The Barcode Scanner Guide

When most of us think of barcode scanners, regardless of the actual size or shape of the scanner, that little red laser beam always comes to mind. This little red laser beam is a vital part in the functionality of a barcode scanner.

Similar to pen-type scanners, laser scanners use virtually the same type of technology, but instead of swiping the scanner across a barcode, the scanner is just held in front of the barcode and it automatically registers. This is possible because of a tiny mirror that goes back and forth quickly or a little prism which rotates; both of these styles reflect the laser beam in a fast, forth and back motion, which means that the scanner itself doesn’t has to be moved across the barcode, instead it can stay in place, and the laser reads the barcode by itself.

Waves of light are read by a photodiode in the scanner, which decodes the light that is reflected by the mirrors. Laser scanners are the single most common type of barcode reader in use today, at least in the way of technology. The housing or casing types vary according to the purpose of the scanner, while still using the same technology.

Special care should be taken with laser scanners, especially the handheld type. One must always be careful to never shine the laser beam into someone’s eyes. When used by adults only in a work environment, this isn’t usually a problem. But if kids are around or involved, just be careful and let them know that the laser scanner is not to be played with.

In the retail world, laser scanners are incredibly useful. Imagine how much more time consuming and frustrating it would be if the clerk at the grocery store had to run a pen-type scanner across each and every item you had in your cart! But with laser technology, all we have to do is throw our items onto the conveyor belt and the clerk simply waves them in the general area of the laser scanner and into our bags in one smooth motion.

Special Note: Supermarkets employ a slightly more sophisticated version of the basic laser scanner, but which still uses the same technology. Don’t forget that laser scanners come in handheld models as well, which are useful for bigger, heavier things, like furniture.

Everything you want to know about barcode scanners

This entry was posted on Friday, February 19th, 2010 at 5:23 am and is filed under Laser Barcode Scanners. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.