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Geek Culture / Need help with electronic device

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Destrugter 1
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Posted: 7th May 2011 16:19
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Hello everyone. I was thinking about making a device (or probably paying someone to make it).

The device would be a scanner that would shoot a laser out of it, and scan a barcode, unscramble the barcode to the upc eqiuvalent, and save the upc code in a text file onto an sd card. The device must be as small as possible (for portability), battery run that can last 10+ hours. I was thinking this may be very possible to get it to the size of my phone, if not smaller (5 inches or less, with about an inch thickness). I would just make software myself for importing these upc codes.

I would like to know, would a device like this be possible to make, how hard would it be to make it, and how expensive would it cost to make. If I don't make it by myself ( high possibility ) how much would it cost to have one built for me?
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Phaelax
DBPro Master
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Posted: 7th May 2011 16:23
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So you want to make a barcode scanner? I think it's been done...

I wrote a Java app that uses the old (and for the most part, free) cuecat barcode scanner.

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Destrugter 1
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Posted: 7th May 2011 16:25 Edited at: 7th May 2011 16:48
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It'd be a barcode scanner that is very small ( pocket size and not a noticeable 10lb device in my pocket ).

[edit]
It would also have to store everything on an sd card so that I can easily transfer the data to my pc. I'm talking about using this thing for 5-8 hours, then take it home and upload everything.
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Travis Gatlin
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Posted: 7th May 2011 18:19
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I imagine it'd be possible, after all, when they scan something with a Barcode scanner, it takes to code and compares it to the items in the store and gives you the price, i'm almost sure that you could store the code somehow.

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DeadTomGC
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Posted: 7th May 2011 18:32
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What if you made a phone app that uses the camera like the new windows 7 phones?
Depending on what type of phone you have, this would be either easier or more difficult.

If you don't want to do that, I would recommend starting with an Arduino board. They are programed in C++ and are pretty darn easy to work with.

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Phaelax
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Posted: 7th May 2011 18:39
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Here's just one of many devices I found online. It's portable and stores the data locally so you can transfer it later to your PC.
http://www.barcodehq.com/portables.html

Here's one that's under $100, less than 3" long, and weighs about an ounce:
http://www.motorola.com/business/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=11607b103d175110VgnVCM1000008406b00aRCRD

And there's hundreds more if you just search google.

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Grog Grueslayer
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Posted: 7th May 2011 19:25 Edited at: 7th May 2011 19:25
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Yeah it's been done. I have a barcode scanner on my phone now. It's called... Barcode Scanner... what an odd name for a Barcode Scanner app.


http://www.appbrain.com/app/barcode-scanner/com.google.zxing.client.android

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xplosys
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Posted: 7th May 2011 20:28
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Is there an app for that?

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DJ Almix
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Location: Freedom
Posted: 7th May 2011 20:49
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Quote: "Is there an app for that?
"


Yep for Android, Windows Phone 7, iOS, Blackberry, and Symbian OS.

[center]
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Destrugter 1
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Posted: 8th May 2011 00:28
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Ok, I don't have a smart phone. My phone is the Vu, one of the first releases. The camera isn't that good. Thanks for those links Phaelax, under $100 is actually a very good starting place that I was hoping for =]. Thanks for the help guys! I'm glad it's already been done so I can just buy it and save a lot of trouble.
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bitJericho
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Posted: 8th May 2011 00:32 Edited at: 8th May 2011 00:33
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You can get a lot of different smart phones for under 100 bucks used. If you can find one that's programmable and with a good camera it'll probably work out better. Something like a Palm Pre.

[center]Jerico for President. Obese for VP
My dear tomato \ Please let me classify you \ A fregetable.
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Destrugter 1
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Posted: 8th May 2011 01:43
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Yeah, but the phone I'd have to pull it out, get the camera ready, then aim it carefully, take the snap, then I'd most likely have to save it manually. At least with these I can pull it out, scan the upc and put it in my pocket.
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MrValentine
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Posted: 8th May 2011 06:06
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@ Destrugter 1

that last statement makes it sound like your intention is a covert op lol

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bitJericho
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Posted: 8th May 2011 13:24 Edited at: 8th May 2011 13:26
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Dude's coming to steal our UPCs. And actually, I'm sure if you found a good phone, the app itself could have access to the camera, requiring only that you point it at a upc and it could auto-scan.

I have no idea if any of this is actually possible for 100 bucks and a reasonable amount of programming time.

[center]Jerico for President. Obese for VP
My dear tomato \ Please let me classify you \ A fregetable.
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