How to connect a barcode scanner to your computer. Types of barcode scanners. Software for bar codes

An important element of the automatic control system of a store, warehouse or other enterprise is a bar code scanner for a computer. This device turns the information recorded on the product label with strokes into a record with the name of the product.

Types of devices for reading barcodes

Before you purchase and install this device, it will be useful for you to know what kind of barcode scanners there are. In the literature, such models of devices with LED and laser illumination are distinguished.

Pen-type device for reading barcodes

Wand barcode scanner for a computer, or as it is also called a pen, is an inexpensive and reliable device. When working, it is necessary to press it well against the surface, on which the code is applied, and hold it along the entire package. To read information, it uses a light source of low power, whose beam is required to cross the code from start to finish.

CCD devices

A manual CCD barcode scanner for a computer uses information reading technology based on the same principle as in faxes. There are two types of CCD scanners: contact and non-contact. When using the contact model, the operator must attach the scanner to the label with the code and press the button. The main drawback of these scanners is that they do not work well on uneven surfaces. The design of non-contact CCD scanners uses powerful LEDs and sensitive photosensors, which allows them to read the image at a distance of 6 to 30 centimeters.

Image-scanner, or as they are called a photo-scanner, uses the same CCD matrix as cameras or camcorders. This code reader reads all the information in its entirety and does not need to be specifically oriented with respect to packaging.

Laser readers

A hand-held laser barcode scanner for computer is convenient and easy to operate. Its working area can reach 20-110 centimeters, and some up to 10 meters.

Multi-beam laser scanners

A stationary multi-beam projection laser scanner forms a working area that consists of several beams. In order for him to read the information, it is enough that at least one of the set of rays crosses all the strokes. Such devices are of two types: recessed, which are installed in the cash counter, and projection.

The combined multi-beam scanner is constructed in the same way as the stationary scanner, its main distinguish is that it can be picked up. The working area, in which barcodes (bar codes) are recognized, such devices are reduced in comparison with stationary ones.

A bioptic scanner creates two working areas in which there are many laser beams. There are models of such scanners equipped with scales.

How to install a scanner to read the barcode?

Before using the scanner, you need to connect it to your computer and install the necessary software. There are three types of devices by the way of connecting it to the computer:

1. "In the gap of the keyboard."

2. Using a serial COM port (as it is also called RS232).

3. Using a USB port that emulates the RS232 interface.

Let's consider in detail all three ways of connection.

Connecting the device to read the barcode "in the keyboard gap"

The keyboard port is called PS / 2 and is used to connect both a keyboard and a mouse to the computer. Now many motherboards have only one such connector, and in modern netbooks and laptops it is not available.

To connect the device for reading the keyboard, you must first turn off the computer, remove the keyboard from the connector and insert a scanner instead. After that, you need to connect the keyboard to the scanner. After you have connected everything, you can turn on the scanner and the computer into an electrical network.

After scanning the barcode with a device equipped with this interface, the code is inserted where the cursor was located, since if you typed it on the keyboard. Thus, if the scanner can not read the code or failed, you can enter the code directly and using the keyboard.

Those who are engaged in scanning a bar code device with a similar interface, should pay attention to the keyboard layout when recognizing serial numbers in which there are letters. For example, when the Russian keyboard layout is turned on, the code a / n123215654QWE is replaced by f / t123215654TISU.

This method of connection saves one COM or USB port, which can be useful when connecting to a computer a lot of different devices, for example, printer checks, fiscal printer, scales and other devices necessary for the cashier. Also a barcode scanner with a "keyboard break" connection is used when using a program for barcodes, which is capable of working only with similar devices.

Installation of a device for reading barcode by COM-interface

COM or RS-232 port are two different notations for one interface, through which a variety of devices can be connected to a personal computer. This connector is made in the form of a rectangle, which consists of two rows of pins (in one row 5, in the other row 4). Information from a variety of external devices, when using this method of transmission, comes in series, along two wires. By the wire Rx, the information enters the computer, and by Tx, control signals are transmitted to the device. Sometimes additional programs RTS and CTS are used for the correct operation of the programs. Now you can still find motherboards with one RS-232 connector, but on all modern netbooks and laptops it is not available.

To install the scanner, it must first be connected to the COM port of the computer, after which any operating system will find it and ask to install the necessary drivers. They can be found either on the disk that comes with the device, or downloaded on the Internet. Some manufacturers of scanners provide special programs, with which you can control the volume of the signal or set the service symbols.

The barcode scanner can be connected to the computer with a special adapter from USB to COM-interface, which you need to insert into USB and install the driver (a special program of a barcode scanner). If the device is correctly installed, the system will detect a virtual interface of the RS-232 standard, the use of which should not be very different from working with a conventional serial connection.

A barcode scanner with a COM port can be connected to a POS terminal, cash register or other equipment that is equipped with an RS-232 interface. For this connection, adapters are used from the connector that is used in the barcode reader to the RJ-45 connector (or 11). After that, you need to configure the connection settings in the scanning device.

Also this type of connection is used if the code scanner program specifically listens for the port and inserts it into the desired location when a code is detected. It does not matter where the cursor is at the moment.

How to connect a computer barcode scanner with a USB interface?

Any modern computer, a netbook, a laptop equipped with a USB port. In this standard, the data is transmitted in series via two wires, two more wires serve to supply voltage to the devices that connect to the PC.

The main advantage of these devices for reading the barcode of the computer is their greater speed of data exchange and the ability to connect to a working computer. Small manual bar code scanners consume a small amount of electricity, so their power is supplied from the USB port. Multi-plane readers are more powerful and therefore have a separate power supply.

Installation of the scanner should not cause difficulties, because all modern operating systems recognize the device for reading codes as a regular keyboard, so for their work they do not require any drivers. After the barcode is scanned, the program inserts it where the cursor is located.

Many bar code scanners that connect to the USB port can be made to work in a mode in which it will emulate an RS-232 port. Most often, you need to read a special barcode, which is given in the instructions and install the virtual port driver. After transferring the device to the COM interface emulation mode, its usage will be the same as for a standard scanner that works with the RS-232 standard.

In many devices for reading, it is possible to set the symbols that will be transmitted before and after the barcode. So, before reading the code, many users would be comfortable if the scanner passed one of such symbols as Insert, F1 or F9. Thanks to this feature, the number of keystrokes made by the operator is reduced and the operation is easier.

Verify that the scanner is connected and working correctly

After the installation of the barcode scanner is completed, you need to check the operation of the device.

In order to make sure that the scanner is connected "to the keyboard rupture" or through the USB connector, it works correctly, you need to start any text editor, for example, "Notepad", and try to scan the code. If characters appear on the screen, the device is set up correctly.

If your device for reading barcodes is connected to RS-232 or works via USB in COM-interface mode, then you must first start any terminal program and configure it on the desired port. After that, you can read the code from the package. If properly configured, the characters to be read should appear on the screen.