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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.)<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
The CardStar support FAQ has some very useful general information:
<br>
<a href="http://www.mycardstar.com/support.html">http://www.mycardstar.com/support.html</a><br>
<br>
Most relevant to your search is the comment to the effect that CCD
scanners seem to work more reliably that laser scanners.<br>
<br>
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!!!<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-signature">______________________________<br>
<b>Chad Neeper</b><br>
<small>Senior Systems Engineer</small><br>
<br>
<b>Level 9 Networks</b><br>
<small>740-548-8070 (voice)<br>
866-214-6607 (fax)</small><br>
<br>
<small><small><i>Full LAN/WAN consulting services -- Specialized
in libraries and schools</i></small></small></div>
<br>
On 8/25/2011 2:08 PM, Dave Parvin wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:2927.192.168.1.24.1314295712.squirrel@mail.cuyahogafallslibrary.org"
type="cite">
<pre wrap="">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
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:dparvin@cuyahogafallslibrary.org">dparvin@cuyahogafallslibrary.org</a>
</pre>
</blockquote>
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