I have a customer interested in using a portable barcode scanner for an error proofing application. The barcode scanning can occur anywhere in a 20 meter radius from the end of the production line. The operator needs to gain visual feedback that he is scanning the right barcodes so ideally we would like to utilise a barcode scanner running Windows CE like this device: barcodesinc.com/datalogic/falcon-4410.htm
Is it possible to run a Vision Module Client on Windows CE for this application? I’ve been trying to find a barcode scanner that runs Windows XP Embedded because I understand that will work but I’m unable to find one.
Well, perhaps a more hybrid approach, where the barcode scanner sends the data back to the server via UDP (FactorySQL had a UDP receiving plugin, and a UDP driver is almost ready for Ignition), Ignition does what you want it to do and puts the results in the database, and then the scanners get their feedback through a different mechanism, like a web page.
I guess my point is that due to the central role of databases in our system, you can easily get to the data through other database-friendly means, like webpages. However, I realize this isn’t ideal, because it brings a different technology into play. But really, short of that, I’m not sure what other possibilities are out there for CE.
If it’s within your price range, an industrial/rugged tablet with a barcode reader could be an option … plenty of them run Windows XPe …
The DT Research WebDT 310 Rugged Tablet PC runs Windows XPe and has an optional 1D or 2D barcode scanner … the 10.4" touch display would be nice for interacting with an Ignition client as well …
… similar to the above, the Data Ltd DLI 8300 runs Windows XPe and has an optional barcode attachment as well …