Barcode Reader

POS Barcode Reader

POS Barcode Reader

A barcode is just a unlike way of encoding numbers and letters by using a combination of bars and spaces of unstable widths. This is just a new way of entering data into a computer. A barcode does not contain graphic data. It is a reference number that a computer uses to look up a linked record that contains descriptive data and other significant information. A barcode found on a soda can does not contain the product name, type of soda or price. Instead, it contains a 12-digit product number. When this digit is scanned by the cashier at the check-out, it is broadcasted to the computer that finds the record associated with that item number in the data base. The matching item trace contains a description of the product, vendor name and cost quantity-on-hand. The computer directly does a price lookup and displays the price on the cash register. It also subtracts the amount purchased from the quantity-on-hand. This entire transaction is done directly. A bar code typically has ID data encoded in it and that data is used by computer to look up all exact information associated with the data.

Need of the pos barcode: Computers can not interpret bar codes. For a processor to make use of the information contained in the barcode, the bar code data must be captured and translated into a data format that the computer can process. The device that reads the bar code information and sends it to the decoder is known as the barcode reader, generally called barcode scanner or reader too. A typical barcode reader kit consists of scanner, decoder and cable that interface the decoder to the computer. The scanner scans the barcode symbol and captures the bars and spaces of the bar code and sends it to the decoder. The decoder translates the bars and spaces into matching electrical output and transmits that data to the computer in a traditional data format.

Advantage and disadvantages: It is simple and easy to interface to the computer. No software is required too. When some one scans a bar code, the cursor has to be in the correct input data field and in the correct application or else the barcode data will end up in whatever application that is active. This can reason all sorts of problems. The keyboard output is limited in the sense that one cannot adapt the data in any way before transfer it into the program in the computer.

Barcode Reader