Sample Portable Target Barcode Session

The Target Barcode Session
The Portable Target Barcode System operates in sessions, establishing a Target Barcode used throughout the session as the "gold standard" for the barcode that must be read from each product tested to certify the product correct. Session data is stored in the Palm database when the session is started and updated with each barcode scanned. Multiple sessions can be stored in the database, allowing sessions to be recalled and resumed to continue testing. If you are quality testing multiple assembly lines, machines or batches, start multiple session with unique and recognizable names. Then recall and resume when you want to add quality samples to your session. No need to re-setup the Target Barcode for a session from product masters. Just resume from the Palm database with the Target Barcode on file.
Starting the Session
Step 1 -- Start the Target Program from the handheld's application launcher screen. Users have found that it is convenient to designate one of the Palm hardware keys as the “starter” for the Target System. In that case, just push the designated starter button. The Target Applicaton starts at the home screen shown on the left below. With the Target Program running, the user can setup program options: Start a New Session, View the database of in-process sessions to resume or perform a Quick-Check to read a barcode outside the structure of a session.
Session Home Screen	Select New Session -- A session requires a target barcode and an optional session name. Pick a unique recognizable name such as product, job name or lot number -- something you will recognize later -- by entering it through the Palm screen. A mini-keyboard pops up and lets you type it. Then scan the Target Barcode. The Target Barcode is typically scanned from a Product Master or Assembly Work Order Master Sheet, but it could be any barcode. The barcode you read becomes the Session Target Barcode. Session setup requires that the Target barcodes is read a second time to confirm. Target System assigns a sequential session number and saves the session number, name, target barcode and start date and time in the Palm database. At this point the session is ready to read barcodes. Press “Start” on the Palm screen to end the setup and begin the session. Or if you are going to need several sessions, go back to the Home screen to setup another. No need to finish one before setting up another. Multiple sessions are stored in the Palm database and displayed with name and number for easy retrieval. Now you are ready to scan barcodes for quality sampling.	Session Setup Screen

Reading Barcodes
Step 3 -- Read a barcode by aiming the scanner and squeezing the trigger switch. The system attempts to read a barcode and compare the barcode with the Session Target Barcode. The result is available as soon as a barcode is read or the trigger is released, whichever comes first.
One of three results is displayed on the screen with a unique audible tone: 1. Good Read - a barcode was read and is the same as the Session Target Barcode. One short “beep” is issued. The display is Target Code Match 2. No Read - the system did not read a barcode while the trigger was squeezed. The code in place may have been unreadable or there may not have been a code in view or in range of the scanner. Two long “beeps” are issued. 3. Mismatch Code - a barcode was read that did not match the Target Barcode. The mismatch code is displayed. Four long “beeps” are issued. The system maintains three session counters recording the number of good reads, no reads and mismatch codes. The session counters are updated each time a new scan result is available and displayed. The last mis-match code (if any) and the date and time of the last scan are saved in the session database record. The result remains on the screen until the trigger is squeezed again for the next read, until a new session begins, or until the users closes the Target Program. The user can push a "Home" button on the screen to start a new session, view session records in the database or perform a quick barcode check outside the structure of a session.	Session Scanning Barcodes

Session Database
Session Database List	Session data is stored in the Palm Database along with data from other sessions. The tapping the Database button on the Home Screen lists all sessions currently underway (shown to the left). Selecting a session from the list is just like selecting a name from the Palm address book - just tap on it. Session summary data is displayed (shown on the right) including the target barcode, the session start date and time, totals of good reads, no-reads and mis-matches as well as the date and time of the last scan. and the last mis-match code. The summary displays a Resume button. Tap it to continue this session, picking up where you left off..	Session Summary Information, resume the session from here

Session Data to PC

Session database records are transferred to a PC and may be opened with a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel. The Target System includes a Visual Basic-based Excel Macro to load Target Session Data in an Excel spreadsheet. The macro may be used as distributed by Scanning Devices (or edited for custom data formatting) to construct and display reports in the spreadsheet. The Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program provides many functions for reporting and archiving results if necessary.

Excel Spreadsheet on PC after Hot-Sync

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