[Info-vax] Hand scanners and VMS.

[Dave Froble]

On 7/21/2022 6:35 PM, Jan-Erik Söderholm wrote:
> Hi.
>
> We/I currently struggle with somewhat of an issue.
>
> Our VMS system has for 30+ years received inout from traditional
> hand scanners. From the very begining it was those pen-like
> barcode scannes where you needed to "draw a line" over the barcode
> to read it. HP made some popular models at the time. Today it is
> of course modern "camera based" scanners that read anything from
> usual 1D barcodes to 2D codes like QR.
>
> Now, these have always been connected to terminal servers and
> our VMS system connect to the IP adress and IP port that matches
> the RS232 port on the terminal server. Long ago this was LAT and
> we connected a LTA device pointing to the node and service
> of he RS232 port, but LAT or TCP is totalt transparent to the
> applications. From the very start (11/730 time frame) it was
> actually physical TXAnnn serial interfaces, but our application
> design has stayed the same using the same QIOW calls. But that
> was before my time...
>
> After switching to network based equipment a long time ago, it
> has been boxes from DECserver 200, DECserver 90 and different
> kind of Lantronix equipment.
>
> Now, the current hardware, "Lantronix WiBox", a two port terminal
> server with Wifi and everythig, has gone out of market. I have
> the replacement box "Lantronix SGX 5150" and test scanner
> "Honeywell Xenon 1950" on my desk. The scanner is currently
> connected to the USB-C port of the SGX 5150.
>
> One additonal issue is that hand scanners using RS232 are getting
> harder to get with longer delivery times, USB scanners are not so.

I'm surprised there are still RS232 devices.

> They have also moved RS232 from two DB9 connectors to two RJ45 jacks
> so one usually need an additional adapter cable...
>
> Now, I have some issues to set this up, but I have a case open with
> Lantronix support so let's not get into those details.
>
> Lat me just ask, isn't there anyone else having a need to scan
> products in an assembly line for reporting purposes?
>
> We just need a scanner hanging on the wall that the user can
> grip, scan and hang it back. This needs sub-second response
> time, no logins and "always" beeing available for use.
>
> It seems as the market thinks that, if you have a hand scanner,
> you also absolutely have an PC to connect it to.
>
> Now, I'm sure that it will work by having the RS232 optional
> cable from Honeywell, but that is not as easy to find as the
> standard USB cable.
>
> So, how are others having reporting needs using hand scanners
> from production lines solving that need?
>
> Regards, Jan-Erik.
>

Faced with such an issue, I would be looking ahead, not trying to continue with 
yesterday's solutions.  Why?  Because yesterday's solutions just might no longer 
be available.

The first thing I'd be looking for is a device that lives on ethernet, or wifi, 
but I trust wires more.  Terminal servers are a method of connecting to 
ethernet, but I don't know what's still available.  A edvice that takes an RJ45 
plug and talks TCP/IP would be what I'd look for.

Failing that, I'd then be looking for devices that live on ethernet, and have 
USB ports.  That should allow many scanners to be connected.

-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
DFE Ultralights, Inc.
170 Grimplin Road
Vanderbilt, PA  15486