User Guide for the 2173 Bluetooth^® HF/LF RFID Reader

This document provides a comparison of the two available modes of operation (SPP and HID) using Bluetooth^® Wireless Technology.

The document describes the process of updating firmware to a TSL ASCII Protocol Reader.

To connect a TSL^® Reader to a desktop PC via a USB connection, the necessary Virtual COM Port (VCP) drivers must be downloaded from http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm. Note that there is a setup executable on the same page, which will install the drivers for you.

This document describes how to pair a TSL^® Reader to a Windows 7 desktop computer via Bluetooth^® wireless technology. The process is similar for other desktop computers.

This document describes how to pair a TSL^® Reader to a Windows 8.1 desktop computer via Bluetooth^® wireless technology. The process is similar for other desktop computers.

Version 1.25

A new branch of the TSL ASCII Protocol 2.5 document, specifically for HF/LF RFID readers such as the 2173 Bluetooth^® HF/LF RFID Reader

Information relating to submitting your TSL-hardware enabled apps to the App Store.

Technology Solutions (UK) Ltd has implemented a common object model for Android, iOS, Windows Desktop, Windows Mobile and Windows Phone. This document is provided as an overview of using this object model to perform ASCII 2 commands with a TSL ASCII 2 device

The TSL^® range of Bluetooth^® Readers are able to appear to host devices as an HID keyboard. In this mode the data read by the reader is sent to the host as if it were typed on the host’s keyboard.  This document describes the Bluetooth^® HID mode in more detail.

TSL® Readers can be operated in Bluetooth® SPP mode where the Reader is controlled by a custom written application or in HID mode, where the Reader behaves like a Bluetooth® Keyboard. This document details how to switch between these modes.

This document describes USB charging behaviour, safety features and the best programming practises for tethered mode operation.

This document details Log file and Autorun file commands/responses that can be used with TSL®  Readers with a micro-SD card installed.

Information on enabling Bluetooth^® Auto-Reconnect Mode on iOS Devices.

This Windows application connects to a TSL® RFID Reader (via a USB connection) in order to generate diagnostic information that can be emailed to our Support team. The Virtual COM Port driver must be installed in order for this application to function correctly.

V1.7 - Improved Bluetooth® and RFID tests. Please uninstall previous version before installing this one.

V1.4 - Further Bluetooth® and barcode engine tests added.

Firmware for the 2173 Bluetooth^® HF / LF RFID Reader

v1.0.3

Added Bluetooth auto-reconnect

v1.0.4

Changed LowPowerTimeout 5s -> 10s
RFID SN is now reported as RS:
AS: now reports model variant 2173-S, 2173-A, 2173-I

Please contact support@tsl.com before updating from earlier versions

v1.0.6

Fixed issue with forward switch press

v1.0.5

Fixed issue with HID timeout setting

v1.0.7

(BLE mode only) Modified connection parameters

The document describes the process of updating firmware to a TSL ASCII Protocol Reader.

HID keyboard mapping file for French Belgian (BE) keyboard layout

HID keyboard mapping file for French (FR) keyboard layout

v1.00 First release
v1.01 Fixed mapping for < >

HID keyboard mapping file for German (GR) keyboard layout

HID keyboard mapping file for United Kingdom (UK) keyboard layout

HID keyboard mapping file for United States (US) keyboard layout

(NB This is the default layout and not normally required)

The Developer Resources Pack contains images of our readers, for use in applications developed to support our readers.   

Terms of Use
The images in this bundle and the rights pertaining to them, including copyright and ownership, are the sole and exclusive property of Technology Solutions (UK) Ltd 2020.  The images in this bundle are only provided for use in Mobile or Desktop applications that connect to the TSL Reader depicted in the image. No other use is authorised.

TSL ASCII 2 Software Development Kit – for Android™ v 2.2.1

This is the full release of the significant update for the Android SDK - bringing new commands, such as BlockPermalockCommand and FindTagCommand, along with new Sample Projects to demonstrate their use. Click here for more information on this update.