Bluetooth Wireless Barcode Scanners

Bluetooth Wireless Barcode scanners are fast gathering popularity in the retail and service related industries. Many companies have adopted using Bluetooth wireless barcode scanners and found them to be an integrated part of their business operations

Wireless barcode scanners using Bluetooth technology provided wireless coverage and lower cost per barcode scanner compared with wireless 802.11b barcode scanners.

Bluetooth wireless barcode scanners are light and portable thus allowing the operator to move easily from place to place.

It also makes it easy to scan huge, bulky and immoveable items as the operator can scan easily without moving the large items.

They are two types of barcode scanners available. One used CCD based technology, the other is laser-based technology. CCD-based barcode scanners uses optical cameras to capture barcode images and then translate that to barcode information. One major disadvantage of CCD barcode scanners is that the scanning distance is shorter. CCD barcode scanners is used mostly in fixed or static barcode scanners where distance is not a problem.

Laser barcode scanners uses a laser to capture barcode information. As such, they have a longer scanning distance and also can scan curved surface. Most Bluetooth wireless barcode scanners are laser-based.

The price of Bluetooth wireless barcode scanners have rapidly dropped over the years and nowadays you can get a pretty good one for a few hundred dollars. Therefore it is a good investment to get these for your business.

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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

Bar Code Scanner Software

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.

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 code. After the scanner calculates the sum, it is verified with the value of the checksum bar code for accuracy. This ensures exact calculation with minimal errors.

Bar codes are read by scanners that are in fact photosensors used to convert the bars in the bar code into electrical signals as it is being scanned. Since the bars are distinguished by their width, height and spacing, they are then measured using software that recognizes and converts electrical signals from the bars into readable characters. The scanner software then transmits this data to the PC terminal. The whole process does not take more than a few seconds.

Bar code scanners are available in a variety of models. A few popular ones are the gun model, countertop model and portable variety. The simplest scanner model is connected to the PC and the keyboard. Software allows the scanner to read the bar code data and input it into the PC with minimal fuss. This is the most commonly used model, although the scanners that can be connected to serial ports or USB wedges are also popular. Since the data read in such cases does not interfere with the keyboard data, the software has complete control over the data flow from the scanner with little or no help manually.

Cordless scanners are also popular. Like cordless phones or cordless keyboards, these connect through radio waves with the base that is connected to the PC. This works similar to regular scanners, except that the data is first transmitted to the base and then sent to the system. These are usually short distance scanners, and they need to be within a specific range of the base to transmit the data accurately. Portable scanners are most useful when the user needs to input data simultaneously along with the scanning. This is especially true in cases when the user needs to go through menus to select the correct option. Almost all portable scanners come with a keyboard that the user can use to select the product.

All these scanners and many other models, such as the wireless ones, charge-coupled scanners, laser models, LED, handheld models, counter scanners, fixed-in-counter scanners and belt scanners, have the ability to store data regardless of the size and shape. The software used in these is basically the same, although a few changes might exist based on their utility. They decode the data in the bar code and store it for future reference.

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.

Bar Code Labels

Barcode labels are the tags that help both humans and machines to identify any given product. These labels come in several types and resemble the average tags. These labels are differentiated by the type of base material, called stock, that they are printed on. Labels are currently available in all types of materials and come with a variety of adhesive backings. They can also be ordered in several customized shapes and sizes.

Apart from the basic types of barcodes labels, labels can also be categorized into three main forms: aluminum barcode labels, polyester barcode labels, and ceramic barcode labels. The aluminum labels are very durable, usually with an image on the surface that lasts for a long time, even in the harshest of climatic conditions. It can withstand wear and tear, heat, cold, chemicals and abrasion. The polyester barcode label has an image imbedded in the underside of the plastic material. It uses a permanent industrial adhesive bonding and is known for its dependability. However, the last word in durability is the ceramic barcode label. It is made up of a stainless steel base and coated with ceramic. These labels can withstand strong acids or very high temperatures.

Barcode labels can be further subdivided into the following categories: resin-coated paper barcode labels, paper barcode labels, long-range retro-reflective barcode labels, and floor labels. Resin-coated paper barcode labels are the most common labels used in the official work. These labels are created with the help of tough resin coating for durability. Paper barcode labels are very economical and ideal for tracking of documents. A long-range retro-reflective barcode label is another case in point. These labels are normally hung from a wall or a ceiling. Made of rigid metal or plastic, these labels provide maximum functionality for long-range scanners. Lastly, we have floor labels. These labels are used in industrial floors and are developed using steel and are then coated with urethane. These labels can withstand heavy vehicular traffic.

With barcode labels forming an intrinsic part of the daily human existence, they are finding an increasing utility in the day to day life. Newer forms of labels are being designed by the day.

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.

Barcode, Move Aside - QR CODE is Here

Soon we will be pushing flash movies, coupons, MP3 files, good-old text and god knows what else to our cell phones by pointing their tiny built-in cameras to a QR Code, taking a snapshot, and then pressing the SEND button.

A QR (from “Quick Response”) Code can store a dozen to a few hundred times more data than a barecode.

Since it can be programmed both vertically and horizontally, a QR Code can be 90% smaller than a barcode.

QR Codes can be read from any direction. They do not need to be aligned perfectly like a barcode in order to be read correctly.

Data can be restored even if QR code is damaged or torn partially. Data from a torn barcode cannot be retrieved.

The revolution is already well underway in Japan and it's just a matter of time before it reaches the American shores.

Imagine, you are at the supermarket. You see an odd looking bottle of something on the shelf with a QR Code on it.

You point your cell phone camera at it, take a snapshot and push SEND and presto!

Soon you are watching a video about how to use the product, its benefits, complete with a 15% discount coupon that you can use right there at the same store!

McDonald's in Japan has already started tagging their food packages with QR Codes so that the consumers can download all kinds of nutrition information with their cell phones.

Welcome to the 21st century and make all your marketing plans accordingly.
 

Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a senior writer and web content consultant with 20 years of experience.

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Track and Tracing – From Barcode to RFID

Search for "Tracking & Tracing" and you are overwhelmed by a response from producers, distributors, retailers and consumer organizations. Tracking and tracing is mentioned in one sentence. But there is a small difference between the two; one is focused on the process in which you need to intervene (tracing) the other is needed to manage the first (track).

Tracing is the main (process) requirement in which a product ought to be traced during the end-to-end food chain. A track is used to fulfill this process. For example, you might want to trace a product when there appears to be an “over” doses of chemicals found in a food sample. In that case you want to trace the origin of the product (and of the fertilizer) – the producer - and all the other retailers which are selling the same product to different customers.

One innovation in this area is the evolution of the barcode. We are all familiar with this code which looks like a little invisible burglar caught and send behind bars. And that was indeed the function; bar the product so it couldn’t escape.

This barcode although still sufficient a more intelligent token will speed up the process now that new tracking and tracing requirements have slowed down the same food chain.

For those of you who have a pet, for example a dog, will know that they have this little chip. You will not find it, but it is there. This chip will not only identify the dog, but will also identity the dog owner, which may change during the dog’s “life cycle.”

Now that these chips are reduced in price over time, the barcode has innovated to something called the RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification). This RFID uses a chip that you can read from a (long) distance, which is an advantage which speeds up the identification process in the food chain. But you can also add information to it on your way.

Now this technology is more widely available, new business developers are looking for a new application. There are many more to find…

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Barcode Label Adhesives

An integral part of barcode labeling, barcode label adhesive is the substance or material applied to the back of a barcode label to attach it to the surface of a particular item. A barcode label adhesive should be of industrial grade and must have an apply temperature ranging from 40 °F to 250 °F.

Shear, tack, and peel are among the properties that are critical for barcode label adhesives. Shear represents the measurement of an adhesive's internal strength with which it attaches itself; shear is especially important on curved surfaces. Adhesives with a low shear fall off easily, while high-shear adhesives do not. Tack measures the ability of an adhesive to build an instantaneous bond with the surface on which it is applied. Peel determines the force required to remove a label.

Barcode labels are available in a variety of adhesive backings, and the application of adhesives depends upon the type of surface and quality of label material. The weight of the adhesive coat varies according to the application requirements. Barcode label adhesives are generally classified into two groups: permanent and removable barcode label adhesives. Most of the barcode applications employ permanent barcode label adhesives. A feature of this type of barcode label adhesive is that it has a strong adhesion to a range of surfaces including paper, plastic, and stainless steel. Permanent barcode label adhesives are generally used for applications where removal is not required or necessary.

Removable barcode label adhesives are used for barcode applications where the label is temporary. Common examples of removable barcode label are price tags affixed on costly consumer items. The apply temperature of removable barcode label adhesives starts at around 40°F, which is higher than that of the permanent barcode label adhesives. For particular applications, barcode label adhesives are further sub-divided into acrylic, acid-free, cold-temperature, high-temperature, pressure-sensitive, emulsion, food contact, silicone, solvent, rubber, and glove-friendly adhesives.

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.