See the information on Installing Drivers.
ExpoTools • 1-800-398-9552 • sales@expotools.biz