| Barcode readers ensure better functioning of business | | | | shipping, receiving, and inventory. |
| processes with efficient and accurate automatic | | | | Camera Based Readers |
| identification of products. Various barcode technologies | | | | The latest in the barcode reader technology is the |
| have evolved that help in tracking inventory tracking, | | | | camera-based barcode readers or 2D imaging |
| monitoring stock movement, increasing operational | | | | scanners. They utilize a small camera to take an |
| efficiency, improving employee productivity, etc. | | | | image of the barcode and then process this image |
| Various types of barcode technologies are used | | | | using advanced digital image processing techniques to |
| effectively across various sectors like healthcare, | | | | decode the barcode. This reader forms an image |
| hospitality, retail, manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, | | | | using sensors arranged in hundreds of rows. 2D |
| etc. | | | | barcode scanners can even retrieve information from |
| Barcode Reader Technologies: | | | | barcode labels that they are wrinkled or damaged. |
| Deciding on which barcode reader technology | | | | These scanners have capability to read barcodes |
| depends upon the type of barcode that will be | | | | moving at faster rates like cartons on a conveyor belt. |
| scanned, the environment in which it will be used, and | | | | 2D Barcode Scanners read barcodes omnidirectionally, |
| the connection type required (i.e. USB, serial, or | | | | so the barcodes can be orientated in any direction. |
| keyboard). | | | | Some 2D barcode scanners can also capture digital |
| Pen-Style Readers | | | | images and signatures. |
| Pen-style barcode readers, also called wand barcode | | | | Omnidirectional Barcode Scanners |
| readers, consist of a light source and a photodiode | | | | Omnidirectional barcode scanners disperse laser |
| placed next to each other at the tip of the pen. As the | | | | beams in every direction making it possible to read the |
| pen is swiped across the barcode, the photodiode | | | | barcode from every possible angle. A rotating mirror |
| measures the intensity of light reflected from the | | | | and a set of fixed mirrors are used in omnidirectional |
| surface. A waveform is generated that represents the | | | | barcode scanners to generate the pattern of laser |
| exact widths of bars and spaces in the barcode. The | | | | beams. These scanners have higher barcode scanning |
| dark color of bars absorbs light while the white spaces | | | | capability with scan ranges varying between few |
| reflect light, thereby making a specific pattern of | | | | inches to several feet. Omnidirectional barcode |
| waveform. This voltage waveform is then converted | | | | scanners can be put to use in retail environments |
| by the pen-type reader to retrieve product information | | | | where barcodes have to be read at a distance of |
| quickly. Because wand readers are manually swiped | | | | few inches or in industries where barcodes have be |
| across the barcode, they are not limited by the width | | | | read from a distance of few feet in harsh conditions. It |
| of the barcode. They do require the user to pass the | | | | can also read barcodes if they are torn, wrinkled, or |
| wand over the barcode at a consistent rate of speed | | | | damaged. |
| and at a particular angle. The pen-type readers are not | | | | Cell Phone Cameras |
| the most efficient scanners, but they are small, | | | | Barcode scanning apps are now available for certain |
| extremely durable, and economical. Pen-style barcode | | | | cell phones with cameras. Some 2D barcodes like QR |
| readers are suited for low-volume and desktop | | | | and Data Matrix codes are optimized for scanning by |
| applications. | | | | cell phones. Although this technology is still in its |
| Laser Scanners | | | | nascent stage, it opens a wide range of opportunities |
| Laser barcode scanners offer more precise readability | | | | for possible applications. At present, iPhone and a few |
| of barcodes as a laser beam is employed instead of a | | | | phones using the Google Android platform have |
| light source. An oscillating mirror or a rotating prism is | | | | barcode scanning apps available for use. Most of |
| used to move the laser beam back and forth across | | | | these apps are designed as shopping tools. They use |
| the barcode. The brightness and sharpness of laser | | | | the barcode number to search a number of web sites, |
| beam ensures preciseness and greater accuracy in | | | | like Amazon and Google, to pull up product information, |
| reading barcodes. Laser scanners can read the | | | | price comparisons, and customer reviews. Some will |
| barcodes from greater distances and are ideal for | | | | even utilize the GPS in the phone to locate the nearest |
| applications where barcodes need to be read in bright | | | | store that has the item in stock. Cell phone barcode |
| light. | | | | scanning can be put to various other uses like giving |
| CCD Readers | | | | access to valid ticket holders at venues, personal |
| CCD (Charged Coupled Device) readers, also called | | | | finance, inventory reporting, asset tracking, shopping |
| linear imager barcode scanners, consist of a series of | | | | etc. |
| tiny light sensors that measure the intensity of light that | | | | The barcode reader technology should be selected |
| is right in front of them. Linear imagers can effectively | | | | based on each business' specific application. The |
| read barcodes from a few inches to several feet | | | | barcode reader should be fast, easy to use, and |
| away. They are more robust and are designed to | | | | durable enough to withstand the working conditions, |
| withstand harsh working conditions. Linear imagers are | | | | whether it be in an office, retail store, factory, |
| suited for use in various sectors like retail, distribution, | | | | warehouse, or outside in a work yard or vehicle. |