Technical background
USB CDC standard
The USB CDC specification from the USB working group is the standard for USB to serial bridges (CDC-ACM subclass). SpringCard CSB6 Legacy follows this standard, allowing the products in the family to be seen as serial communication devices (comm. ports) on most operation systems, without effort.
Once the corresponding device driver has been launched, the CSB6 Legacy is seen from the computer as if it were a regular comm. port ("COMxx" under Windows, "COMxx:" under Windows CE / Windows Mobile, "/dev/ttyUSBxx" or "/dev/ttyACMxx" on GNU/Linux, ...).
SpringProx API
SpringProx API is a software library offered by SpringCard to work with Legacy products. The library is available either as source code in K531 Development Kit, or as a DLL for Windows (CSB4 Development Kit) or Pocket PC /Windows Mobile (SpringProx Development Kit).
Working directly with the Legacy device, without the SpringProx API, is also possible and fully described in K531 Development Kit, and allows to target embedded platforms with a really small memory footprint.
Prerequisites
To configure your CSB6 (or any other product in the CSB6 Family) for Legacy mode, you need a computer running Microsoft Windows (2000/XP/Vista).
- Download and install CSB6 PC/SC Driver,
- Download and install CSB6 Legacy Driver,
- Download and install QuickStart for CSB PC/SC.
Procedure
Step 1
Connect your CSB6 (currently in PC/SC mode) to your computer.
Follow the driver installation wizards until the device and all its reader instances (1 to 5 depending on the characteristics of the product) have been installed.
Step 2
Open the Explorer, and navigate to the place where the Quickstart for CSB PC/SC has been installed. Typically, this is in folder c:\Program Files\SpringCard\SDD4C0.
Launch the program named csb6_go_legacy.exe. This is a command-line utility. When prompted, enter "YES" to confirm you are ready to « permanently » transform your PC/SC CSB6 into a Legacy CSB6.
Once the device has been programmed, press any key to close the command-line window.
Step 3
Unplug the CSB6 from its USB connector (on devices with an external power source, such as EasyFinger or CrazyWriter mounted in some printers, you must switch OFF the power source as well).
Wait a few seconds, and plug the CSB6 again (switch ON the power source in case there's one).
Windows now loads the Legacy Driver. Congratulation, your product is now a Legacy CSB6 (until you change your mind).
Batch mode
If you need to put numerous products in Legacy mode, it will be boring to launch csb6_go_legacy.exe, enter "YES" for each product, then close the window, and again. Launching the software in batch mode solves this problem. To do so,
- Launch a command prompt (Start Menu / Run / cmd.exe),
- Quickstart for CSB PC/SC has been installed (CD c:\Program Files\SpringCard\SDD4C0),
- Launch csb6_go_legacy.exe with the -b switch (csb6_go_legacy.exe -b).
You may also enter csb6_go_legacy.exe -? to have a list of all the available options.
Going back into PC/SC mode
Observe the same prerequisites as for PC/SC to Legacy operation.
Step 1
Connect your CSB6 (currently in Legacy mode) to your computer, and follow the driver installation wizards until the device has been installed.
Step 2
Open the Explorer, and navigate to the place where the Quickstart for CSB PC/SC has been installed. Typically, this is in folder c:\Program Files\SpringCard\SDD4C0.
Launch the program named csb6_go_pcsc.exe. This is a command-line utility. When prompted, enter "YES" to confirm you are ready to « permanently » transform your Legacy CSB6 into a PC/SC CSB6.
Once the device has been programmed, press any key to close the command-line window.
Step 3
Enjoy ;-) !