This article demonstrates the steps necessary to configure the BlueSnap Standard Bluetooth 2.1 to RS-232 adapter and a Serialio Scanfob Bluetooth barcode (or RFID) scanner (like the Scanfob® 2006 scanner) for use with a Nikon D300S camera.
Configure the BlueSnap
The first step is to make sure that the BlueSnap’s baud rate matches that of the Nikon D300S. By default, the BlueSnap has a baud rate of 115200. In order to communicate with the Nikon camera, the BlueSnap must be configured with a baud rate of 4800. To change the BlueSnap’s baud rate from 115200 to 4800, we need to connect to the BlueSnap with a terminal application (such as JavaTerm, TeraTerm, PuTTY or YAT) in command mode and send the command to change the baud rate. The easiest way to connect to the BlueSnap is with a USB to RS-232 adapter cable, but it is also possible to enter command mode via Bluetooth.
Using a USB to RS232 Adapter Cable
You need access to a USB to RS232 adapter cable with power on PIN 9 and a NULL female-to-female modem if you have a male BlueSnap. You can also configure the BlueSnap over a Bluetooth connection, but you must connect and enter command mode within the first minute of powering on the BlueSnap.
1. Using the USB to RS-232 adapter cable, plug the BlueSnap into your computer. It can be a computer running Mac, Linux or Windows.
2. Launch your preferred terminal application.
3. Navigate to the terminal application’s settings and make sure that they match the settings necessary to communicate with the BlueSnap.
| Config | BlueSnap Default | Nikon D300S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baud Rate | 115200 | 4800 | |
| Parity | None | None | |
| Data Bits | 8 | 8 | |
| Stop Bits | 1 | 1 |
4. If you have a BlueSnap AAA, power it on by holding down the power button until the LEDs start flashing (Non-AAA BlueSnaps auto-power on when plugged into a power source).
5. Connect to the COM port assigned to your BlueSnap via the terminal application.
6. Once a connection is established, type the following commands: Make note of the BlueSnap’s response to the “GB” command. This is the BlueSnap’s MAC address and we will need it to next section of this tutorial. $$$
SU,4800
GB
R,1
Configure the Scanner
Your Bluetooth scanner can be configured to pair with the BlueSnap in one of two ways. The first way is to set the remote address of the Scanfob to the BlueSnap’s MAC address so that the two devices will automatically connect to one another. The second way is to print out a barcode of the BlueSnap’s MAC address. Each time this barcode is scanned, the scanner will pair with the BlueSnap. The latter method is best for environments where you have multiple BlueSnap and scanners and you don’t want to have to keep track of which devices are pre-paired.