Archive for the ‘Barcode Scanner’ Category
Barcode Scanner
Barcode Scanner
Handheld Barcode Scanner is one of the most recent innovation in making POS or point of sale scans as well as to instantly gain access to specific files in a database. So how exactly does a Handheld barcode scanner work? This contraption comes equipped with a light source, light sensor and a lens which is responsible for interpreting the optical impulses to electrical impulses. It reads the barcode image as the light flashes on it and transmits the interpretation to the output center, commonly a computer screen or a cash register.
Among the most common brands in the market for the Handheld Barcode Scanners nowadays are Symbol, Metrologic, Wasp, Adesso, TS, PSC, CCD, CK1, Intermec, Trakker, Datalogic, Standard and Informatics. Though there are a number of brands available, they come with different features for each piece. The weight alone vary, some weigh as little as 9 ounces while others weigh up to 3 pounds. Some are slim while others are more bulky, there are also some which are connected by USB ports and wires while others are wireless and are connected via Bluetooth. For Handheld Barcode Scanners which are wireless, the hand held scanner is powered by a battery; each fully charged battery can scan up to 20,000 scans or can stay on for up to 30 hours. The standard line or range is one hundred and sixty feet; although for some models, there is still room to be able to scan and store outside these lines for one to twelve inches away from the boundary by using the memory mode. For those models which are connected with wires to a station, these can normally extend for up to 5 feet which makes moving it around easier than that with a very short cord. These hand held scanners are now more usually featured with a plug and play feature via a USB plug; this will enable one to instantly connect the scanner to the port station without having to install it with a separate software.
If one is to consider purchasing one of these , there are a few factors to consider to be able to make a wise decision. They would have to first identify the purpose of its use for them to be able to make the right decision. The first thing to consider should be what type of bar code will be scanned; there are two types; the 1 Dimensional and the 2 Dimensional barcode. A one dimensional barcode is that which is most common; these come in a series of vertical bars of different densities thus forming a rectangle. However, for codes which require more information, these are the 2 Dimensional barcodes which looks quite different and may seem like a small pattern, sometimes come in boxed images. The orientation of how the barcode will be scanned is another factor; the most common Handheld Barcode Scanner is the one which has linear beams; this is only effective when the scanner has been positioned to be perpendicular to the barcode.
The other type is the omni Directional scanner; this is where the scanner is effective in scanning barcode regardless of the orientation of the barcode-may it be horizontal, diagonal or vertical, it will still be able to read and interpret the bars. If the scanner will be used in a specific station much like that of a check out counter, they can opt for the standard scanner which are wired and ported; however, for more versatile needs such as back room or inventory scans, the wireless version or the Bluetooth and memory mode featured scanners would be a better fit. Both the warranty and guarantee of the product will play an essential role in purchasing a scanner; if it will be used in a small scale purpose or business, an extended warranty or those up to 5 years or so may not be required; however for those Handheld Barcode Scanners which will be used in industrial environments and will require a huge number of scans and storage needs, those models with specified warranties which extend for long periods of time may be more essential.
By Chris John
Article Source: ezinearticles.com
Pos Scanning
Pos Scanning
The Symbol LS2208 scanner is a very popular, lightweight, ergonomically designed barcode scanner used in conjunction with many Point of Sale (POS) software. However, prior to using the scanner with POS software there may be some very simple programming steps that will need to be take to get the scanner ready for operation.
One of the first steps to programming a Symbol Scanner is to program the type of interface that you will be using with the scanner. If you are using USB or Keyboard Wedge interfaces, you don’t need to worry about programming the scanner as the scanners come pre-programmed to use these interfaces.
If you are going to be using the RS-232 or the IBM 46XX interfaces there is a very simple step you must follow to program the Scanner. In the LS2208 Quick Start Guide, under STEP 3 you will have to scan the appropriate barcode for either an OPOS/JPOS or a Standard RS-232 interface. Simply by pointing the scanner at the appropriate barcode and scanning it, you will be programming the scanner to use that interface. The Quick Start Guide also has barcodes you can scan for the PORT 5B or PORT 9B – IBM 46XX interfaces or to switch back to USB or Keyboard Wedge mode.
Once you have the interface programmed, the next thing you will need to program is the enter key, carriage return/line feed function. This function programs the scanner to append a carriage return/line feed character to be sent to the computer at the end of each barcode that is scanned. This will eliminate the need for your cashiers to have to hit enter after scanning a barcode in their POS system.
To program the enter key, carriage return/line feed functionality into the scanner all you need to do is simply scan the three barcodes found in the Quick Start Guide. There is also the option of appending a tab key to the end of a barcode scan in the manual as well, and is performed the exact same way as programming the enter key.
By Nelson J. Packard
Article Source: ezinearticles.com
Barcode 2d Scanner
Barcode 2d Scanner
Barcode 2d Scanner
Hand held barcode scanners are available in two main categories. 2D and 1D. 2D barcode scanner sales are growing at an impressive rate. 1D scanner sales are fairly flat year over year. The question that many potential buyers of 2D barcode scanners ask is, “what are the main advantages of using a 2D barcode scanner over a 1D barcode scanner?” This article discusses just some of the many advantages. There are some disadvantages that need to be considered when making a decision.
Advantages
The most important advantage of using a 2D barcode scanner is the ability to read and decode 2D barcodes. Data Matrix, Aztec, QR Code and Han Xin are examples of 2D barcodes being used today. 2D barcodes are capable of holding much more data than 1D barcodes in the same or less physical space. Product manufacturers can put hundreds or even thousands of characters in a single 2D barcode.
Having the ability to read barcodes omni-directionally is another big advantage of using a 2D barcode scanner. All hand held 2D barcode scanners use an image sensor to capture an image of the barcode. That image is then run through a software decoder program that resides in the scanner’s firmware. The software decoder program has the ability to locate the barcode based on each barcode’s unique characteristics, no matter what the orientation of the barcode is. This system allows the user to hold the scanner in the same position for every barcode read no matter the position of the barcode. The scanner does not have to be oriented to line up with the barcode being read. User fatigue and overall read times are greatly reduced.
The image sensor uses the same technology as today’s digital cameras. The one main difference is that 2D barcode scanners use a grayscale imager as opposed to a color imager. Because it is an imager, many scanners have the capability of taking a picture and sending that picture to the computer that it is connected to. Taking pictures of signatures for proof of delivery, damaged packages, forms recognition and off scanner image processing are just a few of the applications that are being utilized with the images from 2D barcode scanners.
Reliability is another big advantage of 2D barcode scanners. There is only one moving part in a 2D barcode scanner. The trigger switch. All scanners use trigger switches rated at millions of activations. Rarely will there be a failure in the field. No failures means no down time for customers which results in higher efficiencies, less frustration and lower total cost of ownership.
These are just some of the advantages of using a 2D barcode scanner instead of a 1D barcode scanner. There are more advantages not listed here. There are also some disadvantages. Typically the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, but the disadvantages do need to be taken into consideration when making a decision.
Disadvantages
Price. 2D barcode scanners are a fairly new technology and continually evolving. Image sensors with more pixels, faster decode algorithms, improved illumination and aiming patterns are all being tweaked and improved. Because of all these investments in the technology, the price of 2D barcode scanners is higher than 1D barcode scanners. But that price gap is quickly diminishing. All scanners are approaching the price point where they are considered a commodity.
Working range of 2D barcode scanners is a second disadvantage. Working range is defined as the furthest point away from the scanner a barcode can be read minus the closest point a barcode can be read. For example: A UPC-A barcode can be read at a far distance of 10 inches away from the scanner. That same barcode can be read at a near distance of 2 inches away from the scanner. 10 inches minus 2 inches equals 8 inches of working range. 1D barcode scanners could read that same barcode at a far distance of 18 inches and a near distance of 1 inch. That lesser working range can be a problem in some applications.
By Bill Field
Article Source: ezinearticles.com
barcode scanner search terms:
Scanning Barcode
Scanning Barcode
Barcode scanning has become a process that is encountered on a daily basis especially in the retail industry. For that respect this article has been designed to help the reader understand in a better manner the importance of barcode scanning and the advantages it can bring for the retail industry.
The main role of the barcode is to be placed on a product and act pretty much as an identification method in order for that product to be recognised and sold. This barcode scanning procedure is extremely useful especially in the POS system which represents the point of sale procedure that takes place in any supermarket for example when the buyer or consumer has reached the booth to pay for his products.
Barcode scanning implies the teller grabbing the product and then scanning the barcode behind it with a scanner that will later on transform the data in number and thus calculate the price of the product so it can be added to the grocery list of the buyer. Scanning can also reveal more than only the price of that certain product as the expiration date, the id number or the series that the certain product has and several other option like brought in a certain date or designated for a certain company.
Barcode scanning can be done by barcode scanners and these come in different shapes and size which the owner can purchase according to his or her own criteria of expertise or certain line of business and the scanners also include various types if technology being designed for barcode decrypting when the bar code is unreadable by normal machines or the ability to stay wireless so you can use it as a portable device while you are walking freely through the facility.
These small machines brilliantly fulfil their purpose to scan bar codes however they have to be taken care of as they are relatively small in size and also fragile. They are designed from the manufacturers to be strong little gadgets as you can drop some of them from 3 feet and see that they are not damaged in any way however I would not recommend them for a friendly match of soccer.
Barcode scanning is one of the most used processes in the retail industry and in order to successfully complete this process you are going to need the necessary tools. make sure you choose wisely all the tools of the trade and you will be just fine in your attempt to sail along with the big fish in the retail industry.
By Adrian F Alexa
Article Source: ezinearticles.com
barcode scanner search terms:
Handheld Scanners
Handheld Scanners
You can find many types of barcode scanners in the market depending upon their shape, size and type. You may choose a barcode scanner according your requirement. There are small handheld to big wall mounted one.
All scanners have their own unique use and features. The simplest form of a barcode scanner is the handheld scanner. Very light weight and easy to use, they are also called as wand readers. They consist of this trigger which turns on the source of light off and on. For reading the barcode label, the reader points straight at the label and held at 90 degrees with the vertical lines on the label. After switching on the trigger, the light source emits light which reads the barcode.
Though very cheap and easy to use, handheld readers are not suitable for large establishments even retail outlets that where a great many barcodes are processed every day is not suitable to use handheld scanners. The readers that are generally used in retail outlets are the fixed barcode readers. They too have a source of light and a photodiode which processes the reflected light and sends in to the decoder. The decoder transforms it into a plain text format. And fixed scanner uses better technology which lets it read barcode labels even when dirty, soiled or torn.
But today many hybrid models are also available. They are very light to be used as hand held scanners but also contain stands that allow them to be fixed at a place, hence combining the qualities of both fixed as well as handheld scanners. They are perfect for smaller stores and outlets where it is necessary to process labels for many products but also need mobility. These scanners can work as a hand held by operator by pushing the trigger when a barcode is to be read, or by using it as a fixed scanner without needing an operator.
The most widely used scanners generally have a row of small sources of light. When the barcode label has to be read, it needs to point at 90 degrees with the barcode lines. If the scanner is held at a different angle they won’t work and will not read the label. But now due to new technological advances, the new type of scanners consists of hundreds of tiny light sensors that are lined in a 2 dimensional array to generate image. In such kind of scanners you may point the scanner in any angle; it will read the barcode correctly. These are known as Omni-directional scanners which usually make use of laser beams. These scanners are perfect for establishments where there are a great many products to be processed and often sorting of parcels take place.
By Neil T Jones
Article Source: ezinearticles.com
