Barcode/13 is a full software barcode scanner for palmOne Treo600 and palmOne Treo650. Barcode/13 uses the Treo camera to scan ISBN, UPC-A and EAN-13 barcodes and exports the decoded value to the system clipboard. Barcode/13 can be launched within any application, and the returned value can be retrieve from the clipboard to make use of it into the initial application.

Barcode/13 is a free alternative to expensive hardware solutions. Barcode/13 can't be seen as a business solution, but it is definitely the cheapest solution for non-business use, like cave, books, CDs or DVDs inventories.

Press a long time the 5-way navigation center button to launch Barcode/13. Your Treo will return to the current application when you will leave Barcode/13.

Press a long time the side button to launch Barcode/13. Your Treo will return to the current application when you will leave Barcode/13.

In preview mode, use the 5-way navigator left and right keys. Left key will leave Barcode/13 with the clipoard emptied, right key will scan the barcode in your target.

In decoder mode, use the 5-way navigator left and right keys. Left key will return to the preview mode to scan again a barcode, right key will leave Barcode/13 with your decoded barcode value in your system clipboard.

Barcode/13 recognizes EAN-13 and UPC-A subset of EAN-13 with a leading 0, but if you have some difficulties with a barcode you can tell Barcode/13 the first digit: if your barcode is a UPC-A barcode (US barcodes, 12 digits, x xxxxx xxxxx x) you can start the scanner pressing the "0" key. If your EAN-13 barcode (european barcodes, 13 digits, x xxxxxx xxxxxx) begins with a 3, you can press the "3" key, and so on. I recommend using this feature only if automatic recognition fails: usually, I press the digit keys only if Barcode/13 fails twice to read a barcode (this happens more frequently when scanning bottles, you should not need this for standard barcodes in normal lighting conditions). Only for palmOne Treo650: space key can zoom/unzoom, but you should use this only with very small barcodes.

Barcode/13 works on palmOne Treo600 and palmOne Treo650, however palmOne Treo600 has a camera measuring the brightness and producing very saturated pictures: due to this, it can be difficult to get a sharp image, sharp enough to recognize the barcode. palmOne Treo650 has a camera that will make it easier to use with Barcode/13. If you don't have a proper contrast with you palmOne Treo600 you can place a sheet of blank paper close to your barcode, this will force the camera to modify the automatic contrast level.

Barcode/13 will give you best results if you follow some recommendations:

• Your barcode should be lighted without any shade, the easiest way and recommended way is to face the light source.
• Best distance is about 15cm with barcode parallel to your Treo.
• Barcode/13 works best with surfaces like CDs or DVDs, it is possible to use it with bottles but it may require a little training to get the good lighting conditions and to have a symmetric position.
• Don't move your Treo while scanning the barcode: a fuzzy image won't help!

When running Barcode/13, you can see a red target with 2 widths and a green line. Green line is the position that will be used to analyse the barcode, the four vertical lines are recommended sizes for large and small barcodes. Recent barcodes are often large barcodes, but some products have smaller barcodes. If you have a large barcode, point your Treo to fill the large target with your barcode (keep the barcode inside, don't oversize it). If you have a small barcode, the small target will be a better idea. If your barcode is medium size, something between the 2 targets will be fine.