[Info-vax] Hand scanners and VMS.

[chris]

On 07/24/22 12:29, Jan-Erik Söderholm wrote:
> Den 2022-07-24 kl. 02:12, skrev chris:
>> On 07/23/22 18:00, Jan-Erik Söderholm wrote:
>>> Den 2022-07-23 kl. 17:48, skrev chris:
>>>> On 07/22/22 14:15, Jan-Erik Söderholm wrote:
>>>>> Den 2022-07-22 kl. 14:24, skrev Bill Gunshannon:
>>>>>> On 7/21/22 23:55, Dave Froble wrote:
>>>>>>> On 7/21/2022 8:25 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
>>>>>>>> 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.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thinking about it a bit more, perhaps a minimal cheap small PC might
>>>>>>> work.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> No keyboard, mouse, and monitor.  Just an app that waits for the
>>>>>>> scanner input, connects to an app on VMS, sends the scanner info,
>>>>>>> then goes back to waiting for the scanner.  If interested, we can
>>>>>>> discuss how to set something like this up.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sounds like a job for a RaspberryPI.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Could even do it with an Arduino, but that would take more work.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> bill
>>>>>
>>>>> If you have read the other replies, RasPi has already been suggested.
>>>>> And I also replied that I do not find it suitable for an assembly line
>>>>> environment. And it must standard HW that you can buy from-the-shelf.
>>>>>
>>>>> This should not be rocket science. There must be many that have needs
>>>>> to report products in different stages in assembly cells along the
>>>>> line.
>>>>>
>>>>> I have now also looked at the Moxa devices and they seem to have boxes
>>>>> that matched what we need and they are also easy to find in the
>>>>> market.
>>>>> Such as the “Nport 5110”. Cheap enough, I’ll probably buy one and
>>>>> test…
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I can vouch for the Moxa devices. Have used the 4 port types in the
>>>> past and now using an 8 port model to get serial ilom ports onto
>>>> the network. Wide variety of modes and functionality, with each serial
>>>> line having it's own port number, so in simple mode, can telnet
>>>> in with port number to get an ilom login prompt. Startech make single
>>>> and dual port types, but they are pc windows oriented and need a
>>>> driver on the pc. Used both to drive serial printers in the past.
>>>>
>>>> Small mini-itx industrial pc's are good for that sort of work, often
>>>> a couple of serial ports and up to 4 network ports. More work though...
>>>>
>>>> Chris
>>>>
>>>
>>> Agree. A quick look-trough of the Moxa models gives that they are
>>> certenly worth a closer look. I do not understand why our local
>>> HW support group hasn't looked at them. Cheap also, might just order
>>> one for my self to play with while waiting for the summer vacation
>>> period to end... :-)
>>>
>>> Jan-Erik.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> The 8 port model is an N5610, a 1 u rack mount model with small
>> lcd display and setup from the front panel to config an initial
>> ip address etc. RJ45 for the ports, but not standard Cisco console
>> pinout, so had to make up a patch panel to use standard cables.
>>
>> Forget the 4 port model, but that also had a small lcd display
>> and 4 x 9 pin d RS232 connectors, not RJ45, which a 9 pin D scanner
>> may plug in direct, at at most, need a null model cable. Similar
>> setups and capability as the 8 port model and compact box with
>> wall wart power...
>>
>> Chris
>
> OK. This is usually about a single scanner at each location within one
> scanner cable distance. So single port devices will be fine. Or maybe
> dual port (same size, and close to the same price). Just screwed to
> the wall.
>

Black box made similar devices, but sure if they are still in
business. I would still go for the Moxa devices here, as they are
a known quantity, easy to setup and just fit and forget. Quite
often see them s/h on Ebay as well, if you need one for your
own evaluation.

> One thing is that one major electronics supplier in Sweden had
> plenty in stock of the 1 and 2 port modells *without* Wifi, but
> none of the Wifi modells. Weird. Have to ask them in the week...
>
>
For industrial use, I would avoid wifi if possible, as it just
introduces more complexity and something else to fail. Wired
networking is generally the best for reliability...

Chris