Barcoding News

The United States Patent and Trademark office has just published a patent from Apple, Inc. (filed December 27, 2007) for “An apparatus for providing radio frequency identification (RFID) and touch sensing capability”

This could show up in Apple products in a number of ways, but one side effect could be to add RFID reading capability to the iPhone. In the same way the camera integrated into the iPhone allows rudimentary barcode scanning capability, an RFID chip inside the next iPhone could turn it into a basic RFID reader.

New from Datalogic Scanning, the PowerScan PM8500 Cordless Area Imager for omnidirectional reading of 1D and 2D barcodes featuring unlimited mobility and versatility with Datalogic’s STAR Cordless System™

• • Optional backlit display and 3-key keypad
  • Proven reliability and flexibility of the Datalogic STAR Cordless Systemâ„¢
  • 3GL Unmatched good-read feedback (Green Spot and Dual Good-Read LED’s)
  • Long lasting, tool-free, removable Lithium-Ion battery
  • Configuration simplicity with Datalogic Aladdinâ„¢ software package
  • Batch Mode

See complete options and pricing for the Datalogic PowerScan PM8500 »

Zebra’s new RW 420 Battery Eliminator is ideal for applications like e-citation and route printing, where printers are often kept and used in the cab—fixed-mounted and powered by the vehicle’s power source instead of the printer’s battery. In such cases, the RW 420 Battery Eliminator will reduce the cost of owning the RW 420 printer over the course of its life.

This RW 420 Battery Eliminator can help you cut costs

• Save on periodic battery replacement
• Increase the reliability of your printer Battery-powered devices (cell phones, handhelds, laptops, printers, etc.) exposed to hot and cold temperature extremes experienced in vehicles may have limited performance.
• As reliable and durable as the printer, the RW 420 Battery Eliminator helps ensure dependable, long-life printer performance. The Battery Eliminator meets the stringent SAE J1113-11 International Automotive Standards, thus protecting the printer from power surges and other power conditions typically encountered in a vehicle installation

Zebra is now offering free Zebra Setup Utilities software for many different models from its line of thermal label printers.

With the software, you can quickly and easily configure select Zebra desktop, midrange and high-performance printers right out of the box—no need to create and send complex command scripts. Advanced features, such as a terminal window, let you communicate directly to printers connected via USB.

Easy-to-use wizards quickly guide users through configuration, whether you are adding a new printer, moving an existing printer to a new location or looking to add new capabilities. All it takes is a few clicks.

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Retail Reseller News reports:

Pioneer POS debuted its StealthTouch S-Line, which features 15-inch LCD touchscreen, built-in thermal receipt printer with front paper loading, and modular design for easy maintenance and repair. The new , which will be shown publicly for the first time at the upcoming RSPA Show in Las Vegas, includes all of the features of the company’s StealthTouch-M5. Its compact footprint (measuring 16.25 in. x 12.75 in. x 15 in. and weighing 25 lbs.) makes the terminal perfect for retail and hospitality environments where real estate and cable management are concerns, RRN.Com was told by Michael Flores, Director, Business Development for Pioneer POS. Flores also pointed to self-service as another intended market, with the StealthTouch S-Line functioning as the kiosk.

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The first in a new line of revolutionary “Intelligent” printers, featuring the industry’s first POS printer with a back lit graphic LCD display that communicates with you. It is ideal for a variety of applications from retailers, end users, resellers and software developers in any location or environment, the unit has increased functionality that opens doors to the universe. Out of Paper? The two-line LCD display alerts you: “Paper end” “Please change paper.” Alternatively, if the front cover is open “F cover open” “Please close front cover.” There is an “apps” provided to customize, change or edit the display message on LCD. “Roll paper is running out, please call 1-800-351-9962 for replacement roll order !”

Taking you straight to the cutting edge of technology, this printer moves at a previously unseen velocity of 300mm per second, providing the fastest printing results for customers. In addition, the CT-S801 can send the printer status back, has an USB-Hub interface to hook up another input device such as a signature or PIN pad or biometric scanner (finger print reader) to CT-S801 printer, not to the PC.

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The Symbol LS2208 is one of the most popular handheld barcode scanners that we sell.

Follow the steps below to enable the LS2208 to send a Tab Key suffix after each barcode scan.

Print out and scan the programming barcodes below in the order listed

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Retailers who sell regulated goods such as alcohol and tobacco must adhere to US local, state, and federal requirements to accurately verify customer drivers’ license data, including age, date-of-birth, and license expiration date. To enable Retailers to more effectively comply with these government regulations, Datalogic Scanning is pleased to announce the immediate availability of four products with the capability to easily parse barcodes on drivers’ licenses. Available in multiple form factors to fit specific point-of-sale requirements, Retailers can take advantage of either hands-free or handheld barcode scanning products from Datalogic Scanning.

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Microscan, a global technology leader for precision data acquisition and control solutions, announces the new QX-870 laser barcode scanner. The newest scanner introduced with the QX technology platform adds an intelligent sweeping raster scanner and greater connectivity to the current QX family of high performance industrial barcode readers. The QX technology platform combines both Quick Connect and X-Mode technologies to deliver fast network connectivity with the most aggressive decode algorithms available, including symbol reconstruction.

The QX-870’s intelligent sweeping laser can reliably read multiple 1D and stacked 2D barcodes, in varying locations, even when small, poorly printed, or damaged. The QX-870 has four M12 connectors for direct connection of power, trigger, I/O, and multiple ports for utmost connectivity and flexibility. This versatile industrial scanner provides customers with a reliable and robust solution for track, trace, and control barcode applications in almost any manufacturing automation environment, including food and beverage, product packaging, automotive assembly, and electronics assembly. The flexibility of the scanner to read codes at varying heights, distances, and angles provides an ideal solution for barcode reading across a wide range of industries around the globe.

The QX-870 Quick Connect system with simple networking schemes makes this product the easiest to use in its class. Multiple units can be “chained” together using a singular cable per unit. As an additional benefit, the scanner provides aggressive decoding straight out of the box to even further simplify the setup process. With numerous features and benefits, the QX-870 is by far the most versatile and advanced industrial laser barcode scanner on the market today.

“No other industrial reader provides this level of out of the box experience for data acquisition. The plug and play installation and flexibility delivered by the QX-870 with the QX Platform simplifies deployment of complex multi-reader applications,” said Andy Zosel, Director of Product Marketing.

See all Microscan QX-870 barcode scanner models and options available for purchase

New barcodes lead to new possibilities. GS1 DataBars store more data than a standard barcode and give it potential for much greater functionality.

Look closely at recent supermarket coupons, and you may see some new markings on them near the traditional bar code: sets of neat black bars stacked in two rows. The new symbols, called GS1 DataBars, can store more data than traditional bar codes, promising new ways for stores to monitor inventory and for customers to save money.

One use of the symbols will be in sophisticated coupon offers that combine deals on multiple products, said Jackie Broberg, who leads coupon control management at General Mills in Minneapolis. Another use is already helping to streamline operations for a common speed bump in the checkout process: loose produce. During the past three years, for example, the Loblaw Companies, the big Canadian supermarket chain, has gradually switched to scannable, miniaturized DataBar labels pasted onto some fruits and vegetables. The system also prevents cashiers from mistaking organic vegetables for less expensive, conventionally grown ones.

Continue reading: The Bar Code Is Taking a Leap Forward