BarLink

BarLink© Barcode : Developer Notes
General
Benefits
 Components Used in BarLink
File Formats
Field Definitions
LabLink Web Service
General
 
Concept
BarLink was designed as a system to aid both Indiana Crop and it's customers in preparing samples at the customer site and in setting up the samples at the lab. The system starts by creating 2-D bar code labels that are attached to the sample bags. Once received, the lab technician then scans the bar code to enter the data into the system. This reduces handling time and input errors. Labels can be created in two ways: customers can create their own programs to print the labels or they can download the BarLink program and use it to create the labels.
 
Customers wishing to create their own program can view the file format information below. Additionally, data with the 2-D bar codes is in an XML format. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Indiana Crop. 
 
Customers can choose to input data into the BarLink Program. This can either be done by hand or BarLink can import from an XML file. Either way, the BarLink program then can print out the labels to be placed on the sample bags. See file formats for the layout of the import XML file.
 
Benefits
Components Used in BarLink
Platform Microsoft VB.NET 1.1
                                        2.0 for XP, Vista and Windows 7
Grids and other Controls: Infragistics
Reporter:  DevExpress
2d BarCode: Aspose

File Formats

If you are choosing to create XML files for import into the BarLink program, below is a sample of the XML file.  The field definitions are listed below along with schema. Also a sample XML file with the available crops and the tests that can be performed on each crop is listed below. To import XML files into BarLink click on the File menu then Open data File.



Sample Data File
Schema for Data File
Crop Tests

Label Layout
Below is a picture of a sample barcode print out. If you are choosing to create a program to print your own labels,  the following some of the factors to consider in creating the label.

Note: We do request that you also create some form of packing list to be included with each shipment.

Bar Code Settings
Here are the settings for the bar code. Note:These setting were chosen to reduce the size of the bar code.

  • SymbologyType = Aspose.BarCode.Symbology.Pdf417
  • GraphicsUnit = GraphicsUnit.Millimeter
  • Pdf417CompactionMode = Aspose.BarCode.Pdf417CompactionMode.Text
  • Pdf417ErrorLevel = Aspose.BarCode.Pdf417ErrorLevel.Level2
  • xDimension = 0.5
  • Columns = 14
  • yDimension = 1
  • AspectRatio = 1
  • CaptionAbove.Text = Nothing
  • CaptionBelow.Text = Nothing

Sample Label

View of Label Layout


Enlarged View of Sample Data Section

 

Field Definitions

The following is a list of field definitions for the XML schema.
 
Table Field Name Field ID Field Type  Field Description
Sample
SEQNO SEQNO base= decimal  Used to establish a relationship between the sample record and it's test records - Primary Key
 Producer PRDNO base= string
pattern value="\d{9}"		  Field is an alpha/numeric field up to 20 characters in length to identify the customer.
 2nd copy  LCP2P base= string
pattern value="\d{9}"		  Field enables an affiliate of a crop (s) to obtain a copy of the tests results.
 3rd copy LCP3P base= string
pattern value="\d{9}"		  Field enables an affiliate of a crop (s) to obtain a copy of the tests results.
 4rd copy LCP4P base= string
pattern value="\d{9}"		  Field enables an affiliate of a crop (s) to obtain a copy of the tests results.
 Crop CRPKN base=string
maxLength value=4
enumeration
  value="CORN"
  value="SOYS"
  value="WHET"
  value="ALFA"
  value="BRLY"
  value="CLOV"
  value="CYST"
  value="OATS"
  value="RYE"
  value="SORG"
  value="SUNF"
  value="TRIT"
  value="MISC"		  Identifies the type of crop being submitted for testing
 Variety VARNM base=string
maxLength value=40
whiteSpace=collapse		  The actual name for the genetic composition of the seed and is used to help farmers differentiate products.
 Field Number LFLNO base=string
maxLength =20
whiteSpace=collapse		  An alpha/numeric field up to 20 characters in length that can have variable information supplied by the customer to identify the location of the sample.
Grade Size LGRAD base=string
maxLength=20
whiteSpace=collapse		  Is an alpha/numeric field up to 20 characters in length that can have variable information supplied by the customer. Most often the information will be the grade size, possibly the kernel count per bag and sometimes the weight of the bag. Other information could also be placed in this field.
Lot Number LOTNO base=string
maxLength=30
whiteSpacecollapse		  Is an alpha/numeric field up to 20 characters in length that can have variable information supplied by the customer to identify the specific batch the sample came from for testing.
Sample Type LSMTP base=string
maxLength=2
enumeration
  value="NL"
  value="BL"
  value="BT"
  value="QC
 Is additional information about the sample and is a required field.
The options are:
            NL = Normal
            BL = Blend
            BT = Bulk Transfer
            QC = Quality Control
Class CLASS base=string
maxLength="5"
enumeration
  value="BREED"
  value="CERT"
  value="FOUND"
  value="NCERT"
  value="REG"
Class is the class of certified seed represented by the sample.
The options are:
            Breed = Breeder Class
            Found = Foundation Class
            Reg = Registered Class
            Cert = Certified Class
            NCert = Non-Certified Seed
Purpose LSMPU base=string
maxLength=2
  value="FC"
  value="IO"
  value="QA"
Sample Purpose defines the reason for the sample.
The options are:
FC = Final Certification (FC can only be used with breed, found, reg, or cert class and the  c cert code)
QA = Quality Assurance (a conditioned sample for quality assurance) QA can only be used with ncert or breed class and the ncert code.
IO = Information Only and accounts for probably 90% of the samples
Carry-over Year LCOYR base=string
maxLength=4
pattern value="\d{4}"		 Carry-over Year field is the previous years batch of seed being carried-over to current year.
Units in Lot LBSLT base=string
maxLength=5		 Bushels in Lot is the amount of seed in a particular batch or run by variety.
Units Clean LBCLT base=string
maxLength=5		 Bushels Cleaned in Lot is the number of units from the lot that have been cleaned or conditioned and put into bags for sale.
Bulk Trans Certification LBKCR base=string
maxLength=9		 Bulk Transfer Certificate No. is relates to the company buying seed from another company and then certifying that seed.
Hand Treated LHNTR base=string
maxLength=1
enumeration
  value="Y"
  value="N"
Hand Treated indicates if a sample has any fungicides or insecticides applied.
The options are:
            U = Untreated
            T = Treated
            Y = Treated
            N = Untreated
Treated Code LTRTC base=string
maxLength=1
enumeration
  value="Y"
  value="N"
Treated Code indicates if a sample has any fungicides or insecticides applied.
The options are:
            U = Untreated
            T = Treated
            Y = Treated
            N = Untreated.
Certification Code LCRTC base=string
maxLength=1
enumeration
  value="C"
  value="N"
Certification Code indicates the certification status of a sample.
The options are:
            C = Certified
            N = Non-Certified
Clean Code LCLNC base=string
maxLength=1
enumeration
  value="Y"
  value="N"
Cleaned Code indicates if a sample has been conditioned (cleaned) or is still in
an unconditioned state.
The Options are:
            C = Cleaned
            U = Uncleaned
            Y = Cleaned
            N = Uncleaned
Speicial Instructions   base=string
maxLenght= 60		 Special Instructions is how the sample needs to be handled or other important information about the sample.
Test SEQNO SEQNO base= decimal Used to establish a relationship between the sample record and it's test records - Foreign Key
Test TEST documentation=A max of thirteen may appear for each sample due to size limitations of the bar code on the label

base=string
maxLength=10
enumeration
  value="AA"
  value="CG"
  value="CRW"
  value="CRY9C"
  value="CXA"
  value="CXB"
  value="CXC"
  value="EBC"
  value="F/S"
  value="GT"
  value="HXI"
  value="HXX"
  value="IMI"
  value="ISOZY"
  value="LL"
  value="LPX"
  value="MC"
  value="MP"
  value="NONBT"
  value="NONRR"
  value="PAGE"
  value="PCR"
  value="RR"
  value="Sand"
  value="SATCG"
  value="SC"
  value="SNP"
  value="STS"
  value="TZ"
  value="VP"
  value="WAXY"
  value="WG"		 Test(s) to be performed on this sample

Further information on individual tests can be found on our web at at http://www.indianacrop.org/.
Seed Count SDCT base=decimal
totalDigits=4		 The number of seeds being supplied with this sample. Note: This should match the minimum need to perform any of the tests to be performed for each test.
 

LabLink Web Service
LabLink Web Service is provided as an alternate means of downloading data from the LabLink system. Customers can use this to automate the downloading of data. From the service you can download information on the crops and the test available for each crop, data formats for data, and the test data. The web service can be found at  http://www.indianacrop.org/LablinkWS/LablinkWS.asmx

A sample client program with source code can be downloaded here.
 

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