Barcode code 128 : problem with # or $ character

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bangkok
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Barcode code 128 : problem with # or $ character

Post by bangkok » Tue Oct 22, 2013 3:39 pm

I have a strange problem with barcode 128, Android and barcode scanners.

-i have 1 printed barcode (in code 128) : 1234#HELLO
-i have 2 barcode scanners, different models, but standard settings
-i have 1 MPMAN tablet, with Android 4.1.1

Both scanner read correctly 1234#HELLO in :
-LiveCode desktop application (Windows) or any other Windows application
-LiveCode Android emulator

Now... on the MPMAN Android tablet :

-1 barcode scanner reads.... 1234HELLO (on my app, or any Android app).
The # is scrapped (I've tried with $ sign instead, same thing, it is scrapped)

-But the other scanner reads 1234#HELLO (on my Android app, or other Android app)...

I'm baffled, because, it's like permutation... I can't see which item could be the culprit :
-both scanner are able to read "1234#HELLO" (at least on PC and Android emulator)
-my Android tablet is able to read "1234#HELLO" (at least with one scanner)

Do you have any idea ?

Addendum :
-I made the test on an old tablet (Android 2.3.1, Archos)... with the first barcode scanner : it's okay. # or $ are decoded correctly.
-So i guess there is something wrong with my MPMan 4.1.1

Mark
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Re: Barcode code 128 : problem with # or $ character

Post by Mark » Fri Oct 25, 2013 9:25 am

Hi,

Perhaps there is a binary symbol in that string, right before or after the $ or # and the two symbols together may be interpreted incorrectly. This is just a guess of course. You can check it with len(myBarcodeOutput) where myBarcodeOutput is the raw data coming from your barcode scanner. Is the value returned what you expect?

Kind regards,

Mark
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bangkok
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Re: Barcode code 128 : problem with # or $ character

Post by bangkok » Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:16 pm

Yes.

I made other tests. It seems it's coming from the way Android 4.1.1 (or at least the version installed on the MPMAN tablet) is doing the "mapping" for physical keyboard with different languages.

With "french" i have the problem. With "english" it's working fine.

But with "french" and an old Archos tablet 2.3.1, it's okay...

In any case, it's not linked at all with LiveCode. I just wanted to leave a "trace" on the forum, because barecode and Android are 2 subjects closely linked (for companies, at least).

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