Barcode scanner FAQ

Barcode scanners come in multiple styles (handheld, wedge, pen, etc.) but generally fall into two categories:

• 1-Dimensional scanners read a series of vertical lines.
• 2-Dimensional scanners read a code both horizontally and vertically (e.g. QR codes)

In either case the primary function of a barcode scanner is to operate as a keyboard. The scanner reads the code and converts the shapes into alphanumeric ASCII characters. Generally, the scanner then enters the characters wherever the "focus" of the active application. This can be a text editor, a cell in a spreadsheet, or a text entry field in ShotFlow. The key point being "focus," meaning the application is expecting text entry (i.e. a flashing text cursor).

ShotFlow utilizes 1-Dimensional barcodes. There are many standards of barcodes, with varying benefits of number of characters, error checking, robustness of degraded labels, etc. Most modern barcode scanners can read most, if not all standard codes.

The most commonly used barcode scanner for ShotFlow are handheld laser scanners, such as the one pictured here.

Connection methods

Handheld scanners can be connected to a computer or mobile device utilizing various methods:

• Wired. The scanner connects to the computer using a USB cable. Since it appears as a keyboard, typically no driver software is required.
• Wireless with dongle (pictured above). This is the most commonly used type. The scanner is rechargeable or has replaceable batteries, and communicated via a dedicated dongle that connects to a USB port. Like the wired type, no special drivers are required.
• Bluetooth. These scanners use the built-in Bluetooth connectivity of the computer or tablet. They (like any) Bluetooth device must be paired with their host. Depending on the host computer/tablet a specialized driver may be needed. The most common usage of this type is connected to a mobile tablet.

Regardless of the connection method the scanner must be compatible with the operating system (Windows, Mac OS, iOS, etc.). This compatibility and connectivity is independent of ShotFlow and not included in ShotFlow Support.

Features

The vast majority of handheld barcode scanners will work with ShotFlow in the "out of the box" configuration, once properly connected to the host computer. Some use cases which require special features are:

• List Search - many clients want the scanner to insert a carriage return/enter character after each value is scanned to make List Search functions faster through a web browser. This may require programming the scanner to add the Enter/Return character automatically upon detecting a valid barcode (refer to Programming the Scanner, below)
• Samples & Styling Mobile App - for iOS device users that want to utilize a scanning device to bypass the device camera, the scanner should be programmed to add a carriage return or a comma after each scan (refer to Programming, below). Once programmed, refer the section on Samples & Styling iOS App with Barcode Scanners, below.
• Custom configuration. Some scanners can be programmed to read multiple types of barcodes, and depending on the barcode react differently. For example when a scan is recognized as a Code39 barcode, strip off the first 5 digits of a 13 digit number, then enter a comma. (refer to Programming the Scanner, below)
• "Scan and store." Some scanners have the ability to operate disconnected or outside of range of the host computer, allowing for the scanning of multiple items, which are then batch communicated once the scanner is reconnected. This function varies from one manufacturer to another and requires configuration.

Samples & Styling iOS App with Barcode Scanners

1. Connect a compatible barcode scanner device to your iOS device and confirm it is reading barcodes accurately, and is adding a carriage return or comma as a suffix.
2. When using the scanning function on the mobile app, tap the [keyboard] icon to enable text entry
3. Scan a series of values into the input box:

4. When all values are scanned, tap [OK] to submit. The text input box is cleared, and the count of unique values that were scanned is displayed in the bottom left corner of the screen. Note this total is inclusive of value(s) submitted through the keyboard function, as well as any value(s) scanned directly through the device camera. This enables switching between device camera and external scanner within the same scanning session:

1. Tap [Done] to submit the scanned values and see the results on the Scan List screen.

Programming the Scanner

In most cases, programming a handheld scanner consists of utilizing the barcodes in the documentation, as in this example:

Programming Example: Motorola Symbol Barcode Scanner STB4278 USB