Bar Codes

 

Norman Woodland, a 27-year-old graduate student at Drexel Institute of Technology in Philadelphia developed the first code system that automatically read product information during checkout. Woodland and his friend Silver were awarded a patent for their application titled Classifying Apparatus and Method on October 7, 1952. Many experts are of the view that the Woodland and Silver bar code was the basis of what would soon become a global phenomenon.

In the beginning, barcodes were developed to store data in the spacing of printed parallel lines. The idea was to help grocery stores speed up the checkout process and keep better track of the inventory. However, the system soon picked up and became a success story.

Barcodes form the basis of identification in almost all types of businesses in the modern world. Barcodes are variously called as Universal Product Codes or UPCs. These are machine-readable codes and come in strips, generally comprising of a series of short black lines of varied thickness. These codes are read by optical scanners called barcode readers or scanned from an image by special software. A laser reader or scanner can translate the barcodes into the corresponding alpha-numeric digits, which are used to uniquely identify a piece of property. Barcodes are used world over to implement Auto ID Data Capture (AIDC) systems that improve the speed and accuracy of computer data entry.

At present, we have codes in several patterns of dots, concentric circles and hidden in images. Barcodes are provided by a body called Uniform Code Council (UCC). A manufacturer has to apply to the UCC for permission to enter the UPC system. An annual fee is charged for the service. In return, the UCC issues the manufacturer a six-digit manufacturer identification number. The manufacturer identification number is part of a standard 12-digit bar code.

Bar coding standards have brought about great precision, technical refinement and uniformity in the way business is conducted in the world. Throughout the world, most of the data entry is done much more quickly. All data is collected in real time. Bar codes have also led to the elimination of manual data entry and retrieval system. The coding has completely streamlined products, making the most effective use of human and physical resources.

Bar Code Labels provides detailed information about bar code labels, bar code label printers, bar code label software, bar code label makers and more. Bar Code Labels is the sister site of Bar Code Software.

Bar Code Scanners - Know the Features

Barcode Scanners are hand-held or stationary devices used for capturing information from barcodes. A barcode scanner consists of a code reader and a decoder. These devices are connected to a computer through compatible ports

The earliest, most basic and cheapest barcode scanners consisted of a fixed light and a single photosensor. Modern barcode scanners have polygonal mirrors and use laser scanning technology. Laser barcode printers have the advantage of reading barcodes from any angle.

Barcode scanners are available in different varieties like hand-held, hands-free, wearable, rugged, scan engines, laser and digital. Pen-wand scanners are the simplest and most portable type of such devices. They have to be kept in direct contact with the barcode and held at a precise angle to interpret the barcodes. Modern day digital cameras have enough resolution to capture both 1D and 2D barcodes.

Barcode scanners can be distinguished as follows:

 

• LED scanner: Also referred to as CCD scanners, even though the CCD is in fact the photo imaging sensor, not the light source.

   

   

• Laser scanner: More expensive than LED scanners but are generally capable of longer maximum scanning distances.

   

   

• Imager scanner: These scanners take an image of the linear barcode, generally more rugged as they have no moving parts.

   

   

• 2D Imaging scanner: These scanners take a 2D image of the barcode as in a camera and can be used to scan 2D barcode types such as Datamatrix as well as the more common linear barcode types.

   

   

• Handheld scanner: With a handle and typically a trigger button for switching on the light source.

   

   

• Pen scanner (or wand scanner): a pen-shaped scanner that is swiped.

   

   

• Stationary scanner: Wall- or table-mounted scanners that the barcode is passed under or beside. These are commonly found at the checkout counters of supermarkets and other retailers.

   

   

• Fixed position scanner: An industrial barcode reader used to identify products during manufacture or logistics. Most often used on conveyer tracks to identify cartons or pallets which need to be routed to another process or shipping location.

   

   

• PDA scanner: A PDA with a built-in barcode reader.

   

   

 

The latest in barcode scanner technology is mobile barcode scanners which use color code and mCode (new two-dimensional code format) to scan barcodes.

General purpose barcode scanners are used at checkout counters and hospitals. These are also used to process identification documents. Certain other kinds of scanners, like rugged scanners, are used in harsh or extreme conditions. Of the different barcode scanners, laser scanners and camera scanners are widely used these days. Camera scanners scan and capture the barcode images, which are then processed by sophisticated image techniques to decode the barcode.

Barcode scanners have increased the speed of data retrieval and data processing. They have become a mainstay in commercial establishments, libraries, counters, and virtually at any point-of-sale.

The benefits of barcode scanners are many. It greatly helps you organize your inventory, monitor the movement of goods, and ensure the security of your premises. Bar Code technology is helping enterprises worldwide streamline their business and control costs at the same time.

Choosing a right barcode scanner is an essential step for better inventory management and customer service.

Barcode readers come in different forms, sizes and prices. Their prices range from $50 to several thousands depending on the features, built, durability etc.

However, before purchasing a laser or CCD scanner, define your requirements:

 

• The type of environment where you are going to use the scanner

   

   

• Consider the portability factor

   

   

• The symbology you plan to follow

   

   

• The average scanning range

   

   

 

Choose a credible and reliable company. Go for a bar code scanner which has proved its usability. POS Components has made it its goal to provide the customers with the right equipment, from the right manufacturer, and at the right price!

Point of sale components provides the best collection of barcode scanners, barcode printers and decoders, bar code labels, bar code label printers, bar code label software, bar code labels or, we have it. For more details please visit Point of sale components

Free Bar Code Software

 

All products are bar-coded in the present market. Even the smallest retail items like chocolates or pencils have a unique bar code to identify them accurately. Bar codes have specific symbology that is defined in the height and width of the bars, as well as the spacing between the bars. Each of these bars might represent numeric data, alphanumeric data or character data, depending on the type of symbology being used by the user. Each bar code has a start bar and an end bar to allow the scanner to read the data precisely. Some bar codes have another bar before the end bar, known as the checksum bar. After the scanner calculates the sum, the same is verified with the value of the checksum bar code for accuracy. This ensures exact calculation with minimal errors.

Bar code software is used to design and print bar codes on labels. The user needs to specify the design, and the software takes care of the whole printing process at a much faster rate. These software suites are accurate and print the labels with minimal wastage in the process.

With all the facilities and extra utilities provided by the bar code software suites, they are expensive. Not everyone can afford to buy this software. Small-scale manufacturers and retailers would have a tough time investing in the bar code printing software if their budget is limited.

Available online are free bar code software programs that can either be downloaded or used online to design a bar code. This design can later be saved onto the computer and printed as required. The user needs to log in to the website and provide basic details relating to the bar code, such as the bar code symbology, height of the bar code, resolution, density of the bar code, and output format. Most of the websites are user-friendly, and the application for the bar code is extremely simple to understand.

Some websites allow the customer to provide details in depth, such as if they would like the checksum facility. This is for customers who have in-depth knowledge of they need. Otherwise the customers can just ask the website to generate a bar code that can be saved onto their computer and used at a later stage. Since the websites are free, customers can log in at any time and request a bar code generation. The whole process would take not more than five minutes, and is very simple and easy to understand and use.

Bar Code Software provides detailed information on Bar Code Software, Bar Code Scanner Software, Bar Code Printing Software, Free Bar Code Software and more. Bar Code Software is affiliated with Retail POS Software.

Barcode Label Programs

Barcode label programs or software are a set of Windows programs used to generate barcode labels. They generally work with specialized barcode label printers only. The primary purpose of a barcode label program is to design a symbol for identification purposes.

Users need not apply any barcode font or learn any command language to run barcode label programs. Accuracy, compatibility, cost-effectiveness, durability, ease of handling, interactive data feeding, user friendliness, and high-quality output effects are the advantages of good barcode label programs. Industry-specific barcode label programs and software packages are available. Barcode label printers depend upon barcode label program applications. Some barcode label programs work with any printing technology.

Most advanced barcode label programs work easily with any operating system including Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, and XP. High-quality barcode label programs provide quick on-screen label design, perform numeric and alphabetic serialization, and minimize errors.

Barcode label programs may be stand-alone or integrated Windows programs. Stand-alone barcode label programs are designed in such a way as to work with standard office printers such as dot-matrix and laser printers. Sometimes, these are also used with direct thermal and thermal-transfer printing technologies. Stand-alone programs enable a user to create batches of barcode label templates, which in turn can be stored as computer files. These label templates are inclusive of one or more fields representing barcodes or graphics. In certain circumstances, barcode label programs are integrated with existing software applications. In contrast to stand-alone barcode label programs, integrated barcode label programs are more accurate and flexible.

Bar Code Labels provides detailed information on bar code labels, bar code label printers, bar code label software, bar code label makers and more. Bar Code Labels is affiliated with Bar Code Software.