Barcode Scanning

Healthcare Supply Manager uses advanced ZXing and ML Kit technology to scan and decode healthcare barcodes instantly. This guide covers all scanning features and modes.

Supported Barcode Types

Barcode Type	Description	Data Extracted
GS1-128	Healthcare standard barcode	GTIN, Lot, Expiration, Serial
GS1 DataMatrix	2D matrix code (common on small items)	GTIN, Lot, Expiration, Serial
HIBC	Health Industry Bar Code	Product ID, Lot, Expiration
UPC/EAN	Standard retail barcodes	Product ID only
QR Code	Quick Response code	Varies by content

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:

AI Code	Data Type	Example
(01)	GTIN (Product ID)	00312345678901
(10)	Lot/Batch Number	ABC123
(17)	Expiration Date	251231 (Dec 31, 2025)
(21)	Serial Number	XYZ789

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

Use Shelf Scan mode for rapid inventory counting:

1. From the scanner screen, tap the mode selector at the top
2. Select "Shelf Scan"
3. Scan items continuously — each scan adds to the count
4. Items are grouped by product automatically
5. High-resolution capture ensures accurate barcode detection
6. Tap "Complete Count" when finished
7. Review the count summary and save to inventory

Note: Shelf Scan mode includes a brief cooldown between scans of the same barcode to prevent duplicate counts from a single scan.

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