Feed: Barcode Software / RFID Software / Mobile Tagging / DAQ - AggScore: 47.8

How to use Microvision ROV Bluetooth Barcode Scanner

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Dealing with a Microvision ROV barcode scanner can be quite tricky. Of course, the device is scanning bar-codes immediately. But the data is sent in a special format and requires a confirmation by the receiver. That's the reason for this blog entry.

By default the ROV scanner (in our case a MS2200-BT) buffers all scanned bar codes internally. The receiver (e.g. your PC or smartphone) is required to confirm each received bar code to delete it from the ROV's memory. If such a confirmation is missing the ROV scanner sends the same bar code over and over.

The ROV scanner appends a 4 digit serialization number to each scanned bar-code. This serialization number is sent (along with the barcode data) to the receiver. The receiving device is required to acknowledge the bar-code by sending back the serialization number along with an appended ACK character (hex 06) to the ROV scanner.

Now let's demonstrate how to configure TEC-IT's software wedge TWedge to work with a Microvision ROV scanner.

Use a Microvision ROV Scanner With TWedge

TWedge is a software solution for reading data from RS232, USB (via virtual serial ports), TCP/IP and Bluetooth devices. The built-in scripting capabilities enable you to process the received data (e.g. send the data to any application by simulating keystrokes) or to implement the confirmation scenario outlined above.

Use this JavaScript snippet for the OnData section in the script editor of TWedge (you may also download the TWI).

TWedge OnData Script for Microvision ROV MS2200-BT

Give it a try!

Download and check out the software wedge TWedge for free. The finished configuration file (TWI file) for this blog post is available here.

Comments and suggestions regarding this article are welcome. Please feel free to contact us via MSN or email if you are facing any problems.

Update

The post How to use a Microvision ROV bar-code scanner with Android explains how to configure the scanner to work without serial numbers, buffering or special protocol requirements.

About TEC-IT

WWW.TEC-IT.COM

TEC-IT Datenverarbeitung GmbH provides high quality software in the areas of bar-coding, barcode extensions for ERP systems, label and form printing, reporting and automated data acquisition. TEC-IT products are available for all major platforms, thus customers benefit from complete and versatile software solutions for all possible requirements. The company is located in Austria / Europe and can be reached via www.tec-it.com.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Powerful Labeling & Reporting Software with only 20MB

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TEC-IT releases version 7 of the label printing and reporting suite TFORMer!

Performance and Usability

The new version of this label printing and reporting tool combines unmatched functionality with high performance and small resource requirements. The download size of the complete package is about 20 MB and contains all features, no additional 3rd party software is required.

Streaming

TFORMer SDK version 7 supports so-called streaming: the required output is generated completely in-memory, no file system access is required. This feature dramatically improves output speed and is especially of interest if TFORMer SDK is used as backend for PDF creation in web services. For an example check out the online QR-Code business card generator of TEC-IT.

New Features

Label Setup Wizard

In addition, TFORMer Designer V7 convinces through enhanced usability.
The software provides a new and easy-to-use page and layout setup wizard. Standard labels or simple reports are created with a few clicks, well-known brand label templates (e.g. Avery^®) are available.
Besides German and English, the new version also offers a Spanish user interface.

Rich Text with Super- and Subscript

To meet sophisticated output requirements, V7 also supports super- and sub-scripting as well as adjustable soft-hyphenation for rich text elements. Full-featured bar-code printing capabilities for linear and 2D bar-codes are integrated seamlessly in the product.

Product Download

TFORMer Designer V7 can be downloaded from the company’s website www.tec-it.com. A 10-day test drive is available for free. TEC-IT’s provides tutorial videos on YouTube and is also available for product support via email, phone or remote conferencing at no charge.

About TEC-IT

TEC-IT Datenverarbeitung GmbH provides high quality software in the areas of automated data acquisition and data collection, bar-coding, barcode extensions for ERP systems, label and form printing, report generators and output management. TEC-IT products are available for all major platforms, thus customers benefit from complete and versatile software solutions for all possible requirements. The company is located in Austria / Europe and can be reached via www.tec-it.com. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Free 10 Day Trial for TEC-IT's Barcode Add-In for MS Office

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TEC-IT will shortly release the new version 10.3.3 of the barcode add-in TBarCode Office.

Free Eval for Office Barcode Add-In

The new release offers only a single - but very useful - highlight. Users interested in testing the product may now apply for a free and unlimited 10 day trial license. The evaluation license can be retrieved online and unlocks all product features. TEC-IT does not collect any personal data and does not ask questions. A single click is enough to apply for an evaluation license.

About TBarCode Office

10 Day Unlimited Evaluation

The barcode add-in TBarCode Office is intended solely for users of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Office 2007 or higher). It enables customers to quickly insert barcodes into any Word or Excel document. The barcode add-in integrates seamlessly into Microsoft Office and is extremely easy-to-use. A convenient barcode panel provides access to all bar code parameters - linear, GS1 or 2D barcodes are inserted into letters, mail merge documents, spreadsheets and barcode labels in no time at all. TBarCode Office creates and prints barcodes in perfect quality on all printers. The product supports more than 100 barcodes - linear bar codes, postal codes, GS1 DataBar and 2D codes.

Free Release Candidate Downloads

A free pre-release is available for TBarCode Office V10.3.3. Check it out today! TBarCode Office can be used with 32 bit and 64 bit versions of Microsoft Office 2007/2010.

Download TBarCode Office Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel 2007/2010
In case of questions or if you experience troubles please let us know: support@tec-it.com. Thanks.

About TEC-IT

WWW.TEC-IT.COM

TEC-IT Datenverarbeitung GmbH provides high quality software in the areas of bar-coding, barcode extensions for ERP systems, label and form printing, reporting and automated data acquisition. TEC-IT products are available for all major platforms, thus customers benefit from complete and versatile software solutions for all possible requirements. The company is located in Austria / Europe and can be reached via www.tec-it.com.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

New: Barcode Studio Creates Mobile Tagging QR-Codes with Shortened URLs

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Data List with Shortened URLs

Version 12 of TEC-IT's barcode maker software will be released shortly. This post introduces the built-in URL shortener capabilities of the Barcode Studio update.

The new URL shortening feature provides 3 main benefits:

• Dramatically Reduced QR-Code Size
  URL shortening means squeezing a long URL into a shorter one. This is important when creating mobile tagging QR-Codes for vCards, meCards, SPARQcodes, etc. With URL shortening you reduce the amount of data to be encoded. Smaller, better readable, easier-to-share QR-Codes are the result.
• Free QR-Code Traceability
  URL shortening providers like Google (http://goo.gl) and Bitly (http://bit.ly) offer simple and free tracking features. More on this below.

• Data Import Assistant

• Batch URL Shortening
  The data import assistant of Barcode Studio is able to shorten thousands of URLs with a single click.

Shortened URLs

You are not familiar with shortened URLs? Let me give you an example: A typical URL looks like this:

http://www.tec-it.com/software/barcode-software/barcode-creator/barcode-studio/Default.aspx

In total this example URL requires 91 characters. By shortening this URL you will get the following results:

• http://goo.gl/fnBby
  (when shortened with Google's URL shortener service http://goo.gl)
• http://bit.ly/c1ZTRO
  (when shortened with http://bit.ly)

The shortened URL requires only 19 (or 20) characters and still points to the same target URL. Just try it out by clicking on them!

QR-Code Tracking

A shortened URLs provide an easy way to analyze the usage of the codes. Whenever a shortened URL is used to visit a web-page the shortening provider tracks this event. It does not matter if the user scanned the code with a smart phone, simply clicked on it in a twitter status message or entered the shortened URL manually into the address bar of the browser. At the time being both providers offer publicly visible tracking statistics for free.

For Google's shortener service you get the tracking statistics by simply adding ".info" to the shortened URL: http://goo.gl/fnBby.info. When using Bitly just add the plus sign: http://bit.ly/c1ZTRO+

Privacy notice: Take care - the tracking statistics are usually publicly visible to everyone!

Free Release Candidate Downloads

A free pre-release is available for Barcode Studio on Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. Check it out!

Download Barcode Studio for Microsoft Windows

Download Barcode Studio for Mac OS X

About TEC-IT

Secret QR-Code

TEC-IT Datenverarbeitung GmbH provides high quality software in the areas of bar-coding, barcode extensions for ERP systems, label and form printing, reporting and automated data acquisition. TEC-IT products are available for all major platforms, thus customers benefit from complete and versatile software solutions for all possible requirements. The company is located in Austria / Europe and can be reached via www.tec-it.com.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Update! Barcode Maker Software for QR-Code vCards and More

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vCard Data Import

Check out this post to learn more about the new features of Barcode Studio V11.6.

With Barcode Studio you quickly create high-quality bar code images for pre-press requirements and desktop publishing applications. More than 100 different linear and 2D codes are supported by this software!

The new release focuses on bar-code creation for mobile tagging with vCard and meCard QR codes and provides enhanced label printing features.

Features and Enhancements in Detail

QR-Code vCard Assistant

• Mobile Tagging
  2D codes for mobile tagging are now using the lowest possible error correction level. This minimizes the size of the generated barcodes.
• Intelligent Data Import
  It is possible to import predefined data formats for vCard, vCalendar, meCard, etc. in a structured way. This is especially helpful for mass-creation of business card bar-codes.
• Copy Counter for Label Printing
  The user can specify how many identical copies of a single label should be printed.
• ISBN / ISSN / ISMN
  The data assistant now makes it easier to enter codes in ISBN, ISSN, and ISMN format.
• Pixel Shaving
  For 2D codes like QR-Code or Data Matrix, the pixel shaving algorithm was improved.
• Appearance
  The appearance of several dialogs was improved.

Bug Fixes

• Label preview crash was fixed.
• The check for the bar code sizes was improved.
• Fixed the wrong display of the number of errors in the data list.

Free Trial with 10 Days Unlimited License

Demo downloads are available for Mac OS X and for Microsoft Windows. Check them out today!
Barcode Studio for Mac OS
Barcode Studio for Microsoft Windows
The above downloads are FINAL releases (as of 07/25/2011) - have fun!

About TEC-IT

TEC-IT Datenverarbeitung GmbH provides high quality software in the areas of bar-coding, barcode extensions for ERP systems, label and form printing, reporting and automated data acquisition. TEC-IT products are available for all major platforms, thus customers benefit from complete and versatile software solutions for all possible requirements. The company is located in Austria / Europe and can be reached via www.tec-it.com.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

NEW: Use Android for Data Acquisition with PCs or MACs

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New Version!

As of today the new version of GetBlue, an Android app for automated data aquisition, is available.

GetBlue collects device data in the background and forwards captured data to adjustable destinations. The following devices and interfaces are supported in V2.8:

• Bluetooth SPP (server and client mode),
• TCP/IP sockets (server and client mode),
• HTTP,
• 3rd party camera scanners like the app Barcode Scanner from ZXing

Captured device data can be displayed, saved, uploaded or forwarded to

• adjustable target devices or target applications (PCs with Microsoft Windows, MAC computers, Google Docs spreadsheets, other Bluetooth devices, web applications, ...),
• files on the SD card,
• or injected into 3rd party applications (software wedge mode).

Highlights of the new Version:

• Bluetooth server support
  Previous GetBlue versions worked exclusively in Bluetooth client mode. Client mode is required to connect to other Bluetooth servers like a Bluetooth barcode scanner. The new Bluetooth server mode can now be used for establishing PC connections: Data captured or scanned with the Android device can automatically sent to a PC for further processing. Server mode is supported for TCP/IP connections as well.
• Licensing without Android Market
  For users without access to Android Market or for bulk-licensing requirements GetBlue can now be licensed by manually installing license certificates. In order to use this feature you need to download GetBlue from tec-it.com and contact TEC-IT for a certificate (price on request). Please note that the version available on Android Market does not support manual licensing.
• Transparent Proxy
  As mentioned above GetBlue works as transparent proxy between devices and/or protocols. Data from a Bluetooth device can be forwarded via TCP/IP or HTTP. This behavior is freely adjustable by means of data-source and data-sink configuration.

Give it a try!

Download GetBlue from Android market or from TEC-IT.COM. TEC-IT supports this app, in case of questions, problems or feature requests just get in touch with us!

About TEC-IT

About TEC-IT
TEC-IT Datenverarbeitung GmbH provides high quality software in the areas of automated data acquisition and data collection, bar-coding, barcode extensions for ERP systems, label and form printing and report generator software. TEC-IT products are available for all major platforms, thus customers benefit from complete and versatile software solutions for all possible requirements. The company is located in Austria / Europe and can be reached via www.tec-it.com.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Create Popular QR Codes for Mobile Tagging and vCard Business Cards

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Latest TEC-IT Press Release

Austria, TEC-IT Datenverarbeitung GmbH (tec-it.com), leading vendor of AUTO-ID and bar code software presents a brand new feature for the popular barcode maker software Barcode Studio.

“Even in Europe 2D bar codes – mostly QR codes- are becoming more and more popular. Especially the increasing need in marketing and mobile tagging is causing a rise in demand for 2D barcodes. In light of this development TEC-IT is responding with its new version of Barcode Studio.”
(Guenter Kriegl, CEO of TEC-IT )

Mobile Tagging, vCard Business Cards and More

QR code business card including encoded contact details (vCard)

Creating 2D bar-codes for electronic business cards with vCard and meCard formats is simplified dramatically: The brand new assistant leads you through the data input with a multifunctional dialog box, the user just enters the contact details and the assistant takes care of generating the 2D barcode with the correct data formatting. No special knowledge is needed. What’s more, mobile tagging barcodes for events, Android Market search, WiFi networks, Twitter tweets, LinkedIn profiles and Facebook likes are supported for the user’s convenience as well.

Even industrial applications benefit from the intuitive assistant: Create GS1 barcodes by using predefined application identifiers (so called AIs) quickly and without any special skills. Barcode Studio inserts the FNC1 delimiter characters automatically.

Try and Test

Barcode Studio V11 can be downloaded from TEC-IT’s website www.tec-it.com. A completely free and unlimited 10-day test drive is available. The bar code maker software is available for Mac OS X, Windows, Linux and UNIX. Enjoy the product videos on YouTube.com to learn more about Barcode Studio

Please Contact

Susan Enzenhofer
TEC-IT Datenverarbeitung GmbH
Hans-Wagnerstrasse 6
A-4400 Steyr - Austria, EUROPE

Email
office@tec-it.com

Telephone/Fax
T ++43 (0)7252 72720
F ++43 (0)7252 7272077

"Tag it Easy" - vCard and meCard QR-Codes!

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A new version of the barcode creator software Barcode Studio is on the way!

What’s New?

Barcode Studio V11.5 introduces a new data input assistant. This special feature simplifies the creation of 2D codes for mobile tagging and electronic business cards (so-called vCard and meCard barcodes) dramatically.
With Barcode Studio V11.5 you are able to create more than 100 different linear, postal, GS1 and 2D barcode symbologies. The barcodes can be printed on simple labels or exported as bitmap or vector image files. Batch barcode creation with external data is supported.

2D Codes for Mobile Tagging

vCard Data Input Assistant

vCard and meCard QR-codes are used to encode contact details of a business card (like name, address, email, phone-number ...) in a 2D barcode symbol. When scanning such a barcode with a smartphone (camera and suitable scanner software is required of course), the data is automatically entered into the address book of the phone. No manual typing or copy/paste is required.

Try it Yourself - Scan the Code!

vCard and meCard barcodes encode the contact details in a certain format. The new data input assistant of Barcode Studio takes care of the right formatting. In order to create readable barcodes you just enter the contact data (see screen shot) and Barcode Studio creates the correct code. You do not need to know the details.

In addition the above mentioned vCard and meCard codes, Barcode Studio allows you to create 2D codes for mobile tagging applications. Currently supported are barcodes for sending text messages (SMS), phone calls, Twitter tweets, Facebook likes and profiles, LinkedIn contacts and profiles, Wi-Fi access and events (vCalendar). In future versions of Barcode Studio this list will be extended as appropriate.

GS1 DataBar - Application Identifier Support

GS1 Application Identifier Assitant

Users of the GS1 DataBar or GS1-128 barcode symbologies benefit from the data input assistant as well. Barcode Studio provides a searchable list of the available application identifiers (AIs) and ensures that the rules for a correct GS1 barcode are met. Application identifiers are used to designate the encoded data. More than hundred AIs are in common use (e.g. AI 10 designates the LOT number, AI 11 the production date ...). Barcode Studio also takes care to separate multiple AIs in a single barcode with the Function Code 1 (FNC1).

Download Pre-Release

Coming soon! Use these links to download the release candidates (BETA!):
Barcode Studio for Windows
Barcode Studio for Mac OS X

Video

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Simply write us an email (support@tec-it.com), give us a call (++43 7252 72720, time zone GMT+1) or visit www.tec-it.com!

How to use Microvision ROV Barcode Scanners with Android - Update!

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Bluetooth Data Acquisition on Android

Currently TEC-IT offers two Android apps for data acquisition with Bluetooth devices:

• 
• GetBlue provides universal data acquisition and device communication with Bluetooth SPP, TCP and camera scanners. GetBlue communicates with serial Bluetooth devices (Serial Port Profile like SPP/RFCOMM barcode readers), TCP/IP devices and camera scanners. Captured data is displayed, saved (File, Google Docs), forwarded (HTTP, TCP) or injected as virtual keystrokes into Apps (GetBlue virtual keyboard).
• BluePiano extends all Apps with automated Bluetooth data acquisition. This new input method provides a Bluetooth-enabled soft-keyboard. This virtual keyboard captures data from Bluetooth SPP devices (serial port profile) and forwards the received data to input fields of arbitrary apps.

Microvision ROV Bluetooth Scanners

Problem:
Some users are experiencing the following issue: once a bar code is scanned with the Microvision ROV barcode scanner the bar code data is sent over and over again.
Cause:
This problem is because the scanner by default requires an acknowledgement of the receiving party (the Android device). The current versions of GetBlue and BluePiano do not acknowledge received data, thus you need to adapt the configuration of the Microvision device.
Solution:
The required acknowledgement can be switched off by configuring the scanner accordingly.
To do this please check out the Microvision ROV PDF user manual (page 74) for the configuration barcodes. You need to set the following values:

• ForceSerializationOverBT
  must be set to false to force compatibility mode and to disable serial numbers. Scan the Set FSOBT,0 = Force Serialization Over BlueTooth barcode.
• BCDataACK
  must be false so no ACK is required. Scan the Set Ack,0 = Bar Code Data Acknowledgement is False barcode.
• SeqNum
  must be false to disable serial numbers. Scan the Set Seq,0 = Sequence Number is False barcode.
• AutoDownload
  must be true to send scanned barcodes immediately to the Android device. Scan the Set ADl,1 = Auto Download is True barcode.

The Microvision ROV scanner user manual as compressed CHM file may also be of interest. Refer to this blogpost for displaying this file on Windows 7. Use the search function in the manual and search for Bar Coded Menu Cards.

Please note that the configuration information above was posted based on user feedback of TEC-IT's Android apps. If there are any problems let us know. Thanks!

Feedback

TEC-IT hopes this article is valuable for you. If there are any questions please feel free to contact us via email or MSN (support@tec-it.com).

One-Click Label Printing - 100% Online

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Barcode Studio Beta Available: Mac/Windows Barcode Maker Software

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A fresh beta version of Barcode Studio - the popular barcode maker software was extended with basic barcode label printing features!

NEW: Label Printing

Barcode Studio V11 introduces two main features:

• Simple barcode label printing
• Generating barcodes with captions

Both features help you to print simple barcode labels for articles, price tags, inventory labels, etc. within a minute. Just enter or import the data required and print thousands of labels with just a single click. The label printing feature works on all operating systems - Barcode Studio is available for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and UNIX.

Video Preview

Simplified User Interface

In addition the user interface was simplified and provides now 3 main tabs which allows you to:

• Design a barcode and adjust all required code parameters. In this section you have also the possibility to add captions above and below a barcode.
• Enter or import data for batch label printing or batch barcode creation
• A label tab for adjusting the barcode label layout. Just select one of the pre-defined label templates for commercially available adhesive labels or specify your custom label settings.

Free Beta Download

• Microsoft Windows
  Download the beta version for free (no registration required): Download Barcode Studio for Microsoft Windows
• Mac OS X
  Download Barcode Studio for Mac OS X

After installing the new version you have the possibility to request a free test license online. This test license unlocks Barcode Studio, you can test it for 10 days without limitations. Please note that a commercial usage of the test license is not allowed.

Other Improvements

• Mil-Support
  Mils can now be entered with improved accuracy.
• Simplified Menus
  The different export menus were combined into one menu.
• CMYK Colors
  Mac OS: CMYK color settings are now saved in the settings files (.bc), when the color was entered as CMYK values.
• Dialog Sizing Problems
  Wrongly sized input dialogs were fixed.
• Preview in Import Dialog
  The data preview in the import dialog now always shows the actual file content.
• Lost Cursor Position
  The cursor position in the data edit box was lost after typing the first character. This problem was fixed.
• Data List: New Data Row in Hex Mode
  New data rows are now added correctly if hexadecimal character input mode is turned on.

Availability

Pricing, detailed descriptions and free downloads are available shortly from TEC-IT.

BluePiano: A New Android Bluetooth Input Method

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BluePiano Bluetooth Input Method for Android

The input method BluePiano extends Android with Bluetooth data acquisition.

This new input method provides a Bluetooth-enabled soft-keyboard. This soft-keyboard captures Bluetooth data and forwards the received data to input fields of arbitrary apps. The data appears as entered by the user (watch the video on YouTube).

BluePiano is typically used for barcode scanning with external Bluetooth barcode-scanners or for generic data acquisition tasks (e.g. to capture raw external GPS or medical device data). English, German, French, Russian and Swedish keyboard layouts are available.

BluePiano is easy to use and provides you with connectivity feedback in the notification bar. For backup purposes BluePiano is also able to scan barcodes using camera barcode scanners (using the built-in or an external camera scanner app).

BluePiano works with all Bluetooth SPP devices (Bluetooth devices supporting the Serial Port Profile, RFCOMM). Special Android-enabled bar code scanners are NOT required. HID devices are not supported.

Video Tutorial

Installation

Download and install BluePiano from Android Market (see market://search?q=pname:com.tecit.android.bluepiano.demo). After installation a wizard guides you through the following steps:

BluePiano Logo

1. Activate Bluetooth
   See also: Android Settings – Wireless & networks.
2. Discover your Bluetooth device
   Please note that the Bluetooth device must be “discoverable”. See also: Android Settings – Wireless & networks – Bluetooth settings.
3. Pair your handset with your Bluetooth device.
   You need to enter the pairing PIN on your handset. See also: Android Settings – Wireless & networks – Bluetooth settings.
4. Adjust the Bluetooth device as input device for BluePiano.
   All data received from this input device will be transformed and treated like any other manual input. You may also long tap the ?123 key on the BluePiano keyboard and then invoke Bluetooth Device Manager.
5. Enable the input method BluePiano
   In order to use the new soft-keyboard you need to enable it in Android Settings. Confirm the security question. See also Android Settings -- Language & keyboard.
6. Activate the input method
   Do this by long-tapping on any text field of any app. In the upcoming menu select Input Method and check the BluePiano input method. Use the same method to activate your default keyboard again.
7. Finished!
   Now read a barcode with the external Bluetooth device (e.g. barcode scanner). As soon as the data is received by BluePiano it is entered into the current edit field. As an alternative you may press the barcode key on the BluePiano keyboard: The built-in camera scanner is invoked, the barcode is decoded and the data is entered automatically into the active edit field.

BluePiano Settings - Manual

Configure BluePiano using the installed wizard or navigate to Android Settings -- Language & keyboard and then select BluePiano.

As an alternative you may long-press on the ?123 key of the BluePiano keyboard. In the upcoming option menu select the required function.

Keyboard Options 

BluePiano Settings

• Data Prefix
  Use the placeholders ${ENTER},${TAB}, ${BACKSPACE}, ${DOWN},${UP}, ${LEFT} and ${RIGHT} to control the cursor or input focus before the captured data is inserted into the input field of the current app. The placeholders specified above can be abbreviated with${E}, ${T}, ${B}, ${D}, ${U}, ${L} and ${R}. A multiplier specified immediately after the placeholder (e.g. ${E5}) instructs BluePiano to simulate the specified key n times (5 times the Enter key in this example).
• Data Suffix
  Use the same placeholders as above to control the cursor or input focus after captured data was inserted into the input field of the current app.
• Camera Scanner
  The default setting “Internal Scanner” reads bar-codes using the camera bar-code scanner integrated into BluePiano. If you prefer to select the camera scanner to be used each time, select Always ask. If a specific app is selected, the software always uses exactly this camera scanner app without asking.
• Search Key Function
  This entry specifies the action when the hardware search key is pressed (this key is usually marked with a magnifier symbol, it is also available on the hardware keyboard): Invoke Camera Scanner opens the camera scanner when this key is pressed (you do not need to activate the soft-keyboard beforehand). In this case the search key acts as hot-key for barcode scanning.
  Choose Do nothing if you do not want to change the default behavior of the standard search key.

Bluetooth Options

BluePiano Settings Part 2

• Manage Device
  Use this function to adjusted the Bluetooth input device. Keep in mind that the device must be paired before it can be used. See also: Android Settings – Wireless & networks – Bluetooth settings. This function is only enabled if the Bluetooth connection is not suspended.
• Suspend Connection
  Temporarily disable BluePiano Bluetooth connectivity.
• Suspend Timeout
  If a Bluetooth device is unavailable for more than the specified number of seconds (e.g. out of range or switched off) it will be suspended. If a device is suspended you can’t capture Bluetooth data with BluePiano. A notification is displayed and you need to re-activate the device manually. The default timeout is 120 seconds (2 minutes).
• Vibrate on Error
  If activated, your handset vibrates in case of Bluetooth or connection errors.
• Disaster Recovery
  Some handset models are using buggy Bluetooth stacks (firmware with Bluetooth SPP errors). This SPP bug makes it impossible to connect to a Bluetooth SPP device. If you experience this problem we recommend rebooting your phone, to restart Bluetooth manually or to instruct BluePiano to restart the Bluetooth service automatically. Please note that until now no reliable solution to this problem is available.

General Options

• User Manual
  Link to this blog-post.
• YouTube videos
  Link to TEC-IT’s YouTube channel.
• License Check
  Checks and displays your current license for BluePiano.
• About
  Displays copyright and credits for 3rd party software.

Feedback Please!

Feedback and feature requests are highly welcome. Just contact TEC-IT.

Create vCard Business Cards with QR-Codes

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How to Create vCard Business Cards with Barcode Studio

Some users of Barcode Studio are unsure regarding the correct data format for creating barcodes for so-called 2D code business cards.
Such an "electronic” business card encodes the contact data in a QR-Code or a Data Matrix symbol. These codes can be scanned with your smartphone. The business card data is recognized automatically, you will never need to key in contact data manually! Most camera-equipped mobile phones are able to decode QR-Codes on such business cards (Data Matrix is not in common use until now).

The example outlined in this post contains vCard sample data (.xls and .csv files) and a setting file for Barcode Studio. This settings file (*.BCS) can be used immediately to create premium quality QR-Codes with Barcode Studio.

Creating a vCard Data Format

A vCard barcode must follow certain rules, the different elements of a business cards (e.g. the phone number) are tagged with prefixes. Some sample prefixes:

• Begin of vCard data: begin: vcard
• Name on card: n:
• Telephone number: Tel:
• Email address: Email:
• End of vCard data: end: vcard

Please ensure the accurate order of the single data elements! Refer to Wikipedia to get a list of available property prefixes and more information about the vCard format.

Step by Step: Create your own QR-Code Business Cards

1. Download and unzip the example specified below.
2. Use Microsoft Excel to enter your vCard data in the sample Excel file. Separate the data elements with a new-line. Enter a new-line by pressing "Alt" + "Enter" simultaneously in a cell.
3. Export your data as CSV file.
4. Start Barcode Studio and open the settings file (*.BCS).
5. Importing your CSV file: Choose the "Datalist" tab and click the "Import" button. Ensure the correct import settings as shown in the screenshot. In most cases you should use the Field Separator comma (,) and the Text Qualifier ("). If this doesn't work, please check the generated CSV file.
6. Now export your QR-Codes.

   Import Settings

Free Sample File Download
In order to use the sample files make sure you are using the current version of Barcode Studio.

• Download Sample and Setting Files
• Download Barcode Studio
  

If you have any questions just contact TEC-IT via email or give us a call (++43 (0)7252 72720).

Web Printing Service for Barcode Labels and Supplier Labeling

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New Web-based Label Printing System

TEC-IT introduces a new 100% browser-based printing system for industry forms and barcode labels. Users of TFORMer Online now create and print arbitrary labels and forms completely independent from label printing software or operating systems. Variable label data is entered manually directly in the browser or imported from an online database (Google Gocs™ spreadsheets). Output is created as PDF and can be printed on any printer.

Print Labels Anywhere and Anytime

With TFORMer Online you establish a distributed label printing system easily. Share label printing functionality with partners, suppliers and customers. The system works with all browsers on all operating systems, local software installation is not required and label design efforts are eliminated completely. Ready-to-use label templates for VDA-4902, MAT labels, Odette, Galia ETI-9, AIAG B-10, GS1 GTL, Caterpillar shipping parts identification and others are available for immediate use.

Supports Google Docs™ Online Spreadsheets

It's your choice! Create the labels with manually entered data or import variable label data stored in Google Docs™ spreadsheets. Google Docs™ is a free online service provided by Google. It enables you to maintain spreadsheets completely in your browser and provides convenient table-based data entry. Entered data is stored automatically online, there is no need to re-enter values for future printing sessions. In order to use Google Docs™ as database for TFORMer Online you need a Google account.

Evaluate TFORMer Online Now

Try this new web printing service for free or watch this video for an overview:



TFORMer Online is the perfect online printing solution:

• for distributed label printing requirements,
• for establishing a supplier labeling system
• if standardized label quality must be provided to partners, suppliers and customers,
• if your printing volume does not justify special purpose software,
• for eliminating time consuming label design efforts,
• for automated label and PDF creation as part of your online system (e.g. via web services),
• and for label printing on all operating systems.

Interested? Please contact TEC-IT for pricing, integration possibilities and guidelines.

GetBlue Bluetooth SPP Problems: Android Troubleshooting

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Bluetooth SPP Data Acquisition

GetBlue is an Android App which captures data from a data-source (Bluetooth SPP, TCP and Camera Scanners) and forwards the collected data to an adjustable data-sink (TCP, HTTP, File, Display, Online Spreadheets provided by Google Docs, GetBlue virtual keyboard). Data collection is done completely in the background.

Bluetooth SPP Connection Problems

Recently some users reported problems when using Bluetooth SPP (Serial Port Profile) devices with GetBlue: A Bluetooth SPP device can be paired without problems but GetBlue is unable to connect to it.

A Possible Solution

In order to avoid the connection problems please do the following in EXACTLY the given order:

a) Disable all GetBlue functions: Set datasink to "None", do NOT use keyboard output and deactivate the GetBlue keyboard in Android settings (required only if previously enabled).
b) Reboot the phone
c) Enable Bluetooth
d) Pair the Bluetooth device with your handset (Android settings)
e) Start GetBlue
f) Adjust datasource - select the device just paired
g) Press start in GetBlue

Background

The reason for this nasty behavior is a buggy Bluetooth implementation in the firmware of the handsets. HTC Desire, HTC Legend, HTC Wildfire, SonyEricson X10, Samsung Galaxy S and possibly more models are affected.
Google G1, G2 and Motorola Milestone work perfectly.

Please let us know your smart-phone model if you are experiencing this bug. We will update the list above accordingly.