C-1
Appendix C
How to scan a bar code
The TriCoder can be used with a variety of scanners – lasers, CCDs, and slot
scanners. Which one you choose is dependent upon your application and the
quality and density of your bar codes. This section will include information on
different scanners as well as how to use each one.
Practice Scanning
To practice scanning, turn on the TriCoder and press any key to get to the
Mode Menu. If the screen reads
NON-PORTABLE MODE
, you are ready
to start. If you see the “data collection” prompt:
DATA COLLECTION?
KEY [YES/NO]?_
Press NO until you see the “
NON-PORTABLE
” mode prompt.
NON PORTABLE MODE?
KEY [YES/NO]?_
Press YES. Use the Test Label and the technique diagram, to practice
scanning with your laser or ccd scanner. You should hear an audible beep
and see TEST LABEL displayed on the TriCoder screen after every scan.
If you do not see TEST LABEL, check your technique, especially the angle
and speed of the scan.
Laser Scanners
The laser scanner is typically the easiest scanner to use, requiring less
operator training. A particularly desirable feature of the laser scanner is that
upon triggering the beam, the laser scans the bar code multiple times (36
scans per second) until it has a good read . This practically eliminates
having to scan a bar code a second time because you didn’t get a read the
first time. The laser scanner also scans from a distance, allowing for less
wear on the bar code as well as letting you scan bar codes you might not be
able to get to with other types of scanners.
Different laser scanners have different scanning specifications.
Table L-1
describes the laser scanners available from Worth Data and the scanning
requirements for each one.
