User:FelderFleck289 - SecularPortal

From SecularPortal

In the world of retail there can not be many more revolutionary products compared to the handheld barcode scanner. The advantage of this kind of scanner is it is so simple to use. Just point it on the barcode, press the trigger and also the job is done. Also, since it is worked yourself anyone using one of these simple pieces of equipment is more unlikely to make a mistake.

In fact handheld barcode scanners are attached to the computer by a cable. There are handhelds which are connected up wirelessly. There isn't any cable restricting how long the scanner may be used from the computer; the only limit is the range of the wireless signal. They can be small enough to fit into a pocket. The purists don't class these scanners as handheld, instead they will use the term "wireless barcode scanner." However, these scanners do offer exactly the same ease of use as the handheld variety.

cash register - The handheld scanners that most people will be using will utilise a couple of scanning technologies, the laser and the LED. Lasers continue to be the most popular, despite the introduction of LED scanning technology during the last few years.

With laser scanning technology the scanning unit includes a laser diode. The laser diode generates a dot which becomes the beam of light by being projected in to a vibrating mirror. The beam of light is then scanned across the barcode.

LED can be a newer type of scanning technology and the handheld barcode scanners incorporating it will be more durable. Also LED is more versatile in the kind of barcode it can read - you can use it to scan horizontal bar codes as well as the more typical vertical ones. The sensor then accumulates the reflected light as well as the data is converted into ASCII text.

point of sale system - One decision that anyone thinking about using a handheld unit in their business is whether to stay with the conventional 1D type of scanner or perhaps the newer 2D units. The 2D scanners have become more popular as they offer more, especially obviously the ability to read the new 2D barcodes including data matrix. These barcodes can hold much more information compared to the 1D type can which obviously means they are attractive to use. However, the 2D handheld scanners do cost far more than the 1D units. Obviously if your business can manage with all the capacity restrictions from the 1D barcode then there is no real need to upgrade. Of course the converse can often happen and many more businesses are now embracing the higher specification units.