• Input ( 2 )

Question 1

What are some uses of barcodes?

Answer 1

Identification and tracking

Question 2

What are the two different types of barcode?

Answer 2

• Quick response ( QR ) code

* Linear barcodes

Question 3

What are the four types of barcode reader?

Answer 3

• Laser scanners
• CCD readers
• Camera based readers
• Pen Type Readers

Question 4

How do pen type readers work?

Answer 4

• A light source and a photo diode are placed next to each other in the tip of a pen, to read a barcode, the tip of the pen is dragged across all the bars at an even speed.
• The photo diode measures the intensity of the light reflected back from the light source and generates a waveform that is used to measure the widths of the bars and spaces in the barcode.

Question 5

What are some advantages of pen type readers?

Answer 5

• Feature a simple design, making them the most durable type of barcode scanner,can be sealed against environmental hazards such as dust and dirt.

Question 6

What is a disadvantage to pen type readers?

Answer 6

• Applications are limited due to having to come into direct contact with a barcode to read it.

Question 7

Where is a pen type reader suited?

Answer 7

Small size and low weight makes it ideal for:
• Portable computers
• Very low volume scanning applications

Question 8

How do laser scanners work?

Answer 8

Same method as pen type readers, using a laser as a light source.

Question 9

Where is a laser scanner best suited?

Answer 9

Reliable and economical for low volume applications such as a super market.

Question 10

How do camera based readers work?

Answer 10

• A camera based imaging scanner uses a camera and image processing techniques to decode a 1D or 2D barcode.

Question 11

What is an advantage of using camera based readers?

Answer 11

• An imaging scanner can read a barcode on any surface, printed or onscreen, and can read a code that is damaged or poorly printed.

Question 12

What are some practical applications of camera based readers?

Answer 12

• Scanning coupons

* Scanning event tickets.

Question 13

How do digital cameras scan barcodes?

Answer 13

• Digital cameras use a CCD or CMOS sensor.
• These sensors are comprised of millions of tiny light sensors arranged in a gird.
• Binary data from each sensor is recorded onto the camera’s memory memory card, so that the image can be produced using suitable software at a computer.

Question 14

What are some advantages to digital cameras?

Answer 14

• CCD sensors tend to produce higher quality imagery.

* More reliable, since technology has been around for much longer.

Question 15

What is a disadvantage to CCD sensors?

Answer 15

Have a large power consumption, relative to a CMOS sensor, they use up to 100x more power.