| are two main sub-types of handheld 2D Barcode | | | | signatures for delivery proof, damaged packages, |
| Scanners: 2D and 1D. The sales of 2D Barcode | | | | recognizing forms and processing off scanner images. |
| Scanners are increasing at an astonishing speed. On | | | | 2D barcode scanners are the last word in reliability. A |
| the other hand, those of the 1D scanner remain | | | | 2D barcode scanner possesses only a single moving |
| stagnant year after year. Potential users of 2D | | | | part. That is the trigger switch. |
| Barcode Scanners would most definitely desire to | | | | Trigger switches used by scanners are rated at as |
| learn about the advantages that they offer. Read on | | | | many as millions of activations. Failure for this to |
| to find out the many advantages of 2D Barcode | | | | function is very rare. This translates to a potential for |
| Scanners. The article also points out some | | | | zero down time for customers. This leads in turn to |
| disadvantages of using the same, as both advantages | | | | improved efficiencies, reduced level of frustration and |
| and disadvantages need to be taken into account | | | | decreased cost of ownership. This is not an |
| before deciding on a device. | | | | all-exhaustive list of advantages offered by 2D |
| Advantages | | | | barcode scanners vs. 1D barcode scanners. There are |
| The foremost advantage of using a 2D barcode | | | | other advantages. However, 2D barcode scanners |
| scanner is its capability to read and decode 2D | | | | are not exactly without disadvantages. Though the |
| barcodes. Among the 2d barcodes currently in use, | | | | pros clearly outweigh the cons, the user must be |
| some are Data Matrix, Aztec, QR Code and Han Xin. | | | | educated about the disadvantages while making a |
| It is possible to store a larger volume of data with 2D | | | | purchase decision. |
| barcodes than with 1D barcodes, in the same or even | | | | Disadvantages |
| less physical area. It is also possible for product | | | | The first disadvantage of 2D barcode scanners is their |
| manufacturers to squeeze in thousands of characters | | | | price. These scanners deploy the latest technology |
| in a single 2D barcode. Moreover, 2D barcodes have | | | | and are continuously being modified according to |
| the added capability of reading barcodes | | | | modern technology. Image sensors with increased |
| omni-directionally. Handheld 2D barcode scanners are | | | | number of pixels are being installed, decoding of |
| characterized by an image sensor which is used to | | | | algorithms at a higher speed is being made possible, |
| capture an image from a particular barcode. Following | | | | illumination and aiming patterns are being modified and |
| this, the image is run through a software decoder | | | | improved upon. As a huge amount of investment goes |
| program installed inside the scanner's firmware. This | | | | into the 2D barcode scanners, their prices are a bit |
| software decoder program is capable of locating the | | | | higher than 1d barcode scanners. However, with time, |
| barcode on the basis of a particular barcode's unique | | | | the gap between the prices of the two types of |
| attributes, irrespective of its orientation. | | | | scanners is decreasing. The prices of all scanners are |
| This unique feature eliminates the need for changing | | | | such that they are considered to be commodities. |
| the position of the scanner with the different positions | | | | Another drawback of 2D barcode scanners is their |
| of the barcodes. It is not necessary for the barcode | | | | working range. ‘Working range' means the point |
| scanner to ensure orientation with the barcode it is to | | | | farthest from which a scanner can read a barcode |
| read. This considerably reduces total reading time and | | | | minus the closest point from which the scanner can |
| user fatigue. | | | | read a barcode. For example, if a scanner can read a |
| The technology that runs the image sensor is the | | | | UPC, a barcode, from the closest distance of 2 inches, |
| same as that behind the modern digital camera. One | | | | and it can read the barcode at the farthest distance of |
| major difference between the two, however, is that | | | | 10 inches. Then the working range of this particular |
| 2D barcode scanners deploy a greyscale imager as | | | | scanner would then be; 10 in – 2 in = 8 in. On the |
| opposed to the color imager used in digital cameras. | | | | other hand, a 1d barcode scanner would be capable of |
| Owing to the fact that it is an imager, a lot of scanners | | | | reading the same barcode from the farthest distance |
| are capable of clicking a picture and transmitting it to | | | | of 18 inches and the closest distance of 1 inch. The |
| the connected computer. There are a lot of uses of | | | | decreased working range of a 2d barcode scanner |
| this wonderful feature, including taking snapshots of | | | | might prove to be a hindrance in certain applications. |