Access database and multi-bus drop

Hello All,

I have been asked to build a simple database that will operate and
track a liquid dispensing device. The machine is run in a multi-bus
drop (coin operated basis) but I need to make it run on a barcode
scanner basis. I have no idea if this is even possible (or if there
are examples that have already been done) I have never set up a
barcode scanner before and certainly never had to interface with a
machine like this.

I would really appreciate if someone could point me in the right
direction.

Many thanks
John

Re: Access database and multi-bus drop

"flymo" wrote in message
news:1193779234.725035.244460@q3g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> Hello All,
>
> I have been asked to build a simple database that will operate and
> track a liquid dispensing device. The machine is run in a multi-bus
> drop (coin operated basis) but I need to make it run on a barcode
> scanner basis. I have no idea if this is even possible (or if there
> are examples that have already been done) I have never set up a
> barcode scanner before and certainly never had to interface with a
> machine like this.
>
> I would really appreciate if someone could point me in the right
> direction.
>
> Many thanks
> John
>

Im not entirly sure what you are trying to do, is this for some kind of
embedded system or for a PC?...

Some barcode scanners work by plugging inbetween the keyboard and the
computer so its transparent, when you scan it just sends keys as tho youd
typed them into the keyboard...

Whats being scanned? What do you mean on a barcode scanner basis?

John

Re: Access database and multi-bus drop

Hi

The current device is a coin operated Multi drop bus dispenser -
person puts in a $1 coin, machine dispenses $1 worth of liquid, $5 =
$5 worth etc

The owner wants to stop using coins and have everything built on
barcodes so that:
Each customer has bottles of various sizes, each with a barcode and
related to an inventory for managing who can dispense how much liquid
and bottle size. The customer places bottle in fron of scanning
device, database does a quick calculation and if cust has enough
credit, tells dispensing device to dispense correct amount.

John



On Oct 31, 5:15 am, "NewsGuy" wrote:
> "flymo" wrote in message
>
> news:1193779234.725035.244460@q3g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > Hello All,
>
> > I have been asked to build a simple database that will operate and
> > track a liquid dispensing device. The machine is run in a multi-bus
> > drop (coin operated basis) but I need to make it run on a barcode
> > scanner basis. I have no idea if this is even possible (or if there
> > are examples that have already been done) I have never set up a
> > barcode scanner before and certainly never had to interface with a
> > machine like this.
>
> > I would really appreciate if someone could point me in the right
> > direction.
>
> > Many thanks
> > John
>
> Im not entirly sure what you are trying to do, is this for some kind of
> embedded system or for a PC?...
>
> Some barcode scanners work by plugging inbetween the keyboard and the
> computer so its transparent, when you scan it just sends keys as tho youd
> typed them into the keyboard...
>
> Whats being scanned? What do you mean on a barcode scanner basis?
>
> John

Re: Access database and multi-bus drop

On Oct 31, 5:26 am, flymo wrote:
> Hi
>
> The current device is a coin operated Multi drop bus dispenser -
> person puts in a $1 coin, machine dispenses $1 worth of liquid, $5 =
> $5 worth etc
>
> The owner wants to stop using coins and have everything built on
> barcodes so that:
> Each customer has bottles of various sizes, each with a barcode and
> related to an inventory for managing who can dispense how much liquid
> and bottle size. The customer places bottle in fron of scanning
> device, database does a quick calculation and if cust has enough
> credit, tells dispensing device to dispense correct amount.
>
> John
>
> On Oct 31, 5:15 am, "NewsGuy" wrote:
>
>
>
> > "flymo" wrote in message
>
> >news:1193779234.725035.244460@q3g2000prf.googlegroups.com.. .
>
> > > Hello All,
>
> > > I have been asked to build a simple database that will operate and
> > > track a liquid dispensing device. The machine is run in a multi-bus
> > > drop (coin operated basis) but I need to make it run on a barcode
> > > scanner basis. I have no idea if this is even possible (or if there
> > > are examples that have already been done) I have never set up a
> > > barcode scanner before and certainly never had to interface with a
> > > machine like this.
>
> > > I would really appreciate if someone could point me in the right
> > > direction.
>
> > > Many thanks
> > > John
>
> > Im not entirly sure what you are trying to do, is this for some kind of
> > embedded system or for a PC?...
>
> > Some barcode scanners work by plugging inbetween the keyboard and the
> > computer so its transparent, when you scan it just sends keys as tho youd
> > typed them into the keyboard...
>
> > Whats being scanned? What do you mean on a barcode scanner basis?
>
> > John- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I don't believe that a Windows operating system is robust enough for
an application that requires weeks of uninterrupted operation. Linux
might be a better choice. I would go with Java for development...
that would give you a reliable system that uses a minimum of resources
and doesn't require a fast processor. Most processor issues are heat
related and are directly proportional to the amount of calculations
being processed per second. If you want reliability - keep the
processor cool!

Re: Access database and multi-bus drop

My suggestion is a serial barcode scanner. This makes it easy
programmatically to know it is a barcode scan.

If you use a keyboard or USB keyboard scanner then you can add a
prefix to the scan. you can then look for this prefix to determine if
the input has come from the scanner.

Ces

Re: Access database and multi-bus drop

"flymo" wrote in message
news:1193826398.561536.174170@y42g2000hsy.googlegroups.com.. .
> Hi
>
> The current device is a coin operated Multi drop bus dispenser -
> person puts in a $1 coin, machine dispenses $1 worth of liquid, $5 =
> $5 worth etc
>
> The owner wants to stop using coins and have everything built on
> barcodes so that:
> Each customer has bottles of various sizes, each with a barcode and
> related to an inventory for managing who can dispense how much liquid
> and bottle size. The customer places bottle in fron of scanning
> device, database does a quick calculation and if cust has enough
> credit, tells dispensing device to dispense correct amount.
>
> John
>

So you would be wanting some embedded system? Is the machine for resale? or
just a once off thing (seems like alot of work for once off)

I dont know, alot of people are going linux for that kinda thing because it
can be done with a small footprint...Access isnt the answer anyway...

Re: Access database and multi-bus drop

flymo wrote:

>I have been asked to build a simple database that will operate and
>track a liquid dispensing device. The machine is run in a multi-bus
>drop (coin operated basis) but I need to make it run on a barcode
>scanner basis. I have no idea if this is even possible (or if there
>are examples that have already been done) I have never set up a
>barcode scanner before and certainly never had to interface with a
>machine like this.

Clearly each user is going to need to have some means of authenticating them selves
as well. Well this be a bar code on a plastic card as well?

Are there multiple of these machines? If so you will need to network them together
so a person can't over spend his pre paid amount at multiple machines.

But yes you could do this in Access or other products. There are bar code readers
and printers available.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
Tony's Microsoft Access Blog - http://msmvps.com/blogs/access/

Re: Access database and multi-bus drop

Hello All,

Many thanks for the suggestions. I think I'm stuck on how to control
the dispensor with the database - I can't see how I can link the
dispensor (coin machine) so that coins are no longer required to
either the database or the scanner to control the database. There is
no software link that I can find that will control a multidrop bus.

Still looking... :-)

Regards
John





On Nov 1, 12:23 am, "Tony Toews [MVP]" wrote:
> flymo wrote:
> >I have been asked to build a simple database that will operate and
> >track a liquid dispensing device. The machine is run in a multi-bus
> >drop (coin operated basis) but I need to make it run on a barcode
> >scanner basis. I have no idea if this is even possible (or if there
> >are examples that have already been done) I have never set up a
> >barcode scanner before and certainly never had to interface with a
> >machine like this.
>
> Clearly each user is going to need to have some means of authenticating them selves
> as well. Well this be a bar code on a plastic card as well?
>
> Are there multiple of these machines? If so you will need to network them together
> so a person can't over spend his pre paid amount at multiple machines.
>
> But yes you could do this in Access or other products. There are bar code readers
> and printers available.
>
> Tony
> --
> Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
> Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
> read the entire thread of messages.
> Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems athttp://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
> Tony's Microsoft Access Blog -http://msmvps.com/blogs/access/

Re: Access database and multi-bus drop

flymo wrote:

>Many thanks for the suggestions. I think I'm stuck on how to control
>the dispensor with the database - I can't see how I can link the
>dispensor (coin machine) so that coins are no longer required to
>either the database or the scanner to control the database. There is
>no software link that I can find that will control a multidrop bus.

Ah, yes that would be a requirement. No serial, parellel or USB port of any kind
then?

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
Tony's Microsoft Access Blog - http://msmvps.com/blogs/access/

Re: Access database and multi-bus drop

Hi Tony,

I understand the MDB has a serial cable, I can set up the database,
barcodes and the scanner - but I cant find anthing that I can will
allow me to join the two systems & control all of it.

I think I'll may have to pass on the work - which I hate doing.

John



On Nov 2, 3:08 pm, "Tony Toews [MVP]" wrote:
> flymo wrote:
> >Many thanks for the suggestions. I think I'm stuck on how to control
> >the dispensor with the database - I can't see how I can link the
> >dispensor (coin machine) so that coins are no longer required to
> >either the database or the scanner to control the database. There is
> >no software link that I can find that will control a multidrop bus.
>
> Ah, yes that would be a requirement. No serial, parellel or USB port of any kind
> then?
>
> Tony
> --
> Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
> Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
> read the entire thread of messages.
> Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems athttp://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
> Tony's Microsoft Access Blog -http://msmvps.com/blogs/access/