Barcode Scanning – Easier Than You Think

Yet despite their presence, many people are still unfamiliar with how barcode scanning works and how to go about implementing it. Luckily, with advances and standardization in computing technology, it is significantly easier today than it was 20 years ago.

The two basic technologies involved in barcode scanning are the barcode itself and the barcode scanner (also known as barcode reader). Barcodes come in a range of symbologies which are really just different representations of a barcode. There are numeric-only barcodes like UPC-A and 2 of 5, alpha-numeric barcodes like Code 128, and Code 39, and 2-Dimensional barcodes like PDF417 and DataMatrix. All told, there are probably over 100 different symbologies and while this may seem daunting at times, the good news is they the most common barcode symbologies are relatively standardized and are typically handled automatically by the barcode scanners decoder unit.

The barcode reader or scanner can generally be broken into two types: 1-D Barcode readers and 2-D barcode readers. As you might guess, 1-D Barcode Readers are used for scanning 1-D barcodes and 2-D barcode readers are used for reading 2-D barcodes. In general, the 1D barcode readers can scan most of the common 1-D barcode symbologies whereas the 2-D barcode readers can scan both the 1-D and the 2-D barcodes. Historically, 1-D barcode readers utilized a laser scanner which is why you’ll often hear the term barcode laser scanner; today, many barcode scanners work by taking a picture of the barcode and then decoding that picture – which is why you are starting to see applications developed where you can scan a barcode with your cell phone. In fact, there is a price-shopping application available for the iPhone which allows you to scan a UPC barcode and then obtain product information about that item. This approach of decoding a picture is typically called imaging and you’ll sometimes here the term imager scanner for barcode readers that utilize this technology. It should be noted however that 2-D barcode scanning can be a little bit trickier than 1-D barcode scanning as a 2-D barcode scanner may not be able to scan the complete range of 2-d barcodes. Also, there are also basic 2-D barcode imagers referred to as linear imagers that can only handle linear 2-D barcodes.

In selecting a barcode reader, you’ll need to know two basic things: 1) what type of barcode symbology you will be scanning and 2) how you are connecting the barcode scanner to a computer. Basically, for the first piece, you’ll want to know whether you will be scanning a 1-D barcode or a 2-D barcode; if it a 2-D barcode, you’ll want to know the exact type of 2-D barcode symbology you will be scanning. The most common ways to connect a barcode scanner to a computer is through your computers USB, Keyboard or Serial interface. Typically, it will be either the USB interface or the Keyboard Wedge Interface. The USB interface is pretty much “plug-and-play” today while the Keyboard Wedge may need some minimal configuration. A Keyboard Wedge configuration is pretty cool in that you utilize a “Y” cable to replace your current keyboard cable with the two inputs to the Y-Cable being the keyboard and the barcode scanner and the output connected to the keyboard input port of your computer. From your computers view, the input from the barcode scanner is no different than if you just typed it in from the keyboard.

If you’re not using barcode scanning today in your business, chances you are missing a great opportunity to make your business more competitive. With today’s technology and the maturation of the barcode, it is often very simple to implement barcode scanners into your everyday work process.

Create Barcode Label

Create Barcode Label

Barcode creator tool generates colored barcode labels

Tuesday, August 25, 2009:

Barcode image generating software creates standard barcode labels, stickers, ribbons, asset tags with colorful design. Barcode label generator produces barcodes images which are compatible with all printing tool. Barcode creator utility is helpful software for small scale, medium scale and large scale industries like Retail stores, Super markets, Transportation, Price/item marking, Telecom sector, Postal services, Warehousing, Library, Shipping, Healthcare agencies etc.

Barcode label maker utility is capable to produce colored barcodes for all type of industries such as Insurance, Transportation, Logistics, Accounting, Pharmaceutical, Financial services, Manufacturing, Retailers, Distributors, Phone companies, Government organization, Healthcare agencies, Medical etc. Barcode labeling software generates barcode image in various formats like code11, interleaved 2of5, Codabar, Code 93 and MSI Plessey. Barcode image generation tool facilitates users to save barcode images in various file formats such as bmp, gif, jpeg etc. Barcode generator software supports uppercase letter (A-Z), lowercase letter (a-z), number (0-9) and special character (+, =, $) to create barcodes in random or sequential series. Barcode creator tool generates standard bulk barcode labels in sequential or random series in just one click. Barcode label maker successfully produces barcodes in different shape and size which can be easily printed by all standard printing tools.

To know more about this Software visits this following URL:

http://www.barcodelabelcreator.com

Barcode processing software produces standard barcodes labels, ribbon, asset tags for small, medium or large scale organization.

Digital picture salvage application

We provides barcode generator tool to create barcode images in various shape and size according to user requirements.

Two-Dimensional Barcodes – Using Mobile Taking to Expand the Internet

The line between online content and the offline world is quickly eroding. For years it has been common place to include a web address on marketing materials, package wrappers, and signage, but these addresses required the viewer to maintain an interest in a company or website from the point of discovery to they reach a computer, or to peck out an address on a cell phone. This gap in access between discovery and information, allows for any number of distractions to swoop in and siphon off a customer who might be fence sitting on a product. A unique combination of several technologies is doing what it can to erase this gap. That practice, already widespread in Japan, is set to make the jump to the United States in the near future.

The concept is called “mobile tagging” and it typically involves a two-dimensional barcode, a camera phone, and a webpage created specifically for mobile phone browsers.

The two-dimensional barcode is not necessarily a new invention, having been created in both the United States and Japan almost simultaneously in the mid-1990s. The result is a barcode that makes use of blots, or boxes, or dots rather than simple vertical lines. These barcodes are able to encode a great deal of data – an upper limit of 4000 or so characters compared to the twenty or so of a traditional barcode. The ability to pack that much data into such a tiny spot has turned the barcode from a simple method of tracking into a means to relay human-meaningful information.

The cell phone isn’t new either. However, the wide scale proliferation of mobile phones was paired by the addition of inexpensive digital cameras and access to the mobile internet. With the aide of relatively simple programs, mobile phones could learn to read matrix barcodes, and if the barcode contained a web address, the mobile phone could access the website right then. The gap between discovery and access was stopped.

The concept itself seems rather simple. However, it’s the applications that hold a great deal of potential. The matrix barcode, when used in mobile tagging, has several advantages over the written web address.

First, and perhaps foremost, the viewer does not know exactly what to expect when they view a matrix barcode without a camera which can read it. Sure, the viewer can garner some basic assumptions from context clues, but where the code points to is actually a mystery. To capitalize on the mystery, it is common for two-dimensional barcodes to be served without context clues on plain white billboards. For a viewer, the need to understand, the need to justify such a massive barcode, is prompt enough actively respond to the tag, pull out a cell phone and snap a photo. At that point, the website is a click away and the viewer has done a great deal of the leg work in become an actual consumer.

Another advantage of using a two-dimensional barcode over a printed web address: long and specific addresses are preferred rather than forbidden. Customers engaging in mobile tagging can be directed to specific landing pages, tailored not only for a mobile device, but also based on geo-location. When a unique two-dimensional barcode is created based on the location in which it will be displayed, or to match the content it is paired with, the end result is targeted information that is greatly more relevant to the viewer. The more relevant the content, the greater the chance of turning a visitor into a customer.

Not all two-dimensional barcodes are simply marketing tools, though. Nor do they have to contain a simple web address. In Japan, matrix barcodes have replaced nutritional labels on food packages – redirecting the viewer to a mobile webpage that contains that information instead. Another common use is location-specific information, which is particularly popular in the tourism industry. A two-dimensional barcode next to a work of art or historic building can direct visitors to information that is far too detailed and lengthy to fit on a sign.

In the end, the variety of uses for two-dimensional barcodes is largely limited only by the imagination of the creator. Much as the internet is freeing ideas and connecting individuals, the question one should be asking about mobile tagging is “How could the internet help my situation if it weren’t bound to a computer?” After all, this isn’t a technology that’s bound solely to Japan. Currently in Apple’s App store, there are no fewer than three mobile tagging programs for the device. Mobile tagging is coming.

August 12th, 2009 Barcode Tags: , , 0 Comment

Usb Barcode Scanners – All-in-one Id Cards Scaning Solution!



If you are in the process of searching for usb barcode scanners but you don’t know which type would best fit your needs, then all you need to do is follow a few basic steps that will help you to find a scanner that will serve all your needs. A portable scanner can be lifesaver in the way you handle digital data, primarily when the storing of valuable documentation is of the utmost importance. Prior to committing to a particular scanner, it’s advisable that you hear what the experts have to say.

As is the case with every current and sophisticated hardware device, transportable scanners have been developed to be easier to get up and running with. Portable scanners are designed for a multitude of scanning tasks, for instance, important cards and receipts that are piling up, documents, and even checks. You won’t believe the speed, and they produce amazing image quality in several different format options. Since they have come down in price, the outlay for usb barcode scanners is a very manageable expense for the business person as well as the hobbyist.

One of the most unique advantages of these portable usb scanners is that they’re so user-friendly and convenient wherever and whenever you need them. Every scanner comes furnished with user-friendly software which makes it simple to create high-quality output from whatever you choose to scan and then save the files to use in various ways. As an example, an id card scanner has the ability to pull out the images and data, including the photo, signature, and all the text of the id and then sort it into useable data fields, into an external document, your clipboard, or any appropriate application.

Before you take the plunge and buy usb barcode scanners we advise you to go through the following list of tips: (1) determine what you’ll be using a scanner for; (2) conduct a web search for suitable scanners; (3) how do the different scanners measure up technically? (4) verify that the company has a good reputation and see what past customers have to say about it; (5) check shipping terms and return policies.