I have a palm and want to buy a barcode scanner to read barcode into my palm program. So here are my questions:
1. Is there any restrictions on the barcode scanner (e.g. support RS232 / USB) ?
2. How can my program get the barcodes? Any software available on the market or I need to know the protocol spec of the barcode scanner?

Thanks for any comments

Janice.

 

> I have a palm and want to buy a barcode scanner to read barcode into my palm
program. So here are my questions:

> 1. Is there any restrictions on the barcode scanner (e.g. support RS232 /
> USB) ?

Yes. If you can't connect it to the palm, you won't be reading. What interfaces does your palm have?

>2. How can my program get the barcodes? Any software available on the market
or
> I need to know the protocol spec of the barcode scanner?

Depends on the scanner and the barcode. Some scanners you might just pull a trigger and it will transmit ascii characters. Some need a software trigger. Some have a certain protocol along with the data.

I think you need to check:
Barcode Reader Vendors
Palm Websites
Your program's vendor

Or was this your own program?

Rufus

Rufus V. Smith
Software/Hardware Design (esp. Automation)
Recently available for full, part-time, or contract work.
Home Page: http://members.aol.com/rufusvs
Looking for work? Check my Job Search Links.

 

On May 16, 2003 15:18, Janice Chan wrote: <clip>
> I have a palm and want to buy a barcode scanner to read barcode into my
> palm program. So here are my questions: 1. Is there any restrictions on
> the barcode scanner (e.g. support RS232 / USB) ? 2. How can my program get
> the barcodes? Any software available on the market or I need to know the
> protocol spec of the barcode scanner?
<clip>

There are different types of bar code scanners (fixed position, hand-held, pen-type, etc.). All the ones I have worked with have an RS232 output. They will print out the label contents as ASCII strings when they read - you can see the results in a terminal emulator if you wish to. The read operation is triggered by various means (including automatically), depending upon the design of the particular reader and how it was configured.

Many of the scanners do have special industrial networking ports available (often as an external box) as options. Some also offer optional specialised industrial serial protocols (e.g. 3964). The special networks or protocols are offered to allow easier interfacing to PLCs. You don't need them if your software knows what to do with a string of ASCII characters when they arrive at a serial port.

The types I am familiar with require you to download a configuration into the reader to set the various reading, control, and output formatting options. Some brands however can be configured by having them read a series of specially configured bar codes.

I have always connected them to a Basic module in a PLC rack, but I don't see any reason why a Palm wouldn't work (as long as it has an RS-232 port). Some of the hand held style bar code readers are used for recording inventory in warehouses and other similar purposes. These readers are typically connected to a PDA like device (perhaps some may even use a Palm) to collect data which is later downloaded to the inventory server (sometimes by wireless lan). I am not sure what your application is, but reading the bar code should be straight forward.

--

************************
Michael Griffin
London, Ont. Canada
************************

 

For software: see appforge.com - I have used their vb-like tools and they have a barcode module/control - works great!

For hardware: search out any good "palm-only"
site for plug-in devices that are popping up
like weeds all based on Palm's 3rd-party
development scheme. Cheap as chips!

All this shd come together very easily.

 

Thanks for those comments
Actually, I am using Palm V and want to buy a barcode scanner which is originally just designed to connected to a PC (i.e. with RS232 interface) since it is much cheaper than those specially designed for pda. Somebody told me that it won't work because no such cable available in the market to connect the palm and scanner. (since there voltage is different... )
So, what kind of cable converter do I need?

Janice.

 

On May 24, 2003 09:17, janice chan wrote: <clip>
> Thanks for those comments
> Actually, I am using Palm V and want to buy a barcode scanner which is
> originally just designed to connected to a PC (i.e. with RS232 interface)
> since it is much cheaper than those specially designed for pda. Somebody
> told me that it won't work because no such cable available in the market to
> connect the palm and scanner. (since there voltage is different... ) So,
> what kind of cable converter do I need?
<clip>

I don't believe I can answer your question directly, but I think I can point out a problem you would have to look at.

You haven't said what type of bar code scanner you are considering using. However, a bar code scanner requires some power for its own electronics. If you are referring to some sort of "wand" type scanner which draws its power from the PC serial port, then yes you will have to get the specifications on the particular model of scanner and the Palm serial port specs to see if they are compatable.

If this is the problem, then you will have to either find some other way of drawing a suitable amount of power at the correct voltage from the Palm, or add an external battery pack, or find a scanner which has its own battery built in.

--

************************
Michael Griffin
London, Ont. Canada
************************

 

Hi all!

I want to use scanner with palm. The program was developed for term95 (Norton Commander). After I try to use program in the real situation (Scanner + Palm), Palm can't receive any data from scanner.

Configuration is same (2400,8,N,1). If i use flow control config on scanner, then scanner, after scanning, wait forever. I think it's RTS, CTS signal problem. Can you help me to solve this problem? Maybe i need another cable?

 

I have known all the things above, but may someone show me the format of one or more type of barcode scanner (I think each barcode scanner's vendor have their own format for their output string of scanner).
Thanks for reading and replying!

 

Janice,

I don't know whether you have your answers yet so here goes.

Yes you can buy specific scanners for the Palm. For your program to get the barcodes, if you are using the Grabba barcode reader for the Palm you can download the utilities from the web site www.grabba.com Basically if your Palm is OS4 or lower then the Keyboard wedge virtual driver will work fine and will put the barcode into the program wherever the active feild is. If it is OS5 or later then you will need to incorporate the c library to allow the barcode reader to work with your app.

Hope that helps.

 

Here's what I did with my Palm VIIx.

Purchased Happy Hacking Cradle from www.man-machine.com for $29.95.

Installed HHC driver ver. 1.5 on the Palm, available at www.pfusystems.com. NOTA BENE - will not work with the driver that ships with the cradle!!!

Disabled keyboard checking on the driver.

Connected a Symbol keyboard-wedge laser scanner to the keyboard port on the cradle.

Started scanning.

It's not a pretty solution, since the Happy Hacking Cradle is similar in configuration to a hotsync cradle, but it works.

 

why don't you check Symbol (http://www.symbol.com/)?

alex

 

Hi Janice

Can I suggest that you look at www.grabba.com where you will find that there is a barcode scanner that will suit you needs. If you still are looking.

Frank