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jamiepsa Author

Level 1

3 points

Want to use both on screen keyboard and HID keyboard at same time

Has anyone come up with a way to be able to switch back and forth between the on screen keyboard and a paired HID Bluetooth keyboard? In my case, my HID BT Keyboard is a barcode scanner which works great! It is the Serialio scanfob. We would like to use the iPad to create sales orders and some of the fields need to be text and some need to be the barcode info input from the scanner. I have already asked support, and no solutions there other then the eject option on the apple keyboard or turning off bluetooth in the settings. Any ideas will be much appreciated!

iPad, Other OS

Posted on Apr 15, 2010 5:28 AM

41 replies

Aug 12, 2010 12:23 PM in response to jingg

but it won't solve our problem <<</div>

It's frustrating and sad that apple goes so far to protect us from ourselves ;-/

fwiw, (and apologies for the blasphemy) the windows mobile platform supports multiple inputs and companies such as Socket Mobile ( http://socketmobile.com) offer SD slot barcode scanners for the platform.

Couple those with a thumb keyboard plus camera, would seem to be a good foundation for the need that you describe.

Beverly Howard

Message was edited by: bevhoward

Aug 15, 2010 9:31 AM in response to Jonathan Gales

F12 does not do the trick, just Apple's eject key (keycode 161). <<</div>

since this is custom software, wonder if it might be possible to put a screen button up that would call the onscreen keyboard similar to the hide keyboard button at the bottom right of the onscreen keyboard.

custom scans <<</div>

This varies with readers, but when I was working with a large number of different readers, I found that "good" readers offered extensive customization options. Since readers are "output only" devices with, these options came in the form of special barcodes in the manual that allowed programming the reader's firmware settings.

Beverly Howard

Aug 15, 2010 9:36 AM in response to bevhoward

since this is custom software, wonder if it might be possible to put a screen button up that would call the onscreen keyboard similar to the hide keyboard button at the bottom right of the onscreen keyboard.

I don't want to use the barcode scanner in custom software, I want to use it in Mobile Safari. You're right that you can bring up the soft keyboard in custom apps, but good luck getting App Store approval.

This varies with readers, but when I was working with a large number of different readers, I found that "good" readers offered extensive customization options. Since readers are "output only" devices with, these options came in the form of special barcodes in the manual that allowed programming the reader's firmware settings.

Yes, but the trick is for it to send non-ASCII characters which so far I haven't seen support for (though I haven't tried an extensive range of Bluetooth HID scanners). It's technically possible, but may need some firmware love from the manufacturers. Apple should really just add an icon to pop-up the soft keyboard.

Aug 15, 2010 9:53 AM in response to Jonathan Gales

I want to use it in Mobile Safari <<</div>

Just thinking out loud here... and assuming that you do have control over the web app...

...perhaps an "on page link" that would present it's own javascript keyboard which, in turn, would input to the textbox output selected when the keyboard link was tapped?

Beverly Howard

Aug 15, 2010 9:59 AM in response to bevhoward

Just thinking out loud here... and assuming that you do have control over the web app...

...perhaps an "on page link" that would present it's own javascript keyboard which, in turn, would input to the textbox output selected when the keyboard link was tapped?

We have very similar thought processes. I thought about going down that path, but then realized that there would be no way for a JS keyboard to function for things like the address bar or Google search. Or in other apps (what if they got an email and wanted to reply?). In theory it could function well-enough inside the web app, but they would have to turn off Bluetooth before navigating anywhere outside of it. Pretty klutzy in my opinion.

Save for support from Apple I think the only workable solution would be a barcode that makes the scanner send the same keycode as the eject key on Apple's keyboards. I could even show it on screen and have the user scan it there so they don't need a piece of paper along with the iPad.

Well I guess there's one more, but it's hacky as well. Write an app like KeysPlease (which requires a jail broken device) and self-sign distribute it to up to 100 users. Still fairly unintuitive, but workable.

Aug 15, 2010 10:42 AM in response to Jonathan Gales

to function for things like the address bar or Google search. <<</div>

I agree with you on the "other apps" slthough the above could be handled within yours.

but they would have to turn off Bluetooth <<</div>

Related question... can you (or anyone) confirm that there is no apparent way to automatically reconnect a keyboard... my experience to date is that I have to "re-pair" every time a keyboard is disconnected.

I had to smile this morning when "On the Media" made a very pointed comment on how "locked down" apple mobile devices are and the barriers that doing so raises 😉

Thanks in advance,
Beverly Howard

Dave-W

Level 1

0 points

Sep 21, 2010 8:41 PM in response to bevhoward

We are looking for this option as well for a web based application. We are still in the design phases and what would really be nice would be an option in settings that put a keyboard icon in the middle of the top bar on the ipad when connected to a bluetooth device. This would allow you to open the virtual keyboard from anywhere with a bluetooth device connected and still retain the functionality that disabling the virtual keyboard provides.

We are planning to buy some iPad's here shortly and a few scanners, I looked at the chs 7p, does anyone know if you can program a <cr> like you can with the symbol products.

etch

Level 1

0 points

Oct 8, 2010 10:57 AM in response to Dave-W

Dave-W wrote:
We are planning to buy some iPad's here shortly and a few scanners, I looked at the chs 7p, does anyone know if you can program a <cr> like you can with the symbol products.

You can. The 7P supports adding a <cr> suffix. I've tested this myself on an iPad 3G. You will need to contact Socket's tech support for instructions on how to do it though.

fdf1971

Level 1

4 points

Jan 5, 2011 4:22 AM in response to jamiepsa

This app looks interesting. I will try it when I get back to work - this on youtube somehow seems to achieve both HID Bluetooth and Scanner simultaneously.

Has anyone else had any success with this application.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFVgjAmpHQw

bovined

Level 1

0 points

Mar 7, 2011 11:56 AM in response to fdf1971

the Socket 7X scanners have released a new firmware that will control the OSK with a double-tap of the power button while connected. It is available as of today and I am already testing it now. Works great for anyone who needs it.

bovined

Level 1

0 points

Mar 10, 2011 3:13 PM in response to tendon

It is actually a firmware upgrade and appears to need a physical update from Socket so just contact them directly for info on that. The 7M v3 laser series appear to support it as well. I will try to get more info to post here.

Apr 7, 2011 12:08 PM in response to bovined

Socket posted a video on YouTube showing how to access the onscreen keyboard when using their scanner. There's also a URL in their video with info about their upgrade program. http://www.youtube.com/socketmobile

Feb 6, 2012 11:38 AM in response to jingg

jingg, did you ever find a solution to this? We are in the same boat. We have a web application in which we need to switch back and forth between the scanner and the oskb. Double clicking the on/off button on the CHS 7x doesn't seem to be acceptable to our users. During development it didn't seem like a bad option, but first time users can't seem to make it work. And then, of course, declare "this doesn't work, I'm not using it anymore."

IRMC

Level 1

0 points

Apr 5, 2013 3:10 AM in response to jamiepsa

I have a Opticon OPN2002 scanner. I having the same problem where the os kb is not useable after it is pair with the ipad. if bluetooth is turn OFF, everything is ok.

Even update to IOS 6.1.3 but is not helping.

Anyone have any idea how this can be fix?

rage187

Level 1

0 points

May 3, 2013 12:37 PM in response to IRMC

the opticon 2002 has a button right on the top of the device that calls the OS keyboard. I have had to update the firmware on the Opticon and be on version 6 or later of iOS for it to work. Some of the scanners, it has worked right out of the box.

Once you have the firmware installed, you have to scan a barcode(one time setup) from Opticon, that enables the function. Weird, I know.

Want to use both on screen keyboard and HID keyboard at same time