A barcode scanner, also known as a barcode reader, is an electronic device that physically decodes and captures the information contained in barcodes. It consists of the following components that work together to capture the data contained in a printed barcode:
Light Source: Illuminates the barcode for correct reading.
Lens: Scans the barcode image.
Photoconductor: Converts optical pulses into electrical ones.
Decoder: Analyzes the data and sends the content to the scanner's output port.
There are three main barcode scanning engines that decode or read a barcode:
Laser - Uses a laser to read linear or one-dimensional (1D) barcodes. See what laser scanners System ID sells.
Linear Imager - Reads linear barcodes by capturing an image of the barcode. See what System ID sells for linear imagers.
2D Area Imager - Reads linear and 2D barcodes by capturing an image of the barcode.See what 2D area imagers System ID is selling.
Types of Barcode Readers
Barcode readers are classified into the following types, which have unique characteristics for specific environments, applications, and industries:
Portable - The reader for the most popular barcodes. It is available in both wired and cordless (wireless) models.
Mobile Computer - Combines the functionality of a PC and a barcode scanner in one device. It is sometimes confused with wireless barcode scanners.
In addition to barcodes, organizations use radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to electronically capture information about an object, such as assets or inventory.
RFID readers (interrogators) use two-way radio transmitter-receivers to automatically track and identify objects that have RFID tags attached to or embedded in them. Usually, readers are fixed, which means that they stay in one spot. This allows organizations to tightly control the reading area. However, there are also handheld or mounted readers that enable mobile scanning.
There are two types of RFID tags (labels):
Active: Contains an onboard battery that periodically transmits an ID signal.
Passive: It doesn’t contain a battery, which makes them cheaper.