MagTek SWIPE READERS WITH RS-232 - Manual (Page 13)

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SECTION 3. OPERATION
Included in this section are brief descriptions of Card Read, Reader to Host Message Format, and
Timing of sign-on ID.
CARD READ
A card may be swiped through the Reader slot in either direction, as long as the magnetic stripe
is down and facing the head in the unit.
READER TO HOST MESSAGE FORMAT
Track data is sent in the following order: SS, Card Data, ES, CR
SS – Start Sentinel Character (%, ; or +)
Card Data – The data on the card or “E” in the event of a read error
ES – End Sentinel Character (?)
CR – Carriage Return (0x0D)
The Start and End Sentinel symbols for each track are as follows:
Table 3-1. Track Number and Symbols for Start and Stop Sentinel
Track Number Start Sentinel End Sentinel
1 % ?
2 ; ?
3 + ?
After the DTR goes high, there is a delay of about 90 milliseconds, and then the Reader sends a
sign-on message, e.g., 21088830A03<CR>. The timing is shown in Figure 3-1.
DTR
90ms
Sign-on ID
Figure 3-1. Timing for ID Sign-on