Types of Barcode

Numeric-only barcode: EAN-13 , EAN-8 , UPC-A, UPC-E , Code 11 , Post Net Alphanumeric barcodes: Code 39 , Code 93 , Code 128 , LOGMARS 2-Dimensional barcodes: PDF417 , DataMatrix, Maxicode, QR Code Industry Standards for Barcodes and Labels: Bookland EAN encodes ISBN numbers, ISSN and the SISAC Barcode, OPC Optical Industry Association barcode , Co-Operative labels

How do you read a barcode?

A single barcode number is actually seven units. A unit is either black or white. A unit that is black would display as a "bar". A unit that is white would display as a "space". Another way of writing a barcode unit is "1" for a single unit "black bar" and "0" for a single unit "white space". For instance, the number "1" is composed of the seven units, "0011001" or "space-space-bar-bar-space-space-bar"

Barcode Reader
A barcode reader (or barcode scanner) is an electronic device for reading printed barcodes. Types of Barcode Readers Used in Retail: Pen type barcode reader

Laser scanners

Omni-Directional Barcode Scanners

How a scanner Reads Barcode

Scanners are the devices that read bar codes. Of all the available bar code readers, the Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) scanner is the most common. A CCD scanner uses photoreceptors which are similar to those used by electronic photographic cameras: the bar code is illuminated by a row of LEDs and the CCD array sensors pick up the image of the code. If it falls on a light area, a zero (0) is read. If it falls on a dark area, it reads a one (1). Scanning the bar code generates a string of zeros and ones. This pattern of zeros and ones represents the characters encoded. The scanner software, or firmware, translates the strings into characters

Applications of Barcodes
Inventory of merchandise sold at retail An automatic update of stock levels Automatic re-ordering of new stock Better marketing information Give a unique identification to every product and every piece

Advantages of Barcodes
Fast and Reliable Data Collection 10,000 Times better Accuracy Reduced Labor Costs Reduced Revenue Losses Resulting from Data Collection Errors Necessary Inventory Levels Improved Management and Better Decision Making Faster Access to Information Point of Sale Cost Savings Customer Satisfaction

 Automated Reordering Better Decision Making Work In Progress Inventory Control Secured Access Time and Attendance Quality Control Packaging

Drawbacks of Barcode
Pricing Issues Damaged Labels Upfront Cost Training Printer Requirements

Digital pens
A digital pen is an input device which captures the handwriting or brush strokes of a user, converts handwritten analog information created using "pen and paper" into digital data, enabling the data to be utilized in various applications. For example, the writing data can be digitized and uploaded to a computer and displayed on its monitor. The data can then be interpreted by handwriting software (OCR) and used in different applications or just as graphics. A digital pen is generally larger and has more features than a stylus. Digital pens typically contain internal electronics, and have features such as touch sensitivity, input buttons, memory, writing data transmission capabilities, and electronic erasers

From ink to digital data: quick and easy A digital pen looks, feels and writes like a normal ballpoint pen. However, it contains an integrated digital camera, an advanced image microprocessor and a mobile communications device for wireless connection. Using a digital pen you can capture, store and then securely send the handwriting, enabling you to easily convert ink to digital data right away. The pen camera takes snapshots In combination with a surface with the Anoto dot pattern printed on it, a digital pen starts digitizing handwritten text the moment you put pen to the surface. The pen reads and records pen strokes in relation to the barely visible pattern. As you write, the camera built into the pen automatically takes digital snapshots of the dot pattern at a rate of between 50 and 100 images per second. Every snapshot contains enough data to enable the pens image microprocessor to determine the exact position of the digital pen and what it writes or draws. Pen data ready for transfer In addition to capturing the coordinates that enable accurate recording of the handwriting, the digital pen appends key data about the handwriting context. This includes the exact time it was written and the identity of the writer every digital pen has a unique pen ID, which is included every time data is sent from the pen. The pen data also includes details on the specific paper form and page.

All this data is then retained in the pens memory. The digital pen can store up to 50 full A4/Letter size pages of handwritten data. With the handwritten form or document completed and pen data captured and stored, the user is ready to transfer data from the pen

TECHNOLOGY
Accelerometer Accelerometer based digital pens contain components that detect movement of the pen and contact with the writing surface. Positional Position based digital pens use a facility to detect the location of the tip during writing. Some models can be found on graphics tablets made popular by Wacom. Camera Camera based pens use special digital paper to detect where the stylus contacts the writing surface, such as those using Anoto technology.

USES AND APPLICATION

Serviced Based Businesses Service reports bring them back to the office in real time, keep your techs out on the road and improve your billable hours. Time sheets ever struggle to get time sheets back from your guys out in the field? If they fill in a daily or weekly time sheet, it can be back in the office before your payroll staff even need them. Purchase orders get your field staff completing purchase orders and and get a purchase order back to them in seconds.

Sales Force Complete order forms on site, have it sent in real time so that the order can be processed whilst the rep is still onsite. Maybe even have an automated system that sends an sms to the rep while they are still on-site stating when the delivery will be or what items are on back order. Complete an invoice and have it return to the office to update the accounting system without the need for data entry. Accept payment and note the account number, cheque number or even credit card number. Update your companys CRM system while sitting with a new client all by writing on a note pad.

law Enforcement Ticketing council parking offices, police, university parking offices, rangers any form of infringement notification enforcement where a ticket or fine applies. Simply write on your note pad and send the data back to the processing centre no need for data entry. Photos of the infringement can also be captured & sent by a compatible mobile phone. Reporting Police always write in their little notebooks then retype their incident report when they are back in the station imagine being able to write on a notebook which automatically populates the report fields saving hours a week of retyping. Saving police time in their reporting can give them more time in the field.

Students Perfect tool for note taking. Write down everything that you need and automatically transfer the notes to a Word document when you return home. This saves lugging around a laptop or tablet PC and also saves the stress when the battery of said laptop or tablet PC runs out.

Journalists Write your report or article anywhere in the world and lodge it instantly and electronically. No more dictation or transcribing write it once and get an electronic copy with all your writings converted to text.

Professionals As with students, it too is a perfect and unobtrusive note taking device. Typing away on a laptop in a meeting is a bit intrusive and often not the best way to interact. Writing with a pen on some paper is polite and unobtrusive. You get the same result at the end of the day an electronic editable file that you can work with. E-mail. You can also send e-mail from a piece of paper. Thats right using your digital pen and special simPROnotebook, you can send an e-mail from plain paper. Send off an update to someone outside the room during a meeting, request someone come down quickly to drop off an urgent document or simply e-mail the minutes of the meeting to all present.

Reporting Secret shopper. Most well respected shop chains and fast food chains employee some kind of secret shopper service where an unknown customer`shops at a store and does an evaluation based on the customers perspective. I know McDonalds stores get one every week. So imagine that the secret shopper could complete the form and immediately have the data updated onto the central system so that the scores can be tracked. The store can be updated much faster as well with a copy of the visit on the same day as opposed to several days later in the mail. Building and pest inspections. Everyone buying a house does a building and pest inspection. If you were an inspector, instead of filling in the forms on site then going home to retype everything again why not use a digital pen to complete the form then update automatically into your report template and have it e-mailed to the client all while you are still standing there with the client. OH&S reporting on site safety audits fill in the form, update the back office system, have copies available to all parties immediately while you are still on site. Audits pretty much anything you can think off.