Creating a 'Generic' SO for a bar code scanner

Question

Is there some way you can create a SO that can be used as a 'generic' SO for a Bar Code Scanner (or any other of the base class objects for that matter).

There are a number of programs available that appear to automatically recognize any connected bar code scanner without the end user installing POS for .Net specific software/drivers.

Assuming you wanted to support all USB HID scanners, couldn't you write a generic SO that referenced an xml config file containing HID values which were obtained from the operating system's HID Device Manager/Registry.

If you could do the above I would have thought it would not only have already been done, but there would be plenty of references to search for.

The above seems to be an impossible task but I would appreciate someone letting me know why?

I recognize it would always be better to use a manufacturers provided SO and there probably will always be some exceptions to the 'generic' solution encompassing every HID bar code scanner made but there should be at least a basic 'generic' SO that would do the trick.

Answer 1

It comes down to talking to the scanner's hardware controller and every manufacturer uses a different contoller and protocol. Same goes for any POS device. A service object or OPOS driver is needed. It would be nice to just setup an XML file and be done with it, but talking to hardware is the issue.

-Sean

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www.sjjmicro.com / www.seanliming.com / www.annabooks.com, Book Author - Pro Guide to WES 7, XP Embedded Advanced, Pro Guide to POS for .NET

Answer 2

I thought that was the case otherwise it certainly deserved a mention in your book.

If that is the case, can i assume that the software that seems to be able to use just about any old scanner is most likely not .Net based?

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Glen.

Answer 3

I would need to know what software you are refering too. Some barcode scanners are keyboard devices, thus don't interact with POS for .NET / OPOS at all.

-Sean

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www.sjjmicro.com / www.seanliming.com / www.annabooks.com, Book Author - Pro Guide to WES 7, XP Embedded Advanced, Pro Guide to POS for .NET

Answer 4

The software is a program called ClubSentry which appears not to be a .Net based program.

The frustration I have is that I am an mISV and it is not possible for me to use SOMgr etc to set configuration options on my clients computers. To make matters worse, my clients generally don't understand what all the fuss is about. I don't blame them either.

I want my program to emulate a non .Net program and just work with any scanner. I believe that I am probably living in a dream world.

I purchased your book after being frustrated with the POS for .Net SDK documentation. I have learned from your book that I need to use POSExplorer(this) and I don't need to cast the found devices to POSCommon and use that as my reference. Instead I can use (Scanner)myScanner etc. The book is good as it gives me warm fuzzies as to what I only thought I knew rather than confirms that I do actually know :-)

Oddly enough, I am having more problems with scanners than pos printers. My program seems to be able to handle POS printers quite well.

I've had my rave now but I still don't know how I can overcome the frustrations caused by having to explain to clients why a scanner won't work in my program but works 'out-of-the-box' in a non .Net program.

BTW: The eBook is an excellent buy - thanks for taking the time to write it.

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Glen.

Answer 5

Maybe this is of help to you?

Using a bar code scanner in .NET
http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/296533/Using-a-bar-code-scanner-in-NET

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"Programming is an art form that fights back"