Barcode scanning software

I have VB6 application the takes data scanned from a barcode reader submits it to a url which returns a string of data that is displayed in the app.? ## Deliverables Currently, the VB6 app is set up to listen on a COM port.? I want the application re-written from scratch to proved the same functionality but connect to scanners on USB ports. The app will have 4 configuation variables which are loaded each time the application is run. 1.? An organizationID (integer) 2. A locationID (integer) 3. A departmentID (integer) 4.? The url which the above three variables are passed The first time the software is run, the app should ask for the values for each of these and store them in a config file.? The option to edit these values should also be available. When a barcode is scanned, the app will submit the first 3 variables plus the barcode scanned via the url and the url will return a string that contains a name, a number that corresponds to a wav file to be played, and a timestamp, and possibly a note to be dispalyed.? The app currently sumbits these to the website vie an mXMLHTTP request in this format..... <http://website.com/remotelogvisit/barcode=1111111&locID=1&orgID=1deptID=1> where the barcode is the scanned barcode, and the locID, orgID, and deptID variables are form the config file.? The url returns a text string that looks like this.... Greg Laughton|1|111111111111|Notes where the first portion before the | is a name, the second portion is a code to tell the app which sound file to play, the third portion is a timestamp, and the last portion is any important note.? the format is the same each time although not all the information may be present.? the second and third portions will always contain data but the 1st and 4th portions may not. The app will also create a daily? text file stored on the local computer that contains the barcode scanned, timestamp, locationID, DepartmentID and OrganizationID. The local location for the daily text files to be stored is.... C:/Visit Log/Backups The local location for the sound files is C:/Visit Log/Sounds The portion of the string that is returned from the website that controls the sounds being played corresponds to these files with the number being the portion returned in the second part of the return string: 1.? C:/Visit Log/Sounds/[login to view URL] 2.? C:/Visit Log/Sounds/[login to view URL] 3.? C:/Visit Log/Sounds/[login to view URL] 4.? C:/Visit Log/Sounds/[login to view URL] 5.? C:/Visit Log/Sounds/[login to view URL] The current interface looks like the attached zip file.? On the Left the barcode that is scanned and the name returned to the app is displayed.? On the right, if a barcode is scanned and no name is returned, the barcode is displayed.? In both cases the most recent scan always appears at the top. in the bottom window, and messages that are return to the app are displayed in the following format. "IMPORTANT NOTE - barcode - name - message" The app should be installable on Vista, XP and Windows 7. The scanner is a MS7120 Orbit Scanner manufactured by Metrologic. * * *This broadcast message was sent to all bidders on Thursday Mar 25, 2010 2:16:31 PM: A number of questions have been asked by various bidders so I will share with all of you the questions and answers.... Q. What programming language do I prefer it be written in.... A. No preference Q. Keyboard Wedge, virtual serial port, new hardware device.... A. Keyboard Wedge - I have limited knowlege of these but what I do have tells me that usually the information scanned is read directly into the active window. The app will probably not be the active window. In fact most times it will be minimized but still needs to function. Virtual Serial Port - Not sure about this either. I am currently using a serial port to usb adaptor and I suspect it is what has caused problems for the last two installations I have done thus the reason for this job posting. New Hardwawre Device - not sure what this means but I suspect this is the way I want to go. I want to plug the scanner into the serial port, have the software recognize where it is and then once a card is scanned, the software does its thing without ever disturbing the user. Q. Can I get the original VB programming. A. Yes. I will provide this to the successful bidder Q. I would like to know how the url will return the data A. It will return the data in a plain text string. If I missed any questions please let me know. Greg * * *This broadcast message was sent to all bidders on Friday Mar 26, 2010 9:26:52 AM: A few more questions have arisen.... 1. Is the device directly connected to a USB port? Or Device comes with SERIAL connection and you are using a Serial-to-USB adapter to connect scanner's serial port to a USB port? I have been getting the scanners with the serial port connection and recently have done two installs using a serial-to-usb adaptor that converts the serial port into a usb port. In both installations though problems have started to arise that I can only contribute to the serial to usb adaptor as that is the only change that has been made. Therefor I want to get away from haveing that serial to usb adaptor and connect the scanners directly to a serial port. 2. In either case above, do you have proper drivers installed for the OS and does the device appear as installed/operational under windows' control panel->Harware? I do not know the answer to this one. I have ordered a scanner with a serial port connection and wil connect it to my comptuer to see what windows does with it. Once I have done that I will let you know. 3. So I would like to ask if you could please confirm me that when you connect the scanner to the PC you see this device as a virtual com port? To check this you could go to right click on My PC, then properties, then Hardware tab, and finally Device Manager. Then when you connect the scanner it should show into this list. Do you see it as a Port or as a HID (Human Interface Device)? Same as above. When I get a scanner to connect directly via serial port, I will let you know. Lastly, It will take me a two or three days to get the scanner and reply the above which will push us past the bidding deadline. I will get back to you though and update this bid request when I have a scanner to do the requested test. Greg * * *This broadcast message was sent to all bidders on Wednesday Mar 31, 2010 4:08:00 PM: Good Afternoon. Answer to one question and one update. I received my scanner today so to answer the last outstanding question, when the scanner is connected directly to the USB port (ie not via a serial to usb adaptor) Windows XP recognizes the device as a "Human Interface Device" and installs the appropriate divers. Also, I incorrectly identified the model of scanner as MS-7120. the "S" in "MS" is for "serial". The product code for the scanner that directly attaches via USB is MK 7120 manufactured by Metrologic. If you are still interested in this project, please post and indicate whether or not this information effects your bid and if it does, repost your final bid. I will be selecting a winning bidder shortly. Regards, Greg