Barcode scanners read the information stored in a barcode, a series of bars and spaces arranged in a particular manner. These bars and spaces are translated from their printed form to an electrical signal which conveys the message stored in the code. This is accomplished with a laser and a reader which measures the reflected light from the barcode. The information retrieved is them matched against the information in stored data and the information is then transferred to the checkout terminal for processing.

There are a number of barcode scanner manufacturers, each with its own benefits. Lightpen or wand barcode readers are popular for their low cost and portability. With the light pen barcode reader, the operator finds the code and moves the light pen over it. Slot readers or stationary fixed beam readers are similar to the types one sees at the grocery store. As the name implies, the light reader is fixed in place and the operator passes the item through the light beams to read the barcode.

Symbol Technologies is often considered one of the leaders in the industry for their performance and quality. Symbol holds a number of patents for their scanner technology. Symbols scanners tend to be in the higher cost brackets, but they do have some low cost models.

Metrologic are experts in barcode scanner manufacturing, employing a broad array of laser technologies. Their barcode scanners offer high quality with low cost. Opticon produces a scanner with low power consumption laser scanner engines and HHP is perhaps the world’s best barcode scanner manufacturer of the barcode scanners that utilize CCD technology rather than lasers.