July 12, 2007
What's New?
Welcome to the July edition of the FlicWatch Developer Newsletter. We had a great May and June, showcasing our new ROV(TM) Scanner at MEDC and RIM WES. Thanks to those of you that visited us at these events. This month we announce the launch of SerialMagic Pro software and the ability to directly purchase online Scanner Wedge for BlackBerry® software. We also provide you with a Flic® v. ROV Scanner comparison, and a brief review of scanner interface methods. For those of you who are interested in Microvision’s MEMS-based scan engines we have provided a brief survey. We’d love to hear your needs and lastly, if you will be at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference and would like to meet, let us know.
Regards,
The Bar Code Scanner Team at Microvision
Upcoming Events
Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference
July 10 - 12, 2007
Denver, Colorado
www.microsoft.com/partner/events/wwpartnerconference
If you are going and would like to meet, please let us know .
Jazz in June Music Festival
June 28 - 30, 2007
Norman, Oklahoma
Click here to learn more.
We love Jazz (and June). Wish we were there.
Product Spotlight - SerialMagic Pro Launch!
Microvision is proud to announce the SerialMagic Pro connectivity software line for the Flic Scanner and ROV Scanner upon release. This powerful wedge software is yet another alternative to help Microvision Scanner users Get Connected. For those with scanning needs greater than what Scanner Wedge offers, but do not require the depth offered by an SDK, SerialMagic Pro is the solution.
To see a detailed comparison between Scanner Wedge and SerialMagic Pro, click here.
SerialMagic Pro Features:
- Enhanced Data Control (through SMAPs)
- Application Targeting — Set a specific application within SerialMagic Pro so data isn't sent to the wrong application
- Data Formatting — Strip Characters from the beginning or end of the bar code, or insert special characters
- Spreadsheet Columns — additional data control for more effective scanning into spreadsheets with automated cursor control
- Prompt for Quantity — For simple inventory tracking needs, this feature allows the user to enter quantities after each bar code is scanned
- Startup Features
- Auto Launch — SerialMagic Pro can automatically launch and activate on computer or device startup
- Delay on Start — Allows user to open their application before downloading data to prevent data loss
- Minimize — SerialMagic Pro will minimize itself to run in the background of your computer or mobile device
- Serial Magic API (for programmers)
- Bypasses the keyboard and sends data directly to your application
- Creates an OS event
- Enabled through the SerialMagic interface
- Available for Windows, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, and Palm
This new product offering extends Microvision’s connectivity software offering to two additional mobility platforms: Palm OS and Symbian OS9.
SerialMagic Pro retails for $69.95 and is available for Windows®, Windows Mobile®, BlackBerry, Symbian® OS9, and Palm® OS.
Click here to learn more about SerialMagic Pro.
Product Spotlight - What's New with ROV Scanner?
The ROV Scanner has been announced and will be available later in the Summer. It uses the same sleek attractive form factor as the Flic Scanner but inside it is very different. At its core is Microvision’s MEMs-based scan engine. This is the same MEMS scanning technology that is prevalent in Microvision's other technology offerings including Pico Projector Displays, Vehicle Displays, and Wearable Displays.
Here is a side by side comparison of the Flic Cordless Scanner and the ROV Scanner with Bluetooth.
When the ROV Scanner is released in the Summer of 2007 it will be more Connected than ever, allowing users to scan into the mobile computing platform of their choosing including Windows, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Symbian and Palm.
 |
 |
|
Flic Cordless Scanner |
ROV Scanner |
|
Platforms |
Windows, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry |
|
added support for Symbian, Palm |
||
Bar Codes |
UPC/EAN/JAN, Code 39, Code 128, Codabar, Interleaved 2 of 5 |
|
RSS is now included |
||
Power |
3 AAA alkaline batteries |
|
Also supports 3 AAA rechargeable NMiH batteries |
||
Memory |
Non-volatile memory |
|
Stores additional 3,500 UPC-A codes |
||
Case |
Plastic |
|
Added rubberized grip points |
||
Scan Engine |
Class 1 Laser Product |
|
Microvision MEMS-based scan engine with electronic button |
||
To learn more about ROV Scanner, click here.
Product Spotlight: Scanner Wedge for BlackBerry available for immediate purchase!
Scanner Wedge software allows BlackBerry users to instantly bar code enable any BlackBerry application. Scanner Wedge for BlackBerry captures bar code data from the Flic Cordless Scanner and pushes it into the active application window running on your BlackBerry handheld device.
Whether you are using BMC Remedy software from Aeroprise on the BlackBerry or you are using a custom application, Scanner Wedge for BlackBerry software allows you to add Simple and Affordable bar code data capture to your application.
Previously, customers needed to qualify in order to be given access to purchase. Now, customers can immediately purchase after they acknowledge they are aware of the need to change settings on the BES to allow keystroke injection.
To purchase Scanner Wedge for BlackBerry, click here.
ROV Scanner incorporates Microvision's unique silicon MEMS scanning mirror technology. With the implementation of a MEMS-based scan engine, Microvision has the ability to create a scan engine module that can be incorporated into other devices such as cell phones, mobile computers, or kiosks.
The Microvision MEMS Bar Code Scan Engine can be broken down into various building blocks.
- Core Module
- Core Module + Receiver
- Fully Decoded Engine
The Core Module contains the MEMS device, a light source and drive electronics. These are the minimum components required to produce a MEMS laser scanning engine and represents the minimum module Microvision would provide.
A more complete scan engine module is the Core Module + Receiver which adds the signal receiver to the Core Module. The receiver is built of opto-electronic components and can provide either an analog or digital signal interface for the target system.
The most complete scan engine module would be a Fully Decoded Engine. A controller is added to drive the Core Module and Receiving electronics in order to scan and decode bar codes. The “serial” output connects to the target system to transfer decoded ASCII data and provide a control interface. This allows the host system to control the scanner.
If you are interested in a Microvision Bar Code Scan engine we want to hear from you. Please fill out our short survey to let us know more about your needs. |
 |
There are many ways to interact with the scanner. You can use off-the-shelf software, integrate the scanner interface directly into your application, or create a custom serial interface. You can create a scanner interface using these methods:
Plug 'n Play USB Cable (No software needed)
The USB cable can function as either a virtual serial cable, VCOM mode, or as a Human Interface Device, KBD mode, that emulates a keyboard. In KBD mode your scans appear as if typed on the keyboard of the host computer. Use VCOM mode to have the scanner data appear on a virtual COM port.
Wedge Software (No programming required)
A Wedge Interface makes scanned data appear as keyboard data on the host computer. The Wedge Software also manages the connections to the scanner whether serial, USB, or Bluetooth. Existing applications require no modifications in order to accept scanned data. Wedge options include Scanner Wedge (basic wedge) and SerialMagic Pro (advanced wedge).
SerialMagic API (Some programming knowledge required)
The SerialMagic API provides an application-level interface to the scanner. Uses the same user interface of SerialMagic Wedge for connecting and managing your Microvision Scanner, but scanned data creates an OS event that can be captured by your application. Gain greater control of your scanned data with the minimum of programming changes.
SDK -- Software Development Kit (Some programming knowledge required)
The SDK provides an application-level interface to the scanner. Microvision highly recommends using the SDK when writing a custom application. Microvision provides an SDK for a number of operating systems and languages.
Microvision SDK for Windows/Windows Mobile
Serial Interface (Advanced programming skills required)
If your host system is not supported by the SDK or by one of the wedge products then you can use serial commands to create a custom scanner interface that does not require a scanner-specific .DLL file. This option should only be attempted by software engineers with experience creating serial interfaces.
Developer FAQ
Case Studies
Three ways to put the Flic Scanner to work for you right now.
Purchase SerialMagic Pro.
Purchase Scanner Wedge for BlackBerry.
Check out the Compatibility Matrix.
Report device compatibility issues or successes.
Flic Developer Support - Need Help?
Flic® is a registered trademark and ROV(TM) is a trademark of Microvision, Inc. BlackBerry® is a registered trademark of Research in Motion, Ltd. Windows® and Windows Mobile® are registered trademarks of Microsoft, Inc. Symbian® is a registered trademark of Symbian Software Limited. Palm® is a registered trademark of Palm, Inc. BMC Remedy is a registered trademark of BMC Software, Inc.
Click
FlicWatch Developer Newsletter.
