Getting input from a bar-code scanner

[Grantson]

Hi Folks

I have been trying to write a little script to help with asset logging

basically I have an rs-232 bar-code scanner

I have tried the file open method to read from the scanner but it just seems to get stuck in the loop

$comm = FileOpen("COM5", 4)
While 1
    $scan = FileRead($comm, 1)
    ConsoleWrite($scan)
    FileClose($comm)
WEnd
EndFunc

The function is called twice once to scan the asset tag and once to scan the serial number

Also is there a way of having a popup on the screen to prompt the user, something like a message box but that closes automatically when an input from the scanner is detected?

Thanks

Grant

[JoHanatCent]

basically I have an rs-232 bar-code scanner

Question:

If you have notepad open and you scan, does the result appear on notepad?

[VelvetElvis]

Dumb question, but if, as JoHanatCent indicated, you aren't getting readable text in Notepad, does your scanner require a "wedge"?

All of our older serial port scanners required a wedge interface box between the scanner and the serial port. You could plug the scanner directly into the serial port, but it wouldn't do anything.

[Grantson]

Scanning directly into notepad does nothing

using hyper terminal or rs-232 datalogger produces a list of list of barcodes

[enaiman]

Well, IMO you are not on the right way to do this.

You need to have a look at martin's COM UDF and you have to deal with the serial port by reading what is received.

There are about 2 other ways to deal with the COM ports and both of them are in Example Scripts.

Your short snippet doesn't show how you deal with the rest; if only these lines are dealing with the COM port, it won't work at all. Show your full script and it will be easier to get help.

[Grantson]

I had a feeling i wasn't i was just using what i found from a search for using the com port

I will look into the com udf

Which example scripts? I am drawing a blank searching the help files

I will post the full script but need to clear it up a bit first

(lots of commented out bits while I was trying to figure it out)

Thanks

Well, IMO you are not on the right way to do this.

You need to have a look at martin's COM UDF and you have to deal with the serial port by reading what is received.

There are about 2 other ways to deal with the COM ports and both of them are in Example Scripts.

Your short snippet doesn't show how you deal with the rest; if only these lines are dealing with the COM port, it won't work at all. Show your full script and it will be easier to get help.

[enaiman]

http://www.autoitscript.com/forum/topic/45842-serial-port-com-port-udf Edited January 13, 2011 by enaiman