[FX.php List] Wireless BarCode Scanners

[Jonathan Schwartz]

Well here's a reality... I was just at an Apple store buying a  
replacement ac adapter for my kids MacBook, an the rep hauled out an  
iPhone with integrated laser bar code reader to scan the UPC.  
Actually, the scanner was molded into a plastic case that also held  
the iPhone/iPod.  The sales rep didn't have any info about the  
product. Obviously a special build for apple stores.

Jonathan Schwartz
Exit 445 Group
415-370-5011

On Jan 15, 2010, at 4:21 PM, Dale Bengston <dbengston at tds.net> wrote:

> Hey, let's start a rumor that bar-code scanning is yet another  
> feature in the mythical Apple tablet!
>
> This has come up twice in my recent lifetime. Once was to scan items  
> in a warehouse. The best idea we came up with was to bolt a laptop  
> with a USB scanner to the forklift. The other one is doing inventory  
> at a school library.
>
> It adds a lot of time to empty a shelf and haul books to where the  
> computer with the scanner is located, and it would be easier to take  
> the scanner to the books. Lacking funds, my hack solution is to put  
> the computer (a Mac mini) on a rolling table, and get a long  
> extension cord.
>
> I'd prefer an easier (and cheaper) solution than what's available.  
> Keep the ideas flowin'!
>
> Dale
>
> On Jan 15, 2010, at 5:40 PM, Jonathan Schwartz wrote:
>
>> You know, it was the client who balked at handing out iPhones to  
>> delivery drivers.  But I suspect that outfitting them with FedEx- 
>> like wireless bar code scanners along with wireless service would  
>> probably be alot higher.
>>
>> Coincidentally, I started using the RedLaser just last week. What a  
>> cool product.
>>
>>
>> J
>>
>> At 2:51 PM -0800 1/15/10, Troy Meyers wrote:
>>> Jonathan,
>>>
>>> I have no good answers, but we are looking at it. If you are  
>>> excluding iPhone as a platform, then this isn't relevant to you.  
>>> If iPhone is it, then prior to iPhone OS 3.0 we were approaching  
>>> the problem using an FSK-input method to the iPhone (without  
>>> jailbreaking) from a pen scanner with some adapter hardware,  
>>> through the dock connector. It's physically cumbersome.
>>>
>>> Now, under 3.1 there are a couple of nicer possibilities, one is  
>>> using the RedLaser SDK which actually uses the iPhone camera to  
>>> look at the barcodes. The SDK allows you to collect scans for your  
>>> own app. It won't work for us right now, though, because that SDK  
>>> doesn't support Code39 which is what we must use. I don't recall  
>>> the ones supported, but if you dig around surrounding this page:
>>> http://www.redlaser.com/SDK.aspx
>>> you might find it. I know UPC is one, and perhaps another (EAN?)
>>> Occipital will potentially add Code39 or others in the future  
>>> (based on email conversions with them) but their plate is pretty  
>>> full right now. Perhaps if you asked too, it'd add fuel to the fire.
>>>
>>> The other possibility is that supposedly Bluetooth is more  
>>> accessible under 3.1. I don't know if it's accessible enough. I'm  
>>> awaiting delivery of a Bluetooth pen scanner (Baracode Pencil2)  
>>> which, if it can be made to cooperate with the iPhone would be  
>>> idea for our application. For us, a pen (especially one without a  
>>> cord) is best due to ambient light and physical accessibility of  
>>> the barcode issues. If I can interface the Bluetooth then we'll  
>>> build data collection from the pen into the app, which really is a  
>>> CWP application but has to be inside a special "scanner Safari"  
>>> that allows field to be filled with scan data when appropriate,  
>>> instead of from the "keyboard".
>>>
>>> This is all thought-exercise at this point. I'll know more when  
>>> the pen arrives and I start figuring out that portion of the  
>>> iPhone development stuff. I have no idea if any will really work  
>>> out.
>>>
>>> -Troy
>>>
>>>
>>>> Anyone done anything with wireless hand-held bar code scanners to
>>>> report deliveries, ala FedEx, UPS and the like?
>>>>
>>>> I know that I could make an iphone friendly CWP application without
>>>> the bar code part, but that's not the target.
>>>>
>>>> J
>>>
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>>
>>
>> -- 
>> Jonathan Schwartz
>> Exit 445 Group
>> jonathan at exit445.com
>> http://www.exit445.com
>> 415-370-5011
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