Changing the Bluetooth® Operating Mode

15th November 2017

 

TSL® Bluetooth® UHF RFID Readers can be operated in SPP mode where the Reader is controlled by a custom-written application, or in HID mode, where the Reader behaves like a Bluetooth® Keyboard. 

The HID mode has two variants* :

    1. HID mode – Compatible with Android, Windows and Apple devices
    2. HID Apple mode – Compatible only with Apple devices providing an on-screen keyboard toggle

For a detailed comparison between the two modes, see the support article Comparison of Bluetooth® Operating Modes.

The Bluetooth® operating mode of a TSL® UHF RFID Reader can be changed using the steps detailed below.

 

Preparation:

Download and install the “TSL® PC Firmware Downloader” from the Reader product download page (free, one time, registration required)

https://www.tsl.com/downloads/tsl-products/1128-downloads/
https://www.tsl.com/downloads/tsl-products/1153-downloads/
https://www.tsl.com/downloads/tsl-products/1166-downloads/

 

To switch to Bluetooth® HID mode:

    • First delete existing pairings to the UHF reader
    • Launch the Firmware Downloader (Desktop Firmware Loader)
    • Connect the UHF reader to the computer using the supplied USB cable.
    • The driver should install automatically (*)
    • The downloader should prompt as the com port arrives and select the com port automatically (“COMn arrived”)
    • Select Action>Reset Bluetooth® to HID mode or Action>Reset Bluetooth® to HID Apple mode (wait for the process to complete)
    • Disconnect the UHF reader from the computer (unplug USB)
    • Wake the UHF reader (pull trigger, blue flashing LED)
    • Pair to the reader on the device (it typically appears as a keyboard icon and connects automatically)
    • Scanned data should now be typed into the current application on the device

 

To switch to Bluetooth® SPP mode:

    • First delete existing pairings to the UHF reader
    • Launch the downloader (Desktop Firmware Loader)
    • Connect the UHF reader to the computer using the supplied USB cable.
    • The driver should install automatically (*)
    • The downloader should prompt as the com port arrives and select the com port automatically (“COMn arrived”)
    • Select Action>Reset Bluetooth® to SPP mode (wait for the process to complete)
    • Disconnect the UHF reader from the computer (unplug USB)
    • Wake the UHF reader (pull trigger, blue flashing LED)
    • Pair to the reader on the device
    • Launch an App (e.g. RFID Explorer) to use the reader

 

(*) if not, download from here: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

 

Further Information

Further information can be found from the Reader Download pages (free, one-time, registration required – see links above)

Application Note – Bluetooth® HID mode: Provides further examples for configuring HID mode
Application Note – Using the Micro SD log and auto-run files: Describes using the AUTO.TXT
TSL® ASCII Protocol 2.4 Rev B : Details all the commands including for HID .st,.hs,.hc, and .hd

If you encounter any issue while following the above procedure please contact support@tsl.com, providing the following information:

    • The serial number of the UHF Reader
    • The Firmware version of the UHF Reader
    • The step at which the procedure failed
    • A description of the fault that occurred

 

* Firmware requirements: 1128 – v4.2.7 or greater; 1153 – v2.1.7 or greater; 1166 – v1.1.6 or greater