Types of barcode scanners with technology used in popular types of barcode scanners

Types of barcode scanners with technology used in popular types of barcode scanners

Barcode reader is very important device used in any retail store for billing purpose. There are many types of barcode
readers like pen type, laser, CCD and camera based readers. Technology used to measure the barcode printed on
any product by these barcode scanners is different for any such reader.

Barcode scanners are very useful device in any retail store and every billing can not be completed without
barcode scanners. This article is about the technology and features with different types of barcode readers and
scanners. The basic functions of any such scanner are to scan the already printed barcode from a product and
to convert it in electronic impulse for the use of computer so that computer can make a invoice in against of
each product with the help of any POS software. There are varieties of barcode readers in the market which
are made to bill particular products. Some widely used barcode readers are pen type readers, laser scanners,
ccd readers, camera based scanners, omni - directional barcode scanners etc.

Any such reader is an electronic device which can read the barcode printed on any object normally any scanner
includes light source, a lens and a light sensor translating optical impulses into electrical ones. When light from
a scanner goes to any barcode printer to a product an image of barcode gets in to the scanner then this image
gets converted into the electronic impulse for the computer use. Scanners can be connected to any computer
using a 32 bit port or by USB (Universal service bus) port. Different types of barcode scanners use different
technology to operate. Let's get an idea on how they all work.

Pen type readers normally have a light source and a photo diode that is placed next to each other in the pen
shaped reader. If you want to read any code you need to move pen shaped reader across the entire code in a
uniform motion then photo diode in the reader estimates the bar code by reading back the intensity of light
from the reflection by the barcode itself, although it may sound a little confusing but measurement of light
reflection is very accurate method in various science methods for measuring distances and images. You might
have noticed that any barcode is divided in an array of white and black lines, black lines absorbers the light
from pen type barcode scanner and white lines reflects most of the light so if we capture reflection image it will
be as barcode itself then this image get converted into electronic form and same gets communicated with the
POS itself. A laser scanner also runs on the same technology but the difference is in the light source and back
light measurement technique. In laser scanners a laser beam is used as a light source and often a reflecting
mirror or rotating prism is used to measure back light in order to identify the back wave pattern.

A CCD reader uses a different approach to measure the barcode in any such reader hundreds of tiny light
sensors are placed in a row, normally in the head of the reader itself. These readers can measure the intensity
of light exactly in front of them and when light is thrown over a barcode then these printers measure the
intensity and then uses it to create a virtual impression of the barcode itself. As there are hundreds of light
sensors in any such reader then the wave pattern can accurately be measured. Difference between the pen or
laser readers and CCD readers is that pen or laser reader

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