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

Oct 24, 2016 4:24 PM in response to ddaeges1

we've added the ipads to our fleet of forklifts with a LI3678 bluetooth scanner, and we also need to access the onscreen keyboard. our 'quick' fix was to have a print out of numbers 0-9, and some generated barcodes with forklift drivers names and passwords that they can scan into the ipad. OR, just open the battery cover which turns the scanner off and the keyboard appears. once the cover is closed again, the scanner automatically connects again and they are off scanning again. We've tried everything to program the scanner and have sent inquiries to Zebra to help out, and figured it'd be useless to try and get a hold of anyone from Apple support. But the quick fix was to print out a barcode sheet for all our drivers that they could use when they needed to enter certain information.

Nov 22, 2016 8:44 AM in response to slightlyfrustrated2016

Thanks for the quick fix tip.

We too are trying to get better user interaction via iPads and bluetooth scanners. Currently we are evaluating best options from avoiding a native app needing to be developed and instead finding a browser app that just supports a true Bluetooth scanner via integrated SDK as opposed to HID "Keyboard" input mode. So far we havent found exactly what we need.

SnTD

Level 1

14 points

May 25, 2010 7:30 AM in response to SnTD

Well...it seems there isn't native bluetooth keyboard support for the iPhone. Will have to get an iPad to work with.

Jun 25, 2010 1:50 PM in response to BruceH5200

Some sites seem to suggest that F12 will cause an "eject", could a barcode of an F12 be done?

jingg

Level 1

0 points

Aug 11, 2010 11:29 AM in response to jamiepsa

Any updates on this? Thanks!

Aug 12, 2010 10:15 AM in response to jingg

Not ideal, but what happens when you turn off the scanner? Are you able to use the keyboard again immediately?

Aug 12, 2010 10:17 AM in response to jingg

I agree 100%. Hopefully they get some new firmware out there soon. A whole new model for that issue seems ridiculous.

Aug 12, 2010 10:39 AM in response to bevhoward

That's pretty clever!

Aug 14, 2010 12:14 PM in response to BruceH5200

F12 does not do the trick, just Apple's eject key (keycode 161). Still seems doable to make a barcode that sends the correct keycode, but it may take some help from the manufacturer.

Dec 12, 2010 5:57 PM in response to jamiepsa

What did you use to make the barcode to do your pairing?

tendon

Level 1

0 points

Mar 8, 2011 3:58 AM in response to bovined

where is the Firmware download ?
for shc 7m is running?

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

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