Understanding bar codes, and customizing your Socket scanner

[back to ScoutPalDB FAQ]

Bar codes graphically encode the numbers that you see printed under the bar code.  The specific arrangements and thickness of the bars and spaces determine the code “symbology” being used.  Bar code symbologies can be thought of as being different "fonts."  For example, codes on delivery labels are often printed using symbology Code-39, while books use EAN-13 symbology. (AKA “978” ISBN bar codes.  Take a moment to visit http://www.scoutpal.com/db/howtoscan/ to learn how to identify and scan book bar codes.)

When you press a scan button, the scan engine (the device inside the scanner) turns on its beam, which examines the bars and spaces of the code to figure out the symbology and then the numbers represented in the code.  The scanner then sends all of the numbers to the scanner driver software that is running on a PDA, then the driver software sends those numbers directly into whatever program is running on the PDA; this all happens just exactly as if you had typed the numbers in from a keypad or keyboard, followed an Enter (carriage-return) key.  When ScoutPal sees a sequence of EAN-13 numbers, it automatically derives the ISBN from the last 10 digits, recomputing the final “checksum” digit as required.

Symbol scan engines (as found inside SocketMobile scanners) can be optimized by reducing some of the overhead tasks that they perform.  For example, you can have the scan engine disregard symbologies that you don’t need, you can tell the scanner not to beep, and (in some models) you can enable a continuous scan beam.

  1. Disable or enable the scanner’s beep:  Tap on the scan driver icon on the Today (home) screen (or tap  Start > System > Scanner Settings > Sound tab.)  If you have a Socket 7 Bluetooth scanner, you will instead tap the CS HW tab, then change the “Good Read Indicator” to OFF, or to a sound of your choice.
  2. Socket scanners can be configured with various bar code symbologies enabled/disabled. Disabling symbologies can improve overall scanning performance, but be sure to keep EAN-13 (books) and UPC-A (all other merchandise) enabled.
    1. If your scanner is a true laser (examples: 5M, 3P, 7M) there are special command bar codes* you print and scan to disable/enable symbologies and features: http://www.scannerpal.com/share/demo/chapter8_symbologies.pdf  (The factory default options and symbology settings are noted with an asterisk.)
    2. If your scanner is an imager (examples: 3E, 5E, 7E,  InHand 8510-00183B) the symbology enabling procedure is different.  You set them in the driver:  Tap on the scanner icon, then tap "Symbology Selector..."
      (The Symbology Selector choice appears only if you have an imager.  If you're not sure whether or not your scanner is an imager, take the scanner out of the PDA and look into the scan beam window.  If you see what looks like a tiny pinhole camera, it's an imager.  Also, imagers emit a fuzzy red line that's similar to what a crayon would draw; true lasers emit a sharp, crisp line like a red pen would draw.)
    3. If your scanner has somehow gotten into a state where it routinely includes EAN supplemental digits in the scan:  You will need to install and use SocketMobile ScanParams utility program on your PDA in order to stop the behavior.  The program is available from SocketMobile.com, installed using ActiveSync.  You may find it more convenient to install from a CAB, using the following 3 steps:
      (1) Download a zip of the CAB setup files by clicking here, then extract (unzip) your download.
      (2) Put a copy of the CAB that matches your PDA's OS on your SD card.
      (3) With the card in the PDA, use the PDA's file explorer to navigate to, and then tap on the CAB file.  This will install the ScanParams program.
         -- After the ScanParams program has been installed on the PDA:
      (1) Soft-reset the PDA to ensure that the scanner driver is NOT running. (No scanner icon on the Today screen.)
      (2) Run the ScanParams program.
      (3) Enter "10" (ten) in the Parameter field.  Enter "00" (double zeroes, NOT the letter "Oh") in the Data field.  Checkmark the Persistent option.  Tap the Set Data button.  Do this step exactly as specified.
      (4) Soft-reset the PDA, start the PDA's Notepad program, and scan a book.
      (5) You should no longer see supplemental digits come in after EAN-13 digits.
  3.  If you have a Socket 7 Bluetooth scanner, you can optionally change it to continuously scan using a solid or blinking beam, or back to scanning only when you press the button:  http://www.scannerpal.com/share/demo/chapter8_trigger_modes.pdf
  4. If you have somehow disabled your laser (M or P series) scanner completely, or you have otherwise been advised by ScoutPal: Print out and scan the Factory Defaults command bar code*.

* Some inkjet or other low quality printer users may need to use their browser's Print Preview function to enlarge each command bar code printout page by 200% or more, in order to have the bar codes printed sharply enough for the scanner to recognize them.