.NET compatible qr scanning devices

Question

Does a scanning device exist which allows easy communication with the .NET framework?

The scanning device needs to be:

1. Portable (so it should be able to store data within itself until connected to a pc)
2. Should be able to scan QR Codes, and display appropriate options on the built in screen of the device
3. Should have a programmable display which gives the user custom options after scanning in a QR code
4. Once connected to a computer, it should automatically make any changes to a networked database, based on the temporary data saved on the device which will depend on which qr codes have been scanned and which options the user selected after scanning a qr code.

I have used a .NET tag, because it is the language used by the environment I will be working in.

Answer 1

Expensive, but the Cognex 9500 should do everything you want:

http://www.cognex.com/DPM-mobile-computer.aspx

It's basically a Windows PDA lashed to a barcode reader. You can write your own apps in .NET Compact Framework to run on the PDA, and there's a C# API if you want to use the scanner from a PC.

Answer 2

1. Get an iPod touch. Even the smallest iPod touch can store more than enough data from scanning QR codes.

2. Write a small app using the zBar SDK (free; LGPL) http://zbar.sourceforge.net/

3. Wifi your data from the iPod to the PC - for example using http

I have created a prototype scanning QR codes, storing them locally and then pushing the data via WIFI into an Access database within a day. My app also pulls configuration data from the Access database controlling certain choices in the UI.

You are a couple $ 100 (for the iPod) and a day of work away from a prototype.