This KnowledgeBase article reviews how to setup Android devices for X Mobile scanning. 

Android

The introduction of low cost Android devices has allowed the concept of parcel scanning both in X Dispatch and X Route to be considered by many CXT Software customers.  Before Android devices were available, generally only costly high-end mobile devices manufactured by Motorola, Intermec, and others had barcode scanning capabilities that performed well enough to be useful in the commercial delivery business.  Technology however constantly changes, and now Android hardware, potentially paired with Bluetooth scanners and GetBlue software have become a viable and attractive scanning option.

Currently CXT Software recommends Android solutions only for low-volume scanning operations.  Other more capable devices are strongly recommended for high-volume scanning because of superior scan rates, ruggedized devices permitting long-term usage, and quality vendor support programs that are extremely important for enterprise scanning operations.

With the availability of multiple Android scanning solutions*, it's important to select the correct one.  The purpose of this KnowledgeBase article is to review the benefits and drawbacks of these different solutions and how to configure them.

* Types of Android scanning described in this article will change as more options become available.

Android Devices and X Mobile

Using Android devices for barcode scanning in X Mobile is supported by compatible devices listed on CXT Software's X Mobile Compatibility List.  Review this list to assist in the selection of Android devices. CXT Software cannot provide technical support for devices not listed.  

Devices confirmed as functional with Bluetooth scanners display this logo:

To view compatible Bluetooth barcode scanners, expand device details by clicking Bluetooth logo and click on "Peripheral Devices" link. To use a supported Bluetooth barcode scanner with X Mobile, the GetBlue Android application must be purchased.   GetBlue is a data acquisition application required to send data from Bluetooth scanners to X Mobile.

Android Barcode Scanning Configurations

Different options exist for Android barcode scanning depending upon the hardware devices used.  The Android options reviewed in this article are:

1. Android 2.2 (and greater) + Internal Camera Device + GetBlue Software

2. Android 3.0 (and lower) + Bluetooth Device + GetBlue Software

3. Android 3.0 (and greater) + Bluetooth HID Device

Other options may currently exist, and new options will certainly become available, however if they are not included in this article, CXT Technical Services cannot recommend them.

Android 2.2 (and greater) + Internal Camera Device + Barcode Scanner Software + GetBlue Software

Summary

Scanning using an internal camera found on most Android devices is generally functional but not recommended.  An internal camera is not a barcode scanner so for various reasons (difficulty focusing and "finding" barcode) scan rates are slow. Compounding this problem is the image must be converted into barcode data before it can be used by X Mobile.  Furthermore the delivery person must switch back and forth between X Mobile and GetBlue.  These issues ultimately cause delays between each scan that can be frustrating for the driver and for the customer waiting for their packages.

Hardware requirements

Android device with a front-facing camera.

Software requirements

Android 1.0 or greater, Barcode Scanner by ZXing, and GetBlue application.

Configuration

(Not all Android menus are the same, thus screenprints below may not be what is actually viewed on device.)

1. Install Barcode Scanner

2. Install GetBlue

3. Run GetBlue and go to Menu -> Settings 

4. Click on "Datasource (Input)" option. 

5. Select "Camera Scanner"

6. Go back to Settings and select "Datasink (Output)" 

7. Select "TCP (plain data)" 

8. Configure TCP CLIENT as follows and click OK.

9. Click "Launch by Default"

10. Select "Background data acquisition"

11. Configure Retry Timeout and Open Retries in Open Policies as follows: 

12. Configure Raw Mode and Timeout in Read Policies as follows: 

13. Click "Back" to return to main GetBlue screen and click "Start" to capture barcode scan data from camera.

14. Scan barcode to confirm GetBlue recognizes barcode scan from camera.  Position barcode so it lines up inside rectangle and is in focus.  Once GetBlue recognizes barcode, a beep sounds and the red line turns green.  "Found Product" is displayed. 

Scanning in X Mobile using device camera

Scanning barcodes in X Mobile using camera requires X Mobile running in the background while in a screen or field that accepts scanner input.  The X Dispatch or X Route "Parcels" screen is the most common place for scanner input, however sometimes data is scanned into "Comments" or even "Signature" fields.

1. Launch X Mobile and move to a screen or field that accepts scanner input.

2. Launch GetBlue, keeping X Mobile running in the background..

3. Click on "Start" in GetBlue to capture barcode scan using camera.

4. Move barcode in front of camera so that it appears in the rectangle and is focused.  Wait for a good scan confirmation by "Found Product" text appearing on screen.

5. Switch to X Mobile to find successful barcode scan.

Android 3.0 (and lower) + Bluetooth Device + GetBlue Software

Summary

Scanning using an external Bluetooth enabled scanner with an Android* device works significantly better than with an internal camera because of faster scan rates.  A Bluetooth scanner is designed from the ground up to scan barcodes, so it's tuned to do this most effectively.  Compared to internal cameras there is less difficulty acquiring the barcode image and no need for internally translating the scanned data into barcodes since they are scanned as barcodes, not images. 

* Without availability of HID profiles.  HID, or Human Interface Device, profiles allow most Bluetooth keyboard devices (scanners) to connect to these Android devices with ease and without having to install keyboard-specific drivers. This means that any Bluetooth keyboard device that supports HID (most of them) can connect to and provide input for such Android devices. (Android 2.3 technically supports HID profiles, but connecting Bluetooth keyboards to devices powered by this version of the Android OS often requires extra software. Tablets powered by Android 2.2 and below require extra software for external keyboard use.)

Hardware Requirements

Android device with Bluetooth, and Bluetooth enabled barcode scanner.

Software Requirements

Android 3.0 or lower and GetBlue application.

Configuration

Pairing Bluetooth Scanner:  "Pairing" means connecting Android device with the scanner via Bluetooth wireless communication.

1. On Android, go to "Settings -> Wireless & Networks" 

2. Ensure "Bluetooth" is enabled by checking Bluetooth option.  Click "Bluetooth Settings" to begin pairing process.

3. Before Bluetooth barcode scanner can be paired, ensure scanner is on, usually by pressing scan button.  The scanner may require to be set to pairing mode to pair it with the Android device.  Please consult scanner's documentation for more details if necessary.  Click "Scan for Devices" to search for Bluetooth barcode scanner.

4. Under "Bluetooth devices" section, the Bluetooth scanner should be listed.  Click on it to pair device.

5. Complete pairing process by entering scanner's PIN or Passcode.  Hint:  Most device passwords default to 0000 or 1234.

6. Confirm scanner is successfully paired with Android device by reviewing "Bluetooth devices" section.  Scanner should be listed as "Paired but not connected" 

Configure GetBlue with Bluetooth scanner

To use a supported Bluetooth barcode scanner with X Mobile, the GetBlue Android application must be purchased.  GetBlue is a data acquisition tool required to send data from Bluetooth barcode scanner to X Mobile.