USB barcode scanner

[kmfna]

Hey,

I am supposed to be helping a friend of mine with some application development. Their company needs a barcode scanner (1-d would be sufficient) that operates from a USB port to scan inventory. they also need a database on the back end for checking in/out stuff. The database isn't a problem, I can handle that, and I can develop the VB6 interface to handle the connections and all of the work. My issue is that I've never used a barcode scanner or printer....pretty much anything barcode oriented. Does anyone have any sample code that could help me load the scanned barcode number into a text box? Also, what would be the best type of scanner and printer to consider? I can handle the rest after that. If its easier, I could probably convince them to use a serial input, but I think the preference is definitely USB.

Thanks in advance.
Kevin

 

[emcoman]

I went though this bar code learning process a year ago. I settled for a simple keyboard setup using a "wedge" connector. You can use the keyboard to enter data or just scan the bar code and it enters that data.

Bill

 

[Diederik]

I'm not sure, but will the barcode scanner, even an USB-connected one, not just fill the keyboard buffer?
In other words: you can handle it as keyboard input?


Diederik

 

[kmfna]

emcoman,

Yeah, this learning experience is something serious! I would just like to know, did you keep a keyboard connected also?? I'll need to, I'm just not sure how to handle it...any ideas??

Thanks for the help,
Kevin

 

[x508]

Hi.

OK. It goes like this...

The scanner hooks up to your normal keyboard port (prob ps/2). The scanner has got it's own harware and software running inside of it, that converts whatever barcode it reads into keyboard signals. I.E. If you scan a code that reads 12AB, it will merely "press" those keys, just as you would on a keyboard. Now if you want to use your keyboard as well, you need to get a splitter, so that you can hook up your keyboard and the scanner to the same port. Focus your mouse cursor in a textbox, and scan the barcode, it will insert the code into the textbox just as you manually typing it in. Now if it's a usb scanner, I suppose the PC will pick it up as a keyboard or some similar input device, and you won't need the splitter...except if you allready have a USB keyboard.

**********************************
May the Code Be With You...
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x50-8 (X Fifty Eigt)

 

[kmfna]

Cool!!

Thanks X! You're a good person and I owe ya one.

Kevin

 

[x508]

No prob....my wounds are still not propporly healed from learning those things myself...lol

**********************************
May the Code Be With You...
----------
x50-8 (X Fifty Eigt)