Add support for upcoming TappyUSB readers, and detecting tag entry and exit events using AutoPollCommands. Added URL record support for keyboard mode

This release adds support for TappyUSB readers that use the vendor-specific USB device class.

Also added is a new AutoPollCommand that allows detecting and notifying the host of tag entry and exit events.

Update 22-April-2022: The Tappy Demoexecutable (zip archive) was updated in this release to v3.3 to include keyboard entry support for URL/URI records read from NFC tags.

Update 29-July-2022: Added minor updates to the demo program to indicate that it's best to unplug other serial USB COM port devices if you're having trouble autodetecting the TappyUSB.

Added LED and Buzzer Indicator Commands to SDK, added UID mode keyboard entry

The demo program (now v3.1) was updated to support keyboard entry mode with tag UIDs (previously it only supported NDEF keyboard entry)

The "programmatic indicator control" capability now featured in Tappy readers allows the host application to conrol the LED and buzzer indicators for a more customized user experience. These commands were added to the SDK.

Added support for TappyBLE readers w/ updated BLE module firmware

This release includes updates that allow the Windows example utility to connect to TappyBLE readers that feature upgraded Bluetooth module firmware from Silicon Labs (formerly Zentri, Ackme). Previously only TappyBLE readers with v1.5 of this module firmware would work with this example utility but now the SDK has been updated to support both legacy and updated BLE module firmware.

The backwards compatibility is based on the serial number of the TappyBLE which is contained in the device name. TappyBLE serial numbers 001 through 069 have the legacy (v1.5) module firmware and use a different write characteristic handle than that of more recent TappyBLEs with serial numbers 070 and greater.

This release updates just the underlying Tappy TCMP SDK, there is no change to example utility program. The BLED112 dongle from Bluegiga is required to use TappyBLE readers on Windows.

Added batch tag encoding based on imported spreadsheet of URLs or text messages, TCMP library updated with NTAG21x password protected tag command family

Summary

This release includes a new feature in the demo/example program that allows batch encoding NFC tags based on an imported spreadsheet of URL/URIs or Text data that will be encoded as NDEF to the tag. Reports can also be downloaded that indicate the status of each imported record and provide a history of all tags encoded by the batch tool.

The batch encoder feature also allows the user to specify a password for write protection if using NTAG21x model tags. This provides users the ability to encode tags and apply a password that is needed to re-encode the tags allowing the tags to be reused but still write protected from tampering. This is available only on Tappy readers with firmware version 0.76 or higher

To use the batch encoder feature, one may need to install the SQL Local Database 2016 available in the release binaries below.

Changes, improvements, and bug fixes:

• Added NTAG21x command family
• Added batch encoder feature

Added Standalone Checkin Command Family

Added Standalone Checkin Command Family to the TapTrack.Tcmp library

The demo program was updated to v2.6 which had stale code removed that once supported vCard NDEF tag writing, a feature now deprecated.

Small improvements

Added the isConntected() method to the USBConnection, fixed null exception in serial port name when TappyUSB is not found, and removed a spurious warning message that was being written to the console when data was received on the serial port.

The example application (Tappy Windows utility) is still at v2.5, but the .dll file is now at v0.5.3

Improved URL launching feature, fixed bug in Tappy reader disconnect

Improves the way URL launching is performed by not stopping the scanning if a scanning error or non-NDEF URI tag is detected.

A bug in the disconnect button was causing the example demo to report the disconnect was unsuccessful when it was successful

Removed some unneeded validation on frames in TcmpFrame.cs

Enhanced NFC keyboard entry features

The core TCMP SDK was updated to include changes that support additional features of the kiosk heartbeat mode. These features allow customization of LED indicator duration on the TappyBLE in kiosk mode.

The demo program now features additional options for adding control characters after records (TAB,CR,LF) when using the utility in keyboard wedge mode.

Added keyboard wedge utility & changes to BLE library

Changes this release:
-Fixed a bug in the TCMP frame transmission that was not escaping the CRC bytes
-Added basic keyboard wedge to the utilities
-Changes to BLE library that improved handling of the Bluegiga serial port
-Changes to the BLE library to support the heartbeat BLE mode (kiosk mode - see below)

Please note that the keyboard wedge utility added features no heartbeat/kiosk mode. A soon to be published utility will demonstrate this capability for Tappy readers configured with the heartbeat (kiosk) firmware mode.

0.4.0

Changes for 0.4.0:

• Added the following configuration commands: enable data throttling and Type 2 tag identification
• Renamed Driver to TappyReader
• Added the dipose method to TappyReader