| As our world is becoming more and more | | | | conjunction with an imaging scanner, important |
| technologically advanced, so are our barcode | | | | diagnostic information can be obtained such as carton |
| scanners. The latest in barcode scanner technology, | | | | spacing, a parcel's position on the belt, and even |
| camera type scanners, or 2D imaging scanners, utilize | | | | changes in lighting or power supply. Many handheld |
| a small video camera to record an image of a | | | | imaging scanners now come in wireless or cordless |
| barcode and then image is then converted into digital | | | | models, which makes scanning in a warehouse that |
| information. These are actually quite similar to LED or | | | | much easier. The battery life on such scanners is |
| CCD barcode scanners in that 2D imaging scanners | | | | surprisingly efficient. |
| use hundreds of tiny little light sensors to capture | | | | And again, like most of the technologies used in |
| ambient light and then measure it, and decode it. The | | | | barcode scanning, camera based based barcode |
| difference is that instead of a single row of little tiny | | | | readers (or 2d imaging readers) can be housed in both |
| light sensors, imaging scanners have hundreds of rows | | | | handheld casing and larger stationary cases. Although |
| of little lights arranged in such a way that an image | | | | there are handheld camera based scanners, there |
| can be captured. | | | | aren't used nearly as much as the stationary versions |
| Camera based barcode readers, or 2D imaging | | | | which are used in wholesale or retail distribution. |
| scanners, are rarely used in the supermarkets these | | | | So as you can see, there is a lot to think about in |
| days. Chances are that you haven't heard very much | | | | respect to camera based scanners. With more |
| about them. They are capable of scanning very | | | | advanced technology comes more device capability. |
| quickly, so fast in fact, that they can also often read | | | | And as always, if you are in the market for a barcode |
| barcode labels that have been wrinkled or dirtied. | | | | scanner, it is important to think about the |
| Imaging scanners are commonly used in the mail order | | | | circumstances under which you'll be using your |
| business for parcel sorting. | | | | scanner; an industrial, office, or retail environment, hot or |
| A lot of camera-based barcode scanners are capable | | | | cold, etc. some readers now even come in special |
| of scanning barcode labels which are moving on a | | | | housings that allow disinfectants to be used on them |
| conveyor belt at speeds of around 600 fps (feet per | | | | without damaging the electronics. |
| second). And depending on the software used in | | | | |