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Scan Engine Settings

HHP, Symbol and Motorola devices running Windows-based operating systems typically do not include any scan-engine configuration options provided by the manufacturer. Symbol’s ScanSamp2 is often included on these device models, but will only provide configuration option while running and will be overwritten by the default configuration options when the StayLinked Client attempts to activate the scan engine.

On Windows CE and Windows Mobile operating systems, DataWedge may allow you to configure the scanner, but these settings are not always persistent (surviving a device cold reset). Using DataWedge will also affect the StayLinked Client’s ability to automatically communicate with the device scanner. Be sure to test your DataWedge configuration after a cold reset of the device if you plan to use the configuration options that it can provide. After DataWedge configuration has been established, be sure to use the StayLinked Client scan test to confirm your configuration still allows StayLinked to differentiate scan and keyboard input.

StayLinked Clients can control configuration options through the use of a custom configuration file called scanner.ini. While the same name as the scanner.ini listed above, this file is specific to the scan engine configuration of specific device models. More details on these features can be found in the Stay-Linked Symbol Integrated Scanner Config Guide and the Client User Guide that matches the device model and client version for your device.

See the article – Symbol/Motorola Scanner.ini for an example of the symbol scanner.ini file.

Other Device Models

RUFUS device support was added 03/31/2021. The device has no integrated scanner and uses BT HID or SPP scanner mode. These devices require scanner-as-wedge in the correct device mode.

Scanner configuration for preamble/postamble can be done by scanning configuration labels.

Winmate device models FM10Q support was added 06/10/2020. Scanner setup is for RS232 Scanner completed through the WDC Data Capture Applet.

1) Barcode Settings
a.  Prefix & Suffix Text (Press Set)
b.  Output Encode Selection (UTF-8)

2) Settings
a.  Data Output – check Display data on UI and Emulate keyboard Input
b.  No Control
c.   Notification is checked
d.  ComPort Selection and Baud Rate

3) All other settings need to be done by scanning configuration labels for the scanner.

4) Set the client to use Scanner-As-Wedge mode.

Support for Lexicon devices was added 04/01/2021

Using the ScanWedge Applet set Wedge and Broadcast Intent to be mutually exclusive to prevent multiple input of each barcode.

1. Broadcast Intent Method
a. Send barcode data (off) if using Broadcast Intent.
b. Broadcast Intent (Enable) – use defaults
c. Action: com.hht.scanwedge
d. Category: android.intent.category.DEFAULT
e. Scan Data Label: com.hht.datawedge.data_string
f. Scan Type Label: com.hht.datawedge.label_type

2. Keyboard Wedge Method
a. Broadcast Intent (disabled)
b. Send barcode data (Keyboard)
c. define a Send prefix before barcode character (ie ^)
e.define a Send suffix after barcode character (ie ^)
f. No Support for Enable/Disable scanner.

Some devices have taken over a full minute to load the ScanWedge Service. Until then the scanner buttons don't work.

Support for Union Technologies Mobile devices added 01/10/2019.

Requires the following settings to prevent multiple inputs of the same scan.

In the BarcodeScanner Applet Settings set the following:
Native intents (wedge mode disabled) – turn off HID
Wedge Mode (enabled) – turn on HID
In the wedge mode settings, change the wedge timeout to 300-400ms to prevent data loss.  Because of this, it's recommended to use scanner-as-wedge with a prefix/suffix setting and avoid the user or autowedge.

Tethered Scanners

Many scanning devices can use programming barcodes. If the scanning device can be configured independently, it’s recommended that configuration is only set in one location. Configurations can be easily confused when devices can be configured in the tethered scanner, at the mobile computer, and in StayLinked. This is further complicated when users move the scanning device from one mobile computer to another.

StayLinked recommends that all customization is configured within StayLinked when possible. As long as StayLinked can differentiate scan and keyboard input, devices can be moved and reset without losing required configuration.

StayLinked offers programming barcodes for a small number of handheld scanners. We always recommend using the manufacturer’s preferred method of configuring your scanner in order to work with the StayLinked Scanner-as-Wedge features.

Updated on September 20, 2021

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