RE: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites
The barcode is an image that evaluates to a string when read so you could: 1) store the string in the database and generate the barcode image on the fly 2) generate the barcode image, store it on the file system and store the path in the database 3) generate the barcode image and store it in a BLOB Dave -Original Message- From: Matthew Allen [mailto:a.matthe...@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 7:07 AM To: cf-talk Subject: Re: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites Hi Dave and all, Tried posting this earlier, not sure it has gone through, here I go again: Excuse the dumb question, I fully understand how the QR code and reader works, I've built a number of QR solutions, where I use it to direct users to PDFs and videos resources, activities per file are stored in the database, as you can capture url values. I've never used barcode before, how does it work as far as storing info into a database? Especially when using those physical barcode readers or even apps Many thanks, Matt ~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/message.cfm/messageid:358385 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/unsubscribe.cfm
Re: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites
Hi Dave and all, Excuse the dumb question, I fully understand how the QR code and reader works, I've built a number of QR solutions, where I use it to direct users to PDFs and videos resources, activities per file are stored in the database, as you can capture url values. I've never used barcode before, how does it work as far as storing info into a database? Especially when using those physical barcode readers or even apps QR codes can launch a specific URL in the mobile browser. Is that what you're trying to do? Thanks Dave.not exactly, but that does spark another idea. Any idea if the URL can specify URL params as well (I assume so...just have not really used them much)?? Yes, they can. Anything you can put in a URL will work in a QR code. Well, if they're regular barcodes, the Android barcode reader might be able to read them just fine. I know that I've used mine to read several different barcode formats. I don't remember which ones any more because it was quite some time ago. You might find this interesting: http://chris.m0nk3y.net/blog/post/scanning-barcodes-from-your-mobile-web-apps Dave Watts, CTO, Fig Leaf Software 1-202-527-9569 http://www.figleaf.com/ http://training.figleaf.com/ Fig Leaf Software is a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) on GSA Schedule, and provides the highest caliber vendor-authorized instruction at our training centers, online, or onsite. ~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/message.cfm/messageid:358380 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/unsubscribe.cfm
Re: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites
Hi Dave and all, Tried posting this earlier, not sure it has gone through, here I go again: Excuse the dumb question, I fully understand how the QR code and reader works, I've built a number of QR solutions, where I use it to direct users to PDFs and videos resources, activities per file are stored in the database, as you can capture url values. I've never used barcode before, how does it work as far as storing info into a database? Especially when using those physical barcode readers or even apps Many thanks, Matt ~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/message.cfm/messageid:358381 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/unsubscribe.cfm
Re: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites
Excuse the dumb question, I fully understand how the QR code and reader works, I've built a number of QR solutions, where I use it to direct users to PDFs and videos resources, activities per file are stored in the database, as you can capture url values. I've never used barcode before, how does it work as far as storing info into a database? Especially when using those physical barcode readers or even apps If you're using the standalone barcode scanner app on your phone, most of these other barcode formats will just show you the number they contain. But custom apps can invoke the barcode scanner app, read the number, and do something with it, like Google Shopper does. Dave Watts, CTO, Fig Leaf Software 1-202-527-9569 http://www.figleaf.com/ http://training.figleaf.com/ Fig Leaf Software is a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) on GSA Schedule, and provides the highest caliber vendor-authorized instruction at our training centers, online, or onsite. ~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/message.cfm/messageid:358382 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/unsubscribe.cfm
Re: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites
Ok that makes sense. Many thanks Dave. div Original message /divdivFrom: Dave Watts dwa...@figleaf.com /divdivDate:22/04/2014 16:26 (GMT+00:00) /divdivTo: cf-talk cf-talk@houseoffusion.com /divdivSubject: Re: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites /divdiv /div Excuse the dumb question, I fully understand how the QR code and reader works, I've built a number of QR solutions, where I use it to direct users to PDFs and videos resources, activities per file are stored in the database, as you can capture url values. I've never used barcode before, how does it work as far as storing info into a database? Especially when using those physical barcode readers or even apps If you're using the standalone barcode scanner app on your phone, most of these other barcode formats will just show you the number they contain. But custom apps can invoke the barcode scanner app, read the number, and do something with it, like Google Shopper does. Dave Watts, CTO, Fig Leaf Software 1-202-527-9569 http://www.figleaf.com/ http://training.figleaf.com/ Fig Leaf Software is a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) on GSA Schedule, and provides the highest caliber vendor-authorized instruction at our training centers, online, or onsite. ~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/message.cfm/messageid:358383 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/unsubscribe.cfm
Re: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites
On Thu, Apr 10, 2014 at 7:18 PM, Bryan Stevenson wrote: Thanks Dave.not exactly, but that does spark another idea. Any idea if the URL can specify URL params as well (I assume so...just have not really used them much)?? Bryan- We are scoping out a project with similar requirements right now. The goal would be that QR Codes could be used to help in data entry in a form that has other fields in it too. It's for an stock/inventory management app. I don't know if this helps you out at all because I haven't tested anything yet to see what's possible, but we're hoping to build the QR codes as URLs so that any outside QR scanning app hitting the code would send the user to an appropriate deep link in the mobile site for that item. Additionally, we hope to eventually embed QR scanning in either a mobile site or app that would allow the user to scan item(s) now as part of a larger process. In this case, we would like to intercept the QR string within our app and disassemble it in the app (instead of redirecting the user to the URL). In that case we would just pull out the URL params to populate the form and disregard the fact that it's a web link. I think that this should be possible in theory but I don't know yet what's possible within a mobile website vs an app. In a native app I am sure it's possible, the mobile site I am still unsure. We are also investigating handheld BlueTooth QR scanners that may be able to send the inputs to the app as a string - simulating keyboard entry. We've had success with connecting up credit card swipers and 2d barcode scanners this way in the past so I am hopeful this will be no different. I would be interested in hearing about anything you find. -Cameron -- Cameron Childress -- p: 678.637.5072 im: cameroncf facebook http://www.facebook.com/cameroncf | twitterhttp://twitter.com/cameronc | google+ https://profiles.google.com/u/0/117829379451708140985 ~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/message.cfm/messageid:358312 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/unsubscribe.cfm
Re: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites
Additionally, we hope to eventually embed QR scanning in either a mobile site or app that would allow the user to scan item(s) now as part of a larger process. In this case, we would like to intercept the QR string within our app and disassemble it in the app (instead of redirecting the user to the URL). In that case we would just pull out the URL params to populate the form and disregard the fact that it's a web link. I think that this should be possible in theory but I don't know yet what's possible within a mobile website vs an app. In a native app I am sure it's possible, the mobile site I am still unsure. If you're building a native app on Android, you can certainly do this with the ZXing library: https://github.com/zxing/zxing I don't think you'll be able to do that with a mobile site, though. Dave Watts, CTO, Fig Leaf Software 1-202-527-9569 http://www.figleaf.com/ http://training.figleaf.com/ Fig Leaf Software is a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) on GSA Schedule, and provides the highest caliber vendor-authorized instruction at our training centers, online, or onsite. ~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/message.cfm/messageid:358313 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/unsubscribe.cfm
Re: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites
On Fri, Apr 11, 2014 at 9:41 AM, Dave Watts wrote: If you're building a native app on Android, you can certainly do this with the ZXing library: https://github.com/zxing/zxing I don't think you'll be able to do that with a mobile site, though. This company has already chosen iOS as their platform of choice and we have already told them they should expect to buy bluetooth scanning hardware. I'm still going to play with the mobile site though and see if I can make anything at all work. The project is still at the very start. WWDC is also in June, the theoretical middle of this project. I haven't been paying attention enough to know what may be released around that time but I've always thought it's feasible that a QR Code input could be built into Safari eventually, someday. I think that's a very long shot, but it's in the back of my mind since this project started. -Cameron -- Cameron Childress -- p: 678.637.5072 im: cameroncf facebook http://www.facebook.com/cameroncf | twitterhttp://twitter.com/cameronc | google+ https://profiles.google.com/u/0/117829379451708140985 ~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/message.cfm/messageid:358314 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/unsubscribe.cfm
Re: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites
Thanks for that Cameronand I'd love to hear more about what you're up to as well ;-) I did see a mention on Git (a link from the article Dave provided yesterday) that some mobile app scanners allow you to configure a URL to send the user to when a barcode is scanned. It uses a few placeholders in the configured URL to replace with values from the scanner (barcode format and the value scanned). So that essentially makes a QR out of an old style barcode (in terms of sending user to a URL) I may be stuck with traditional barcodes as the things to be scanned already exist and I think (need to confirm) they are old school To make this more fun - this happens on fishing vessels at sea ;-) It looks like there is hope for something like this. Cheers *Bryan Stevenson*B.Comm. President CEO Electric Edge Systems Group Inc. - makers of FACTS^(TM) phone: 250.480.0642 cell: 250.920.8830 e-mail: br...@electricedgesystems.com mailto:br...@electricedgesystems.com web: www.electricedgesystems.com http://www.electricedgesystems.com and www.fisheryfacts.com http://www.fisheryfacts.com Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail -CONFIDENTIALITY-- This message, including any attachments, is confidential and may contain information that is privileged or exempt from disclosure. It is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed unless expressly authorized otherwise by the sender. If you are not an authorized recipient, please notify the sender immediately and permanently destroy all copies of this message and attachments. ~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/message.cfm/messageid:358315 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/unsubscribe.cfm
Re: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites
Well as Barney would say - Challenge accepted! ;-) I have my doubts as wellbut then again I didn't know yesterday what I now know today! ...of course if there was a widget I could buy and use for this - I would...hehe Cheers *Bryan Stevenson*B.Comm. President CEO Electric Edge Systems Group Inc. - makers of FACTS^(TM) phone: 250.480.0642 cell: 250.920.8830 e-mail: br...@electricedgesystems.com mailto:br...@electricedgesystems.com web: www.electricedgesystems.com http://www.electricedgesystems.com and www.fisheryfacts.com http://www.fisheryfacts.com Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail -CONFIDENTIALITY-- This message, including any attachments, is confidential and may contain information that is privileged or exempt from disclosure. It is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed unless expressly authorized otherwise by the sender. If you are not an authorized recipient, please notify the sender immediately and permanently destroy all copies of this message and attachments. ~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/message.cfm/messageid:358316 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/unsubscribe.cfm
Re: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites
I'm just looking into the possible methods/options for scanning a barcode (or QR) using a mobile device (phone/tablet) and making the scanned value (in this case a number) available to a web app running via a mobile site (i.e. stuff scanned value in text input)? It's the bridge from whatever does the scanning (I assume any of the widely available barcode scanning apps in the various app marketplaces) and the web app that has me wondering what to do. I'm sure this would be easier with a mobile app (Android/iOS/etc) instead of a web app in a mobile site - but heywhy do anything the easy way ;-) Another option for the scanning might be to use actual scanner hardware attached to the mobile device (if such things exist and would work with the most popular mobile OSs) QR codes can launch a specific URL in the mobile browser. Is that what you're trying to do? Dave Watts, CTO, Fig Leaf Software 1-202-527-9569 http://www.figleaf.com/ http://training.figleaf.com/ Fig Leaf Software is a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) on GSA Schedule, and provides the highest caliber vendor-authorized instruction at our training centers, online, or onsite. ~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/message.cfm/messageid:358307 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/unsubscribe.cfm
Re: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites
On 14-04-10 03:59 PM, Dave Watts wrote: QR codes can launch a specific URL in the mobile browser. Is that what you're trying to do? Thanks Dave.not exactly, but that does spark another idea. Any idea if the URL can specify URL params as well (I assume so...just have not really used them much)?? This is a data entry application running via a mobile site. In the middle of filling in a form, the user may need to scan a bar/QR code and the value behind the code must be placed in a form prompt (text input). They will need to scan multiple codes. It may not have to be that direct (i.e. perhaps they do all their scanning and all values are stored in a list - then the user could copy/cut that list and paste into the web form prompt). As I saidthe bridge (getting data from scanner to web app) is the part I am struggling with - just looking for options and brainstorming Your mention of QRs opening URLs made me wonder if I could have the web app collect each scan one at a time and store temporarily. The idea being each QR passes the numeric value I would be after as a URL param - then repeat until all scanning done. I should mention that the things to be scanned may already exist and only have barcodes and not QR (although in another area of my work that QR idea might just work). Anywooo...there is some more clarity (I hope) Thanks again for the feedback Dave Dave Watts, CTO, Fig Leaf Software 1-202-527-9569 http://www.figleaf.com/ http://training.figleaf.com/ Fig Leaf Software is a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) on GSA Schedule, and provides the highest caliber vendor-authorized instruction at our training centers, online, or onsite. ~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/message.cfm/messageid:358308 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/unsubscribe.cfm
Re: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites
QR codes can launch a specific URL in the mobile browser. Is that what you're trying to do? Thanks Dave.not exactly, but that does spark another idea. Any idea if the URL can specify URL params as well (I assume so...just have not really used them much)?? Yes, they can. Anything you can put in a URL will work in a QR code. Your mention of QRs opening URLs made me wonder if I could have the web app collect each scan one at a time and store temporarily. The idea being each QR passes the numeric value I would be after as a URL param - then repeat until all scanning done. I should mention that the things to be scanned may already exist and only have barcodes and not QR (although in another area of my work that QR idea might just work). Well, if they're regular barcodes, the Android barcode reader might be able to read them just fine. I know that I've used mine to read several different barcode formats. I don't remember which ones any more because it was quite some time ago. You might find this interesting: http://chris.m0nk3y.net/blog/post/scanning-barcodes-from-your-mobile-web-apps Dave Watts, CTO, Fig Leaf Software 1-202-527-9569 http://www.figleaf.com/ http://training.figleaf.com/ Fig Leaf Software is a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) on GSA Schedule, and provides the highest caliber vendor-authorized instruction at our training centers, online, or onsite. ~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/message.cfm/messageid:358309 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/unsubscribe.cfm
Re: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites
OK, that's cool. Great use of intents and hooks. On 4/10/14, 5:49 PM, Dave Watts wrote: You might find this interesting: http://chris.m0nk3y.net/blog/post/scanning-barcodes-from-your-mobile-web-apps ~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/message.cfm/messageid:358310 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/unsubscribe.cfm
Re: (ot) barcodes and mobile sites
Thanks for the link DaveI'll give that a read! *Bryan Stevenson*B.Comm. President CEO Electric Edge Systems Group Inc. - makers of FACTS^(TM) phone: 250.480.0642 cell: 250.920.8830 e-mail: br...@electricedgesystems.com mailto:br...@electricedgesystems.com web: www.electricedgesystems.com http://www.electricedgesystems.com and www.fisheryfacts.com http://www.fisheryfacts.com Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail -CONFIDENTIALITY-- This message, including any attachments, is confidential and may contain information that is privileged or exempt from disclosure. It is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed unless expressly authorized otherwise by the sender. If you are not an authorized recipient, please notify the sender immediately and permanently destroy all copies of this message and attachments. ~| Order the Adobe Coldfusion Anthology now! http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Coldfusion-Anthology/dp/1430272155/?tag=houseoffusion Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/message.cfm/messageid:358311 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/cf-talk/unsubscribe.cfm
