| If you are searching for a way to stream line | | | | readable code. These barcode scanners are |
| your businesses check out process or just need a | | | | portable, lightweight and are able to measure the |
| more efficient way to record intake and or | | | | widths of the lines and spaces in a barcode. The |
| output of various products that have an attached | | | | dark lines absorb the light while the spaces or |
| barcode, a scanning device that reads barcodes is | | | | white areas reflect the light. This device then is |
| the answer. However, the wide range of available | | | | able to translate this pattern to identify the |
| scanners can seem overwhelming. In general, a | | | | product. There are also laser scanners that are |
| barcode scanner is used to electronically read | | | | similar to the pen scanner however; they employ |
| printed barcodes. These devices use a light | | | | the use of a laser as the light source. The laser |
| source, lens and sensor to translate the visible | | | | light is reflected by either mirrors or prisms to |
| barcodes into electrical codes that can be | | | | shuffle the light across the bar code. Then it |
| understood by a computer. This entire process | | | | essentially works like the pen scanner in that it |
| takes only seconds to complete adding an | | | | evaluates the light intensity that is reflected. |
| element of efficiency that will reap positive | | | | In addition, there are LED scanners that have |
| benefits in the business world. | | | | hundreds of tiny light sensors lined up that are |
| When deciding if a palm barcode scanner is best | | | | able to immediately translate the bar code using |
| for your needs, you must evaluate how the | | | | ambient light instead of reflected light. Along the |
| scanning device will be used. There are stationary | | | | lines of laser scanners are the Omni-directional |
| scanners like those found in grocery stores where | | | | barcode scanners. These devices are able to read |
| the products are brought to the scanner. In | | | | a barcode regardless of its orientation. This may |
| addition, there are hand held portable devices that | | | | prove to be beneficial to the operator. Another |
| can be taken to the item that needs to be | | | | newer barcode scanner technology is camera |
| scanned. Once you have decided which method of | | | | based. A small video camera is used to capture |
| scanning is best for your situation, you can then | | | | the image of the barcode and then translated to |
| consider the various options within the scanning | | | | the computer. Obviously, price ranges vary |
| device itself. | | | | according to technology implemented but in |
| Available today are wand or pen type scanners | | | | general, the range is from $50.00 to thousands of |
| that have a light source and a mechanism that is | | | | dollars. |
| able to convert the reflected light into a computer | | | | |