br-automation-com / rfid-dotnet

Sample project for accessing B&R RFID reader with Visual Studio

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Requirements
• Downloads
• Revision History

Introduction

This is a sample project for using the B&R RFID reader with Visual Studio. The application starts as system try icon and reads the RFID data and send the information as key strokes. This can be used to enter the RFID data as password in any Windows application. The reader will be detected as serial device by scanning the serial COM ports.

The application can be configured with the INI file that is located in the directory 'C:\Program Files (x86)\BrAutomation\B&R RFID Reader Setup'

Section	Parameter	Default	Description
CHK	AutoConnect	TRUE	Automatically search and connect to the RFID reader on start up.
CHK	SendBallon	TRUE	Show a ballon text with the RFID data when a new key is detected.
CHK	SendKeys	TRUE	Send the RFID key data as key strokes.
CHK	SendKeysEnter	TRUE	Finish the key stroke information with an enter key.
RFID	KeyMinLength	15	Minimum length of the key. All keys shorter than this will be considered as false reading.
RFID	RefreshTimer	500 (ms)	The RFID data is update with the refresh timer.
RFID	ResponseTimeout	200 (ms)	The reader must respond within this time.

Requirements

• B&R RFID reader 5E9000.29
• B&R RFID reader 5E9010.29
• B&R RFID reader 5E9030.29

Downloads

Here is a list of setup files that can be installed:

• 5E9000.29
• 5E9010.29
• 5E9030.29

Revision History

Version 1.3

• 5E9030.29 Fixed false reading could cause program to crash

Version 1.2

• 5E9030.29 Added more log details and exceptions

Version 1.1

• 5E9030.29 Fixed null reference exception on timeout handler

Version 0.1

• First public release

rfid-dotnet's Issues

Null reference exception on timeout handler

I've noticed that very often I get a null reference exception in the timeout handler, since the timer is disposed before in the disconnect() method.

`
internal void TimeoutTimer_Elapsed(object state)
{
Debug.WriteLine(DateTime.Now + " " + DateTime.Now.Millisecond + " Timeout timer");

        _retrys++;
        if (_retrys > 10)
        {
            _connected = false;
            try
            {
                disconnect();
            }
            catch (Exception ex)
            {
            }
            if (OnException != null) OnException(excResponseTimeout);

        }
        TimeoutTimer.Change(Timeout.Infinite, 0);
    }

`

I don't understand why I get a timeout so often. I've set it to 250 ms, is it ok for a 5E9030?

thank you.

Errors when executing the .exe

I have got a first error when executing the projet, "Unhandled exception has occurred in your application (...) Length cannot be less than zero :

The error file with more explanation :
error.txt

And than, I guess it is related, when I click on Connect, I have a new fault :
"Failed because 'PortName' cannot be set while the port is open'

While I have a B&R RFID Reader, with the driver installed. I also managed to communicate and read a RFID Card with it through PuTTy, so the Reader and the port are OK.
Maybe I need to install something else ? The PanelPC is on Windows 7.

Thank you for your help, your project is already very nice.

Add more error messages

When the serial port is in use or does not exist report more details