| One of the most common and fascinating sights | | | | transferring input data to the application program; |
| we come across while in a retail market is the | | | | when you scan the barcode its data is sent to |
| use of the barcode and its scanning. This | | | | the computer as if it had been typed on the |
| technology has evolved and improved so much | | | | keyboard. The technologies in barcode reading |
| that now not just retail stores but even | | | | have been ever changing. Most barcodes readers |
| educational institutions and offices use it for | | | | use a PS/2 or USB cable for output. But changing |
| maintaining a foolproof and accurate database. | | | | technologies have resulted in the scanners going |
| This evolution is partly accredited to the | | | | cordless. |
| introduction of the cordless barcode scanner. | | | | The cordless barcode scanner transmits |
| Before going into the latest technology, let's look | | | | information after scanning to a computer or any |
| into the mechanism and the history behind the | | | | other output device wirelessly using Bluetooth or |
| complicated device. A barcode is a representation | | | | radio communication. Cordless barcode scanners |
| of data, data related to a particular product. | | | | are ideal when a cord is an inconvenience or a |
| There are two types of bar codes. | | | | safety hazard. They can also provide additional |
| 1. The linear barcodes (1-D) - the most common | | | | range over corded scanners, for scanning in |
| types of barcodes. These types of barcodes | | | | multiple locations. They have great utility in |
| have extensive use in retailer markets. | | | | industrial use for scanning tons of products at one |
| 2. The matrix barcode (2-D) - it is very similar to | | | | go. But for retailing, the corded barcode scanners |
| the linear barcodes but has a much more data | | | | are still very popular and the cordless ones |
| representation capacity. | | | | haven't had much of an impact. Modern handheld |
| A barcode reader analyzes these strips and | | | | barcode scanners are operated in wireless |
| shapes of the barcode, decodes the data and | | | | networks such as WLAN or Bluetooth. However, |
| sends it to the output. Barcode scanners can be | | | | such configuration limits the battery power. |
| classified into three categories based on their | | | | The scanner resolution is measured by the size of |
| connection to the computer. The older type is the | | | | the dot of light emitted by the reader. If this dot |
| RS-232 barcode scanner. This type requires | | | | of light is wider than any bar or space in the bar |
| special programming for transferring the input | | | | code, then it will overlap two elements (two |
| data to the application program. Another type | | | | spaces or two bars) and it may produce wrong |
| connects between a computer and its PS/2 or | | | | output. On the other hand, if a too small dot of |
| AT keyboard by the use of an adaptor cable. The | | | | light is used, then it can misinterpret any spot on |
| third type is the USB barcode scanner, which is a | | | | the bar code making the final output wrong. The |
| more modern and more easily installed device | | | | cordless barcode scanner has been further |
| than the RS-232 scanner. Like the keyboard | | | | improved upon so that they become more |
| interface scanner, this has the advantage that it | | | | accurate and replace the older USB connected |
| does not need any code or program for | | | | scanners. |