📡 Barcode Scanner

Demo video of connecting the scanner to an iPhone and performing several scans (shown with the old system design)

This page covers everything you need to know to work with a barcode scanner in OpticCount quickly, accurately and comfortably — the scanner fits easily on any smartphone up to 6.7 inches, has a powerful battery for a full workday, performs fast and accurate scanning, connects via Bluetooth quickly and easily, supports all barcode types and QR codes, requires no additional software installation, comes with a charging cable and instruction booklet, and is lightweight so you can work with it for extended periods without fatigue.

🧩 What is a Barcode Scanner and How Does it "Talk" to the System?

A barcode scanner is an input device that connects to a device (phone/tablet/computer) and acts like a keyboard. Every barcode scanned is "typed" into the active text field – exactly as if you had typed the digits by hand.

• If the scanner is connected and appearing as a keyboard – every scan will input data into whatever field the cursor is in (item identifier, item search, item search in borrowers/loans, and more).

💡 Quick test: Open "Notes", point the scanner at a barcode and scan. If the digits appear – you're ready to work.

🔋 Battery Tips & Charging the Scanner

• Important tip: charge the night before counting – safest approach. You'll start your shift with a full battery.
• Full charge time ~2 hours – plan accordingly (you can charge at the end of the previous shift).
• Continuous work time ~8 hours – suitable for most standard counting days.
• Check the battery indicator light before going out – verify proper charge level.
• Bring a charging cable and charger for work (and for extra safety, also a backup battery/Power Bank).
• Use breaks for short charges – especially if a high scan volume is expected.

Connecting the Scanner to Your Phone

Step 1: Turning on the Scanner

Before connecting, verify the scanner is charged. Indicator lights on the back of the scanner show:

• 4 green lights – full charge (100%)
• 3 green lights – ~75% battery
• 2 green lights – ~50% battery
• 1 green light or a flashing light – scanner needs charging

Turn on the scanner by pressing and holding the main button until a blue light starts flashing.

Step 2: Connecting the Scanner via Bluetooth

1. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone.
2. Go to Bluetooth settings and search for the scanner name in the list of available devices.
   • The scanner name will appear in the format: OpticCount-scanner-X where X is a unique number for each scanner (according to the number on the sticker on the back of the scanner).
3. Select the scanner from the list and wait for the connection to complete.
4. After connecting, the scanner will function like a keyboard – every scan will send the barcode to the text field where the cursor is located.

Step 3: Testing the Connection in the App

After connecting the scanner, verify the system is ready to receive data:

1. Open the OpticCount app.
2. Go to "Start Count".
3. Click on the search field so that a flashing cursor appears (active text cursor).
4. Scan any barcode – if the connection is working, the barcode will appear in the search field.

Step 4: Showing the Keyboard on iPhone When Scanner is Connected

By default, when the scanner is connected to an iPhone, the system recognizes it as a keyboard and therefore the virtual keyboard will not appear on screen.

To bring up the keyboard while the scanner is connected:

1. Quickly double-click the round button on the barcode scanner.
2. The virtual keyboard will appear on screen and allow manual typing.
3. After entering data, you can continue using the scanner normally.

🧯 Troubleshooting Common Connection Problems

Scanner Not Appearing in Bluetooth Device List

• Verify the scanner is turned on.
• If your phone's Bluetooth doesn't detect the scanner, turn Bluetooth off and on again and try again.
• If it still doesn't appear, press and hold the scanner for 10 seconds until a flashing blue light appears at the bottom of the scanner.

Scanner is Connected but Not Sending Data to the App

• Verify the cursor is inside an active text field (for example, in the search field in the app).
• If the device is connected via Bluetooth but not working, disconnect and reconnect Bluetooth.

Scanner is Sending Barcodes with Wrong Characters

• Verify the keyboard on the phone is set to English during scanning.
• You can check this by opening the Messages or WhatsApp app and making sure the keyboard is in English mode before starting the count.

📱 iPhone: Scanner is Hiding the Keyboard – How to Restore It

When a scanner is connected to iPhone in keyboard mode, iOS "understands" there is already a keyboard and hides the on-screen keyboard. To show the regular keyboard (for manual typing), quickly double-click the round button on the back of the scanner. This toggles between the scanner keyboard and the phone keyboard.

⚖️ When to Use a Scanner vs. the Phone Camera?

🟢 When a Barcode Scanner is Preferable

• High speed / large volume – hundreds/thousands of scans in sequence.
• Harsh environments – weak/glaring lighting, reflective surfaces, worn labels.
• Accuracy and repeatability – continuous scanning while holding ergonomically (gun/handle grip), without having to refocus the camera each time.
• When working primarily with very old phones or "kosher" phones without a reasonable camera.

🔵 When the Phone Camera is Sufficient (or Preferable)

• Large quantities: Our unique scanning engine is very fast and nearly identical in performance to a dedicated scanner, so you can perform many scans in sequence without feeling slowness.
• Saves money: No need to purchase separate scanners for each employee – they simply work with the device they already have.
• Full operational flexibility: On the same phone, immediately switch to entering quantities, photographing a label, making a call or WhatsApp. Ideal for rotating teams.
• Compatible with older devices too: Works great on iOS and Android, including older models – without Bluetooth pairing and without cables.

In practice, for most businesses the phone camera is completely sufficient – especially when the goal is speed, simplicity and low cost.

🧪 Where to Scan Inside OpticCount?

• Counter Page – in the "Item Identifier" field.
• Borrowers & Loans Management – "Search by Item" or entering an item during a loan/return.
• Various search/filter pages – any active text field will receive data from the scanner.

💡 Before starting a scanning round, make sure the cursor is in the correct field – otherwise the data will be "typed" in the wrong place.

🛠️ Tips for Efficient Use

• Angle and distance: Start at 15–30 cm and adjust based on code density.
• Battery: For accumulating large quantities – charge in advance and ensure backup power.
• Sound/vibration: Enable audio/vibration confirmation on the scanner to know every scan was registered.
• Clean the lens/laser window: Dust and dirt impair detection.

🎯 Real-World Example – Nighttime Store Count

• Connect a Bluetooth scanner to iPhone.
• Open a count, place the cursor on "Item Identifier", and scan in sequence.
• When you need to correct something manually – double-click on the back restores the iPhone keyboard, correct, then return to scanning.

Summary: A barcode scanner turns OpticCount into a fast and accurate counting machine. Remember – it acts like a keyboard, and on iPhone a double-click on the back restores the on-screen keyboard. Choose the right tool at any moment (scanner/camera), and you'll work faster, with fewer errors.