Not too long ago someone posted a reply to a post that talked about using bar codes on the bottom of our cars and a scanner mounted beneath the rails. Unfortunately, I've been unable to find the post since. I grinned when I saw the post, thinking this was overkill, but the more I thought about it, the more I liked it. They're making barcode readers for Palm type computers now. Can you imagine how easy it'd be at train shows to scan the bottom of the cars and determine the ownership, or provide feedback to the dispatcher? It's no longer unfathomable to consider scanners for our applications. Recently, a marketing fiasco released a product called the :CueCat. This device is essentially a barcode scanner that is/was given away for free so that when connected to your computer, you could scan barcodes on ads and have your browser connect you to the appropriate web site. The price for not typing in a URL, was that the ad agency collected personal data on you and your web surfing habits. The backlash to this invasion of privacy is that almost overnight there were webpages set up describing how to declaw your :CueCat. With some modifications, this free bar code scanner will output an alphanumeric text string to your computer. You could then use that unique identifier for almost anything a model railroader could imagine. I'm not advocating breaking any licensing agreements, and the usual disclaimers apply. My point is that if they can give away bar code scanners, it can't be long before readers for railroaders is a reality! ------------------ Ed Harrison Ed's Mental Cab Ride
Found a great FAQ on bar coding at this site. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> If the bar code reader is attached through a keyboard interface, the bar code reader sends data in key codes, exactly as though the data had been keyed on the keyboard. Keyboard interface readers are nicknamed "wedge readers", because they physically wedge between the keyboard and the computer (or mainframe terminal) and attach as a 2nd keyboard. The great advantage of "wedge readers" is that bar code reading can be added with no software changes necessary; the software thinks that the data received was produced by a fast typist. (Of course the keyboard remains usable too!). With a wedge reader, any program that accepts keyed data will accept bar code data with no change. A keyboard wedge reader which emulates all of the keys including function keys, Ctrl, Alt, Page Up, etc. is preferable. You cannot place a keyboard wedge reader more than 10 feet from the computer. You can get an extension cable for the scanner, allowing you to range up to 35-100 feet from the computer. For these applications a cordless radio frequency wand would be better; the wand has a transmitter and the decoder has a receiver so that the wand can transmit digitized data to the decoder over RF instead of a cord. RF wand readers transmit up to 150 feet; at these distances the trick is to hear the decoder's beep. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> ------------------ Ed Harrison Ed's Mental Cab Ride
A very interesting concept Ed, i wonder how we will be modelling in 30 years time ------------------ Regards Paul #1-Moderator & Member number 50 SPAD Investigator #1 ICQ 61198217 http://users.bigpond.net.au/railroad2000
The very last thing I worked on when I retired, was a prototype PCB that was to be (probably is by now) part of an automatic engineer for moving freight around over the country without humans on board. Bar coding keeps track of everything. All automatic, even switching. To model it,you wont have to worry about DCC or any of that, it will just happen automatically. If you want to watch, you may, but keeps hands off. Gee what fun!! I made them mad when I asked "Who is going to wave at the kids?". ------------------ Watash #982 "See you in the Pit"
