Brother PT9800PCN Desktop Network Thermal Label and Barcode Printer Closer

Brother PT9800PCN Desktop Network Thermal Label and Barcode Printer Closer

Unlike handheld linear barcode scanners that must be lined up perpendicular to the barcode, omnidirectional barcode scanners can read a barcode no matter how it is orientated. Therefore, they speed up the scanning process and reduce user fatigue. Omnidirectional scanners are typically used in retail environments and are available in on-counter and in-counter models. On-counter models are good for applications with limited counter space, such as convenience stores. In-counter models are ideal in high-volume applications, such as grocery stores.

Fixed-mount barcode scanners read barcodes as they are passed in front of the scanner. They are widely used in work-in-progress applications and for high-speed sorting along conveyor systems. Smaller models are commonly used in laboratory, security identification, and kiosk applications. Most fixed mount barcode scanners have a laser scan engine, so they must be mounted at a specific angle and distance from the barcodes that will pass in front of them. Unlike other barcode scanners, most fixed-mount barcode scanners are typically integrated with other equipment and automation systems.

Wand or pen-style barcode readers must be swiped over the barcode at a consistent rate of speed and at a particular angle. This makes them the least efficient scanner to use, but they are the least expensive. They are also small, extremely durable, and not limited by the width of the barcode.

Pen-style barcode readers, also called wand barcode readers, consist of a light source and a photodiode placed next to each other at the tip of the pen. As the pen is swiped across the barcode, the photodiode measures the intensity of light reflected from the surface. A waveform is generated that represents the exact widths of bars and spaces in the barcode. The dark color of bars absorbs light while the white spaces reflect light, thereby making a specific pattern of waveform. This voltage waveform is then converted by the pen-type reader to retrieve product information quickly. Because wand