How to Represent a Bluetooth Connection as a Virtual Serial Port Connection in Windows Mobile

Description

You can configure Windows Mobile devices for a bluetooth connection by setting it up as a Virtual Serial Port.

Applies To

All Bluetooth enabled Zebra Mobile Printers

Requirements

Windows Mobile device and Zebra Mobile Printer with Bluetooth capability

Overview

 This solution is useful for:

• Using the Zebra Utilities app for Windows Mobile
• Failing to connect to a Zebra Bluetooth printer in the Zebra Utilities app
• Failing to connect to a Zebra Bluetooth printer while using the ZebraLink SDK For Windows Mobile

Procedure

On certain handheld devices it may become necessary to represent a Bluetooth connection as a virtual serial port (COM port) to allow for Bluetooth communication.  To represent the Bluetooth connection as a virtual COM port, you will have to use a utility to associate a given Bluetooth connection with a virtual serial port.  The following steps demonstrate how to perform this on a Windows Mobile 5.0 handheld running BTExplorer 1.2.4 Build 15260.

1. In BTExplorer discover all the nearby Bluetooth devices from the 'Tools' menu in the bottom.  From the list of discovered devices, you should see a listing with the printer's friendly name.  By default the printer's friendly name is its serial number.  If the 'Serial Printer' option is not present below the friendly name, click on the printer and select 'Explore', after which the 'Serial Printer' option should appear.  Click on the 'Serial Printer' option and choose 'Connect'.
   
   
   
    
2. You will be taken to the following screen.  Make a note of the 'Local Com Port' and hit 'OK'.
   
   
   
    
3. In the Zebra Utilities app, navigate to the 'Serial Manual' option.
   
   
   
    
4. Make sure to select the COM port indicated by BTExplorer.  Hit 'Connect' in the bottom right.
   
   
    

At this point you should be able to communicate with the printer and utilize Zebra Utilities' full functionality.