Barcode Scanners

A barcode scanner is an optical scanner which can read data printed as different sized bars. The scanner works by detecting and processing the light reflectivity in the bar code. There are different types of barcode scanners available, depending on what they need to be used for.

The point of a barcode is to identify something. When a checkout clerk scans a product, for example, the barcode data is fed into the computer and the item and price are identified. The computer is also able to track how much stock is left in the store.

Barcodes are also a fast, error-free way of inputting data into a computer application. With manual data input, someone might key in an incorrect character but this does not happen with barcode technology.

There are four main types of barcode readers and each one uses a different kind of technology for reading and decoding barcodes. These four types are pen or wand type readers, laser scanners, camera-based readers and CCD scanners.

2D Barcode Scanners

Barcodes can be 1D or 2D. A barcode with black lines is a 1D barcode and a barcode with multiple 1D barcodes or other symbols, squares or dots is referred to as a 2D (two dimensional) barcode. 2D barcode scanners are used to read 2D barcodes.

CCD Barcode Scanners

CCD (charge coupled device) is the most common barcode technology and CCD barcode scanners use a collection of tiny, light sensitive diodes to read barcodes. There are actually hundreds of light sensors lined up in rows inside a CCD reader. A CCD reader measures ambient light from a barcode whereas a laser or pen scanner measures the reflected light going into the scanner itself.

Portable Scanners

Portable barcode scanners are handy to use because they are lightweight and you can carry them around. Pen barcode scanners are also economical, do not use much power and are small and lightweight. To use a pen barcode reader, you drag the tip of the pen across the barcode at a steady, even pace.

Many people like to use handheld barcode scanners because they can move them around rather than having to position the barcode to be read underneath the scanner itself. Bluetooth barcode scanners and wireless barcode scanners are available now, thanks to modern technology, and these make the scanners more versatile and easier to use.

Laser Scanners

Laser scanners work in a similar way to pen scanners but they use a laser beam as the light source and either a rotating prism or a mirror to scan the laser back and forth along the barcode.

Camera-based readers

Camera-based barcode readers use video capture to capture the barcode image, then digital image processing to decode it. Video cameras use the same technology as CCD barcode readers but a video camera has hundreds of rows of sensors rather than a single row.

PC Barcode Scanners

PC barcode scanners, such as USB scanners, plug into the your computer and work alongside it. These are also very popular. All applications can support barcode readers as long as you have the correct equipment. When you scan a barcode with a PC barcode scanner, the information goes into the computer as if you had inputted it on to the keyboard

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