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    Touch Buttons

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    RF Tags

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    OCR

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How Does Bar Code Work?
Actually, a bar code works in much the same way as an ordinary flashlight - by reading the reflected light from a serface.  The process begins when a device directs a light beam through a bar code.  The device contains a small sensory reading element.  Theis sensor detects the light being reflected back from the bar code, and converts light energy into electrical energy.  The result is an electrical signal that can be converted into data.  
Bar codes are measured by the width of the narrow bar and are recorded in mils, or 1/1000 inch.  A 15 Mil bar code, for nstance, has a narrow bar that is 15/1000 inches wide.  Further, the "quiet zones," or blank spaces to the left and right of bar code symbols, are included to insure the bar code can be read.
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    How do you read a Bar Code
    It's a three-step process.  First, an input device must convert light energy into electrical energy.  There are a variety of input devices, each with it's own unique characteristics.
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    What are the different input devices (readers)?
    Bar code input devices can be broken down into three categories:  Wand (contact), CCD, Laser.
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        Wands
        The wand is the simlest and least expensive input device available.  It is durable and contains no moving parts.  It must, however, come into contact with the bar code, which can present a challenge.  If a bar code must me read more than once, it may become smeared or damaged and, in essence, unreadable.  Also, a wand is "human powered," which means it must be held at the proper angle and moved at the proper speed.  For these reasons, a wand is the choice only when purchase cost is the determining factor.  We will supply high quality wands, however, we strongly urge our customers to consider the entire cost of ownership when purchasing equipment.  Wands are often frustrating for users to learn to use.  They also often have a high "re-try" rate; the first scan didn't read, so the user my try again and again.  These factors combine to increase the user resistance to using the bar code system, and take longer per transaction.  These factors almost always out weigh the purchas price cost savings of a wand, and favor either CCD or Laser readers.
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        CCD
        The CCD or "Charge Couple Device," is another common input device.  A CCD is a very "aggressive" instrumant, with a high ability to read bar codes quickly and easily.  But it has two primary limitations.  First, it has a shorter "read" range, and must be held no more than a few inches from the bar code.  Further, the CCD as a limited width, and will not read bar codes that are wider than the face of the input device.  It is largely popular for use in point of sale applictions.
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        Laser
        The laser scanner is perhaps the most popular bar code input device.  A laser scanner need not be close to the bar code to do it's job.  A standard range laser scanner can read a bar code from about 6 to 24 inches away, and a long range scanner can read one from perhaps 2 to 8 feet away.  An extra longe-range device can even read a bar code 30 feet from the device.  Laser scanners vary in price from $200 to $2,000 and come in a variety of models.
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What's a wedge?

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What is a bar code symbology?

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Which symbology is right for me?

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What is Compliance Labeling?

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What's a decoder?

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What is the best way to print Bar Code Labels?

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What is "Direct Thermal" Printing?

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What is "Thermal Transfer" Printing?

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What is a PDT (Portable Data Terminal)?

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What's the difference between Batch and RF communications?

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What is POS?

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    PC Cash Drawer

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    Receipt Printer

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    Cash Drawer

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    Mag Strip Reader

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    Check Reader

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    Keyboard

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    Scale

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    Monitor

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    Scanner

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    Customer Display

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    Applications Software

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Why is it important that our organization have our own domain? 

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How do we switch from our current web host to Whole Solutions?

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What geographic areas does Whole Solutions USA, Inc. serve?

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What design services does Whole Solutions USA, Inc. provide?

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Do you offer financing options?

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