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Help USB barcode scanner

Is there any reason you can't just download a barcode scanning app? A USB peripheral won't work with the desire without a USB to micro USB converting cable, if they exist. On top of that, I highly doubt there's a barcode scanner that will work with the android OS anyway.
 
Phenomenological said:
Is there any reason you can't just download a barcode scanning app? A USB peripheral won't work with the desire without a USB to micro USB converting cable, if they exist. On top of that, I highly doubt there's a barcode scanner that will work with the android OS anyway.
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Most mainstream usb scanners like symbol for example are ps2 or usb mini a.

Like you suggest, never seen a converter for that. Om sure I'd you can't get them, you could fashion one but extreme lengths to go to for something that's an app already.

Some companies supply smart phones with camera blanking plates though. For security
 
I'm just looking into this myself. I have an Archos 101 which has a standard USB "Host" Port. I've experimented with the barcode scanner app with the camera and, although it works very well, it's not ideal low light environments, which may be the case for my application. I've ordered a cheap (
 
Socket CHS 7x is the only 2d capable scanner I have found that works with Android, rather pricey still searching for other options
 
Hi,

This thread is old but I thought I would post to it anyway in case anyone is still interested.

I was thinking the same thing, about the possibility of getting a USB scanner to for an android to save $. As mentioned blue tooth scanners are very expensive. I had found in the past a different very small blue-tooth scanner that worked with Android besides the Socket model mentioned but it was very expensive also about $500.

As I was reading this thread I remembered I have available to me a very slick Cpen Ocr blue-tooth scanner.

When the Cpen first became available for me to use I had talked to someone who was marketing Cpen. They they said that there was development going on for Android and also for the ability to read bar-codes.

Since then I had contacted Cpen directly they responded that the new down loadable firmware was Android compatible. As I remember there was a secret way to switch the bar-code capability on. I have their email some where. I was also asking at the time about reading the ISBN text by the bar-code which I did not have luck with (Cpen read the ISBN numbers in the book great!!!). So it could be the secret code was for turning ISBN font on - I will need to check this out once I find the email.

I had installed Cpen on my Android. I just checked and is working well reading in text.

I have been very impressed with the OCR capabilities of the Cpen. It takes a little practice but after a short while the reliability of reading text is quite high. I would expect the bar-code capability (if it implemented now?) to preform even better. I have gotten another email to Cpen asking if bar-code capability has been implemented on Cpen.

I just wanted to respond to this thread before I forgot about it. I will keep an eye on the thread and will respond about my progress trying to read bar-codes with the Cpen if there is any interest.

As I remembered the Blue-tooth Cpen was much more reasonable than a blue-tooth laser scanner. I did a quick search for a Cpen 3.5 and the first one I looked at cost $149 new. One might be able to find one cheaper by shopping around.

As I remember I did not have any luck finding a used Cpen 3.5. Some one at Cpen said this was because everyone who has one is very pleased with them and so tend to hang on to them. It has been a while since I last looked for a used Cpen 3.5 and perhaps they are now available for even less.

Of course a disadvantage of the Cpen over a regular laser scanner would be that one would need to make physical contact between the Cpen and bar-code to read it. An advantage of the Cpen is that you can read text as well.

A Nice video showing the Cpen can be found at Cpens Web site but since I am new to the forum it will not let me post the URL.

The message I got said that I have not posted enough on this forum to post URL's or Pictures. OK, I guess I can understand that.

For anyone interested in viewing the Video of Cpen, Cpen's Web page which contains the Video is located at MMM upside down dot Cpen period com :)
 
Apologies for the delay in responding, but hopefully this is worth the wait.
I purchased a USB barcode scanner (CCD version) via Amazon made by My-Link for approximately
 
Just want to say thanks for posting, because this is exactly what I was looking into.
Using a LS2208 laser barcode scanner and Archos 101 g9, or Xoom, or Flytouch 3 (Android tablet of sorts) running an asp webpage in the browser to receive a code128 barcode into a field.

Cheers,
Gord
 
Thanks for the info. Looks like a usb scanner may work but is anyone aware of a way to keep a charging cable and barcode scanner attached at the same time using any android tablet?
 
Thats going to be device specific. The Archos 101 and the Xoom however do not charge via the usb port - they have a separate power connector, so not an issue
 
Bar Code Scanners will be seen as an external keyboard. That means the onscreen Android keyboard will no longer display when the scanner is connected. Use Hacker's Keyboard (avail. in Google Store) to re-enable onscreen keyboard entry. In Hacker's Keyboard settings, enable "Show soft Keyboard" (it should say "always" below). You may also find useful the setting "Use Permanent Notification".


AndyD_UK said:
The scanner appears as a USB keyboard. Unfortunately the Archos has screen problems and I can't remember if it was possible to switch between soft key inpt and the scanner. You can, however, use the screen to switch between input methods on the Xoom.

I am hoping to write my own app which will be able to switch automatically between input methods, but the good thing is that the USB scanner does work.
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