Posts Tagged ‘bar code scanner’

Bar codes can be found on any product you buy today at supermarkets or shopping malls. Everything, from the biggest TV to a package of gum, has this unique code that distinguishes it from all other products.

The unique symbols that each barcode contains is determined by the height, width and spacing of the bars. The choice of bar used will determine the type of information contained in the code, either numeric data, alphanumeric data or character data.

Photo sensors in the bar code scanners convert the bars into electric signals which can then be “read”.

Each product gives a unique signal since each bar code is unique, and this signal is converted into readable characters by special software that accurately measures the height, width and spacing.

In a matter of seconds, the information is gathered by the software and sent on to the main computer.

The critical tool is the decoder, which is capable of accepting upwards of 250 scans per scanning rate without making a mistake. Scanners also come equipped with an automatic discrimination feature that allows the scanner to identify what type of code is being scanned.

There are many other important pieces to a bar code scanner, but what are all these pieces for?

If you look at all the items on the shelves of a grocery store, you’ll notice almost all of them have a UPC (Universal Price Code) sticker. The scanner reads the bars of the UPC and adds that to your account.

Not only that but bar codes can make compiling inventory reports much easier. Scanning products can reduce errors by clerks, either in calculating sales or recording them, as well as providing faster service to clients.

No one wants to wait in line, watching the cashier try to ring someone up manually, and scanners help everyone from a gas-and-go to departments stores tend to their customers quickly and efficiently.

Author: Kenneth Masters
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Smart cooker

Bar codes have specific symbology that is defined in the height and width of the bars as well as the spacing between the bars. Each of these bars might represent numeric data, alphanumeric data or character data, depending on the type of symbology being used.

Each bar code has a start bar and an end bar to allow the scanner to read the data precisely. Some bar codes have another bar before the end bar, known as the checksum bar code. After the scanner calculates the sum, it is verified with the value of the checksum bar code for accuracy. This ensures exact calculation with minimal errors.

Bar codes are read by scanners that are in fact photosensors used to convert the bars in the bar code into electrical signals as it is being scanned. Since the bars are distinguished by their width, height and spacing, they are then measured using software that recognizes and converts electrical signals from the bars into readable characters. The scanner software then transmits this data to the PC terminal. The whole process does not take more than a few seconds.

Bar code scanners are available in a variety of models. A few popular ones are the gun model, countertop model and portable variety. The simplest scanner model is connected to the PC and the keyboard. Software allows the scanner to read the bar code data and input it into the PC with minimal fuss. This is the most commonly used model, although the scanners that can be connected to serial ports or USB wedges are also popular. Since the data read in such cases does not interfere with the keyboard data, the software has complete control over the data flow from the scanner with little or no help manually.

Cordless scanners are also popular. Like cordless phones or cordless keyboards, these connect through radio waves with the base that is connected to the PC. This works similar to regular scanners, except that the data is first transmitted to the base and then sent to the system. These are usually short distance scanners, and they need to be within a specific range of the base to transmit the data accurately. Portable scanners are most useful when the user needs to input data simultaneously along with the scanning. This is especially true in cases when the user needs to go through menus to select the correct option. Almost all portable scanners come with a keyboard that the user can use to select the product.

All these scanners and many other models, such as the wireless ones, charge-coupled scanners, laser models, LED, handheld models, counter scanners, fixed-in-counter scanners and belt scanners, have the ability to store data regardless of the size and shape. The software used in these is basically the same, although a few changes might exist based on their utility. They decode the data in the bar code and store it for future reference.

Author: Eddie Tobey
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Beading Necklace

Corded scanning
Simple scanning in a small shop could use a low cost bar code scanner possibly that requires near contact touch to the product. This would not be the best bar code scanner in the world but would read bar codes effectively and be cheap to buy (Under 50 ex VAT).

Alternatively if you required a bar code scanner that can read a greater distance away from the bar code you could spend slightly more on a mid range bar code scanner that can also scan bar codes at a faster rate, slightly more expensive but still will not break the bank (Under 99 ex VAT).

Cordless scanning
For scanning without wires there are two main options – Bluetooth or Wireless LAN (WLAN 802.11b/g).
In retail short range cordless scanning can enhance staff performance on the shop floor or help stock takes or checks in warehouses.

Bluetooth works over a short range, the highest distance working up to 100M without interruption from obstructions. Bluetooth bar code scanners tend to be lower cost due to a shorter range typically up to 15M dependent on obstructions although the range can extend up to 100M on more expensive scanners.

Wireless LAN works over a companys wireless network, the scanners typically utilise 802.11b/g standards. WLAN bar code scanners have a longer range (from 30 – 100M).

Omni Directional Scanning
Omni directional bar code scanners are most commonly used in retail applications especially in Epos systems in shops and supermarkets. The bar code scanners enable the cashier to scan the product from multiple angles to decrease time spent scanning and make the process more efficient.

2 dimensional (2D) Scanning
2D bar code scanners are used when a bar code is required to hold more than just a product number. For example to hold customers address details or to store more details about a product (name, weight, type…).

Bar code Verifiers
For suppliers to retail businesses bar code verifiers are very important especially for supermarkets. Suppliers can be fined large amounts for printing bar codes that do not provide a good reading when scanned. Through the use of a bar code verifier either on the production line or in testing departments bar codes can be scanned and if necessary production can be stopped to correct the label printing to avoid a fine from the retailer.

Author: Vanessa Raby
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Mobile device news