[OPLINTECH] Bar Code Scanners

[Chad Neeper]

Since the topic came up, a few days ago I installed CardStar onto my 
Samsung Infuse 4G SGH-I997 running Android v2.2.1 (AT&T). I then loaded 
CardStar up with a (standard Code 3 of 9, no check digit) barcode from 
one of my libraries. Predictably, scanning the phone's nice big and 
clear display with a good laser scanner that I use in my office did NOT 
work. I doubt that most laser scanners would successfully scan barcodes 
from any sort of electronic display. (Definitely interested to hear any 
experiences proving me wrong on that theory.)

I DID have luck scanning the barcode with an old Opticon CCD scanner. It 
worked quite well. What surprised me, however, was that an identical 
Opticon scanner at the same library configured the same way...didn't 
read the barcode. I had expected that the second scanner would work as 
well as the first did.

I suppose the moral of the story here is...even if you find a barcode 
scanner that the manufacturer has put specific effort into reading 
electronically-imaged barcodes displayed on last month's portable device 
displays, there is absolutely no guarantee that your investment will 
work with next month's phones. I suspect we're too early into the 
marriage of the two technologies to have any sort of high degree of 
continued compatibility between portable devices and scanners. That 
being said, I think you may actually get more information from any 
support forums that exist specifically for these CardStar-type of apps. 
If you're putting money down for new scanners with these capabilities, 
it's probably worth tapping into the people that are trying really hard 
to use the apps wherever they can.

The CardStar support FAQ has some very useful general information:
http://www.mycardstar.com/support.html

Most relevant to your search is the comment to the effect that CCD 
scanners seem to work more reliably that laser scanners.

Final note:  Based on the above FAQ, I just now tried some of the 
techniques for scanning with a laser scanner. I found that when I 
removed the screen protector from my phone the laser light reflected 
quite nicely from the phone in all sorts of different directions, where 
it did not do so with the screen protector in place. That fact alone 
would cause me to specifically NOT recommend buy a laser scanner, even 
if proven reliable with portable electronic devices. Unless you like 
being sued by laser eye-damaged patrons, stick with CCDs!!!

______________________________
*Chad Neeper*
Senior Systems Engineer

*Level 9 Networks*
740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)

/Full LAN/WAN consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and schools/

On 8/25/2011 2:08 PM, Dave Parvin wrote:
> Hello,
>
> We are looking into acquiring bar code scanners which feature capabilities
> for both scanning patron mobile devices as well as scanning regular
> library materials checked in and out by our circulation desk.  Upon
> talking to vendors about possible choices, we require a scanner that can
> be operated both as a hand held and one that sets in a durable and stable
> stand (most often left in the stand).  The vendor mentioned that more and
> more libraries are interested in those featuring the extra capability of
> scanning patron mobile devices such as cell phones and other such devices.
>
> Have any of you had experience or knowledge of these devices in a
> production environment?  If so, what are the advantages and disadvantages,
> or if you have any additional insight it would be greatly appreciated?
>
> Thank you for your kind assistance!
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Dave Parvin
>
> Assistant Technology Coordinator
> Cuyahoga Falls Library
> 2015 3rd St.
> Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221
> Ph: (330) 928-2117 x:127
> dparvin at cuyahogafallslibrary.org
>
>
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