Barcode Reader

A barcode reader is generally an optical scanner that decodes the information in the printed barcode and sends the information to the computer. A barcode reader is a handheld input device that collects the information from the printed design to decode the data in the meaningful information in the system. A barcode reader uses different types of technologies to differentiate the process of scanning in the various types of optical scanners. Pen type barcode reader consists of a photodiode and light source that are positioned next to each other in the structure of a pen to scan from the printed codes on the object. 

What is a barcode reader?

A barcode reader is a handheld optical scanner that includes a lens, light sensors and light source to translate the optical data and impulses into the electrical impulse. A barcode generally consists of a decoder circuit that helps to analyse the data in the image printed in the barcode. The decoder circuit sends the printed information to the output and helps in preparing the documents of the objects. Barcode readers successfully scan the barcode that is machine-readable information in the form of parallel lines or groups of numbers generally used for inventory management and payment. 

Discussion on Barcode scanner

A Barcode scanner has been used for reading and capturing the information contained in a barcode. A source of light can be seen in the field and it also consists of a light sensor and a lens. A beam of light is helped in the working process of a barcode scanner, and it also helps in measuring the amount of light that reflects from it. The white spaces reflect more light than the dark bars on the barcode.  

Explain the structure of a Barcode Reader

Barcode is nothing but a series of vertical lines that are called bars, and it also includes the spaces. It can be seen that spaces and bars are together called the ‘elements’. Various combinations can be seen in the spaces and bars that represent different characters. The noticeable factor of this field is that when the scanner of the barcode has passed through the barcode, the dark bars absorb the light. In this field, lights are not reflected but the white spaces reflect the lights of the barcode scanner. 

What is the process of reading barcodes?

Reading barcodes needs some technology and they help in knowing the process. Barcode can be read by dragging the barcode tip across its bars. The light was absorbed by the dark bars and the lights were reflected back by the white space. Laser scanners, pan readers, camera-based readers, and CCD readers are the technology or process that helps in the process of reading a barcode. It is also important to note that reading barcodes also faces some challenges. They can be such as bleed in ink, colour contrast that is insufficient, peeling of the barcode labels and many more.  

Advantages and disadvantage of Barcode Reader

There are different advantages of this aspect and they are:

• It is a technology that is accepted universally
• Has the ability in tracking data so that better decisions can be made
• It is a time-saving process
• It helps in training employee

The disadvantages of Barcode Reader are:

• Barcode technology is a cost-worthy process
• It can only scan a limited number of information
• The security issue is the most common issue of this and it is a disadvantage of this factor
• The physical damage of it needs additional costs to repair

Types of Barcode Reader

Various types of Barcode readers can be seen in this field and Pen-type readers are one of them. LED scanners that are also famous as CCD readers are another type of Barcode Reader. A laser scanner is another part of this type and it helps in scanning the beam of a laser. Camera-based readers are another type of reader in this study and it is a new type of barcode reader. Other types related to this aspect are cell phone cameras, barcode scanners related to the omni-directional part, Housing as well as the Barcode library. All these are considered to be the types of Barcode readers, and they have different roles in this field.      

Conclusion

The above study indicates that the barcode reader is an optical scanning device that uses a light sensor to gather information from the printed code and send it to the output computer. A Barcode scanner is easy and flexible for use in the POS unit as it reduces the time of transactions. The CCD barcode reader generally uses thousands of light sensors to decode the information from the object. A barcode reader is a combination of the scanner and interpretive software that converts the data into machine-readable form.