subject: The Mobility Of A Wireless Barcode Scanner [print this page] Wireless barcode scanner is one of the essentials in any type of business that involves stocking, inventory, retail or sales, and copying. It makes for faster collection of data from any PC when times like extending cords of an existing barcode scanner is not possible or even practical. These scanners are mobile and can function in exactly the same way as any optical scanner.
Just like any optical scanners, a wireless barcode scanner uses the light-sensing technology to scan paper, stickers, or labels that may have data on them in patterns of black and white colors, and then interprets the patterns, or barcodes, into a digital language that can be received, analyzes and translated by a computer with the use of a software in graphics.
Barcodes are the patterns of black and white that are actually the data of a particular product and brand. Each barcode is unique of each product and brand and should not have duplicates anywhere. These black and white patterns can take any form of geometric designs: vertical lines with varying widths, hexagon, dots, or others.
There are several optical scanners to choose from, depending on your budget and needs. If you have a grocery store, then a flatbed scanner works well. They are flat glass with the optic mechanism placed either under it or above it. Then there is the plain or traditional scanner that involves placing the paper inside for it to be scanned and spewed out when done, like a photocopying machine. Another is the handheld or the 'gun' scanner. It has an optical mechanism which activates when the trigger is pulled. However, it has to be placed very close to the object before it can read properly.
The wireless barcode scanner takes the wired handheld model a step higher. All one needs to do is hold it and scan barcodes all over the place and then send the data from it into the computer. The computer does not have to be moved either. This works better especially with heavy objects that don't need to be carried over to the non-mobile wired handheld. The wireless barcode scanner can also be used with a wireless system like a PDA which will only accept data from a wireless scanner.
However, before making a decision in buying a wireless barcode scanner, first you have to determine what you really need it for. Do you just need to extend the distance from the PC and could do a better job if the cord were longer, or do you need a portable one for portable data collection using a hand-held mobile computer with an incorporated scanner. If all you need is an extension of a cord, a wireless wedge scanner, a type of wireless barcode scanner will do the job nicely; for one thing, they are more expensive.
