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2012-11-02 9:40 AM

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Subject: Software/computer/bluetooth question

Hi!

I'm trying to build a simple little system for work, and I don't know enough about what I'm looking for to necessarily ask all of the right questions to get me to the right place.

Basically, I want this:

http://www.taltech.com/products/winwedge/

This program takes information from a device (a scale or barcode scanner or something of the sort) that is connected directly by a RS-232 port on both the device and computer and takes the data and dumps it into excel.  It has the capability to simultaneously take information from two distinct sources and dump it into excel in separate columns.  This is what I NEED.

Here is what I WANT:  I'd like to be able to do this wirelessly to a tablet or laptop. 

Here are my questions:

1.  Does this software exist somewhere that operates with Bluetooth? (I'm sure it does, right?)

2.  Does this software exist that would enable me to either use bluetooth, USB, or RS-232?

3.  Using the program I linked to above, can I simply add a bluetooth adaptor to a single RS-232 port on a laptop, add adaptors to each device (it would be two), and carry on as normal?

4.  Could I do the same set-up as #3 above with USB ports instead of RS-232?

5.  Am I asking the wrong questions?  Am I thinking about this the wrong way?

 

Any help that anyone could provide would be great.  Thanks ahead of time



2012-11-02 9:58 AM
in reply to: #4480280

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Subject: RE: Software/computer/bluetooth question

If I'm understanding your question correctly, the limiter is the type of connection that the devices themselves have built into them.  The devices that you are wanting to connect via Bluetooth would either:

1. Need to be Bluetooth enabled natively

2. have a Serial (RS-232)-to-Bluetooth bridge/repeater connected to their RS-232 connector that then translates the native serial signal over wire into a wireless bluetooth signal.

 

IF your devices are bluetooth enabled (or USB for Question 4), then getting/finding software to talk to them probably wouldn't be that big of a deal (just a guess, not a statement of fact).

2012-11-02 10:03 AM
in reply to: #4480280

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Subject: RE: Software/computer/bluetooth question

Yes-that's mostly the problem.

The follow up problem is that I'd like to use a tablet to recieve the data.  None of those have RS-232 ports.  Thus, a program that only sent via 232 wouldn't work.

2012-11-02 10:29 AM
in reply to: #4480322

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Subject: RE: Software/computer/bluetooth question

Yeah, your problem isn't so much a software issue as it is a hardware issue... at least at first.

 

Siig (major player in computer I/O hardware since way back) makes a serial to bluetooth converter that solves that problem for you, at least (9-pin RS232 to bt). You can just search Google for "serial to bluetooth converter" and find some options.

It looks like IOGEAR also makes one, and it looks like theirs actually lets you use dip switches to set the bluetooth ID, which is kinda cool, especially in an environment where there may be a ton of devices.

 

After that - providing that those actually work - you're finally back to your original issue of finding software that will listen for and capture data from bluetooth connections.

 

 

What might be a better solution, albeit more expensive, would be getting RS232-to-802.11a/b/g converters, then your software issue is solved by using that same company as they make a similar product called TCP-Wedge that listens for TCP (network) data. 

 

They also make a product called TCP-COM, so you could set up a single PC on your network with a bunch of serial ports on it, connect all of your devices to that one machine with TCP-COM on it, then it acts as a server for all of that incoming data, which can then be captured on whichever device you'd like it on.

2012-11-02 10:29 AM
in reply to: #4480322

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Subject: RE: Software/computer/bluetooth question
rowotter - 2012-11-02 11:03 AM

Yes-that's mostly the problem.

The follow up problem is that I'd like to use a tablet to recieve the data.  None of those have RS-232 ports.  Thus, a program that only sent via 232 wouldn't work.

I think the bigger issue is going to be the software on the tablet.  You can convert the RS232 to Bluetooth easily (google provides lots of adapters).  But what are you going to run on the tablet to receive the info?  The software you linked above appears to only run on PCs.

2012-11-02 10:33 AM
in reply to: #4480371

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Subject: RE: Software/computer/bluetooth question

TriRSquared - 2012-11-02 11:29 AM   But what are you going to run on the tablet to receive the info?  The software you linked above appears to only run on PCs.

 

Yup, my brain skipped right over that little detail.

Although, if the tablet hasn't been purchased yet, I'd suspect that a Microsoft Surface tablet might fit the bill nicely.



2012-11-02 10:51 AM
in reply to: #4480280

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Subject: RE: Software/computer/bluetooth question

Thanks for the ideas so far.  Here is a potential tablet I think would work:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2075128&CatId=6958

I have seen all of the serial/bluetooth converters and I BELIEVE that with those in hand and the above tablet, I should be in business.

That being said, the nitpicky/anal retentive/techy side of me thinks that it would be much more elegant to be able to run the system without any of the adapters attached to the tablet.  This setup would be used outside, in a rather mobile fashion so the fewer adapters/cords/etc that are around to break and get lost the better.

Thanks again for the discussion.  I really didn't want to have to register at a computer software forum and have everyone belittle me! (I could probably beat them in a swim though)

 

2012-11-02 12:33 PM
in reply to: #4480432

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Subject: RE: Software/computer/bluetooth question

Why do you need a device on the tablet?  That's what the adapter on the 232 port plugged into the device (scale etc..) does.  Converts the serial data into bluetooth so the built in BT on the tablet can read it.  In theory...

http://www.siig.com/it-products/serial-parallel/serial-converter/rs-232-to-bluetooth-converter.html

2012-11-02 12:40 PM
in reply to: #4480697

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Subject: RE: Software/computer/bluetooth question

I like the idea of skipping bluetooth altogether and going with the WiFi converters.  If nothing else, you'll have drastically improved range, and the search for appropriate software is already over.

 

And yes, that tablet should work just fine being that it has Win 7 on it.

2012-11-02 2:11 PM
in reply to: #4480697

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Subject: RE: Software/computer/bluetooth question
TriRSquared - 2012-11-02 12:33 PM

Why do you need a device on the tablet?  That's what the adapter on the 232 port plugged into the device (scale etc..) does.  Converts the serial data into bluetooth so the built in BT on the tablet can read it.  In theory...

I believe that the software I provided the link to above requires a RS232 port on the computer end to actually recieve the data.  I don't believe I could install that program on a tablet (or any computer) that only had native Bluetooth and have it work.

 

2012-11-02 2:38 PM
in reply to: #4480995

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Subject: RE: Software/computer/bluetooth question
rowotter - 2012-11-02 3:11 PM
TriRSquared - 2012-11-02 12:33 PM

Why do you need a device on the tablet?  That's what the adapter on the 232 port plugged into the device (scale etc..) does.  Converts the serial data into bluetooth so the built in BT on the tablet can read it.  In theory...

I believe that the software I provided the link to above requires a RS232 port on the computer end to actually recieve the data.  I don't believe I could install that program on a tablet (or any computer) that only had native Bluetooth and have it work.

 

 

This is why I recommended the TCP-Wedge version of the software, instead.  I solves that problem by working over a wireless (802.11a/b/g) network.  You just need different adapters to make it happen.



2012-11-02 3:29 PM
in reply to: #4481083

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Subject: RE: Software/computer/bluetooth question
cgregg - 2012-11-02 3:38 PM
rowotter - 2012-11-02 3:11 PM
TriRSquared - 2012-11-02 12:33 PM

Why do you need a device on the tablet?  That's what the adapter on the 232 port plugged into the device (scale etc..) does.  Converts the serial data into bluetooth so the built in BT on the tablet can read it.  In theory...

I believe that the software I provided the link to above requires a RS232 port on the computer end to actually recieve the data.  I don't believe I could install that program on a tablet (or any computer) that only had native Bluetooth and have it work.

 

 

This is why I recommended the TCP-Wedge version of the software, instead.  I solves that problem by working over a wireless (802.11a/b/g) network.  You just need different adapters to make it happen.

I missed this earlier.  Yes this might be the best way.  When trying to convert signals I've always found what should be simple and easy, usually is not.

2012-11-02 3:31 PM
in reply to: #4481213

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Subject: RE: Software/computer/bluetooth question
TriRSquared - 2012-11-02 4:29 PM
cgregg - 2012-11-02 3:38 PM
rowotter - 2012-11-02 3:11 PM
TriRSquared - 2012-11-02 12:33 PM

Why do you need a device on the tablet?  That's what the adapter on the 232 port plugged into the device (scale etc..) does.  Converts the serial data into bluetooth so the built in BT on the tablet can read it.  In theory...

I believe that the software I provided the link to above requires a RS232 port on the computer end to actually recieve the data.  I don't believe I could install that program on a tablet (or any computer) that only had native Bluetooth and have it work.

 

 

This is why I recommended the TCP-Wedge version of the software, instead.  I solves that problem by working over a wireless (802.11a/b/g) network.  You just need different adapters to make it happen.

I missed this earlier.  Yes this might be the best way.  When trying to convert signals I've always found what should be simple and easy, usually is not.

 

Oh, definitely see if you can get a device on NET-30/evaluation terms to test with (the more, the better), and perhaps contact the software vendor and see if they've ever tested with any specific devices that they could say are "known to work".



Edited by cgregg 2012-11-02 3:32 PM
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