How can I retrieve the text input from a physical barcode scanner in a React Native screen?

Currently, I am developing a mobile application with React Native version 0.68.2.

I am seeking a solution to detect barcode scanning events from a physical scanner hardware that is integrated into the mobile device as a handheld scanner.

The key requirement for the application is to be able to capture and process scanned inputs without requiring the user to focus on any visible TextInput fields.

Could you kindly provide guidance on how to achieve this functionality?

Answer №1

It appears that the typical window.onkeypress events are not readily available as in a standard web application. However, one potential solution could involve automatically focusing on an invisible/transparent/hidden TextInput when no other TextInputs are currently engaged.

import React, { useEffect } from "react";
import { StyleSheet, Text, TextInput, View } from "react-native";

export default function App() {
    const invisibleRef = React.useRef(null);

    useEffect(() => {
        invisibleRef.current.focus();
    }, []);

    const focusInvisibleInput = (e) => {
        e.preventDefault();
        if (invisibleRef.current) {
            invisibleRef.current.focus();
        }
    };

    return (
        <View style={styles.container} onTouchStart={focusInvisibleInput}>
            <TextInput
                ref={invisibleRef}
                autoFocus={true}
                autoCorrect={false}
                autoComplete={false}
                style={{ opacity: 0 }}
                onChangeText={(text) => console.log("hidden", text)}
            />

            <TextInput
                style={{ height: 40, borderColor: "gray", borderWidth: 1 }}
                placeholder="Type something here"
                onChangeText={(text) => console.log("visible", text)}
            />

            <Text>A nice react native app!</Text>

            <TextInput
                style={{ height: 40, borderColor: "gray", borderWidth: 1 }}
                placeholder="Type some thing else here!"
                onChangeText={(text) => console.log("visible", text)}
            />
        </View>
    );
}

const styles = StyleSheet.create({
    container: {
        flex: 1,
        backgroundColor: "#fff",
        alignItems: "center",
        justifyContent: "center",
    },
});

Additionally, you might consider implementing a generic input handler to measure the speed of text input and determine whether it is automated scanning or manual entry. For example, receiving 20 characters within 50ms could indicate a scan rather than manual input.

While there may be more efficient methods for achieving this goal, I have not found any alternative solutions at the moment.

I hope this information proves helpful!

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