Thursday, September 18, 2014

Barcode Scanner - a Practical Tool for a Business

A barcode scanner is a much needed piece of equipment if you own a business based on memberships and sales. Long gone are the days when a barcode scanner means handling decoder boxes and big mess of cables going everywhere in the store or warehouse. Now it’s simply connecting the scanner with PC and you are up to go.
barcode scannerSince its operation is not a trouble any more, you need to get your head into its various options. But before that -- define your specific needs:
  1. What type of barcodes will that scanner be reading?
  2. How often will it be used?
  3. Where will you use you scanner?
  4. How will you use the scanner?
  5. Can you stay connected to your PC all the time?
Understanding these factors will help you get the right scanner for your business.

What Types Of Barcode Scanners Are Available In The Market?

Once you have finalized your needs, the next step is to choose the type of barcode scanner you would use. You will surely prefer a scanner that at least can read one dimensional (ID) and tow dimensional (2D) bar code. Some advanced technologies in the barcode scanner also deactivate the barcode tags for future uses.  There are four different types of barcode scanners and each uses different technology in reading and decoding the barcodes.
Pen type reader - Pan type barcode reader uses light source and diode that are placed in the tip of a pen. It works like a pen you use for writing on a paper. Drag the tip of the pen in a steady and even motion, across the bars to read the code.
Laser barcode scanners - Laser barcode scanners are not very different to the pen type barcode readers. They work in almost the same way. The only difference is the laser beam used as their light source that typically employs either rotation prism or reciprocating mirror to scan the laser beam across the bar code.
CCD barcode scanners - CCD barcode scanners use not the one but the range of tiny light sensors. The basic difference between the CCD barcode scanner and the other two, the laser barcode scanners or pen type reader is that the CCD barcode scanner measures emitted ambient light originating in the barcode while the other two measures reflected light coming from the scanner itself.
Camera based barcode readers - The camera based barcode readers are completely different to the rest of the members in the category. It uses a small video camera to take an image of a bar code. The barcode reader found in this camera barcode scanner uses specific digital image processing techniques in decoding the barcode.  

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