Cordless bar code scanner

[Spyyman]

Hi,

I am at a gated community that is just starting to issue daily passes to visitors, and the Board of Directors wants to simplify the process.

We currently are issuing numbered passes that hang from the rear view mirror of a vehicle. The Board would like for the S/O at the gate to scan the photo ID of everyone entering, and somehow enter the scan results to a computer database so it matches the number of the pass that is being issued. Does anyone know of a handheld cordless scanner program that will transmit photo ID data to a computer database and enter it with the corresponding pass number?

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

[NRM_Oz]

There are RF systems or proximity readers that are automatic but my old patrol days working night shift tell me to avoid bar code scanners as a simple photograph or copy of the bar code will fool the reader allowing multiple copies to be made. An old guards trick was to copy the barcodes and sit in their cars if it was raining and scan the front door bar code of a premises to prove they there onsite.

[Silva Consultants]

I would recommend that you look at an off-the shelve visitor management system such as EasyLobby (www.easylobby.com). This system will provide the basic functions that you describe.

It's not clear from your description what aspects of the system need to be wireless and why. Normally, the registration process, scanning of photo ID, etc. would be done at a computer workstation located in your gate house. Once the visitor pass is issued, it would be possible to scan the visitor in and out using a wireless barcode reader to read the pass, but the initial registration would typically be done at a fixed location.

It would be possible to create a complete portable visitor registration system using an industrial handheld computer and some type of portable scanner, but I see lots of potential problems associated with this (effect of weather on equipment, weight and bulkiness of equipment that must be carried, etc.)

[N. A. Corbier]

I have a feeling the wireless device is so that the guard does it carside, not taking the ID into the gate house. Alternately, it could be that the bulk of the system would be in a manager's office, and the scanner would interact with the manager's computer.

[NRM_Oz]

Where I worked during the Y2k Millenium Bug (that never happened) in an extreme risk building, I had something similar but it had a laser scanner that hit and recorded information off the label affixed to the motor vehicle without the need for too much inconvenience. I believe the aim is no different than a visitors log - to see who is signed in and who has signed out plus to record their times in for say a third party visitor such as (delivery truck).

[Spyyman]

I would recommend that you look at an off-the shelve visitor management system such as EasyLobby (www.easylobby.com). This system will provide the basic functions that you describe.

It's not clear from your description what aspects of the system need to be wireless and why. Normally, the registration process, scanning of photo ID, etc. would be done at a computer workstation located in your gate house. Once the visitor pass is issued, it would be possible to scan the visitor in and out using a wireless barcode reader to read the pass, but the initial registration would typically be done at a fixed location.

It would be possible to create a complete portable visitor registration system using an industrial handheld computer and some type of portable scanner, but I see lots of potential problems associated with this (effect of weather on equipment, weight and bulkiness of equipment that must be carried, etc.)

Thanks for the info. In our case all photo I.D.'s that are to be scanned are from occupants of a vehicle. All of the vistors to the community enter via a motor vehicle. Thus the idea about a cordless scanner so the guard could stand next to the drivers side of the vehicle and scan the card. All vistor passes are for display in the motor vehicle only.

In any event, I did find a program that I think will suit our needs. It is scanshell.net. Good looking program.

Thanks for all the help.

[Silva Consultants]

Thanks for the info. In our case all photo I.D.'s that are to be scanned are from occupants of a vehicle. All of the vistors to the community enter via a motor vehicle. Thus the idea about a cordless scanner so the guard could stand next to the drivers side of the vehicle and scan the card. All vistor passes are for display in the motor vehicle only.

In any event, I did find a program that I think will suit our needs. It is scanshell.net. Good looking program.

Thanks for all the help.

Thank you for making me aware of the Scanshell product line, I hadn't heard of it before. Looks like a fascinating product.

From what I can tell all of their scanners use a USB connection. I will be curious to learn how you intend to implement this as a wireless device - will you have a portable PC that is carried by the guard along with the scanner?

This sounds like a very interesting project. Keep us posted on what you eventually come up with.

[Spyyman]

Thank you for making me aware of the Scanshell product line, I hadn't heard of it before. Looks like a fascinating product.

From what I can tell all of their scanners use a USB connection. I will be curious to learn how you intend to implement this as a wireless device - will you have a portable PC that is carried by the guard along with the scanner?

This sounds like a very interesting project. Keep us posted on what you eventually come up with.

We have decided that since the proximity of the guard building is within 6 feet of the visitor motor vehicles, a wireless device is not necessary. When they present their ID, it takes less than 5 seconds to scan. Their license can then be returned to them in less than 10 seconds, so it's not a inconvenience.

We plan to implement the system in the next month or two. I'll let the board know how it is working.

[NRM_Oz]

Just curious how you go with privacy laws when you are scanning the residents' ID such as a Driver's Licence ?

I knew one company you had something similar for transport semi's coming in and out and they had the driver's scanned licence and when a notebook pc was stolen they had major issues with privacy laws.

[Spyyman]

Just curious how you go with privacy laws when you are scanning the residents' ID such as a Driver's Licence ?

I knew one company you had something similar for transport semi's coming in and out and they had the driver's scanned license and when a notebook pc was stolen they had major issues with privacy laws.

There are no plans to scan the ID of the residents since they already live there and have resident decals. As far as the visitors, if they want entry into the gated community they have to agree to present a photo ID, otherwise they don't get in. It actually amounts to a consensual thing, similar to airport security. You agree to the searches or you don't fly. And Washington does not have a law prohibiting the swiping of a drivers license.

[N. A. Corbier]

US privacy laws are extremely "lax" compared to EU and Commonwealth privacy law.