Flojack BZR write ID to tag

[AbbyParticipant]

Hi! I recently bought the Flojack BZR – I was able to read tags fine using the Flojack BZR and the Test app (via Testflight). However, I am now trying to write an ID to the tag and it doesn’t seem to be possible. I am trying to use the ” APDU —- Send ” functionality in the Test app but when I press ‘Send’ nothing appears to happen.

I found this article about the FLojack BZR firmware update https://flomio.com/flojack-bzr-firmware-update/ – could this be something to do with it? Do I need to update my firmware – I only just bought the device last month so wasn’t sure if this applied or not?

If that’s not the case then any suggestions?

[ScottKeymaster]

Hi Abby,

You’re right, it’s very likely that you need to follow the firmware update tutorial to begin sending APDUs successfully. The Test App works to send APDUs when the firmware is updated, that being said, it’s can be unreliable in my experience.

Writing to a tag with the BZR may not be reliable with the current setup of the SDK. Because of the way the BZR’s manufacturer’s driver is, each time we display the UUID, it’s from ‘connecting’ to a tag. It is possible to send APDUs to read data, but it requires a well timed APDU to be sent while the tag is ‘connected’ (i.e in between UUID reads). It’s frustrating and I am currently working with the manufacturer to get a fix to their driver.

The reason for the difficulty is because we can’t use the regular way we poll for tags using an ‘get UUID’ apdu (FF CA 00 00 00), instead we are forced to use a ‘connect’ method, which doesn’t work optimally for polling and also reading/writing tag data.

You can be sure that I am working to rectify this but I would still recommend updating the firmware and testing it yourself. It may be the case that it will still suffice for you.

-Scott

• This reply was modified 8 years, 4 months ago by  Scott.

[AbbyParticipant]

Ok thanks Scott very helpful – I will try that firmware update, although need to find a Windows-based PC first to make it work.
If the Flomio BZR is not really the best device to write tags, are any of your other products more suited to this? and what sort of timelines are you looking at for making the BZR write friendly – weeks, months or years?

Thanks! Abby

[ScottKeymaster]

Abby,
I share your frustration that the firmware update is only possible using a Windows PC.
The FloBLE Plus is more suited to writing to tags. You would still need to send the APDUs to the tags yourself to write to it but it would be more reliable at responding correctly to your commands. Added writing tags to the SDK is in our pipeline but it is likely a few months away, this will first come to the FloBLE Plus, and then to the FloJack BZR and the FloJack MSR depending on customer demand.

-Scott

• This reply was modified 8 years, 4 months ago by  Scott.

[AbbyParticipant]

Hi Scott
Just to confirm I installed the firmware update and the only effect it seemed to have was that now the ‘Send’ button seems to be enabled, so it dims when I press it. However I have not been able to write any information to any tag. The FloBLE Plus isn’t as practical for our needs as it is an additional device to hold, we want one person to be able to scan the tag and then enter information on their phone right away. What is the best way to stay informed on progress with being able to write tags using a FloJack BZR?

Thanks so much for your help
Abby

[ScottKeymaster]

Hi Abby,

The firmware update allows the BZR to send APDUs, prior to this it was not possible.
I am adding the capacity for the BZR to read NDEF data as we speak, which will mean I can get to working on writing to tags soon.
If you would like to try updating to our v2.1 (beta) SDK:
which has improved the ability to send APDUs to readers using FmSessionManager’s
– (void)sendApdu:(NSString *)apdu toDevice:(NSString *)deviceSerialNumber;
eg.
Write: ’43 61 72 64′ to block 0E
[readerManager sendApdu:@”FF D6 00 0E 04 43 61 72 64” toDevice: <yourDeviceId>];
here is a link: Flomio v2.1 (beta)

I can update you on this thread to let you know when writing data on the BZR is possible with our SDK.

Kind Regards,
Scott

• This reply was modified 8 years, 3 months ago by  Scott.

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