| Barcode scanners or barcode readers are electronic | | | | either be a table or wall-mounted scanner. The |
| devices used for reading printed labels. These devices | | | | barcode is passed beside or under the wall or table. It |
| consist of light source, light sensor and lens that | | | | is very common in supermarkets and other retail |
| translate ocular impulses into electrical impulses. Almost | | | | shops. |
| all these devices contain a “decoder” circuitry | | | | The fixed position scanner is an industrialized barcode |
| that analyzes the image data of the barcode. The | | | | reader used so as to identify the products during its |
| sensor provides the image data and sends the content | | | | logistics and manufacture. This is commonly seen on |
| of the barcode to the output port of the scanner. | | | | conveyor tracks in order to identify pallets or cartons |
| Kinds of Barcode Scanners | | | | needed to be routed to another shipping location or |
| There are different kinds of barcode scanners | | | | process. |
| depending on the method employed. The methods of | | | | Yet another application of this scanner is the joining of |
| scanning are usually distinguished by the amount of | | | | checkweighers and holographic scanners in order to |
| required operator manipulation. Below is a detailed list | | | | detect the barcodes of any placement or orientation |
| of scanning methods. | | | | as well as the weight of the package. This kind of |
| First is the pen type reader. It needs the operator in | | | | system is generally used in farm automations and |
| order to swipe the pen onto the code. | | | | factories for shipping and quality management. |
| Next, we have the handheld readers, considered | | | | PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) scanner comes with a |
| semi-automatic. With this scanning method, the | | | | built-in barcode scanner or an attached barcode |
| operator does not need to swipe the item though he | | | | scanner. A good example of this scanner is the |
| or she must position the scanner near the item’s | | | | Grabba. It is a useful accessory to your PDA device. |
| label. | | | | The automatic reader is an office equipment used to |
| There is also the fix-mount reader. This method of | | | | read barcoded documents. It also processes at |
| scanning is done by laterally passing the item’s label | | | | high-speed or about 50,000 per hour. An example of |
| over the scanner or reader. It is used for automatic | | | | this reader is the Multiscan MT31. |
| readings. This method does not need any operator | | | | Barcode Scanner Products |
| although the code target’s position must match with | | | | There are so many models but we discuss here only |
| the reader’s imaging capability. | | | | three. First is the ID Tech Econo-Scan Scanner. This |
| The fourth type is reader gates. It is used by | | | | has a rugged design suitable for an industrial |
| positioning the code under the gate for a short period | | | | environment. This has a superior decoding of all the |
| of time. It enables the scanner to sweep and capture | | | | popular symbologies. It costs 74 US dollars. |
| the code successfully. | | | | Second is the Metrologic Scan Pal 2 Barcode Scanner |
| Types of Housing | | | | Wireless. It is a portable and lightweight data terminal |
| The packagings of the readers are distinguishable | | | | designed for everyday use. It costs 512.10 US dollars. |
| from one another. A handheld scanner or reader has | | | | And third example is the Symbol LS 2008 Barcode |
| a typical trigger button and a handle for switching the | | | | Scanner. This is an innovative handheld scanner that |
| light source on and off. | | | | provides performance features at a very low price. If |
| The wand or pen scanner is a barcode scanner | | | | you buy this product, it has a 5-year warranty. The |
| shaped like a pen. It reads the code when swiped. | | | | product costs 135 US dollars. |
| The stationary scanner is a fixed device. This can | | | | |