Java Question B4A Library for Honeywell barcode Scanners

[Megasoft]

Hi Erel:


I am trying to make one b4a app to Scan bar code with an Android 4 PDA device with barcode scanner (Honeywell dolphin black 15).

The Honeywell manufacturer has an SDK for java that I can use to activate barcode scanner an read many types of barcodes.


Since there is not chance to directly use the java SDK from a B4A project, I have tried to make a B4A library in java to use the SDK and use the library from B4A.

Taking as example the source of b4azxing library and the samples of Honeywell SDK, I made a library with a java class and an android activity.

The java class (HoneywellScanActivity) has a public method (DoScan) which opens the activity with a button. In the activity code I make the call to the Honeywell SDK objects to start the scan. I works perfect. The class DecodeManager of the SDK has a constructor with two parameters, the first one is an Android Context object, the second is the method handler that captures the callback of the DecodeManager doDecode method witch activate the scanner.


I would like to do the same library, but instead of open a new activity that calls the Honwywell API, I would need to call directly the Honeywell API from the first class. I have tried creating one DecodeManager and passing as the first parameter in the constructor the BA object passed from the B4A app. When I do the call to the DecodeManager doDecode method, in the log I receive an error coming from the SDK than indicates there is a null in some internal variable of the SDK, and the scanner does not activate.


I send a zip attachment that contains two folders and one jar file:

The honeywellScan folder has the java project for the b4a lib, that a explain in my first paragraph, the testHonyWellScan is the b4a test project that uses my lib, and the file honeywell.jar is the Honeywell api library.


I think the library could be useful for the people who have this Honeywell devices,


¿can you help me some way to do this?


Thanks a lot

 

[Erel]

It will be much simpler to remove the activities from the libraries code and instead call the relevant code from your B4A activities.

 

[Ron Davey]

Hello Megasoft / Erel,

I would like to have access to the Honeywell and Motorola 1D / 2D bar code scanners. I downloaded the zip file from megasoft above, but did not find any library files that I could include in my b4a project.

However, in reading Erel's response is there an easy way to access the scanners using b4a.

Thanks

 

[alan dodd]

Hi Erel:


I am trying to make one b4a app to Scan bar code with an Android 4 PDA device with barcode scanner (Honeywell dolphin black 15).

Hello, I too am trying to program this Honeywell Dolphin 70e to scan with B4A.
The drivers (SDK) are the same as for dolphin 15.
I tried with JavaObject Library, but I got stuck, as I don't know how to use RunMethod with an Intent as found in the java example in the sdk of Honeywell. (ScanViaIntentSample: RunMethod("startActivityForResult(...??)
Did you manage to solve your problem, and if so, can you share the results?
Thank you.

 

[Erel]

See this tutorial: Using StartActivityForResult with JavaObject

 

[alan dodd]

See this tutorial: Using StartActivityForResult with JavaObject

Hello, Erel.
I tried in B4A both examples you pointed me to (ringtone picker and contact picker) and managed to make them work (on the dolphin btw).
But the B4A code for the dolphin scanner I wrote does not work.
I loaded the java honeywell demo 'scanviaintent' with eclipse, compiled and works on the terminal - as I tap the screen it scans the barcode and writes the result. I then wrote the b4a 'equivalent' program in basic ('10scan') using your examples as a guideline; it compiles allright, uploads to the terminal, but when i tap the screen it does not scan (the scanner led does not activate) and on the log it writes every time I tap the screen:

Keep awake on motion by Accel Event
START {act=com.honeywell.scanintent.ScanIntent.SCAN_ACTION (has extras)} from pid 619
** Activity (main) Pause, UserClosed = false **
onActivityResult: wi is null
** Activity (main) Resume **
set_output_volumes(0xfb08): Media: adev->devices=0x40002
out_standby(0x209e8)
do_output_standby(0x209e8)

I send you the sources, as well as the help page of the sdk.
Grateful if you can help
Regards, Alan

 

[Erel]

Try to add the category to the intent.

 

[alan dodd]

Try to add the category to the intent.

Thank you for the quick answer. Tried but to no avail.
Does'nt matter. I found another way.
I modified and compiled the java demo code so that it 'replies' to the B4A caller:

B4A caller:

Sub ShowPicker
  Dim i As Intent
  i.initialize("com.honeywell.samples.scanviaintent.SCANNIT","")
  StartActivityForResult(i)
End Sub

java responder:

@Override
  public void finish()  {
      // Prepare data intent
      Intent data = new Intent();
      data.putExtra("returnKey1", "just a test.. ");
      data.putExtra("returnKey2", value1);
      setResult(RESULT_OK, data);
      super.finish(); 
  }

and then grab it in B4A with:

Sub ion_Event (MethodName As String, Args() As Object) As Object
  Dim ii As Int
  'Args(0) = resultCode
  'Args(1) = intent
   If Args(0) = -1 Then
      Dim i As Intent = Args(1)
      Dim id1 As String = i.GetExtra("returnKey1")
      Dim id2 As String = i.GetExtra("returnKey2")
      Label1.Text = id1
      Label2.Text = id2
   End If
   Return Null
End Sub

code added in AndroidManifest.xml:

<activity
  android:name=".AnotherActivity"
  android:label="@string/app_name" >
  <intent-filter>
  <action android:name="com.honeywell.samples.scanviaintent.SCANNIT" />
  <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
  </intent-filter>
  </activity>

I had to create a 2nd activity in the java program, so I could associate it with the unique action android name.
(i found out that the 'main' intent filter must always have the name: "android.intent.action.MAIN")

Thanks in any case, and my compliments for your excellent program, and online doc and service.
Alan

 

[FHEBERT]

Hello,
I want to change the format of the scanning window. I tried differente library (ABZxing, B4AZxing, ZXing), but none matches with what I want.
(I would like the scanning surface is reduced in height and much larger)

I do not know modify the source code of the ZXing library with eclipse.
So, how do? Would you have a solution for me?
thank you very much

 

[FHEBERT]

I tried to create the library in eclipse from source code.
B4A sends me this when I execute my application on the smartphone.
It seems that I forgot a link to access the class.
See the capture.
Thank you for your help

 

[Erel]

You need to use @DependsOn annotation to tell the compiler to add a reference to another jar file.

 

[JimmyQG]

I am trying to integrate my B4A application with Honeywell SDK. If anybody already done the integration, can you please post the steps you followed?