I like the looks of that chip - it looks to be available locally and is only 25$ or so in single quantitys. I found a wand at a surplus place and it is only 25$ or so. I feel that with a basic Stamp and a weekend or two I could build a wedge for under 100$ and still have bragging rights. The next step would be interface a LCD Module and a some eeprom for scan storage and make it portable so we can walk around and scan the books on the shelves then dump it back to the PC. -----Original Message----- From: Pasi T Mustalahti To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU Date: Tuesday, September 16, 1997 1:33 AM Subject: [OT] Re: Barcode and the PIC >On Mon, 15 Sep 1997, Kahn-Syd wrote: > >> I have seen >> "wedges" with wands,but they cost 100+ dollars and for that money I can get >> an awfull lot of parts. >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Walter Banks >> To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU >> Date: Monday, September 15, 1997 12:44 AM >> Subject: Re: Barcode and the PIC > >PTM: My opinion about the price of a wand is similar. I can't understand >why a barcode pen containing a HP HEDS1000, an operation amplifier and >some discretes plus a cable plus a box containing a prosessor can cost >together about 1500 FIM = 300$. A mouse costs about 6$ and it is >mechanically mych more complicated. Even a scanner is cheaper. A good B/W >handheld scanner can be found at about 500 FIM = 100$. >I know that this HEDS1000 has been High Prise -component (HP) but there is >allways other ways around this. > >I think there is a space and time to rework the concept. >-why separate the pen, brainbox and connector ? The brainbox can be fitted >inside the pen with modern chips or the pen fitted inside the box. >-The one and only working method to connect a pen is between the keyboard >and the PC. > >-------------------------------------------------------------------------- >PTM, pasi.mustalahti@utu.fi, ptmusta@utu.fi, http://www.utu.fi/~ptmusta >Lab.ins. (mikrotuki) ATK-keskus/Mat.Luon.Tdk OH1HEK >Lab.engineer (PC support) Computer Center OI7234 >Mail: Turun Yliopisto / Fysla, Vesilinnantie 5, 20014 >Pt 02-3336669, FAX 02-3335632 (Pk 02-2387010, NMT 049-555577) >--------------------------------------------------------------------------