Barcode Scanning

Healthcare Supply Manager uses ZXing-based scanning to decode healthcare barcodes instantly. This guide covers all scanning features and modes.

Supported Barcode Types

Basic Scanning

1. Tap the Scan button on the bottom navigation bar
2. Point your camera at the barcode
3. Hold steady — the app will automatically detect and scan
4. A success sound/vibration indicates successful scan
5. Review the extracted information in the bottom sheet

Scanning Tips:

• Ensure adequate lighting — avoid shadows on the barcode
• Hold the camera 4-8 inches from the barcode
• Keep the camera steady while scanning
• For small barcodes, tap to focus on the area

Understanding GS1 Barcodes

GS1 healthcare barcodes contain Application Identifiers (AIs) that encode specific data:

Stacked UDI Barcode Support

Healthcare products often use stacked barcodes (two separate barcodes on the same label):

• Primary Barcode: Contains GTIN (product identifier)
• Secondary Barcode: Contains lot number, expiration, and serial

The app automatically handles these in two ways:

1. Same-frame detection: Both barcodes detected simultaneously and merged
2. Two-scan fallback: Scan one barcode, then scan the second within 5 seconds — they'll be combined automatically

Tip: When scanning stacked barcodes, you'll see a "Partial Barcode Detected" prompt if only one barcode is found. Simply scan the second barcode to complete.

Batch Scanning Mode

Scan multiple items rapidly with continuous scanning:

1. From the scanner screen, tap "Batch Mode"
2. Each detected barcode is added to a queue automatically
3. Visual and audio feedback confirms each scan
4. Review all scanned items before adding to inventory
5. Tap "Complete Batch" when finished

Shelf Scan Mode

Shelf Scan is a continuous-capture mode for counting or verifying a whole shelf in one pass. On devices that support ARKit (iPhone) or ARCore (Android), barcode markers are anchored in 3D as you walk the aisle, so they stay put instead of drifting with the phone.

1. Open the navigation drawer and tap Shelf Scan
2. Pick a mode — Single for one pass or Continuous for walking sessions
3. Optionally tap Bind to Location so saved items get stamped with the correct shelf
4. Point and pan; barcodes are captured automatically
5. Tap Complete to review and save to inventory

Find Target. Tap the search icon in the app bar to look up a specific product by GTIN or name. The overlay highlights it in a distinct color and buzzes + shows a snackbar the moment it's detected — useful for picks and locating a specific lot on a dense shelf.

Verification mode. Tap the fact-check icon to snapshot the inventory you expect at this location and compare against the scan. Mismatches show a discrepancy badge — Expected 12 · Counted 9 (−3) — with red for under and amber for over.

Fallback. If your device doesn't support ARKit/ARCore, or if Google Play Services for AR isn't installed on Android, Shelf Scan drops back to depth-from-size + IMU tracking. A dismissible banner at the top of the screen signals the fallback; on Android it offers to install the required service.

Note: Shelf Scan includes a brief cooldown between scans of the same barcode to prevent duplicate counts from a single scan. Stacked UDI labels save as a single combined entry (GTIN + lot + expiration together).

FDA UDI Lookup

When scanning unknown products, the app can look up information from the FDA's GUDID database:

1. Scan a barcode that's not in your catalog
2. Tap "Look up in FDA Database"
3. The app queries the FDA GUDID API
4. If found, product information is pre-filled
5. Review and edit as needed, then save

Information retrieved includes:

• Brand name and manufacturer
• Device description
• Product classification
• Company contact information

Manual Barcode Entry

If a barcode won't scan, you can enter it manually:

1. Tap the keyboard icon on the scanner screen
2. Enter the barcode number
3. Select the barcode format if known
4. Tap "Submit"

Scan History

View your recent scans:

1. From the scanner screen, tap the history icon
2. See a list of recent scans with timestamps
3. Tap any item to view details or add to inventory
4. Swipe to delete individual history items