Scanning image into Access OLE object

[apache153a]

I am relatively new to Access DBMS, but not so new to databases in general. My employer has tasked me with modifying our existing database to allow a technician to scan a service record and have it displayed on the form. I need to store the image in the database and not on a seperate file. I have searched these forums for help and seem to be running in circles. Basicly I want to create a button that will scan the image, store it in an OLE field in the table t_onsite and display it in the form f_onsite. I guess, for starters I just need to know what I need to know to do this. I appreciate any and all help I can get. Oh, and I'm using Access 2000.

 

[Trendsetter]

I read what you say eg: "I need to store the image in the database and not on a seperate file." - please think again - you will have a database the size of Cornwall when you start getting a bit bloat as well.
I have never done what you want to do but have read the experiences of many that have and would advise as follows:

Scan the documents independantly - outside the application.
Send the images to a specific datastore on your harddrive or network drive.
Use an image control, and in the form_open event set its .picture property to the path to the graphic file (which is held on a harddrive).

Frank J Hill
FHS Services Ltd.
frank@fhsservices.co.uk

 

[apache153a]

I appreciate your reply, but my employer is adament about having a "one click does all" type of method. We really won't be using this feature but a couple (maybe three at most) times per week, so I'm not too worried about database size. Perhaps, though, I can combine the best of both worlds and still provide the same ease of use that is expected. Is it possible (I can't imagine it's not) to have my one button scan the document and assign it a name like x:\osrimages\4444.jpg (where 4444 is the work order number) and automatically reference that path and image file to display it? If so, my same question still is valid: how do I call the scanner software from Access?

 

[Trendsetter]

If your employer is adamant about what he wants then he should be the one providing you with a method of doing this!

What you are asking for is very difficult in that:
A) you have to have an interface with the scanner software which will require the cooperation of the software manufacturer to allow you to access his code.
B) you will need to write automation code that will initially file the document
C) then activate code that will recall the document from storage.
I notice that you are not a programmer and wonder why you are getting so deeply involved in what is a complex programming task.

Frank J Hill
FHS Services Ltd.
frank@fhsservices.co.uk

 

[apache153a]

If he knew how to implement this then he'd not need me to do it. I thank you for your effort. I have convinced him that keeping the image files in a directory and outside the database would be the better way to go as it would save time and would allow me to get back to my regular tasks (hardware technician) asap. I am using Kodak Imaging to handle the scanning processes. Though I am not a programmer, of those in the office (only five of us) I have the most experience with databases and Visual Basic (*very* little at that). Again, I appreciate your input.

 

[1DMF]

SUMMARY
You can store large data objects (such as sound, video, or graphic data) in a field with the OLE Object data type in a Microsoft Access table. Some large binary data objects cannot be represented, however, if they do not have an OLE server that understands the data being stored. You can also store copies of executable program files or other non-OLE data in a Microsoft Access table. This type of data is referred to as a binary large object bitmap (BLOB).

I found this that says it is possible - so i'm trying to get my head round the function

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=103257

any furthr help is much appreciated.

 

[apache153a]

Thanks for the reply and the link 1DMF, but I found a simple way to do exactly what I want. I cannot remember now where I found it, but it involves using a premade ActiveX control. Actually the whole setup required very little programming, just inlcude the controls and a few lines of code and I was all set. There was no manufacturer specific code or software required at all, this process was quite easy to implement.