Barcode Technologies and On-Line Bar Code Readers

Our barcode consultants can make barcode consulting easy with advanced barcode solutions. On-line bar code scanners are those that are directly attached to a PC or computer terminal. Typically, this attachment is tethered (cable), but short range wireless scanners, known as "cordless on-line scanners" are now also available and are discussed below.

The variety of currently available on-line bar code scanners is considerable! Scanner types run from the simple wand (pen) type of unit (also called a "contact reader") to non-contact scanners that utilize a laser, CCD (charge couple device) or imager as their scanning mechanism. Long-range laser scanners, capable of scanning bar code symbols up to 15m (45 feet) away are also available, as are imaging scanners that not only scan and decode bar code symbols, but can also be used as basic digital cameras!

Barcode solutions and systems can be built including barcode systems solutions by the barcode specialists. One common and very important aspect of on-line bar code readers is that virtually all of them emulate keyboards! In simple terms, that means that once attached to the PC or terminal, the bar code reader not only scans and decodes bar code symbols, but it also turns them into keyboard characters that flow onto the screen just as if they'd been keyed in. This allows an on-line bar code reader to easily function with most any software program in existence, since scanning a part number bar code (or employee ID, file number, etc.) is exactly the same (to the software and hardware) as it would be to key in the equivalent data.

Most on-line scanners these days have the decoding circuitry built into the scanner. Some (most typically wand/pen type bar code reader systems) utilize a separate decoder box. For advanced barcode and other bar code products and solutions. The main advantage of a separate decoder is that if the scanner bites the dust, you at least maintain part of your system investment in the decoder.

A number of different cordless scanners are now available, with varying degrees of functionality and durability. Transmission distances range from about 3m (10 feet) to 30m (100 feet) or further! Each cordless scanner system requires, at the least, a scanner and a base station to interface with the PC or terminal. More than one scanner can share the same base station, easily allowing two or more mobile operators to collect data into a single transaction.