Input Hardware
Use & features

Bar code reader/scanner

• Barcode reader/scanner: Special light pen or scanner used to read pre coded data in the form of bar stripes.
• The scanner has a photocell (light sensitive device) that can pick up and record small differences between the black and white stripes. The black lines of the pattern absorb the light from the laser, while the white spaces reflect some of the laser light back to the device. The scanner records what comes back, and sends it to the computer to be translated.

Use & features

Use

• Used in supermarkets and libraries where large numbers of items are moved out.
• Used by exporters to keep track of items

For example

• each log may be "bar-coded" for tracking to an overseas timber processor,
• each pallet/tray of kiwifruit may be barcoded to uniquely identify the pallet/tray.

Features

• A laser beam is passed over a barcode on a product.
• The product code is matched by a computer to a price, and stock control system