User Tools

Site Tools


pos_devices_-_msr_card_readers

Magnetic Stripe Readers (MSR)

MSRs are used to read credit, debit, and Gift Cards. They must be dual track. They can be either Serial, USB-Serial, USB-HID, or Keyboard Wedge. OPOS MSRs are not supported except when integrated with an OPOS Pinpad.

Serial

Serial barcode scanners plug into the serial / COM port of your computer. Many new computers do not have COM Ports or only have one COM port. There is often a separate power supply that is required. To Configure System Five for a serial device, open the Windward Point of Sale Device Manager in the Windows Tooltray usually in the bottom right of your screen. Select the Credit Card Scanner Tab, select the Port Settings text and Set the Baud rate to 9600, No Parity, 8 Data Bits. If the port settings show in RED, this means that the Point of Sale Device Manager was un-able to open the COM Port. Either the port does not exist, or some other device is already using it. Check the other POS device tabs to ensure that no other device is also set to your chosen serial port.
No configuring of the MSR should be required. The advantage of the serial port scanner is that there is never any confusion between a keyboard number input and a credit card scan.

USB-Serial

This type of scanner will have a USB connection, but will include a software device driver that will emulate a serial port. Power should be derived from the USB port. To Configure System Five for a serial device, open the Windward Point of Sale Device Manager in the Windows Tooltray usually in the bottom right of your screen. Select the Credit Card Scanner Tab, select the Port Settings text and Set the Baud rate to 9600, No Parity, 8 Data Bits. If the port settings show in RED, this means that the Point of Sale Device Manager was un-able to open the COM Port. Either the port does not exist, or some other device is already using it. Check the other POS device tabs to ensure that no other device is also set to your chosen serial port.
No configuring of the MSR should be required. The advantage of the serial port scanner is that there is never any confusion between a keyboard number input and a barcode scan.

USB-HID

(USB Keyboard emulation) The USB-HID (Human interface device) is a scanner with a USB connection, but will include a software device that emulates a keyboard. Power should be derived from the USB port.
Please follow the instructions for the Keyboard Wedge below.

Keyboard Wedge

The Keyboard Wedge is a scanner with two keyboard connections. You plug one end into the keyboard port of the computer, and you plug the keyboard into the other connection so that the scanner is between the keyboard and the computer. Power should be derived from the keyboard port.

Programming the MSR. Your MSR will need to be programmed to send the information in the required format required for System Five. The format System Five requires is

 %<track1>?;<track2>?[enter]

example

 %B5499xxxxxxxxxxxx^TEST/MPS^09081010000000000?;5499xxxxxxxxxxxx=09081015xxxxxxxx2345?

Notes:

  • track 1 is optional.
  • track 2 is required.
  • start sentinal track 1 is %
  • end sentinal track 1 is ?
  • start sentinal track 2 is ;
  • end sentinal track 2 is ?
  • No track separator is allowed (normally CR)
  • Must have a CR (Carridge Return)(Enter) on the end.

OPOS

OPOS MSRs are not supported except when integrated into an OPOS PinPAD such as the Ingenico 6550 / 6780.
pos_devices_-_signature_capture

pos_devices_-_msr_card_readers.txt · Last modified: 2008/12/29 11:52 (15 years ago) by craig