Developers: Developer FAQs

Developer FAQs for Microvision bar code scanning products

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Same bar code is sent over and over. How do I handle this?

A Bluetooth scanner can operate in the “Serialization” legacy protocol. Serialization protocol appends a 4-character serialization number to each bar code scanned. The scanner resends the data until the host acknowledges the bar code by returning the serialization number and an ACK character (see Serialization Protocol for more details).

Custom Application
If you receive the same bar code data over and over then you are probably not sending a proper acknowledgement to the scanner.

Terminal Program
If you are using a terminal program and receive the same bar code repeatedly then enter the last 4 digits received followed by a CTRL-F (ACK character). You may have to try this several times to get the proper timing. After the bar code is acknowledged the scanner should send the next stored bar code or give a Good beep if there are no more bar codes in the scanner.

Legacy Wedge Software
When using legacy Flicware wedge software, the serial scanner must be configured for Compatibility Protocol and not Serialization Protocol. A Bluetooth scanner must be configured for Serialization Protocol and you must use either Scanner Wedge or Flicware Cordless. If using Flicware Cordless then we highly recommend upgrading to Scanner Wedge.

 

Can the Scanner Retain Bar Codes in memory after connecting the cable?

Yes, you can configure the scanner to download the bar codes in a batch but not delete them from memory. After receiving the bar code data your application can verify the download and then clear the bar codes. With a custom application using the SDK you have full control to delete (or not delete) the scanner data as required. You can also configure the scanner to automatically delete bar codes after they are received and acknowledged.

 

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AUTO AND MANUAL DOWNLOADING

Your application can require the user to initiate a download (manual download) or it can trigger a download after the scanner is connected to the host computer (auto-download). The scanner also sends an attention packet to the host when the scanner is connected to the cable. A host application can listen for this attention and immediately request a download or it can require the user to manually initiate the download.

Auto Download
With Auto-Download, the scanner sends an attention packet when the cable is connected, and the application then sends a download request to the scanner to initiate the download. The scanner data is not cleared until the SDK downloads and verifies the data. From the perspective of the user, the scanner is connected and the data is immediately sent. You must set AutoDownload to true to make the scanner send the attention when the cable is connected.

Manual Download
With Manual Download, the host initiates the download by sending a download request to the scanner. The host normally has a button or some other way for the user to initiate a download. The user connects the scanner cable, initiates the download, and then the host clears the data. For manual download you can set the set AutoDownload to either true or false. If you set AutoDownload to true then you can detect when the scanner is connected (an attention packet is sent). If AutoDownload is false then the scanner will not send an attention packet when connected.

Which Mode to Use?
Now for the big decision, that is, which mode to use. Some users prefer auto download and others prefer manual download. In general, we find that users in office or retail environments prefer auto download and the more industrial users (warehouse workers, forklift operators, etc.) prefer manual download.

 

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Why AM I getTING a “File OR DLL Not Found" Error With the SDK?

If you get a “File not found” error when running an application that uses the SDK then try the following:

  • Make sure the SDK DLL file is in your computer’s system directory. If the DLL is not present then copy it into your system directory (details).
  • Try adding the MSVCR71.dll file to your system directory. The SDK DLL uses this file and some of the newer computers do not have this one loaded.

 

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Does the ROV Scanner support Time stamps?

Yes, you can configure the scanner to supply data and timestamps for both batch and tethered applications. Date and timestamps can be used to track scanning activity for time and attendance, billable hours, guard route tracking, and many other applications. See the SDK and supporting documentation on how to take advantage of this feature.

 

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Can I connect multiple ROV Scanners with bluetooth to one computer?

Using the SDK for Windows interface, your application can maintain Bluetooth connections with up to seven ROV Scanners with Bluetooth. To interface with multiple scanners, you need to create a separate Bluetooth connection for each ROV Scanner with Bluetooth. Separate connections are required since each specific Bluetooth address is contained in the connection information.

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What features are available through the SDK for BlackBerry that are not available using Scanner Wedge for BlackBerry?

Enable/Disable Bar Code options
Your application can selectively enable or disable bar code symbologies or symbology options such as Code-39 check digits, UPC/EAN conversions, etc. For example, if you application only accepts Code-39 bar codes without check digits, you can configure your scanner to ignore all other bar code symbologies.

Time Stamps
The scanner can store the date and times when each bar code was scanned. Time stamps are critical for applications that are time-based. With time stamps, you can record the start and stop times for jobs or operations, the time an item was shipped or received, or when an item was inspected, just to name a few.

Host Scan Control
Many applications required complete control over the scanner. Host Scan Control allows the application to control when data can be scanner or not scanned. For example, an application may want to disable scanning if the cursor is positioned in the wrong data field or if an incorrect bar code is scanned. Host Scan Control gives this level of control to the application.

Manage Batches of Data
 A useful feature of the scanner is its onboard, non-volatile memory. Some applications require you to scan and store numerous (perhaps hundreds) bar codes in the scanner. The scanner can be configured to store scanned data in its non-volatile memory while disconnected. You can then download the stored data to the host computer at your leisure and under complete application control.

Bluetooth Auto-reconnect
To save power, Bluetooth devices (scanner or host) often timeout after a period of inactivity. The SDK automatically re-establishes the Bluetooth link between the scanner and the host without requiring any additional application code. The application establishes a Bluetooth link and the SDK automatically manages that link.

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How many bar codes will the Rov Scanner Store?

The ROV Scanner reserves 64000 bytes of non-volatile memory for storing scanned bar code data. The exact number of bar codes that the ROV Scanner can store depends on the length of the scanned bar codes and on the options selected (such as timestamps, performance data, etc.)

Record/Field Type
Length
Description
Bar Code Record 3 + Bar Code Length Maximum of 47 bytes
Timestamp Add 7 bytes (optional)  
Performance Data Add 7 bytes (optional)  
Total Record Size (add lengths above) Calculate the total record size

Add the lengths above to calculate the total length of each bar code record. Then divide 64000 by the record length above to approximate the bar code storage capacity of the ROV Scanner. This calculation will approximate the number of records that the ROV Scanner can store.

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