| Handheld barcode scanners are any scanners that | | | | bars and background to be high enough for |
| are held with hands. Fixed mount Barcode | | | | consistent readings is measured by PCS which |
| Scanners which are attached to a counter, | | | | stands for Print Contrast Signal. The "X" dimension |
| assembly line, or wall and aren't operated by the | | | | sometimes refers also to the minimum resolution |
| user in a direct way would be the opposite of the | | | | and it equals to narrowest space or bar in the |
| handheld scanner. Most handheld barcode scanners | | | | barcode which can be used to determine the |
| have a design with a trigger and a grip similar to a | | | | density of a barcode that is the number of |
| handgun to activate the scanning operation. Some | | | | characters per inch. |
| scanners are designed with a button on top | | | | The scan rate refers to the number of scans per |
| instead of a trigger below and with a grip. | | | | second that a barcode scanner can differentiate |
| However, Portable Data Collectors (PDTs) are | | | | between. The choices of optical head include CCD |
| also scanners that are better related to the | | | | LED or laser. Both LED and Laser scanning |
| handheld barcode scanners and these PDTs can | | | | methods result in a digital signal that has be |
| either be totally mobile computers, with different | | | | translated into computer-compatible or |
| operating systems or Pocket PC or else can have | | | | recognizable data. Using a certain algorithm, each |
| their inherent data collection software running | | | | bar coded message is identified and interpreted |
| which functions to attach important information | | | | by the decoder, then the decoder either |
| such as quantity stamps and time to the | | | | transmits that data directly to the host computer |
| barcodes scanned. | | | | or utilizes that data for additional purposes. Any |
| When searching for handheld barcode scanners, | | | | device inserted between the terminal that |
| there are some important performance | | | | translates the digital signals into usable codes and |
| specifications you should consider before | | | | the scanner is referred to the term "wedge". |
| purchasing which are minimum distance from the | | | | Other important parameters you should consider |
| target, PCS value, maximum barcode width, | | | | when specifying the handheld barcode scanners |
| resolution, scan rate. The minimum distance is the | | | | are software interfaces, user interface options, |
| distance the target can be away from the | | | | reading specifications, environmental operating |
| scanner and it is important for non or | | | | conditions and other general features. |
| near-contact only. The contrast level between | | | | |