Bypass mode
When the inForce device isn't being used in production, you can put it into Bypass mode. In this mode, SMEMA signals will pass through the inForce device as if it wasn't present.
Select the Enter Bypass Mode toolbar button at the bottom of the window to enable Bypass mode. The status window will change to Blue.
Audible alarms
inForce 2.0 is capable of alerting operators of an error or alarm condition with an audible alert. However, the unit does not have a built-in speaker like the previous version. Instead, you can connect a USB speaker to the device to enable audible warnings and alerts. Inexpensive USB speakers are available for purchase online and at local computer retailers.
Serial transfer option
inForce 2.0 has a dedicated built-in serial port you can use to transfer a scanned and validated barcode to another piece of equipment. For information about the serial settings, see inForce Line Attendant adapter settings.
Alarm tower connector
inForce has an alarm tower connector on the rear of the housing. You can use this connector with a customer-provided light tower to visually display the status of an inForce device from a distance. The connector is a standard 8-pin DIN connector like this one from Digi-Key.
The following pins will be closed (shorted) under certain operating conditions:
Pin | Description |
|---|---|
Pins 1 and 2 | Green (Operating normally) – Flash in Bypass Mode |
Pins 3 and 4 | Yellow (Unable to connect to xLink Server) |
Pins 5 and 6 | Red (Error Condition) |
Pins 7 and 8 | Audible Alarm (When enabled – accompanies errors) |
Remote monitoring
inForce 2.0 devices are designed to operate in "headless" mode. This means that the device doesn't require a display connected to it but you can still monitor the inForce device remotely. You can run the same Universal Windows Application that runs on the in Force device on any Windows 10-supported device such as a laptop, desktop, or a Windows phone. Once installed, you can configure the application to monitor multiple inForce units simultaneously.
Diagnostics
The inForce device doesn't have external SMEMA Status LEDs. Instead, there is a tool in the inForce application window to help you diagnose SMEMA signals and their current states.
