| Bar Code Scanner | | | | the bar to read it. General purpose scanners are |
| Barcode scanners are light emitting hand held | | | | generally used at checkout counters and hospitals |
| devices use to read barcodes. The device is | | | | and are also used to process identification |
| attached to computer or laptop which stores | | | | documents. Certain other kinds of scanners, like |
| coded message by the length and width of the | | | | rugged scanners, are generally used in harsh or |
| bars and spaces that are printed in pattern. It has | | | | extreme conditions. |
| a code reader and decoder. The barcode | | | | The image scanner and laser scanner of the |
| scanners are on everything right from the | | | | barcode scanner are the one with distinguishing |
| groceries to auto parts. It is the biggest asset to | | | | features. The image scanner has a camera in it |
| run a business. | | | | that captures the barcode images. These bar |
| We have been using barcode scanners for many | | | | code images are then processed by sophisticated |
| years and more advanced technology is being | | | | image techniques to decode the barcode. |
| introduced to us every year. They are available in | | | | Generally most of the image scanners scan |
| different varieties like the hands free, hand held, | | | | barcode data from a distance of five to ten |
| rugged, wearable, scan engines, laser or digital. | | | | inches away. In laser scanner lenses are used to |
| The simplest device is the Pen-wand scanners | | | | read the bar codes. The application of the laser |
| which have to be kept in direct contact with the | | | | scanner helps in reading the barcode placed at any |
| barcode and to be held at précis angle. To | | | | angle. The more advanced technology of laser |
| read the bars you need to move the pen-wand | | | | scanner reads the barcode from the distance of |
| scanner over it. The general purpose scanner as | | | | 24 inches. Modern laser scanners have outwit the |
| the name indicates is used for general purposes, | | | | capacity of laser scanner by reading the data |
| to process identification documents and checkout | | | | from the distance of 30 feet. |
| counters and hospitals. Other kinds of scanners | | | | Both the scanners are efficient in their own way |
| are used in harsh conditions like rugged scanners. | | | | but still have pros and cons in their use. The laser |
| Barcode scanners are available in many different | | | | scanner being more advanced is more expensive |
| varieties. They can be hand held and hands free, | | | | but the lenses of such scanners are more prone |
| wearable, and rugged, scan engines, laser or digital. | | | | to wear and tear. Whereas the image based |
| Pen-wand scanners are perhaps the simplest | | | | scanner is less expensive but lacks internal |
| types of such devices. They have to be kept in | | | | movable parts making it less resistant to drops or |
| direct contact with the barcode and held at a | | | | knocks. |
| precise angle. A pen-wand scanner is moved over | | | | |