Problem:        How To Enable Newer 2D Barcode Types on Janam Scanners

Solution:        The Janam XP (Palm OS) and XM (Microsoft Windows Mobile OS) barcode scanners are designed to be compatible with scanning software written to the Symbol scanner APIs, enabling easy hardware migration. Thus, in Satellite Forms, the Symbol Integrated Scanner control can be used to manage barcode scanning on both Symbol and Janam scanners.

The Janam XP & XM scanners are also capable of scanning several newer 2D barcode types that were not included in the design of the Symbol Integrated Scanner control, including Data Matrix, Aztec Code, QR Code, and Maxicode. This article explains how to enable or disable those newer barcodes types in your scanning application.

NOTE: The capability to decode 2D barcodes on Janam scanners is a paid option, and is unlocked with a password that must be entered into the device. In order to decode 2D barcodes as described in this article, you need to unlock the 2D barcode capability on the Janam scanner first. Consult http://www.janam.com for more details on the 2D barcode unlock feature if needed.

Enabling 2D Barcodes with the SetBarExtra method

The Symbol Integrated Scanner control included with Satellite Forms version 8 has a new SetBarExtra method to let you enable or disable these newer 2D barcode types. The prototype for SetBarExtra looks like this:

       result = Barcode1.SetBarExtra(bartype, enabled)

Where bartype is a barcode type number indicating the barcode type to enable or disable, and enabled is true to enable or false to disable.

So, now you are thinking that all you need to have is the bartype number for the symbology you want to enable, and you are all set. That is true, however, there is a catch: the barcode scanner manufacturers unfortunately decided to use different bartype codes on Palm OS powered scanners than on the Windows Mobile scanners. So, the bartype you need will differ depending on which OS platform your app is running on.

Here is the list of bartypes you can enable or disable with SetBarExtra.

Table of Barcode Types and Type Numbers for SetBarExtra

Keywords:      barcode, Janam, bartype, Symbol, 2D, scanner

KB ID: 10090 

Updated: 2010-06-22

Satellite Forms KnowledgeBase Online

Satellite Forms Website Home