![Post image for Socket Mobile’s Bluetooth Barcode Scanner for healthcare will now sync with the iPhone and iPad [Video included]](http://cdn.imedicalapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Screen-shot-2010-06-09-at-3.21.13-AM1.png)
Socket Mobile just announced Bluetooth syncing support for their medical grade bar code scanner and the iPhone, iPod touch, and the iPad. Barcodes are essential in the health care setting – they enable nurses to tag medications upon delivery – helping to avoid dosing errors, help hospital systems keep an accurate count of supply inventories, and provide a host of other uses. If used properly, the potential uses of this pairing are significant.
For the pairing to work on the iPhone and iPod Touch, iOS 4.0, formerly known as iPhone OS 4, is required. iOS 4.0 will be released on June 21st, right before the launch of the iPhone 4. Continue on to see a video and pictures of the bar code scanner in action. The fact the video uses the old X-Man cartoon theme song for its intro is absolutely hilarious and in itself worth the view.
Thoughts from the video:
*They are running iOS 4.0 on the iPhone already
*Again, the X-Men theme song is an hilarious touch
*In the video they have the scanner inputting codes into the notepad app- leading you to believe they are leaving software development up to outside developers.
Could this be utilized by a hospital for their electronic medical record system?
As mentioned before, barcodes are used in the hospital setting for meds extensively, but I don’t foresee this syncing capability being a game changer for EMR systems in the hospital. Hospital EMR systems usually have the barcode scanner sync directly to their servers, it would be pointless to send the data to the iPhone first.
Potential Uses:
I could definitely see something like this being valuable in the mobile clinic setting or home health visits – where Wi-Fi might not be available – and the ability to tag medications given, and then use the iPhone’s 3G service to upload the data would prove to be a valuable tool.
Socket Mobile is not making this barcode reader exclusively for medical uses – but is offering an Antimicrobial enclosure version for those planning to use it in the healthcare setting. It appears Socket Mobile is going to be leaning heavily on developers to produce the necessary software that will make the iPhone and iPad syncing useful – they are offering a special promotion for developers interested in purchasing the device:
iPhone / iPad / iPod touch Developer Special Promotion Socket is currently running a special iPhone / iPad / iPod touch software developer promotion on the Socket CHS 7X or 7XRx. Now through September 30, 2010 interested developers can purchase either barcode scanner at 20% off MSRP through the Socket Online Store. To take advantage of this offer, enter coupon code “ipad20″ for the CHS 7X or “ipad20rx” for the antimicrobial CHS 7XRx upon checkout. This offer is only valid in the United States.
The following is a clipping from their PDF file on how the bluetooth Barcode reader would sync with the iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.
![Nuance Brings Medical Dictation and Search to your iPhone: Dragon Medical Mobile Apps [Video]](http://www.imedicalapps.com/wp-content/themes/thesis_imedicalapps/post_thumb_default.jpg)
![Thumbnail image for Socket Mobile’s Bluetooth Barcode Scanner for healthcare will now sync with the iPhone and iPad [Video included]](http://www.imedicalapps.com/wp-content/themes/thesis/lib/scripts/thumb.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imedicalapps.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F06%2FScreen-shot-2010-06-09-at-3.21.13-AM1.png&w=100&h=100&zc=1&q=100)
Iltifat, thank you for writing about Socket’s new barcode scanner.
You are correct in assuming that the scanner is intended for use with 3rd party software. Socket partners with many 3rd party developers who create mobile healthcare apps such as EMR, nursing documentation, bedside medication verification, asset management, etc.
There is a list of software partners online at: http://www.socketmobile.com/pa…
Thanks Michelle-
Other than healthcare, where does the socket mobile team see the bar code scanner being utilized? Is there a specific industry. With the ability to now pay with a credit card using the iPhone, and now with this bar code scanner, I’m wondering if switching over to the iPhone or iPad might be a cost saving proposition or small business owners.
The CHS Series 7 includes a full line of scanners that addresses other markets such as Hospitality, Retail, Warehouse and Manufacturing. In general, the Series 7 is offered with 2 scan types (1D and 2D). The 1D laser scanners (models 7E2, 7M2, 7P) were found used for asset tracking, inventory management, shipping/receiving operations, and order pick and pack applications. For Healthcare that do not require scanning 2D barcodes, Socket offers the 7NRx also manufactured with an Antimicrobial and extra durable exterior. Other than patient care and record management in Healthcare, the 2D scanners (models 7X, 7XRx) are being utilized in applications such as online-kiosk stations, product verification, ticketing, and field services across Retail and Hospitality sectors.
It seems that it is very likely business owners in Retail wish to switch over to the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch devices primarily for a more robust overall solution as well as simply to create a more attractive storefront. The switch to iPad in Healthcare is expected more heavily in work enviornments where data collection requires mobility such as nurses moving from and to patient rooms in hospitals.
Samantha Chu
Product Manager, Data Collection
Socket Mobile, Inc
stupid. because is possible to read bar-codes via camera on iphone(example – http://viactivity.com/for-inve… ).
Not really bc it takes a lot longer to do it with the camera. And if
you’re in the hospital or retail speed actually matters
Hi,
I am delighted on this product but need to know if it can work, for iPad, at the same time apple bluetooth keyboard is paired.
To be more precise, think of an user entering data in a form using apple bluetooth keyboard and needing to read a barcode to fill one of these form’s fields.
Thanks,
M
This is a limitation with how Apple has implemented the HID Bluetooth connection where only one device can be connected to the iPad. For instance, if your Bluetooth keyboard is already connected to the iPad and you try and connect the scanner, the iPad will automatically drop the connection to the keyboard before connecting to the scanner. Many people use the virtual (soft) keyboard, but I’m assuming that would not be ideal for you. -Samantha
We have a bluetooth scanner that works with the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. The 200i and 300i both use an SDK for software developers but you can scan barcodes into a file to download to your PC later. This is the only barcode scanner available where you can leave the iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch in your pocket or on your desk and display prompts on the barcode scanner screen. It’s the size of a Zippo lighter and can be programmed easily with operator prompts. You can see it in action at http://www.barcodeguy.com. The videos will only take a couple of minutes to watch. Here are the links:
http://barcodeguy.com/iPhone_B…
http://barcodeguy.com/iPad_Blu…