#SpringCore in RFID Scanner Mode

This chapter is an introduction to SpringCore’s RFID Scanner Mode. Actual operation of the SpringCore device in RFID Scanner Mode is covered by the chapter RFID Scanner Operation.

#Principles

RFID Scanner Operation is a variant of Smart Reader Operation.

Exactly as this is the case in Smart Reader Mode, the SpringCore device “reads” a token provided by a contactless card or an NFC objects, following one to four processing templates.

The difference lies in how the data are transmitted to the host: in Smart Reader Mode, the transmission uses SpringCore Direct or another dedicated communication protocol, that has to be handled on the host-side by a dedicated software.

In RFID Scanner Mode, the device emulates a keyboard (“keyboard wedge”), and sends data as (virtual) key-strokes. This makes it easy to use the SpringCore device as data-input device for any pre-existing host application; even an Excel speadsheet or a plain-old ERP software may be fed this way by data coming from RFID labels, NFC tags, or more.

#Using a SpringCore RFID Scanner over USB

This paragraph covers only SpringCore devices featuring a USB interface.

In RFID Scanner Mode, the SpringCore device complies with the HID-keyboard standard (human interface device) and announces itself over USB as a standard PC keyboard.

It is immediately supported by all current desktop/laptop operating systems, and by both Android and iOS.

Note

Always check that the keyboard layout configured into the SpringCore device matches the active keyboard layout on the host computer. Seeing accentued characters or special keys instead of numbers, or ‘Q’ instead of ‘A’ is the sign that they don’t match.

#Using a SpringCore RFID Scanner over BLE

This paragraph covers only SpringCore devices featuring a BLE interface.

In RFID Scanner Mode, the SpringCore device complies with the HID-keyboard standard (human interface device) and announces itself over BLE as a standard PC keyboard.

It is immediately supported by iOS, Android, and Windows 10.

Notes

Always check that the keyboard layout configured into the SpringCore device matches the active keyboard layout on the host computer. Seeing accentued characters or special keys instead of numbers, or ‘Q’ instead of ‘A’ is the sign that they don’t match.

When the RFID Scanner is connected by a BLE host, it can’t be used to “read” BLE objects!