Digit-Eyes now offers no-charge access to registered users who want to use a fob-type laser scanner with their phone

This tutorial describes how to attach and use the KDC300 to an iPhone, iPod or iPad as a Human Interface Device (HID mode).

Configuring the KDC300

The KDC300 is rectangular in shape; about 3 centimeters (1.25 inches) in the short direction, about 7.5 centimeters (3 inches) in the long direction and about 1 centimeter (0.5 inch) thick.   One of the short ends has a connection for the power cable and the other has the laser.  

There is a large button located on one of the large rectangular sides.  This is the button that activates scanning.  On one of the long rectangular sides, there are two small buttons.  These are cursor controls.  The one closest to the laser is "up" and the one closest to the power connector is "down".  

The "down" button is used in the application with Digit-Eyes to turn the device on and off as a keyboard input to the iDevice.

We found the instruction sheet shipped with the KDC300 was not very usable without vision and created a new instruction page and a procedure that does not require vision.

1. First, using the cable supplied with the device, plug it into a powered USB port and leave it to charge.  This will take about 4 hours.  Note that although it should be possible to insert the USB cable in only one orientation, there is actually some play in the connector and it may be possible to do it wrong -- in which case, the scanner won't charge.   When you plug it in, make sure the tactile symbol on the cable connector is facing the same direction as the display of the scanner.
2. Print the instruction sheet. This is designed to be used without vision.
   • If your printer uses US standard 8.5 / 11 inch paper, click here to open a new window that will download a pdf that has the codes used to configure the KDC300 scanner or click here to open a new window that will download the same documentation in Microsoft Word format.
   • If your printer uses A4 paper, click here to open a new window that will download a pdf that has the codes used to configure the KDC300 scanner or click here to open a new window that will download the same documentation in Microsoft Word format.
3. Print the page. Fold the page once horizontally and once vertically so it is divided into four parts.
4. The two codes in the top half are used to configure the KDC 300.   Use the KDC300 to scan the code that is located in the middle of the top left section of the page.   This sets it to HID Keyboard input mode.  It will beep when it recognizes the code.  It may take a second to process and set the mode, but this generally takes only a few seconds.
5. Use the KDC300 to scan the code that is located in the middle of the top right section of the page.  The starts the KDC300 pairing so the iDevice can find it.
6. On your iPhone, iPad or iPod, select the "Settings" option, then "General" and then "Bluetooth".   Turn Bluetooth on if it is not on already.
7. The KDC300 will show on the device list with a status of "not connected".   Touch the option to connect it.
8. When the connection is made, the KDC300 will beep again.
9. You are now ready to scan.

Disconnecting and reconnecting the KDC300

The "down" button is used in the application with Digit-Eyes to turn the device on and off as a keyboard input to the iDevice.   You can also turn it on and off using the instruction sheet:

1. Scan the code in the bottom left quarter of the worksheet to disconnect the KDC300 from your iDevice.
2. Scan the code in the bottom right quarter of the worksheet to reconnect it.

You can also disconnect it using the "Settings / General / Bluetooth" option on your iDevice.

Using the KDC300

1. Bring up Safari on your iPhone, iPad or iPod.
2. Go to:  http://digit-eyes.com/m/   Note:  the KDC300 may be paired in a way that disables the popup keyboard on the iPhone.  If so, click the "down" button on the side of the device (this is the small button that is closest to the power connector) to toggle it on and off.
3. When the page displays, explore it by running your finger from the top to the bottom of the screen.  There is an input box near the top that will voice "UPC / EAN Code" and identify the field as a text box.  If you have "hints" enabled in VoiceOver, you'll be instructed "tap twice to enter"
4. Tap twice on the field to activate it, then scan with the scanner.  It will beep once when it finds a code and the code will automatically be sent to the Digit-Eyes database to be looked up.  There are some cases where Voiceover will try and voice part of the number before it is transmitted.   Just ignore this.
5. If you hear a double beep, this means that the scanner has ended the search without finding a code. The scan time is quite short (a couple of seconds) and it may take more than one swipe with the scanner to find the code.   Digit-Eyes will wait as long as it takes to find the code.
6. As soon as the code is looked up, it will be displayed on the screen.   VoiceOver is not completely dependable as to how it will announce the results.  Generally, it will inform you of the text box, ready for more input and then announce the title. 
7. By dragging your finger down the screen, it will voice all content, including directions, product details, ingredients and all the information that the manufacturer has made available.

Helpful Hint:  The laser scanner needs to "find" the bar code on the item.   You may need to rotate the item so that all surfaces are exposed to the scanner before the code is found.   If you need help, please contact support@digit-eyes.com

More about the KDC300:  The KDC300 is manufactured by KoamTac. You can read more about their products at www.koamtac.com. Click here for a complete copy of their PDF-format manual for the scanner.

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