From being first used to label railroad cars in avoiding accidents to disrupting inventory systems altogether, barcoding technology has come so far. It is now an indispensable tool for tracking a variety of data for businesses. With different barcode reading technologies around now, businesses are leveraging barcodes in all different ways.
Here are top four barcoding technologies you need to know about,
Camera Based Scanners
A camera based scanner uses advanced digital image processing to capture and decode the barcode pattern. Unlike other technologies, a camera-based barcode reader uses a two-dimensional sensor arrangement which enables them to generate an image of the barcode. Barcode scanning software on cell phones work this way, using the built-in camera to take a photo of the barcode. Besides, omni-directional camera based scanners can easily read barcodes even when not ideally presented or aligned.
Various barcode scanning softwares and apps use cameras to scan the barcodes. However, not every barcoding scanning software has advanced functionality to cater to high-end scanning requirements. In such apps and softwares, high-speed and reliable barcode reading functionality are embedded additionally through software development kits.
Camera-based scanners are also being used as large field-of-view readers for industrial application. These capture multiple barcodes simultaneously by creating a panoramic view of the barcodes present in front of the scanner.
Laser Scanners
Laser scanners typically consist of three essential elements- moving beams or laser from a light source, reciprocating or oscillating mirror and a photodiode. Light sources send the lights on the barcodes, prism scans the laser beam back and forth across a barcode and the photodiode measures the intensity of light which is reflected back from the white portion in the barcode. A specific frequency is generated by the scanner that gets converted into digital information
Laser readers are most used in retail businesses and at point of sale environments. Depending on the laser device, they can read barcodes from longer distances. They are also easy to use when both hand held or fixed.
Pen-type Readers
Pen readers can be considered as an elementary design of a laser scanner that we usually see. These are shaped like a pen or wand with a light source and a photodiode at its tip. Tip of the pen is dragged across the bars in an even motion to read the code. Dark bars absorb light and white spaces reflect it back and the photodiode measures the light intensity and generates a voltage waveform that reflects the digital data encoded in the barcode.
As pen readers are handy and lower in price, there is an accessible way to incorporate bar coding into inventory management. However, unlike the other technologies, pen readers work using direct contact. A direct contact is needed between the pen tip and the barcode. It also needs to pass smoothly over the barcode.
Charge Coupled Device Readers (CCD)
Also known as LED Scanners, CCD works by sending an array of tiny light sensors in a single line. They act together like a single photodiode to measure the intensity of ambient light that reflects off the barcode pattern. Each sensor present in the device measures the light intensity. All sensors work together to produce a sequential voltage that reads the pattern in the barcode. Unlike pen or laser readers which measure the frequency of light from the barcodes, CCD readers measure the ambient light emitted by the barcodes. They also do not need an internal light source.
Though CCD devices are accurate and popular for use in the retail industry, they have few disadvantages. They need to be close to the barcode while scanning. They also can’t scan larger barcodes.
Dynamsoft Barcode Scanner SDK can turn your barcode reading application into a DPM decoder, a revolutionary warehouse management solution, or an image processing library with the optional enhanced modules.To know more visit:https://www.dynamsoft.com/barcode-reader/overview/barcode readerbarcode scannerscan barcodebarcode scanning software
