Barcode Scanning: Getting Started

Before barcode scanning can be performed in a Mobile Reach App, several criteria must be in place:

  • A supported scanner must be used
  • Barcode scanning must be enabled in the App
  • Barcode scanning must be enabled on the device
  • Barcode scanning must be enabled in Mobile Reach Preferences

Supported scanners

Mobile Reach supports the following scanners:

  • LineaPro 4 and 5 (iOS only)
  • Motorola/Zebra devices (Android/W10 only)
  • SocketMobile Series 7 or 8 (iOS and Android)
  • TSL 1128

Enable barcode scanning in the App

Use AppStudio to enable barcode scanning support in your App.

Listview

To enable barcode scanning in the Listview window, use the Barcode component and Field child component(s) to create one or more fields that can accept a barcode.

RecView

To enable barcode scanning in a RecView window, set the Accept scan Component Detail to True on the component where you want to perform barcode scanning. For Android devices, a target icon displays next to any RecView field that can accept a barcode value. For iOS devices, a target icon displays next to the first field that can accept a barcode scan.

When a RecView window is opened, the App Launcher automatically searches the fields in the window to determine whether any field can accept scanned values. The first field that can accept a scanned value is considered the ‘scan target’.

When a scan occurs, the scanned value is placed into a field based on the following process:

  1. If the scanned value matches a field where a Pattern is defined, the value is placed in that field.
  2. If an active field exists (the keyboard is up), the value is placed into that field.
  3. If a scan target field exists, the value is placed into that field.

After the value has been placed in a field, and if that field was the current scan target, then the target icon moves to the next field in the scan target field list. If the field was NOT the current scan target, then the scan target icon remains on the original scan target field.

NOTE: To keep the scan target from automatically jumping to the next field where scanning is enabled, set the RecView Suppress Scan Jump Component Detail to True.

NOTE: To manually set the scan target on the client device.

  • Touch a field to make it the active field. If the field has Accept scan set to True in AppStudio, then that field becomes the scan target.
  • Use the JumpToField function.

NOTE: To designate a readonly or disabled field as the scan target, set the RecView Component Detail Ignore readonly to True.

The target icon can be configured to automatically jump to any desired field after a value is scanned in.

Barcode patterns

Using a pattern causes a barcode scan to search for the defined sequence. When only one pattern is defined, the pattern is primarily used to reject invalid values. When multiple, distinct patterns are defined, the value is matched against all of the defined patterns and automaticallly entered into the correct field. Patterns can also be used to modify the contents of a field.

The Pattern component is used to define patterns for Listview and RecView windows. Patterns defined for a certain type of window are only used when scanning in that wondow.

Index fields

Defining index fields increases the speed of any offline search. The database recoginzes when the search includes indexed fields, and uses the indexes automatically to make the search faster. Indexing fields increases the amount of time needed to modify records and the amount of storage required by the database. Index fields can be set for a table or recordset.

Scanning multiple values

Apps support scanning multiple values at once. The scanned values can be used at other points in the App, either as a list or individually. Currently, multiple value scanning is supported only for RFID scans using a TSL scanner.

Performing tasks after a scan

Use the OnScan or OnMultiScan component to automatically execute a function after a barcode scan.

Enable barcode scanning on the device

Depending on the scanner used, configuration may be required on the device to enable barcode scanning. For example, when a SocketMobile scanner is used, the device must be paired with the scanner. Pairing is performed using the device Settings (not Mobile Reach).

Enable barcode scanning in Preferences

Use the Scanner tab to configure barcode scanning in App Launcher. See iOS/Android install/preferences and Windows 10 Client install/preference for more information.

Using the camera scanner

NOTE: Camera scanning is not supported on the Windows 10 client.

Mobile Reach supports performing barcode scans with the camera built into the device. Use of the camera scanner can be disabled for an App by setting the Camera Scanner > Disable Component detail to True on the Listview component. Additional use of the Camera scanner for an App RecView can be configured using RecView Component Details.

Use of the camera scanner is configured on the client device using the Preferences Scanner tab. See iOS/Android install preferences for more information.

NOTE: It is helpful if the camera on your device is auto-focus.

After camera scanning is configured, open the App on the device and locate the field where you want to scan using the camera scanner.

For an iOS device, touch in the field where you want to perform the scan. If the camera scanner is enabled, a Scanner button displays. Touch this button to activate the camera scanner.

ios_cscan

For an Android device, touch the target icon next to the field where you want to perform the scan. The camera scanner activates (if enabled).

and_cscan

For both devices, a camera window will open. For an iOS device, if the camera scanner is not armed, a message will display, saying to touch inside the area to arm the scanner. After the scanner is armed, the next barcode encountered will be scanned by the device camera scanner. Be sure to get the barcode entirely within the brackets.

The camera scanner defaults to high-resolution images. The resolution displays in the upper right corner of the scanner. You can change the resolution by tapping it.

If the device contains a built-in light, the status of the light (on or off) displays in the bottom right corner of the camera scanner. Tap to turn the light on or off.

Tutorials