FAQ

What is Scannerfly?

Scannerfly is a barcode recognition toolkit written in ActionScript. The Scannerfly SDK provides developers with a simple way to add barcode recognition to their web-based or Flash-based applications. Using the SDK, a developer can turn their user’s ordinary webcam into a powerful barcode scanner.

Why should I use Scannerfly instead of another toolkit?

Unlike other toolkits, Scannerfly performs high-accuracy barcode recognition on images captured by low-quality, fixed-focus webcams using only a web browser:

  1. Works with any webcam: Scannerfly works with any consumer grade webcam, such as those already built into new laptops from Dell, Sony, and Apple, enabling fast, automated data entry without requiring dedicated specialized hardware.
  2. No heavy client software: Scannerfly runs in any web browser using the Adobe Flash Player plug-in, allowing your users to immediately benefit from a simpler user experience without requiring them to install client software.
  3. Simple to integrate: An easy-to-integrate Flash component provides barcode recognition functionality that can be hooked into an existing AJAX-based application in a matter of hours with minimal code.

How is Scannerfly licensed?

Licensing for Scannerfly has not yet been finalized. While other barcode recognition SDKs are licensed on a per-user basis, Scannerfly will likely be licensed on flat fee based the number of users of the web application into which it is integrated.

What are the applications of barcode scanning?

Barcode scanning is primarily used to simplify the process of entering or retrieving information from a database. Common applications of barcode technology include:

  • Inventory Management: Simplify the data entry by using Scannerfly to scan barcodes from consumer products. Applications that could benefit from this approach include book-centric social network sites like Shelfari or LibraryThing, or inventory control systems like Fillz.
  • Record Retrieval: Expedite access to data by using Scannerfly to retrieve database records based on barcodes scanned from paperwork. Applications that could benefit from this approach include healthcare patient databases – simply scan the patient’s lab work order to get instant access to their record.

Which barcode formats does Scannerfly support?

Scannerfly supports UPC, EAN-13, and JAN-13 formatted barcodes. These are the kinds of barcodes used to mark just about everything you might buy in a store, including CDs, DVDs, books, and other consumer goods.

How do I integrate Scannerfly into my web application?

Integrating Scannerfly can be achieved in two way:

  • Using Javascript: The Scannerfly SDK includes a sample application designed to call a Javascript function each time a barcode is successfully read from the camera. Adding barcode scanning to your web application can be as simple as including the sample application in your HTML, and adding a Javascript function to consume detected barcodes.
  • Using Adobe Flash/Flex: The Scannerfly SDK includes an Adobe Flash component suitable for integration into a new or existing Flash-based rich internet applications. Adding barcode scanning can be accomplished by adding the component to your Flash application and registering an event listener to handle detected barcodes.

For more information on how to integrate Scannerfly with your application, see the Developer’s Guide.

Does Scannerfly support QR codes?

Scannerfly currently only supports the most popular one-dimensional barcode formats: UPC, EAN-13, and JAN-13. The current version does not support QR-codes, but may be added in the future. Request the private beta and indicate that you would be interested in future QR code support.

Does Scannerfly work on cell phones?

Although Scannerfly is built on Adobe’s Flash technology, the current implementations of Flash on cell phones (known as Flash Lite) does not currently enable access to the camera.

I get a blank screen when I try the sample beta applications! What’s wrong?

Scannerfly attempts to read video from the default camera detected by Flash. On some operating systems, such as Mac OS X, the default camera may not be usable by Flash. To address this problem, go to the Flash setting by right-clicking on the application (or Ctrl-clicking on Mac OS X), choosing “Settings…” and changing the default camera in the dropdown on the Camera tab. On Mac OS X, be sure to select the “USB Video Class Video” camera if you wish to use the internal iSight on your MacBook or MacBook Pro.