This document provides detailed instructions for configuring the Allflex Stick Reader for use with Pocket CowCard.
Stick readers shipped from Valley Agricultural Software are pre tested and programmed prior to shipping. This document details how to restore Valley Ag Software’s preferred settings in the event that they are lost.
Document Specs:
Author: Brandt Kreuscher
Circulation: Public
Last updated (YMD): 07/07/15
Please, e-mail additions, corrections and/or suggestions, should you have any, to INFO@VAS.COM with the subject “STICK READER”. Thank you in advance!
Background:
Most Pocket Cowcard users are not aware that the Allflex Stick Reader can be programmed. This is because, in most cases, the readers are programmed by Valley Agricultural Software before the user receives them and they operate without problem.
However, on occasion, settings can be lost and the reader will stop functioning as expected.
How can Stick Reader settings be lost?
While there may be more then one reason that settings are lost in a Stick Reader, the primary cause is an odd sequence of rapid taps on the same green button used to read tags. A series of short taps on the green button will cause a long beep to be emitted from the reader. This long beep indicates that the user is now in a mode to change settings. If the LED window on the reader is examined at this time, the setting being altered is actually displayed and the following tap or taps on the green button will change or accept current settings.
The default settings that are programmed in the Stick Reader are not the settings that Valley Ag Software uses. If a Stick Reader is reset to its default settings, it will not function the way users expect when being used with Pocket CowCard.
Symptoms that a Stick Reader has lost some or all programmed settings, (settings preferred by Valley Agricultural Software):
-Reader turns off after a short period of time even with a fully charged battery.
-Reader reads tags multiple times rather then just once, beeping with each read
-Reader does not connect to the handheld computer via Bluetooth.
-Reader does not read tags in the standard format which is 15 characters or the format it reads tags in does not identify animals with known electronic ID.
-The Bluetooth name by which the Stick Reader is identified has changed.
What is needed to restore a Stick Reader to the preferred configuration for use with Pocket CowCard.
Stick Readers are shipped with some items that are often untouched by Pocket CowCard users.
Primary Stick Reader Kit Contents
The items needed to configure a Stick Reader include the following:
1. A computer with a;
9 pin serial port
Or
USB to Serial Converter
2. A charged Stick Reader battery pack
3. The Stick Reader serial end cap
4. the Stick Reader Serial Cable
(If the battery pack is charged, the trickle charger is not needed)
5. The “Configurator” Software (current version 2.21)
(This software is also on all 2007 update CD’s from VAS, as described in the installation section below)
Restoring the Stick Reader to its preferred configuration for use with Pocket CowCard.
Step 1.
Install the Allflex “Configurator” software:
The current version of this software is 2.21. It can be installed either from the CD that came in the reader kit or from any 2007 or later Valley Agricultural Software update CD.
Beginning Installation from the VAS Update CD
If installing this software from a VAS update CD, insert the
CD in the computer and close the menu when it opens on the screen. Open
“My Computer” and right click on the
Beginning Installation from the Allflex “Configurator” CD that came in the reader kit:
If installing this software from the CD that came in the
reader kit, insert the CD in the computer and open “My Computer”. Right
click on the
Completing “Configurator”
Software Installation
Complete the installation started from either section above by following each of the steps below:
Step 2.
Connect the Stick Reader to the Computer.
A charged battery pack should be inserted into the reader. The serial end cap should be connected to the reader and the serial cable connected to the end cap.
The Stick Reader should be connected to the PC by either 9 pin serial port or USB to serial converter. When the reader is connected to the computer it should be turned on and the configurator software should be opened.
Step3.
Open the Configurator Software and establish a connection with the reader.
The Configurator software can be opened from the “start / All Programs” menu. When the configurator software is opened and the correct COM port setting is selected, the Configurator software will display reader information at the bottom of the screen.
Step 4.
Correct settings on the Stick Reader.
While settings can be changed manually, the fastest way to correct settings is to read them in from a file. VAS preferred settings can be read into the Configurator software from a setting file which is on any 2007 or later VAS update CD. To do this, be sure that a VAS update CD is in the computer and with the Configurator software is connected to the reader. Follow the steps below.
Click on open in the upper left corner of the Configurator software and select “Open”. After
selecting open, navigate to [
After these readings are read into the Configurator software, it is important to correct the Bluetooth name so that the device is unique when being paired with Pocket CowCard.
Valley Agricultural Software names readers with the last 4 digits of the serial number followed by a space and a “V5” indicating the reader version. Valley Agricultural Software also adds a second label indicating the serial number in the event that the original serial number is worn off.
To change the Bluetooth name of the reader, (which is actually setting the Bluetooth end cap), click on the wireless technologies tab in the Configurator software and enter the desired name.
Clicking “Apply Settings” in the Configurator software will “write” these settings to the reader. Occasionally, you will have to click apply settings more then once. Settings are confirmed sent to the reader when he “Apply Settings” button is grayed out indicating that the settings are the same in the software and the reader to which it is currently connected.
when settings in the “Configurator” software do not match those in the reader and therefore need to be applied
When settings in the “Configurator” software have been applied and match settings in the reader
Once settings have been successfully applied to the reader, it is a good idea to review all settings to confirm that all are in fact correct. By clicking on the left and right arrows at the upper right side of the configurator, one can scroll through the various tabs to confirm settings or to set them manually.
The screens below display all settings as they should be when the Stick Reader is correctly configured with Valley Agricultural Software’s preferred settings for use with Pocket CowCard.
After settings have been applied to the reader and confirmed, disconnect the reader from the PC prior to closing the Configurator software. This will prevent any accidental changes.