Bar Code ScanningSenior Capstone Experience

By: Rachel R. Rouse

Project DefinitionProject Description

Purchase and install a bar code reader and design real-time experiments for it.

Requirements:1. Purchase a barcode scanner that will ID passing trains

and calculate speed & velocity on CCR2. Write the scanner driver and provide a good API.3. Rewrite the user manual.4. Design and implement the application described in #1.5. Design and implement other experimentations involving

some real-time issues.

Goals & StrategiesGoals: Write applications for CCR, hexidecimal

communication between host and scanner, and audience participation application

Strategies: Trial-and-Error Experimentation & modify as a result Faculty, peer, vendors and manufacturer

resources Research

Three ApplicationsCCR Train Application Identifies trains, calculates speed, friendly user

interface

Hexidecimal Communication Application Establishes communication between host and

scanner; allows commands to be sent to scanner

MTV Trivia Application Simple application that will allow the audience to

scan bar codes

Edit Selected Train FormEdit Selected Train FormEdit Selected Train FormEdit Selected Train Form

Delete Train FormDelete Train FormDelete Train FormDelete Train Form

Add Train FormAdd Train FormAdd Train FormAdd Train Form

History form — displays the

information about the specified pass

CCR Train ApplicationCCR Train Application

Train FormTrain FormTrain FormTrain Form

Edit Train FormEdit Train FormEdit Train FormEdit Train Form

History FormHistory FormHistory FormHistory Form

Main form — displayed latest

scanned information Edit form — edited the train whose ID came

from Edit Train Form

Delete form — removed a train from the application

Add form — initialized train information

Calculating Speed

HO Gauge 1/17 of life size

D1 thru D4 Specific distances between bar codes

on an engine

Calculations: If D1: (18 / x) MPH If D2: (14.4 / x) MPH If D3: (12 / x) MPH If D4: (10.285714 / x) MPH*where x is the time difference between Time1 and

Time2 as seconds

FirstPassFirstPassFirstPassFirstPass

Time1Time1Time1Time1

Time2Time2Time2Time2

SpeedSpeedSpeedSpeed

Variables Constants

D1= 3.6414”D1= 3.6414”D1= 3.6414”D1= 3.6414”

D2= 2.88”D2= 2.88”D2= 2.88”D2= 2.88”

D3= 2.4276”D3= 2.4276”D3= 2.4276”D3= 2.4276”

D4= 2.0808”D4= 2.0808”D4= 2.0808”D4= 2.0808”

User-defined VB Classes

TrainClassTrainClass IDID NameName InitDirInitDir InitPosInitPos DirectionDirection PositionPosition SpeedSpeed Code DistanceCode Distance

ScannerClassScannerClass CodeCode TimeTime

Hexidecimal ApplicationHexidecimal Application

One form that allowed the following:One form that allowed the following:

Pre-defined menu options that sent commands to the scanner (i.e. Triggering Options)

User could enter parameter and parameter value and the application created the string to be sent to the scanner

UNDO ALL and UNDO LAST buttons to correct mistakes when appending

Turn Laser On and Turn Laser Off commands

Once the answer form is closed, a new question is displayed.

Depending on the bar code scanned, a different answer

is displayed.

MTV Trivia Application

A series of ten trivia questions appear on the form.

New question displayed after the answer form is closed.

A bar code that directly corresponds to the question is scanned and the answer to the question is displayed on the Answer Form

Question FormQuestion FormQuestion FormQuestion Form

Answer FormAnswer FormAnswer FormAnswer Form

Future Extensions

Creating bar codes without the use of software

Writing a DLL specifically for opening and closing ports

Purchasing a second scanner to do comparative experiments

Developing a new symbology and having the scanner recognize it

Thank You!

Rachel R. Rouse