Inventory System

[Demon]

I know, mine were between COM12 - 18, depending on which USB slot I used. But to use the COMM modules for Access, they have to be between 1 - 4. So I go in DEVICE MANAGER, Ports (LPT & COM), click on the COM port, PROPERTIES/ADVANCED and then override 12-18 to 1-4, whichever is not used on my laptop.

I've seen different versions of that bluetooth panel. Laptop is WinXP, haven't checked downstairs what it looks like on Win7.

Now I'm having stabilitity problems. I uninstalled the bluetooth dongle this afternoon, and now it's not coming back on without intervention when I reboot.

Robert


EDIT: Ok, this is weird. I tried to update the driver because only 1 of the 2 bluetooth devices came on, halfway at that. Driver was up to date.

So I pulled out the dongle, the BT device and COM disappearred as they should. I inserted it in another USB slot and all 3 came up properly. I moved it back to the original slot and they all came up properly as well, even kept it under COM2.

Oh well, at least there are no warnings now.

[Demon]

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

A little nagging voice told me to try another app. I scrolled through a zillion apps until one caught my eye with bluetooth and SPP, darn thing worked on the first shot!

(the red square turned green instantly, as soon as they were paired, and I don't even have to push buttons to transmit)



Now I know why there was a payware SDK for that first app. I thought it was to customize the app to your liking. NOooooo, it was so that you could alter the communication protocol so it would be compatible with standard bluetooth - uninstall. I'm not staying with them just for not coming out and saying in the description what they were doing.

All this time, argh.

Oh well, at least now I know what was wrong. The app I'm using now has a small scan window and it's a demo only. At least now I know to look for another one with a full size window, even if it's gonna be a few bucks. Now I know why that first one was feature rich and without advertisements.

Robert

[Demon]

Hope one day I will put an order on my parts that are hanging around too. Good job Robert.

As for the VBA, I think it is Visual Basic for Applications.

Ioannis

[Ioannis]

Ooops.... sorry I completely edited your post....

Very sorry about that. Is there a way to get it back?

Ioannis

[Demon]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Too funny! I did that too once, clicked EDIT instead of REPLY. But I was lucky to notice something was worng before I posted. I'm happy it's you that's the first to mess up. LMAO!!! I had come THAT close.

You're right, it is for Applications. I saw that elsewhere on google later yesterday.

As for my post, I was just whining about how frustating things can be when you reboot in the morning and things don't work. I don't remember my post, but I had linked to my saga on the Access forums:
http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/...29#post1331829

Those guys have been an invaluable resource in relearning Access and VB. I used Big Resource also, but they have a truckload of ads, and posts that link to another link; a bit frustrating when you have a lot of research to do.

I might put this system up for download for a few bucks when I'm done. There must be a few guys out there with the same need to label hundreds of drawers, ability to scan and connect directly to Access. I've seen several inventory apps, but it's not quite the same. They are generic in nature while this is specifically for use by the hobbyist with too much "stuff".

Robert

[Demon]

I did learn a bit about bluetooth protocols with this project. As I mention on the other forum, the Bluetooth utility can receive files manually just fine because it uses RFCOMM. The utilities freely available for Access use SPP which is an extra layer over RFCOMM.


Mobiscan:
PRO - the core is really a charm; ultra fast recognition, can scan in any orientation, can use the entire width of the image, no ads, free.
CON - RFCOMM protocol, takes 3 strokes to send data, would have to receive file manually, open file and copy&paste in Access.

(still researching for a way to intercept data from RFCOMM, there are no examples on google of modules that interface with RFCOMM form Access)


TEC-IT:
PRO - SPP protocol, autosend of data without keystrokes, piece of cake to read in Access, free.
CON - slow recognition, scan orientation not adjustable, scan window MUCH smaller, small ads, sends random data every once in a while in freeware - need to rescan - no big deal, payware has same small window - just no ads or random data, have to reconnect phone every time.


The ideal app would be the core of Mobiscan and the transmission of TEC-IT. So I wrote to both developpers, compared each app and asked it they planned to address these issues in the future.

So for now I will use TEC-IT, it's the less-painful app to use. There are several payware bluetooth barcode apps, but they don't have demo versions to test. I will be inputting a lot of data and printing a ton of labels the first time, but after that scanning to maintain inventory will be minimal. I don't have to get hung up on the ultimate app.

How many components do you take to your workbench to do some testing? Maybe a dozen, even 2 dozens wouldn't be a big deal to scan IF I use parts from all drawers. And even then, I will scan as I take parts out, and then as I put them back in. I'm not talking about heavy volume.

Robert

[Demon]

I already had a reply from TEC-IT:

GetBlue is using third party barcode scanner apps for reading the barcodes. When selecting the data source, GetBlue shows a dialog with the installed 3rd party barcode scanners apps. You may select a specific scanner application or choose Always ask. In the latter case GetBlue asks you for the camera scanner to be used.

Please search the Google Play Store for an app which fit your needs. After you have found one select this app in the camera scanner settings. ...

I replied that I did not see this dialogue in the demo version so I asked if this was available only in the payware. I also asked if it meant I could use Mobiscan as a front end.


While I was replying to TEC-IT, Mobiscan replied. LOL Unfortunately...

...many thanks for your feedback but i'm sorry to inform you that we do not plan to integrate and develop such features because our Barcode Scanners app is only meant to be a simple demonstration of our mobiScan barcode decoding technology which can be integrated in applications of various kinds.

Oh well, not bad. There is still hope of using Mobiscan from within TEC-IT, which was my dream-app. LOL

I hope I understood properly. It appears as if both app is designed to be integrated with another app, which would make the ultimate app in my case.

Robert

[Ioannis]

I might put this system up for download for a few bucks when I'm done. There must be a few guys out there with the same need

Sure, I am one! Looking forward!

Beside the mess, it is funny to have your avatar and my message! Sorry again.

Ioannis