barcode readers + php/mysql

[troytime]

i have a database set up for some simple inventory

i want to pick up a barcode reader and have barcodes for each type of product so that when I (or someone else) takes one of the products, they can scan the barcode to update the inventory

i know php. the server will be public. the terminal with the barcode reader will not.

i know nothing of barcode info, just looking for a cheap and simple solution.

 

[drebo]

It's definitely possible. Your expense will be in the barcode gun and the font pack for barcode fonts. They're pretty simple. Barcode readers are generally just keyboard input, so there's almost never any special drivers or anything needed. On your PHP ap, you'll need a text box and probably a quantity. You can add character 13 to the end of most barcodes to have it submit the form after scanning. Using some simple AJAX (or not even AJAX), you can create an invoicing system that'll allow for multiple products per invoice, all barcode created.

Basically, I'm saying it's possible and pretty easy.

But, I'm not exactly sure what you're looking for...you were kind of vague.

 

[troytime]

thanks, and sorry for being vague

The parts i need help with:
- creating the bar code: can i just use the item id from the database to generate the barcode?
- printing the bar code: special ink? special paper? special printer? i know a laser printer with basic paper will work, but are all bar codes created equal?
- what type of reader do i need, and how can i make it interface to a public webserver? I was thinking of setting up a terminal that stores all the barcodes that are read and updates the webserver with an xml feed every hour or so - but i don't know where to start on the client side. I'm a web programmer.

 

[Crusty]

Barcodes are just a way to encode data into a graphical format. You can store whatever you want inside of it. If you're only going to be creating 2d barcodes then I would imagine any printer would work for creating them.

Just have a client app that sits on the computer where the barcode reader is that uses webservices on your public web server to send/receive data.

 

[RibSpreader]

There is a barcode font that you can download for Excel and use to actually have barcoded values print on paper. Depending on how good of a scanner you pick up, you may just have to increase the font size for your scanner to read the barcode. I do a ton of barcode work using BarTender software (would be helpful for you if you need to print labels for each piece of inventory) but the Excel solution would work if you're just trying to create a catalog where each sku only needs to be listed once.

As far as a scanner, pick up a usb Symbol LS2208 for about $150 - very simple and user friendly.

 

[WannaFly]

I use this free font in my apps http://www.idautomation.com/fonts/free/

As others stated, you can encode any data you wish. Be sure to get a keyboard emulation scanner, not an HID - although the ones I bought recentely can be switched just by scanning a bardcode in the manual. Any printer can print bar codes, but you'll probably want labels.

 

[leony83]

Hi,

I am trying to do exactly the same thing, my question is: I have a simple PHP script that has following text fields:

Product Id
Quantity

Product id is already defined on the database.

The thing I am not familiar with is the barcode scanner. If i have a barcode with product id: 12345, how does barcode scanner connect to the PHP script by just reading this barcode? Normally you have to type on the data box of the web page using the keyboard as 12345 and select the quantity or enter.

DO you define this on the barcode scanner itself?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[KLin]

Hi,

I am trying to do exactly the same thing, my question is: I have a simple PHP script that has following text fields:

Product Id
Quantity

Product id is already defined on the database.

The thing I am not familiar with is the barcode scanner. If i have a barcode with product id: 12345, how does barcode scanner connect to the PHP script by just reading this barcode? Normally you have to type on the data box of the web page using the keyboard as 12345 and select the quantity or enter.

DO you define this on the barcode scanner itself?

Any help is appreciated.

Depends on what kind of barcode scanning device you are using. For example, a Symbol MC9091 scanner runs Windows mobile 6.5. So you would open pocket IE on the device, go to the website, make sure the field that requires the input has focus, and scan the barcode.

 

[WannaFly]

Wow - necro thread!

leony83, you can try to do some fancy javascript to catch the input and fill the forms automatically using keydown/keypress events. You can alter barcode scanners to prefix or suffix the actualy data with an identification string, i.e. "|" + <Product Id> + "|"
Otherwise the user will just have to ensure the textbox for product id has focus before scanning.

KLin: I'm not sure he is talking about a mobile computer, but a "dumb" scanner.

 

[leony83]

Wow - necro thread!

leony83, you can try to do some fancy javascript to catch the input and fill the forms automatically using keydown/keypress events. You can alter barcode scanners to prefix or suffix the actualy data with an identification string, i.e. "|" + <Product Id> + "|"
Otherwise the user will just have to ensure the textbox for product id has focus before scanning.

KLin: I'm not sure he is talking about a mobile computer, but a "dumb" scanner.

Hi,

Many thanks for your replies. Is there any very simple code that I can have a look? I am ok with the simple coding and saving the data on the mysql database but still cannot comprehend how a page with text fields can communicate with a "dumb" usb scanner (for example below)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-USB-C...lectables_InputDevices_RL&hash=item336fb2a2cf

 

[KLin]

Wow - necro thread!

leony83, you can try to do some fancy javascript to catch the input and fill the forms automatically using keydown/keypress events. You can alter barcode scanners to prefix or suffix the actualy data with an identification string, i.e. "|" + <Product Id> + "|"
Otherwise the user will just have to ensure the textbox for product id has focus before scanning.

KLin: I'm not sure he is talking about a mobile computer, but a "dumb" scanner.

I just noticed the date on the OP lol.

 

[eri voda]

hi
i suggest u barcode 2 sql
you can find it in app store or barcode2sql.com
free and payed version.