10 Barcode Reader Manufacturers in 2023
This section provides an overview for barcode readers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 10 barcode reader manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
What Is a Barcode Reader?
A bar code reader is a device that optically reads the numbers and characters represented by a bar code and picks up the information contained in the bar code.
Most barcode readers on the market today consist of a light source using an infrared laser, a part that receives the reflected light, and a part that sends the scanned data to a PC.
Uses of Barcode Readers
Barcode readers are used to reading barcodes on products to manage the distribution of goods in the logistics industry. Barcode readers are also indispensable for other purposes, such as managing drugs in the medical field and cash registers in supermarkets and convenience stores in order to improve convenience.
There are multiple standards for barcodes to be read, with the JAN barcode standard mainly used for retail stores in Japan, and the GS1 data barcode, which can record more information, is used mainly in the medical field.
QR codes, which are familiar through smartphone applications, are also a type of 2D barcode, and there are barcode readers on the market as well as smartphones that can read these codes.
Principle of Barcode Readers
The principle of barcode readers is based on the physical phenomenon that laser beams emitted on the black areas of monochrome lines are absorbed and only laser beams emitted on the quiet white zone are reflected. When a laser beam is applied to a barcode and scanned, the presence or absence of reflected light is recognized by the photosensor, and the barcode line information is read as an analog signal.
Next, the weak analog waveform acquired by the light-receiving element is amplified and converted into a digital signal, with 1s for areas exceeding a certain threshold and 0s for other areas, and decoded.
At this time, care must be taken not to irradiate the laser at a right angle to the barcode. If the laser is irradiated at a right angle to the barcode, the barcode will receive strong direct reflected light, which will cause its output to be too large compared to the other diffuse reflected light, and a clean analog waveform will not be obtained. For this reason, many barcode readers must be set up so that the laser is obliquely incident on the barcode.
Types of Barcode Readers
There are several types of barcode readers in terms of reading codes and reading methods.
1. Reading Code
- 1D Barcode Readers: There are two types of barcode readers: "laser engine type," which reads barcodes by emitting laser beams on them, and "CCD engine type," which reads barcodes by emitting LED beams on them.
- 2-D Barcode Reader: There are "long-range type" that can read from close range to long range, "high-performance CMOS type" that has high resolution and is resistant to blur, and "low-cost CMOS type" that is inexpensive but vulnerable to camera shake.
2. Reading Method
- Pen scanner
- Scanning is done by tracing with a pen.
- Fixed scanner: The reader is fixed in a specific position.
- Card reader: Reads barcodes on cards
- Hand-held scanner: Hold the reader in your hand and touch the reading area.
Other Information About Barcode Readers
1. Barcode Reader Reading Accuracy
The reading accuracy of a barcode reader is determined by the "read rate" and the "false read rate." Read rate is defined as the number of successful reads relative to the number of barcode scans performed. For example, if the number of barcode scans is 1,000 and the number of successful reads is 995, the read rate is 99.5%. The false read rate is similarly defined by the number of false reads relative to the number of times read.
The read rate varies depending on the quality of the barcode label, the resolution of the code reader, the number of reads, and the decoding algorithm. Of these factors, the quality of the barcode label is the most significant.
If the barcode is free of dirt or scratches, the width of the code is within specifications, and the contrast is high, it can be read at a read rate close to 100%. However, the actual barcode to be read is rarely clean, and manufacturers require a high read rate, even under adverse conditions.
2. Barcode Reader Interface
The communication interface used to read data from a barcode reader to a PC includes USB, RS232C, and PS/2 wired interfaces, as well as products with wireless connectivity such as Bluetooth. Recently, the use of the USB type instead of RS232C or PS/2 has been increasing along with the increased use of thin notebook PCs. Note that some USB types are supported by some PC operating systems, while others are not.
List of 10 Barcode Reader Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- China
- Japan
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Honeywell International Inc.
Barcode Scanners
Company Overview
Honeywell International Inc. was founded in 1885 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. Honeywell is a diversified technology and manufacturing company to global customers in many industries such as aerospace, building technologies, performance materials, manufacturing, and safety. Honeywell produces hardware and software solutions for each industry it serves. In building technologies, Honeywell designs access controls, electrical and wiring, fire life safety, and employee training services. In aerospace, Honeywell designs cockpit systems and displays, engines, cabin management and cleaning, and health and usage monitoring.
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Zebra Technologies Corp.
Barcode Scanners
Company Overview
Zebra is committed to empowering teams with the mobility and insight to deliver at the cutting edge of excellence. More than just providing intelligent hardware, they offer solutions that give organizations complete visibility to make smart, nimble decisions about what action to take now and how to plan for tomorrow. With 52 years of innovation covering ten industries, such as retail, healthcare, and banking, Zebra takes pride in creating a culture of respect, collaboration, inclusion, and innovation that gives organizations a competitive edge. Using decades of innovation, they design scanners, mobile computers, tablets, and printers with features and form factors made for you.
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KEYENCE CORPORATION OF AMERICA
Barcode Scanners
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Saveo Scan
DESKTOP & KIOSK BARCODE SCANNERS
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Trefinasa de Mexico S.A de C.V
BAR CODE SCANNERS
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Barcode Reader Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Number of Employees
- OMRON Corporation: 29,020
Newly Established Company
- Newland: 1999 (24 years ago)
- AFL: 1984 (39 years ago)
- KEYENCE CORPORATION OF AMERICA: 1974 (49 years ago)
Company with a History
- Honeywell International Inc.: 1885 (138 years ago)
- OMRON Corporation: 1933 (90 years ago)
- AMETEK Inc.: 1963 (60 years ago)
Lists of Barcode Reader Products
59 products are listed.
HT730 Android handy terminal
Unitech Japan Co., Ltd.・Employing a large keypad and ergonomic one-handed operation, the HT730 has a brightness of 400 nits.
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- 1D barcode
- 1D : UPC/EAN/JAN, GS1 DataBar, Code 39, Code 128, Code 32, Code 93, Codabar/NW7, Interleaved 2 of 5/ITF, Matrix 2 of 5, MSI, Trioptic,
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- 2D barcode
- 2D : PDF417, MicroPDF417, GS1 Composite, Code11, Aztec Code, Data Matrix, QR Code, Micro QR Code, MaxiCode, Han Xin Code, DOT Code Mail: Intelligent Mail Barcode, Postal-4i, Australian Post, Japan Post, Dutch Post (KIX) , Postnet, Planet Code OCR: OCR-A, OCR-B, E13B (MICR)
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- Bluetooth®
- Bluetooth 5.１
+34
TS100 Desktop 2D Presentation Scanner
Unitech Japan Co., Ltd.Considering the compact TS100 tabletop barcode scanner instead of the large scanners used until now
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