| Barcode scanners are electronic devices needed | | | | 2D barcodes like Datamatrix, along with the linear |
| to read the information stored in barcodes. They | | | | barcodes found sometimes; |
| could come as stationary desktops or hand held | | | | Handheld Scanners: These scanners are small and |
| devices, and can be connected to computers with | | | | have a handle and a trigger button to start the |
| the aid of special compatible ports. Barcode | | | | light source |
| scanners include a code reader and a decoder, as | | | | Pen or wand Scanner: This type of scanner has |
| both are essential for presenting the stored | | | | to be swiped across the barcode to be able to |
| information. | | | | read it; |
| The first barcode scanners that came into the | | | | Stationary Scanner: These are wall mounted or |
| market were simple, cheap and uncomplicated | | | | fixed on a table and can scan a barcode that is |
| with a fixed light and a photo sensor. The ones | | | | passed under them or beside them. They are |
| available today are a marked contrast to these as | | | | most commonly used at supermarkets and retail |
| they incorporate polygonal mirrors and laser | | | | stores as they hasten the pace of scanning; |
| scanning technology. Laser scanners are sharp | | | | Fixed Position Scanner: This is a barcode reader |
| enough to read the barcode from any angle, and | | | | for industrial purposes. The barcodes are |
| are very fast. | | | | generated to create a unique identity during the |
| The different varieties of barcodes include | | | | process of manufacturing and for logistical |
| hand-held, hands-free, rugged, wearable, laser and | | | | purposes. These are used extensively on packed |
| digital scan engines. The most portable and | | | | cartons and boxes or for pallets that have to still |
| simplest ones are the pen-wand scanners. The | | | | go through some processes and reach another |
| only limiting factor with pen-wand scanners is that | | | | location. |
| they need to come in direct contact with the | | | | PDA Scanner: These are PDAs that come with an |
| barcode and have to be placed a specific angle as | | | | in-built barcode reader. |
| well for reading the barcode in question. | | | | Mobile barcode scanners: These are the latest |
| Nowadays, though, one comes across digital | | | | technological innovation and use color codes and a |
| cameras that have the resolution required to | | | | new two-dimensional code format called mCode, |
| capture single and double dimensional barcodes. | | | | for scanning barcodes of various kinds. |
| The various types of barcode scanners include: | | | | General-purpose barcode scanners are found at |
| LED Scanner. These are also called CCD scanners | | | | checkout counters and in hospitals. Identification |
| with the CCD being the photo imaging sensor and | | | | documents can also be scanned with these |
| not the light source; | | | | scanners. |
| Laser Scanner: These have a longer scanning | | | | Rugged scanners are useful in harsh conditions for |
| distance and are also more expensive; | | | | scanning barcodes. While all barcode scanners |
| Imager Scanner: These are able to take an image | | | | have facilitated identification and labeling techniques |
| of the barcode, are more rugged and have no | | | | and improved processing speeds of data, the |
| movable parts; | | | | most common ones used nowadays are the laser |
| 2D Imager Scanner: These have the technology | | | | and camera scanners. |
| to take a 2D picture of the barcode and can scan | | | | |