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How To: Test Camera Connection

Use this guide to verify that a camera is connected and can read barcodes.

Step 1: Identify the camera type

Check appsettings.json to find the camera type:

Camera Type Connection Used At
Cognex DataMan TCP (IP:23) Most sites (Cargill, Hormel)
Cognex Insight TCP (IP:23) Cargill Hersey (OCR)
Zebra FS40 TCP (IP:port) Zebra Futures Lab
Zebra DS9908R USB (CoreScanner) Teasdale

Step 2: Check physical connections

For TCP cameras (Cognex, Insight, FS40)

  1. Check that the camera has power (indicator light is on).
  2. Check that the Ethernet cable is connected at both ends.
  3. Check the Ethernet port lights on the camera (link light should be solid or blinking).

For USB cameras (DS9908R)

  1. Check that the scanner is powered on (it should beep on startup).
  2. Check that the USB cable is securely connected.
  3. Check that the cable reaches the computer without being stretched or damaged.

Step 3: Verify network connectivity (TCP cameras)

  1. Open a command prompt.
  2. Ping the camera IP address:
ping 192.168.100.200
  1. Expected: You should see replies.
  2. If ping fails, see Check Network Connectivity.

Step 4: Check the Diagnostics panel

  1. Open the Diagnostics panel in GateKeeper (gear icon).
  2. Find the camera in the device list.
  3. Check the connection status.
Status Meaning Next Step
Connected Camera is online Go to Step 5
Disconnected Camera is not reachable Check cable and power, then restart the application

Step 5: Test barcode reading

For Cognex cameras with manual trigger available

  1. Place a barcode label in front of the camera.
  2. Use the manual trigger button in the Diagnostics panel (if available).
  3. Expected: The camera reads the barcode and the result appears in the panel.

For cameras in Hardware trigger mode

  1. Hardware trigger cameras are activated by a photo-eye sensor.
  2. Pass a case with a barcode through the trigger zone.
  3. Expected: The camera reads the barcode and the validation result appears.

For DS9908R (Teasdale)

  1. Hold a case with a DataMatrix barcode and RFID tag near the scanner.
  2. The scanner should automatically read the barcode (presentation mode) or be triggered by the operator.
  3. Expected: The scan progress indicators in the UI show checkmarks as each component is read.

Step 6: Check for NOREAD issues

If the camera is connected but returns NOREAD:

  1. Check barcode quality: Is the barcode clearly printed and undamaged?
  2. Check positioning: Is the barcode in the camera's field of view?
  3. Check focus: Is the camera focused at the correct distance?
  4. Check lighting: Is there enough light, and is there excessive glare?

Log messages for NOREAD: - "NOREAD" in the camera data - "No barcode read from camera" in validation log

Step 7: Camera reconnection behavior

Cognex cameras have automatic reconnection: - If the connection drops during a trigger, the application will attempt one automatic reconnection. - If reconnection succeeds, the trigger is retried. - If reconnection fails, the camera is marked as disconnected.

To manually reconnect: Restart the application. See Restart Application.