Over the years barcode scanning has become a lightweight and easy way to convert digital data into important information. The black and white lines produce a binary signal which is read using an electronic light scanner.
The scanner takes coded information and then processes it to identify it with a basic set of information. This information is used to query the database resulting in whatever access the barcode wants to identify.
Barcodes in Retail
Retail companies use these codes to identify merchandise. The compact format is easy to carry and allows stores to retrieve merchandise information quickly and effectively. The most common application that is most visible is the scanning of the price of purchased items. Without proper scanning, purchased coded items are often entered manually.
This is just the surface level of what scanning can do. Inventory scanners are used to document when items arrive and those stocking the shelves will scan again to show they are ready to sell. Companies such as WalMart have revolutionized this system by adding reporting systems to their distribution centers that account for how many items were sold. The distribution center then allocates the quantities and prepares the items for shipment.
QR code
As time goes by, so does the need to process more information in a faster time. Quick Response, or QR Code has become the next generation of optical code reading. QR codes are capable of containing a larger amount of information than binary barcodes which only store the algorithm of numbers. Originally developed to track cars from factory to point of sale, QR Code has found an exciting niche in web-oriented technology. Long URLs can be easily scanned and then accessed using an optical scanner. QR Code is also capable of providing access restrictions and redirecting unauthorized users by utilizing the encryption method directly on the code itself. This makes QR Code scanning the preferred method where the best security measures are required.
Trading Tools
The standard scanning device has always been an optical scanner. Produced in a variety of forms that include handheld, stand-up, mirror-mounted, and even finger-type, these scanners emit a low-level red laser that reads codes and sends identification information to associated databases. As optical technology has advanced, scans can now be completed using real life imagery. Scanned coded images are collected by the lens of a camera such as on a mobile phone, tablet or handheld camera which then accesses a database to present the required information. With the multitasking function of tablets, this method is becoming more and more popular.
google glasses
In early 2013, Google announced the release of the optical head-mounted display, or OHMD. Commonly called Google Glass, this optical device consists of a camera part, a scanner part and a smart device part. The general idea of this technology is to have a head display on Android devices capable of recognizing voices. This allows users to scan and access information without using their hands or taking their eyes off what they are doing (such as driving). Audio is transmitted back using a Bone Conduction Transducer, which simply means sending audio directly to your right eardrum. Typical work applications for Google Glass range from navigation and head-up information to live-action video recording. Everything can be commanded by voice or by using the touchpad on the device.
The Future Is Here
Discovery of barcode scanning system far and beyond its time and its applications are far from efficient and resourceful. The way the code is scanned is a different story. By using a device like Google Glass, scanners can easily access a lot of information at the same time.
