1D or 2D: what difference does it make to your client?
A 1D barcode encodes data in one dimension, as bars and spaces; it is the code printed on product packaging. A 2D code encodes information in two dimensions, as black and white modules; QR codes and data matrices are 2D codes. A 1D reader cannot read 2D codes, while a 2D reader reads both families.
The choice therefore depends on the codes the business has to read. A business that only reads product labels can make do with 1D. A business that accepts coupons, loyalty cards shown on a screen or bills carrying a QR code needs 2D; without it, the problem will show up at the counter, in front of a waiting customer.
Definitions:
Laser or imager: which one should you propose, and to whom?
The terms laser and imager describe how the code is read. A laser reader sweeps a line of light and decodes linear codes only. An imager takes a picture of the target and decodes both 1D and 2D codes, including on a backlit screen. Choosing an imager therefore also settles the 2D question.
| Technology | Codes decoded | Typical situation |
|---|---|---|
| Laser | Linear 1D codes only | A counter that only reads product labels |
| Imager | 1D and 2D codes, phone screens included | Coupons, loyalty cards, bill QR codes |
| Imager, damaged label | Often still decodes despite wear | Warehouse, back room, creased labels |
Why does the phone screen decide it?
Reading a code on a screen is harder than reading it on paper. It depends on contrast, brightness and reflections, and a laser reader handles it poorly. The situation comes up every day: the customer shows a coupon or a card on their phone, and the device has to read the code on the first try to keep a line from forming.
This no longer concerns retail alone. In Québec, every bill produced by an SRS carries a QR code. A business that wants to read those codes at the counter, for example to look up a transaction in its software, also needs a 2D reader. Before leaving the site, have the reader scan a code shown on a phone, at full brightness and then at reduced brightness.
What are the SC310’s characteristics?
The SC310 in the G4POS catalogue is a countertop barcode scanner that sits on a stand. It reads 1D and 2D symbologies, including QR and PDF417, and connects over USB. One model therefore covers the product label, the coupon and the QR code. Its datasheet can be downloaded from its product page.
Product page and family:
What still needs configuring after the sale?
Several settings remain to be made after the sale, and they determine whether the installation works. Out of the box, a reader can read codes, but it is not yet configured for the client’s software. Once the following three settings are made, it passes codes to the software as expected.
- The connection mode: keyboard (HID) or virtual serial port (USB-COM), depending on what the software expects.
- The symbologies to enable, depending on the codes the business has to read.
- The prefix, the suffix and the terminating character the application expects.