Barcode Technology Explained – Laser Scanners

21 12 2011
Laser scanners haven;t seen the improvements other technology has in recent years but it's still got some uses

Laser scanners haven;t seen the improvements other technology has in recent years but it's still got some uses

So next up in our look at the most common barcode technologies is the laser barcode scanner.  Laser barcode Readers are probably the best known type of barcode scanner due to the use of an actual laser light that is shone out of the device and their popularity in the larger supermarket and DIY chains.

Unlike the CCD, laser scanners use a photosensitive array of photo-sensors that measure only the emmitted laser light frequency that reflects back form the barcode being read.  It then converts this photo-array of voltages into a deciphered barcode.

Laser Scanners use a mirror to create the Laser Line Pattern used for scanning barcodes

Laser Scanners use a mirror to create the Laser Line Pattern used for scanning barcodes

Pro’s of Laser Barcode Scanners

  • Speed – Often termed “aggression”, Laser scanners are fast, accurate and robust sacnner technology.  It’s no longer actually 100% always the case now with some CCD scanner technology being on a par, however the general rule of thumb is that laser scanners are still more suited to retail, mass scanning applications.
  • Range – The range of a laser barcode scanner is still longer than CCD or 2D technology with most extended range scanners still using Laser technology. 
  • Light Interference – Or lack of it should I say, a known frequency of laser beam is always going to give less interference than CCD the longer the scanning distance so they are still generally better at coping with light.

Con’s of Laser Barcode Scanners

  • Expensive – Again there are cheaper versions of laser tech, but generally you pay for the extra efficiency of a laser scanner.
  • Moving parts – A mirror is typically used to create the laser line (otherwise it’s a dot), this is a moving part that can break.
  • Safety- Laser light is not good for your eyes if scanning directly into them!

    Laser barcode Scanning technology still has great range and flexibility

    Laser barcode Scanning technology still has great range and flexibility

It was almost quite a difficult article to write because if written a few years ago all of the above would be absolutely correct.  However with CCD and 2D techniologies improving far quicker the past few years, it’s not as clear cut any longer.  Always talk to your reseller and always check to see if your barcode scanning scenario requires a specific technology.

Next up we’re going to move away from scanning technology and look at other barcode scanner technologies, starting with ruggedness.

www.ruggedandmobile.com


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Barcode Scanner Technology Explained – Long Range CCD Scanners

20 12 2011
Long Range CCD Barcode Scanners Scan at decent distances

Long Range CCD Barcode Scanners Scan at decent distances

In the last article we looked at the more “Classic” CCD Barcode scanner, which is inexpensive but has a few shortcomings when it comes to range.  however there are many CCD Barcode readers available that use the same technology but scan at far longer lengths.  These are commonly known as Long Range CCD Barcode Scanners but be careful as we’re not talking about meters here, but they are able to scan at distances of about 30 cm, which is comparable to many good laser scanners on the market today.

A brief recap of CCD technology is on the last post but to add to this, the arrays on long-range barcode scanners are effectively the same but the light emitted is stronger and more focussed so you see plastic lenses on the light emitters on the longer range CCD barcode scanners.

Lights on a Long Range CCD Barcode Scanner have lenses to focus the light better over distance.

Lights on a Long Range CCD Barcode Scanner have lenses to focus the light better over distance.

Pros of Long Range CCD Barcode Scanners

Range – It’s all about the length here, most long-range CCD Barcode Scanners can scan at distances easily comparable with laser scanners now, so 30cm+ with nicely printed barcodes can be easily achieved these days.

  • Price - It’s still the same cheaper CCD technology so the prices of CCD barcode scanners are still typically far less than laser versions.
  • Safety – No class 1 or 2 lasers to shine in your eyes here, just LED light!

Cons of Long Range CCD Barcode Scanners

To  be honest, these days not much, there are a few things to think about though:

  • Watch out for the ergonomics on many CCD Barcode scanners, whilst not a con of CCD technology itself, many CCD barcode scanners have cheaper triggers, and trigger buttons in non-ergonimic positions to make the design cheaper.
  • Flexibility – Whilst range is comparable, only the best long range CCD Barcode scanners are as flexible.  It’s close though and laser only just pips it on the flexibility on the read distance.
  • Light Contamination – CCD scanning technology measures ambient light and by definition if you’re scanning at range then there’s more ambient light around.  This makes them more prone to lighting conditions, especially at range.

    True barcode scanning at range

    True barcode scanning at range

If you need a truly retail standard level of scanning that’s aggressive, as flexible as they come and non compromise then a laser scanner is probably still what you need, however for anything else CCD is more than good enough these days.  Watch this space as long range CCD Barcode technology is all but comparable these days but typically half the price.

Tomorrow we’ll take a look at Laser Barcode Scanning tech.

www.ruggedandmobile.com


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Barcode Scanner Technology Explained – Short Range CCD Scanners

19 12 2011
CCD Barcode Scanners are cheap and getting better all the time

CCD Barcode Scanners are cheap and getting better all the time

In This mini series of blogs this week we’re looking at the types of Barcode technologies that are used and then looking at the Pro’s and cons of each one.  Today it’s CCD barcode Scanners.

CCD Barcode Scanners basically have an array of tiny light sensors lined up in a row which are housed inside the in barcode scanner.  There are hundreds of these sensors, each one measuring the level of the light intensity being reflected onto it from whatever is being scanned in from of it.  These light sensors form the heart of the way barcodes are detected and deciphered in CCD barcode Readers and because each sensor is so small and that there are hundreds of them, a voltage pattern will be mimicked which is identical to the line pattern in the bar code being scanned.  The CCD Barcode Scanner engine will then read these values sequentially, measuring the voltage values as it goes along and it is able to then create and read the barcode from this. 

CCD light array unlie on left, and emitting light on right

CCD light array unlie on left, and emitting light on right

Basically where there is white, lots of light is bounced back and the value will be high, where it’s reading black the light tends to get absorbed by the barcode , thus bouncing very little back and the value will be near 0.  You can start to understand now why barcode contrast can be an issue with colours like say black on yellow being an issue for some barcode scanners as the values can get too close and confuse the Barcode Reader.

The important difference between a CCD Barcode reader array and a laser scanner (Next blog) is the CCD barcode reader is measuring emitted “ambient” light from the bar code whereas laser barcode scanners measure only the reflected laser light originating from the scanner itself.

Pro’s of CCD Barcode Scanners

  • Price – Cheaper technology to start with, smaller parts and a simpler technology and design mean CCD scanners are inherently cheaper.
  • Ruggedness – No moving parts to break means that CCD barcode scanners tend to be inherently quite droppable!
  • Safer – No Laser light to shine in people’s eyes.  Yes believe it or not people still do this!

    Cheaper CCD Barcode Scanners have a short range

    Cheaper CCD Barcode Scanners have a short range

 

Cons of CCD barcode Readers

  • Range – Due to the ambient light method it has poorer range than laser scanners.  Whilst not necessarily true any more when talking about 30cm type of scanning distance, Laser still has the Extended range sewn up for now at least.
  • Flexibility – Again newer CCD scanners are better but typically CCD tends to read a a far tighter distance range, whereas laser tends to be more flexible.

Having said this CCD technology has come on leaps and bounds in the past few years and it is in many cases now equal, or even surpassing laser scanner technology.  Motorola for instance are a long time advocate of Laser technology when it comes to barcode readers but they have announced recently that they will be replacing key models in it s “LS” series with CCD technology which leaves few cons for the technology.

Tomorrow we’ll continue with a look at Laser Scanner Technology

www.ruggedandmobile.com


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Rugged and Mobile Christmas Message

16 12 2011
Have a Rugged Christmas!

Have a Rugged Christmas!

Well that’s it for 2011 for us.  We’re closing early this year because we’re completely refitting and extending our offices here in Liverpool, there’s no good time to do this so we’re breaking a bit early and getting on with it.

We’re transferring phone lines during this time so if anyone needs to get in touch, please either get in touch with your account manager or email us on info@ruggedandmobile.com which will be closely monitored throughout.

We’ve had a real ball this year, full of technology, new exciting projects and above all else new customers all looking for help building some pretty cool data capture solutions.  The blog has been really central to a lot of discussion and communication we have had and whilst we will be taking a short break from blogging until the end of the year, we’ll be back in full force in 2012, ranting, opinionising and uncovering all the details that make a difference to you guys.

I wanted to wish everyone a lovely Christmas, have a great time and hope to see you in the New Year!

Dave and all the Ramblrs @ Rugged and Mobile

www.ruggedandmobile.com


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Testing and tweaking your Barcode Solution

15 12 2011

The last in this series of blogs on how to create a decent barcode scanning solution looks at what you need to do ongoing when the solution has been launched.  The blog is designed to stimulate your brain into thinking about what you need to be doing to keep things running smoothly.

Tip 1 – Check your barcodes and keep checking them.  If you print them, then check your printers are in top condition as the slightest mark or drum smudge can ruin a whole set of barcodes for you.  If bought in then you rarely get issues but a quick scan check of each roll doesn;t harm.  If you use other people’s barcodes then again keep checking them for scan efficiency and also check they haven’t changed at all!

Tip 2 – Keep your hardware running, have a few spars on the shelf and also make sure you have a plan to replace barcode scanners quickly and easily.  Many manufacturers now have basic configuration software that allows you to set up a whole bunch of barcode scanners in one go, remotely if required, just like an MDM solution for Rugged PDA’s.

Tip 3 – Get feedback from users about how things are working.  Until you ask, your users might not tell you so ensure you constantly check what people are doing, where they might need help but also where they might be employing practises you didn’t think about when designing the solution.

Tip 4 – Check labels are working for any scenarios that might not have been thought about.  Is light playing an issue here, is a warehouse door open or light on that wasn’t when you came and tested originally.

Tip 5 – Likewise check that the hardware being used is doing the job too.  We see many people using budget barcode scanners that cost £20 less than the ideal ones, but they waste hours of user time and create huge frustration with the users.  If the hardware is not working out, then change it!

Tip 6 – Ensure that you have the right reseller and consultants in place to step in and help you when issues are found and tweaks need to be made.  A lot of the time barcode solution issues can be managed using the experience of a reseller and few choice tweaks they can make to existing hardware or solutions.

Tip 7 – Lastly make sure you keep your eye on what is needed next.  Any barcode solution will be outgrown eventually, that’s the idea of it all.  Always keep one eye on what you might need to be doing in 3 or 5 years down the line and what ID technology will be best to use.

That’s it, tomorrow we’ll turn to hardware and look at the scan technology that barcode scanners use in more depth.

www.ruggedandmobile.com


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