April 29, 2008
What's New?
Welcome to the April edition of the Microvision Developer Newsletter!
We're pleased to announce that in addition to the new SDK for BlackBerry, the SDK for Windows® and SDK for Windows Mobile® have been released! Thanks to those of you that participated in the beta program! Read more in the Product Announcement. Also, firmware version 2.59 has been released for the ROV Scanner and ROV Scanner with Bluetooth.
In this month's issue, read about the ROV Scanner's extensive memory capacity and customizable options, features of the new SDKs and trends of software applications moving to mobile devices.
Regards,
The Bar Code Scanner Team at Microvision
Events
RIM BlackBerry Alliance Summit 2008
May 12, 2008
Orlando, FL
http://www.wirelessenterprisesymposium.com/alliancesummit/
Are you also a BlackBerry Alliance Member and would like meet?
Let us know!
RIM Wireless Enterprise Symposium 2008
May 12-15, 2008
Orlando, FL
http://www.wirelessenterprisesymposium.com/
Are you going to RIM WES 2008 and you'd like to meet?
Let us know!
Society for Information Displays 2008
May 18-23, 2008
Los Angeles, CA
http://www.sid.org
Are you going to SID 2008 and you'd like to meet?
Let us know!
International SOF Week 2008
May 20-23, 2008
Tampa, FL
http://www.socom.mil/sofweek2008
Are you going to International SOF Week 2008 and you'd like to meet?
Let us know!
Thank you to those who participating by submitted names for the newsletter. As a team, we've decided to name the newsletter. The names that were submitted were very bar code scanner-centric, and in the 11th hour we decided on a more generic name because we realized that the development community will soon extend to other products.
As we near an Accessory Pico Projector launch, and look forward to embedded pico projectors and mobile device eyewear, Microvision will look to the development community to develop applications that create compelling user experiences.
If you develop applications that are deployed on mobile devices and you think your users would benefit from projection displays or mobile device eyewear we’d like to hear from you.
Product Spotlight: SDKs have been released!
We’re proud to announce that in addition to the new version of the SDK for BlackBerry, the SDK for Windows and SDK for Windows Mobile have both been released! Thanks to those of you who participated in the beta. We’re confident your feedback led to a high quality product. Read below for a short summary of what to expect with each of the SDKs.
SDK for Windows and SDK for Windows Mobile
- Completely redesigned for easier integration and greater control
- Replaced the previously used wrappers for .NET languages with Interop components. You just include the Interop namespace and access the scanner functions through the scanner object. There is an Interop version for both Windows and Windows Mobile.
- Includes an ActiveX® component for simple scanning interfaces
- Is now “Event Driven”; the SDK no longer polls the Scanner for information and the SDK generates an event when data is available.
SDK for BlackBerry
- Completely redesigned for easier integration and greater control
- Simplified API with a concise list of functions the scanner can perform. Now, the user is given direct access to XSP commands to maximize flexibility and control.
- High level API masks/abstracts the low level details/functions. For example, the previous version of the SDK for BlackBerry included an extensive list of functions that the developer had to perform to open a Scanner connection. In the latest SDK for BlackBerry, it is performed in a single step; the application calls an OpenConnection function and all the necessary steps are done internally.
The SDKs are available for $100 each at:
To learn more about the SDKs, visit:
www.microvision.com/barcode/developer
Product Spotlight: ROV Scanner Firmware v2.59 Has Been Released!
Microvision has released the newest firmware update, version 2.59, for the ROV Scanner and the ROV Scanner with Bluetooth. This update includes the following features and fixes:
- Codabar symbology support
- Expanded maximum character length from 45 to max bar code length
- Fixes for: EEPROM read, multiple bar code download, Bluetooth serialization, inconsistent NAK, Bluetooth ACK for 3 seconds, Bluetooth download interrupt, long time disconnect detect, different Bluetooth timer ranges between Legacy and XSP protocols and Bluetooth battery life.
It is recommended all users with ROV Scanners manufactured before 3/6/08 update to version 2.59. See the firmware update page for complete instructions as well as download links.
Click here to view the Firmware Update Page
Just the Facts: ROV Scanner Feature - Extended Memory
ROV Scanners are capable of storing approximately eight times more bar codes than the Flic Scanner. This affords the user more flexibility in scanning away from the host computing device.
However, due to the varying character lengths of different bar code symbologies readable by the ROV Scanner, the number of bar codes stored depends on the number of characters in the bar code. Symbologies vary in consistency: UPC-A, for example is a fixed, 12-character code; whereas Code 128, for example, can range from 1 character to as many characters as the scanner can read.
ROV Scanner Memory Capacity |
||
Barcode Length |
Memory Capacity (w/o timestamps)* |
Memory Capacity (w/ timestamps)* |
6 digits |
7,000 |
5,200 |
12 digits |
4,000 |
3,000 |
18 digits |
2,600 |
1,900 |
24 digits |
1,500 |
1,100 |
*Please note that these figures, with the exception of the 12-digit bar code lengths, are approximate.
In addition to increased memory, the ROV Scanner also enables users to set different memory options, such as: Host Scan Control, Single Scan Control, Limited Scan and Maximum Scan. To learn more about these different memory control options, read the “You Ask, We Answer” article later in this issue.
Depending on your requirements, you can configure your scanner for a number of scanning and interface scenarios. You can use the scanner to store thousands of scans, you can limit the number of scans stored in the scanner, or you can force the scanner to scan only when connected to the host computer.
Host Scan Control
With Host Scan Control the scanner only operates when it is connected to the host computer and the application is ready to receive the scanned data. Host Scan Control can use either a cabled or Bluetooth connection. The scanner must be connected to the host and the host application must be ready to receive data. If the scanner is not connected or if the host application is not ready then the scanner will sound six quick beeps when you scan a bar code.
Uses: Some applications need to run from a single location. Examples include checkout systems for libraries, evidence vaults, document tracking, video rental checkout, etc. The checkout stations reside in fixed locations and require a fixed scanner that cannot be disconnected from the checkout computer.
Single Scan Control
With Single Scan Control, the scanner will only store a single scan in memory while untethered. Single Scan can use either a cabled or Bluetooth connection. If you try to store more than one scan then the scanner will sound six quick beeps when you scan the next bar code.
Uses: Some potentially dangerous or high value items require special care. For example, some pharmacies store certain drugs in a security vault. A pharmacist may have to scan several different drugs to complete an order. With the secured drugs the pharmacist may have to disconnect the scanner, pull the drug, scan the shelf label, and then download the scanned shelf label number to the order processing computer. In this case each line item in the order must be completely processed before processing the next item. You can configure the scanner to only scan one item before it must be downloaded.
Limited Scan
This control allows you to configure your scanner to only store the number of scans that you specify.
Uses: You may want to force your users to download their data periodically. You may be scanning critical data or you may need to download the data often because it is used in a real-time tracking system. If you scan a bar code after the scanner reaches the limit then it will sound six quick beeps and require you to download the data. For example, you may want users to download data every hour. If the average user scans 150 bar codes each hour then you can set the bar code limit to 150.
Maximum Scan
The scanner allows you to store thousands of scans and download the data when needed. Most batch applications set the scanner to use all of the memory of the scanner to store the scanned bar codes. The maximum number of bar codes that can be stored depends on how much data is stored with each bar code. For example, you have the option to store timestamps and symbology identifiers with each scan and this additional data takes additional space.
Uses: Use this configuration when you want to scan lots of stuff and download it.
Configuring the Scanner
Scan Control |
Configuration Strings |
Description |
Host Scan Control |
Set BCDataACK,True |
Sends a bar code with a <CR><LF> suffix |
|
Set Suffix,True |
Sends only a <CR> suffix for Flic Scanner default compatibility |
Single Scan |
RestoreFactorySettings |
ALWAYS set the scanner to a known state |
|
Set BcDataAck,true |
Host must acknowledge each bar code |
|
Set Autodownload,true |
Send each bar code as it is scanner |
|
Set BcLimit,1 |
Allow only one scan when disconnected |
Limited Scan |
RestoreFactorySettings |
ALWAYS set the scanner to a known state |
|
Set BcDataAck,true |
Host must acknowledge each bar code |
|
Set BcLimit,150 |
Store up to 150 bar codes, for example |
Maximum Scan |
RestoreFactorySettings |
ALWAYS set the scanner to a known state |
|
Set BcLimit,9999 |
Store the maximum number of scans possible |
>> Visit the Microvision Developer Section of microvision.com
Meet Mark Cope: Global ISV Manager
My name is Mark Cope, Global ISV Manager for Microvision. I manage all of the ISV Partners and am constantly looking for new partners who have developed innovative solutions that are integrated with our ROV Scanner. Once we identify a fit within our portfolio, there are many opportunities to sell the combined solution through our Carriers and Distributors around the world. I am looking forward to hearing from companies who meet this criteria.
Contact Mark Cope at:
email: mark_cope@microvision.com
phone: (732) 979-3895
Trend Spotting: Migration to Mobile
The “migration to mobile” continues to drive the growth of mobile devices and their applications. Last year, for the first time, more laptops than desktops were sold in the United States, making up 50.9% versus 49.1% in sales, respectively.
Hand held mobile device sales are growing at an even faster clip because of their new capabilities: almost all new smartphones and PDAs incorporate high speed internet connectivity through built-in WiFi, EDGE, and/or 3G capability, as well as shorter range Bluetooth. In other words, handhelds offer more connectivity than most laptops, at a lower hardware cost. With open platforms like Android (discussed in our last issue), software costs will inevitably fall as developers will spend much less time making software compatible with hundreds of devices and customer operating systems.
The move toward mobile is sure to continue with the promise of even higher data rates of 4G and the wider connectivity of WiMAX – first for industrial applications, and then in consumer devices. GPS, lasers, mobile phones and even bar code scanner technologies have followed similar paths. Industrial versions get pushed out by higher volume consumer versions that offer more features at a lower cost.
Microvision’s ROV Scanner with Bluetooth is a good example of this. When paired with a mobile device, the ROV Scanner is opening markets that high-end scanners cannot penetrate due to high cost. A good portion of bar code scanning is performed in the field, and for that you need something simple, affordable and connected. That’s why we designed ROV with Bluetooth.
Do you have a success story you'd like to share? Let us know!
Microvision Beat: ROV Spotting on Spring Break
This ROV Scanner was spotted between scans, recreating on St. George Island, Florida.
View the St. George cam to see the beach live!
Submit your own ROV Scanner Spotting!
Developer FAQ
Case Studies
Three ways to put the ROV Scanner to work for you right now.
Check out the Compatibility Matrix and Platform Resources
Report device compatibility issues or successes.
Developer Support - Need Help?
Buy a ROV Scanner online
Flic® is a registered trademark and ROV ™ is a trademark of Microvision, Inc. BlackBerry® is a registered trademark of Research in Motion, Ltd. Windows®, Windows Mobile® and ActiveX® are registered trademarks of Microsoft, Inc. Symbian® is a registered trademark of Symbian Software Limited. Palm® is a registered trademark of Palm, Inc. Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
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