Scanning barcodes on products. Barcode TrueType font

a, converting its graphic elements into a digital sequence, decoding the data, checking the quality of reading and transferring the received information to a computer, cash terminal or mobile assistant.

Classification of barcode scanners by type of reading element

Based on the design of the reading element, scanners are divided into:

• LED (CCD)
• Laser
• Image

LED (CCD) scanners

LED scanners were among the first to appear. To illuminate the barcode, they use LEDs, which create a bright strip of diffused light. The reflected light is collected by a glass mirror and projected onto the CCD. Due to the significant scattering of the beam and the low resolution of the matrix, the reading distance does not exceed 3 cm, which is why these scanners are also called contact scanners.

Laser barcode scanners

Laser scanners use laser scanning technology, which was invented in the early 70s and has not changed much since then. A laser diode is used to illuminate the barcode. The light beam is deployed like a beam in the beam tube of a kinescope by a swinging or rotating mirror. The main advantage of laser technology is significant freedom of reading distance barcode. Some scanner models allow you to read barcodes from a distance of up to several meters. A feature of this technology is the creation of a very narrow strip of light, which is, as it were, “cut out” by a thin laser beam. In this regard, problems arise when reading poorly printed codes - a damaged section of the code may fall right in the path of the laser beam.

Image (or photo) scanners barcode

Hand-held photo scanners based on “Image” technology can be classified into a separate group. They are a type of LED scanners, and are equipped with a CCD matrix high resolution similar to video cameras or digital cameras. Image scanners (or image scanners or photo scanners) “photograph” the entire code image and can even read damaged or worn barcodes. Distinctive feature The advantage of such scanners is that they can scan, in addition to ordinary linear and two-dimensional codes, as well as images and electronic signatures.

Classification of barcode scanners by type of execution

Based on the type of execution, scanners are divided into the following groups:

• Feather
• Manual
• Stationary
• Combined

Pen scanners barcode

Despite the fact that pen scanners are hand-held, they are placed in a separate category due to their performance. Pen scanners are the simplest and most cost-effective devices for reading barcodes. They are small in size and weight, very reliable in terms of service life and have a low cost. Pen scanners use a low-power light source that must cross a linear bar code. The operator, tightly pressing the working surface of the pen scanner to the label, manually runs along the entire code - you can read from either end of the label, but you cannot skip at least part of the code. It must be borne in mind that the technological features of pen scanners place very stringent requirements on the properties of barcode labels. The reading result is influenced by parameters such as the speed and angle of beam movement. The operator must have some skill in working with a pen scanner. In addition, there is a risk of damage to the label upon contact with the scanner if the media or protective coating of the label is not strong enough. Currently, manufacturers have practically abandoned of this type scanners.

Handheld scanners barcode

The very name “manual” means that in order to read a barcode with this scanner, you need to pick it up and bring it to the barcode. Such scanners are usually used where high scanning performance is not required, or if the barcode to be scanned is applied to large items (products).

Stationary scanners barcode

Stationary scanners at the workplace they are installed either vertically on a stand (vertical projection scanners) or built into a table (built-in scanners). To scan with such a scanner, the barcode must be placed in the reading area. Stationary scanners have several scanning planes. The scanning area of ​​multi-plane scanners is a grid of rays intersecting at different angles, which reads a barcode regardless of its orientation relative to the scanner, which increases the code scanning speed.

Stationary scanners are most often used in supermarkets or hypermarkets, where there is a large flow of customers and indicators such as scanner performance and service speed are critical.

There are also bioptic stationary scanners, which are an integration of horizontal and vertical scanners. Advantage of this device The fact is that the cashier does not need to turn the barcode of the product “face” relative to the scanner; the barcode can be read from six sides. Thus, the cashier’s work speed when using a bioptic scanner increases significantly.

Combination scanners barcode

Essentially, a combination scanner is a hand-held scanner that is mounted on a stand. As a rule, most of the time such a scanner is used as a stationary one (that is, a barcode is brought to it). But if it is necessary to scan a barcode on a large product (item), the scanner is removed from the stand and brought to the barcode. Combined scanners can be linear and multiplanar.

Classification of scanners by connection method

Based on the method of connecting the scanner to the computer, scanners are divided into:

• Wired
• Wireless

Wired scanners connect to the computer via standard interfaces RS232, PS/2, USB, and the manufacturer’s own connector and interface can also be used.

Wireless scanners standards are used more often wireless transmission Bluetooth or Wi-Fi data or manufacturers' own standards. There are other wireless data transmission technologies that are not widely used.

Classification of the scanner according to the type of barcode read

Based on the type of barcode read, scanners are divided into:

• Linear
• Two-dimensional

Line scanners barcode is read only linear codes. 2D scanners support both linear and two-dimensional barcodes.

The goods arrive at our store with a barcode,” says Natalia Makarova, administrator of the St. Petersburg salon of hats and accessories “Chapolet”. – This electronic tag contains all the information: name, cost, size, color, etc. It is very easy for a cashier to make a mistake when punching a receipt manually, but with a scanner he will never make a mistake.

The scanner is used specifically to recognize original electronic tags, explains Yuri Rusin, Head of the Automation Department at Amanit. - The accounting system registers the product, indicating how much of it is in stock, how much has been sold, how much is left in the warehouse, etc. All items are encoded in a certain way, and the barcode is the original label for each type of product. This barcode is read by the scanner.

Since the barcode is printed and read by machines, its processing takes much less time and is performed with higher accuracy than manual data entry, says Ilya Sviridov, manager of the commercial equipment department at Kik-Soft. – For example, entering twelve positions will take the operator about 6 seconds. At the same time, reading a barcode takes only 300 milliseconds. The barcode is extremely accurate. While the operator manual entry can allow one error for every 300 positions, barcoding standards assume less than one error for every million barcodes read. In addition, some coding standards have error correction algorithms, which leads to a decrease in this norm.

Reader technologies

As experts explain, there are several code reading technologies that are united by one principle: barcode illumination and collection of reflected light for further processing by the processor. Barcode scanners can be classified by the type of light source: LED (CCD), laser and photo (Image) scanners.

CCDs are the most common, easy-to-use and inexpensive barcode readers, says Vartan Grigoryan, commercial director of the Skankod company. – Working with them does not require any special knowledge or skills. Traditionally, to read it, the scanner must be brought close to the barcode and activated scanning by pressing a button. However, modern CCD scanners equipped with improved Long Range optics (sometimes called “cat's eye”) read barcodes at a distance of 10-15 cm. In both cases, the barcode is scanned and decoded automatically.

Functionally, this type of scanner has a short distance barcode reading - the label must be perfectly flat and clear, explains Ilya Sviridov. - There is a limitation on the length of the barcode that can be read (60-90 mm). When reading a label from an uneven surface, such as a bottle, reading the barcode will be very difficult, if not impossible. There are cases of failure of CCD scanners due to voltage surges or displacement of LEDs due to impacts. Thus, this type scanners can be recommended to clients with limited financial resources, for whom scanning speed and quality are not critical.

Laser scanners use a directed laser beam to read a barcode, says Vartan Grigoryan. – Such scanners are better at reading damaged codes and codes from convex surfaces (cans, bottles, test tubes). They can be single-beam or multi-plane.

For correct reading, the laser beam must be aligned along the barcode, and this requires some attention and time. In large supermarkets, multi-plane scanners are used to increase the reading speed, and therefore serve the next customer. Their work zone consists of many intersecting laser beams, so for successful scanning it is enough that at least one of them crosses the barcode. Conventional laser scanners read codes at a distance of 10-40 cm, but industrial single-beam scanners “hit” at more than 10 m!

Laser scanning is by far the most productive and convenient way to read and identify bar codes, adds Ilya Sviridov. – These scanners have different characteristics and sizes - from pencil-sized scanners for working with hard-to-reach barcodes (small barcodes when working with microcircuits) to large ones (stationary multi-plane scanners for large retail enterprises). Laser scanners have low requirements for the quality of the code read. They even read poorly printed and partially damaged tags.

Advantages of laser barcode reading systems:
- speed;
- reliability (even a damaged or unclear barcode can be read);
- versatility (codes on rounded surfaces printed on plastic or glass can be read);
- barcode scanning at a considerable distance; greater operator freedom (projection scanners, for example, read a barcode even when the surface on which it is applied is at an angle to the working surface of the scanner);
- the laser beam does not damage the barcode being read.

Photo scanners (Image), or Linear imager technology (linear photo scanner) - the most modern reading technology to date linear barcode, continues Ilya Sviridov. - The first models of such scanners appeared quite recently, in 1999. Linear imager combines the advantages of LED and laser technologies: barcode reading at a distance and the absence of moving parts in the design. With a wide, sharply focused illumination and no mechanical limitations, the imager scanner captures a wider swath of the barcode and is better than others at dealing with low-contrast and damaged codes, with faster reading speeds and a more durable design. It reliably reads codes in the range from 3 to 90 cm, regardless of the application.

Area imaging technology (matrix photo scanner) is considered a technology of the future. It is based on the fact that a barcode is initially considered not as information actually encoded in the strokes and spaces between them, but as an image, a picture that can, for example, be photographed. The barcode is photographed, then processed and decoded inside the scanner. The photo scanner can read conventional linear, two-dimensional, composite and postal barcodes regardless of their orientation relative to the illumination beam, and read multiple barcodes with one pull of the trigger. It has the ability to capture and process signatures, as well as photograph images. Powerful processor and advanced recognition and decoding algorithms process the image photographed by the mini-camera, making the matrix photo scanner significantly superior in capabilities to both LED and laser models. The cost of such equipment is comparable to the price of high-quality laser scanner.

What to look for when choosing

Experts pay attention to several parameters that are important when choosing a scanner.

Any scanner can read a barcode with close contact with the marking, but not everyone can cope with a remote barcode, explains Ilya Sviridov. – Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to understand how important the reading distance is. If the scanner is placed at the point of sale, to what extent do the dimensions of the product allow it to be brought to the checkout? Maybe it will be convenient for the cashier to scan the barcode. Or, on the contrary, the so-called comfortable reading zone is suitable for it - a distance of about 10-25 cm from the code. In this case, the item with the barcode is usually taken in the hand. But the codes printed on the packaging or box are, in most cases, necessary and convenient to read from a distance. And if you need to read codes with a scanner in your hand from large boxes installed on racks in a warehouse, far from a computer with a database, it is advisable to think about a wireless radio scanner.

An important characteristic of the scanner is its mechanical strength and degree of protection from environmental conditions. If you plan to use the scanner in a warehouse and it is expected that it will often fall, you need to choose a certain shock-resistant model, because even a multi-year warranty will not help if the moving elements of its design fail due to the fall of an expensive laser scanner.

The next parameter is scanning speed. How critical is the time spent on customer service or release from warehouse? If, for example, there is a queue at the checkout counter of a grocery supermarket and each client purchases several items of goods with different barcode quality, it is more advisable to choose a stationary (the cashier has his hands free) multi-plane (counts even a damaged barcode) laser scanner, which will instantly process information about the product from the moving belt and include the required item in the receipt. At the same time, in a clothing boutique, where the throughput of the cash terminal is lower, the barcode is uniform and has good quality, and all the products can be laid out on the seller’s table and the scanner can be brought up to the label with the marking, it makes sense to opt for an inexpensive, less fast LED contact scanner.

Be serious about choosing a scanner for your tasks, advises Ilya Sviridov. - Don’t be too lazy to hold each scanner in your hands and compare them - this will be the most reliable factor. Evaluate how comfortable and ergonomic they are, how well they perform their functions.

It is important to know how the scanner connects to the computer, says Yuri Rusin. - There can be three options: USB connection, RS-232 or through the keyboard. The last option is that the keyboard is connected to the scanner, and it, in turn, is connected to the computer. IN in this case This device is a kind of conductor between the keyboard and the computer - all keystrokes pass through it. And when a product is brought to the scanner, it reads the barcode directly into the computer. This option is convenient to connect, but cannot be used here additional services, not related to the keyboard (for example, using a scanner to find a product in a directory).

The USB connection works in the same way as through the keyboard, although in this case the scanner is connected directly to the computer. In the case of an RS-232 connection, a special driver is installed on the computer, through which the scanner operates. Then it has great capabilities, although in this case a separate power supply will be required. This is the most convenient and common option.

Finally, it is necessary to pay attention to the quality of the barcodes available, adds Ilya Sviridov. - On the one hand, a scanner with fast and clear operation may not be needed if, for example, barcodes are worn out, have low contrast, or are in bright lighting conditions. In such conditions, a cheaper and lower-speed model will be sufficient. On the other hand, if the barcode is often damaged, printed on rounded surfaces, plastic, glass or under cellophane, there is no point in deluding yourself that a cheap model will cope. When choosing a scanner, it makes sense to take a sample of the best and worst barcode (label) with you and test the equipment on site.

Price

Currently, the commercial equipment market offers a large number of products in different price categories.

The cost of an LED scanner is 1,750-15,000 rubles; laser - 4000-75000 rubles; Image scanner - 10,800–75,000 rub.

Let's first understand what a barcode is? Hatch iPhone code is a unique number for a specific product that allows you to find information about it in an e-book.

Typically there are 13 digits in a barcode. The first 3 digits are the code of the state in which the product is registered. The next 4-5 digits indicate the company code. The remaining five numbers are the properties of the product, such as: name, consumer features, composition, color and weight.

The last digit is the control digit. In order to check the authenticity of a barcode, you need to add the numbers that are in even places, multiply the resulting amount by 3, then you need to add the numbers that are in odd places (without the last one); and then add the numbers obtained in the second and third points, discard the first digit of the fourth point and subtract point 5 from 10. The result should be the same check digit, and if the result is not correct, then the scanner will not read the barcode.

There is also an iPhone barcode:

Barcode reading software will help you find out some characteristics of the product that are not indicated on the packaging. We will tell you about several programs for iPhone that allow you to read the barcode of a product.

There are also QR codes, for example on our website. Scan!

Scanbuy Inc can safely be called not only a leader in solving issues related to barcoding, but also a pioneer in creating a specific, unique application for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android.

This application, created by Scanbuy, is called ScanLife. It is capable of reading all common barcodes, and therefore its popularity is increasing exponentially.

The developers say that by reading the barcode, ScanLife immediately provides the information embedded in it about a specific product.

The barcoding system is used all over the world. All products, from dust cloths to expensive cars, have their own barcode.

Thanks to the ScanLife application, it will now be easy for you, for example, to determine the exact expiration date of food products in the supermarket, or check with household appliances about the country of manufacture.

Also, of all the proposed programs for reading barcodes on the iPhone, perhaps the creation of the American company GoodGuide should be noted. Program from GoodGuide, using iPhone cameras receives an image of a barcode, and based on the received barcode, provides information about the product in real time. In addition, after receiving data about the product, the program has the ability to connect to the GoodGuide database and give you Additional information, for example, the exact date of release of the product, its environmental friendliness, value and reliability in everyday conditions, the overall assessment of this product by other users of the same program.

According to the developers, similar application will be especially useful on the eve of the holidays, when buyer activity increases significantly.

Watch the video:

Software, SI-Soft: Barcoding

Updated 09/23/2013

Barcoding

A barcode is encoded information applied to an invoice receipt in the form of strokes, readable using special devices. A barcode consists of a series of parallel, adjacent strokes and spaces between them. A predefined width is used to encode data into characters. To read the information contained in a barcode, the scanning device moves across the barcode from one edge to the other. As the device moves through the barcode, the width of bars and spaces is analyzed by the decoder and the originally encoded data is restored to a perceivable format. software. The following information is usually encoded on the invoice receipt using a bar code:

• Organization code
• Payer's personal account
• Payment amount in kopecks
• Check sum

Barcode and its structure

Code format on the receipt form - Code 39, Code 128 and others

Example: Variable length barcode, type Code 128B

XXXX0LLLLLLLCSSSSSSSS,Where

• XXXX- four-character organization code
• 0 - symbol "zero"
• LLLLLLLL- eight-digit personal account number of the tenant
• C- unambiguous checksum of the personal account
• SSSSSSSS- accrual amount in kopecks without comma of variable length

A specific payment acceptor (bank or post office) may have its own barcode format and algorithm for calculating the checksum.

Check sum

In general, the control figure is intended to determine the legality of the production of a particular product. In relation to invoice receipts, the checksum calculation algorithm protects subscribers and management organizations from fraudsters. If the number obtained after calculation does not coincide with the check digit in the barcode, this means that this receipt is “left-handed”.

Example of checksum calculation:(Code39 format) *0023000567300112345*

1. Add the numbers in even places 0+3+0+5+7+0+1+2+4=22
2. Multiply the resulting amount by three 22*3=66
3. Add the numbers in odd places (except for the check digit itself) 0+2+0+0+6+0+1+3+5=17
4. Add the numbers obtained in steps 2 and 3 66+17=83
5. Drop tens 83-80=3

Barcode Printing

To print barcodes on an invoice receipt, no special expensive printers or external software components are required; availability is sufficient.

• a special TrueType font, for example, in the CODE39 format, it must be said that all scanners, without exception, support CODE39 and EAN13 codes.
• programs Rent calculation Pro
• a regular printer.

Since any form in the Rent Calculation Pro program is a document in MS WORD format, the task of applying a font comes down to the ability to work with a word processor of the same name, in addition, this can be done using the built-in tools of the Rent Calculation Pro program.

Barcode Reading

Special hardware devices - barcode scanners can be connected to the keyboard connector. In this case, reading the barcode is equivalent to typing on the keyboard. Thus, reading the code is possible in any program that allows you to enter data from the keyboard. If the scanner is connected to a COM port, you will have to teach the program to receive data. But it should be noted that there are special utilities that work with the COM port and emulate keyboard input. That is, the task comes down to the previous one.

Barcode TrueType font

A TrueType font, similar to the fonts you already have on your computer (Arial, Courier, Times New Roman). You install, select and apply a barcode font just like any other font. The only difference is that when you display or type using a barcode font, instead of regular letters and numbers, you get bars and spaces corresponding to the characters that were entered.

Like other TrueType fonts, barcode fonts can be set to the size you need.

For example, format Code39- controllable code of variable length, which is supported by all scanners without exception. Must end and begin with an asterisk.

What is Code39 format?

Code39 format (3 of 9), the most commonly used barcode format because it allows you to encode numbers, uppercase and lower case and some punctuation marks (Capital letters A-Z, numbers 0-9, space character, and symbols: -,+,/,$,.,%). CODE 39 has variable word length, allowing you to encode any number of digits.

What is Code128 format?

The CODE 128 format is a very compact barcode format for codes with only digital information. Letters can also be encoded, but then the size of the barcode changes (up). Compactness is achieved by double packing the data (two numbers are included in the width of one character). When letters are also encoded, CODE 128 uses “single” density and the barcode becomes twice as long. This format is not easy to use, as there are several variations of CODE 128, each with its own specifications and limitations.