Barcoding

Let’s take a look at what is barcode? Types of barcode readers? And types of barcode printers?
What is Barcode?
Barcode name arrives from the idea of the data codded in the form of thick and thin bars. Barcode is basically the unique code or data like, identification number or any other info that is unique and gives the information of the specific object that is codded and stored in optical manner which can be read by the electronic scanners. This data is typically codded in two types i.e. (1D) and (2D). The parallel lines spaced variably is called as one-dimensional (1D) barcode, later the data was codded in the form of other geometric patterns like rectangles, dots, hexagons, etc. which is called as two-dimensional (2D) barcode.

What is Barcode Reader?
The electronic device or equipment that decodes the optical data or information that is stored in form of barcode form, into electronic impulses through its light and lens sensors and draw it to the computer, is called as barcode scanner/reader.

Types of Barcode Reader:
There are several types of barcode readers some of them are as listed below.

• Pen-type Scanners: shaped like pen/wand, inexpensive, used to scan packages.
• Laser scanners: these scanners create “point clouds” to decode the data from surface of object.
• CCD readers (also known as LED scanners): Scanner similar to digital camera, has hundreds of LED lights, captures the barcode image to decode the data, fast but has limited range.
• Camera-based readers: These readers Use camera image processing technique, used photo diode and light source to decode the info.
• Video camera readers: Uses CCD technology with a twist, a video camera that has many more rows of sensors in 2D array to create an image.
• Large field-of-view readers: Readers for industrial use, reads plenty barcodes at a time, and come with high resolution.
• Omnidirectional barcode scanners: These are the readers found mostly in supermarkets. They are located in a specific counter and covered with a glass lid over.
• Cell phone cameras: Used in applications, enterprises, etc. these are used to scan QR codes, used even in the transfer of the data from one device to another.Barcode Printer and Types:
  Barcode printer is the electronic device used to print the barcode tags/stickers/labels to stick/attach/print directly on any of the object. There are mainly two types of printers used in market, direct thermal printers and thermal transfer printers.
  Direct thermal printers are heat generating print-heads the create a chemical reaction on the specific paper that turns the paper black and the Thermal transfer printers also generate heat to melt the wax or resin substance that is spread over the ribbon and further on paper through the ribbon to print the code.
  Different barcode printers are designed according to their use and markets. Printers in industries like warehouse and manufacturing have large paper capacities and are faster and more durable and for retail and office use there are normal smaller barcode desktop printers.
  Some other types of printers differentiated on basis of the mechanism they use are as listed below:
• Dot Matrix Printer.
• Ink Jet Printer.
• Ink Jet Printer.
• Direct Thermal Printer.
• Thermal Transfer Printer.
• Barcodes are usually used for security and tracking and billing/transaction and data analysis purposes in industries like, manufacturing, retail, education, warehousing, toll booths, examination centres, supermarkets etc.