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What is a barcode scanner? Barcode scanners are also known as barcode readers, barcode collector. It is a reading device for reading the information contained in the barcode, and uses the optical principle to decode the content of the barcode and transmit it to the computer or other device through the data line or wirelessly. It is widely used in supermarkets, logistics express, library and other bar codes for scanning goods and documents.

1. Scope of application
Barcode technology should be used in different situations, and different barcode scanners should be selected. For example, to develop a bar code warehouse management system, it is often necessary to check the laboratory frequently in the warehouse. Correspondingly, the barcode scanner can be conveniently carried, and the information of the inventory can be temporarily stored, and is not limited to the use of the computer. A convenient barcode scanner is more suitable.

When using a barcode collector on a production line, it is generally necessary to install a barcode scanner at some fixed position of the production line, and the parts produced are more suitable with barcode scanners, such as laser gun type, CCD scanner, and so on. In the conference management system and enterprise attendance system, a card type or slot type barcode scanner can be selected, and the person who needs to sign in the registration inserts the barcode printed certificate into the scanner slot, and the scanner automatically scans and gives a reading success signal, thereby real-time automatic check-in. Of course, for some special occasions, special barcode scanner devices can also be developed to meet the needs.

2. Decoding range
The decoding range is another important indicator for selecting a barcode scanner. At present, the barcode scanners produced by various manufacturers have a wide range of decoding. Some scanners can recognize several code systems, and some scanners can recognize more than a dozen code systems. Develop a barcode application system to select the corresponding code system. At the same time, when configuring the barcode scanner for the system, the scanner is required to have the correct decoding symbol function.

In logistics, UPC/EAN codes are often used. Therefore, when developing a shopping mall management system, you should be able to read the UPC/EAN code when selecting a scanner.

3. Interface capabilities
There are many application fields of barcode technology, and there are many types of computers. When developing an application system, it is generally first to determine the hardware system environment, and then select a barcode scanner suitable for the environment. This requires the interface mode of the selected scanner to meet the overall requirements of the environment. There are two types of interface methods for the universal barcode scanner:

A. Serial communication. This type of communication is generally used when small and medium-sized computer systems are used, or when the data collection location is far from the computer. For example, the enterprise attendance management system, the computer is generally not placed at the entrance and exit, but placed in the office, in order to timely grasp the attendance.

B. Keyboard emulation is an interface method for transmitting bar code information collected by the scanner to a computer through a keyboard port of a computer, and is also a commonly used method. At present, IBM/PC and its compatible machines commonly use keyboard methods such as XKAT. The keyboard port of the computer terminal also has various forms. Therefore, if you choose keyboard emulation, you should pay attention to the type of computer in the application system, and pay attention to whether the selected scanner can match the computer.

4. Parameter requirements such as first reading rate
The first reading rate is a comprehensive indicator of the barcode scanner, which has a certain relationship with the bar code symbol printing quality, the decoder design and the performance of the photoelectric scanner. In some applications, a hand-held barcode scanner can be used to control the repeated scanning of bar code symbols. In this case, the first reading rate requirement is too strict, and it is only a measure of work efficiency. In industrial production, self-warehouse and other applications, a higher first reading rate is required. The bar code conforms to the movement of the carrier on the automatic production line or on the conveyor belt, and only has once opportunity to collect data. If the first reading rate is less than 100%, the data loss will occur, causing serious consequences. Therefore, in these application fields, we should select a barcode scanner with a high first reading rate, such as a CCD scanner.

5. Resolution
In order to correctly detect the width of the narrowest banner read in, when selecting a device, the reading device with the corresponding resolution should be selected according to the bar code density used. In use, if the resolution of the selected device is too high, the influence of stains, deinking, etc. on the banner will be more serious.

6. Scan properties
The barcode scanner scan attribute can also subdivide the scan depth of field, scan width, scan speed, primary recognition rate, bit error rate, and so on. Scanning depth of field refers to the difference between the farthest distance that the scan head allows to leave the surface of the barcode and the closest point of the scanner to the surface of the barcode while ensuring reliable reading, that is, the effective working range of the barcode scanner. Some bar code scanning devices do not give a scanning depth of field indicator in the technical index, but give a scanning distance, that is, the shortest distance that the scanning head allows to leave the bar code surface. The scan width is the physical length value of the bar code information that the scanned beam can read at a given scan distance. The scanning speed refers to the scanning light frequency on the scanning track. The primary recognition rate represents the ratio of the number of labels read in the first scan to the total number of scanned labels. The test rate of primary recognition rate is only applicable to the handheld light pen scanning identification method. If the acquired signal is repeated, the error rate is equal to the ratio of the total number of false positives. For a bar code system, the bit error rate is a more serious problem than the low recognition rate.

7. Barcode symbol length
Barcode symbol length is a factor to consider when selecting a scanner. Some opto-scanners specify the maximum scan size due to manufacturing techniques, such as CCD scanners and moving beam scanners. In some application systems, the length of the bar code symbol is randomly changed, such as the index number of the book, the length of the bar code symbol on the product package, and so on. In the field of variable length applications, the effect of the length of the bar code symbol should be taken into account when selecting the barcode scanner.

8. The price of the barcode scanner
Barcode scanners have different prices due to different functions. Therefore, when selecting a scanner, pay attention to the cost performance of the product, and it should meet the requirements of the application system and the price is low.

9. Special features
Several scanners need to be connected to a single computer from several entrances, so that the scanners at each entrance collect information to the same computer, thus requiring the scanner to have networking functions to ensure that the computer accurately accepts the information and handle in time. Special choices should be made when the application system has special requirements for the barcode scanner.
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