BAR CODE TECHNOLOGY BAR CODE TECHNOLOGY AND AND

ITS APPLICATION ITS APPLICATION TO TO

LIBRARY SERVICESLIBRARY SERVICES

I R N GOUDAR

HEAD, ICAST

NATIONAL AEROSPACE LABORATORIES

BANGALORE-560017

BAR CODE TECHNOLOGYBAR CODE TECHNOLOGY

It is an automatic identification technology Bar code is a predefined format of dark bars and white spaces Structured to contain a specific piece of information It allows real-time data to be collected accurately and rapidly Combination of barcode technology with computer and

application software improves performance, productivity and profitability

Discrete SymbologyDiscrete Symbology

Continuous SymbologyContinuous Symbology

DATA ENTRY TECHNIQUESDATA ENTRY TECHNIQUES

MANUAL METHODS– KEYBOARD

OPERATION– 1 ERROR/300

CHARACTERS

AUTOMATIC METHODS– OPTICAL CHARACTER

RECOGNITION

– MAGNETIC INK

– MACHINE VISION

– RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION

– SMART CARDS

– BAR CODE

BENEFITS OF BAR CODINGBENEFITS OF BAR CODING

REPRESENT UNIQUE IDENTITY OF A PRODUCT

ACCURACY OF DATA INPUT (ERROR FREE)

AID EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES

AND INVENTORIES

LABOUR SAVINGS BY AVOIDING MANUAL

SYSTEM

BENEFITS …BENEFITS …

COST EFFICIENT

REAL TIME DATA COLLECTION

MEASUREMENT OF WORK IN PROGRESS

THROUGHOUT THE FACTORY

RAPID ACCESS TO TOTAL PRODUCTION COSTS

MORE ACCURATE DESPATCH

BAR CODE TERMINOLOGYBAR CODE TERMINOLOGYo BAR

- The darker, non reflective element of a Bar Codeo BI-DIRECTIONAL SYMBOL

- A Bar Code symbol format which permits reading in either direction across the bars and spaces

o CHECK DIGIT

- A calculated character included within the Bar Code for error detection

o FIXED BEAM SCANNER

- A stationary Bar Code Scanner. The symbol must be moved through the light beam to be read

TERMINOLOGY …TERMINOLOGY …

HAND-HELD SCANNER

– A scanner held and operated by a human operator

INTER-CHARACTER GAP

– The space between the bars or spaces

MOVING BEAM SCANNER

– A Bar Code scanner that uses a moving light beam to

dynamically scan and decode a Bar Code symbol

TERMINOLOGY …TERMINOLOGY …

SPACE– The lighter, reflective element of a Bar Code

START CHARACTER– A special pattern of bars and spaces used to

identify the beginning of a Bar Code symbol

STOP CHARACTER– A special pattern of bars and spaces used to

identify the end of a Bar Code symbol

Bar-code systemBar-code system

Thermal Transfer PrinterThermal Transfer Printer

BAR CODE SCANNERSBAR CODE SCANNERSA device used to extract information optically from

a Bar Code

Bar Code symbol consists of series of vertical dark

bars separated by light spaces

When illuminated reflected light is detected by

electro optical sensor

The intensity of reflected light from the dark bars is

less than that of spaces

SCANNERS …SCANNERS …

Reflected light is converted into electrical

voltage signals

Analog voltages are digitized into raw data

The decoder converts this data into the character

data representation of the symbol’s code

TYPES OF SCANNERS (READERS)TYPES OF SCANNERS (READERS)

CONTACT READERS

– Must touch or come in close proximity of symbol

– Good where the label cannot be placed in an easy-

to-view position

– Normally hand-held/stationary units

– Common type is pen/wand reader

– A high-density resolution wand used to read a low-

density symbol might see an ink spot as bar or an

ink void as a space

CONTACT READERSCONTACT READERS … …

A low-resolution wand may not be able to

recognise a narrow bar of high-density

symbol

Positioned angle of wand to the surface and

movement speed across the symbol are key

parameters

Contact ReadersContact Readers

NON-CONTACT READERSNON-CONTACT READERS

Reader need not come in contact with symbol

Scan distance may be from 6” to several feet depending upon symbol size and scanner design

Hand-held, fixed beam readers

Table mounted fixed beam readerTable mounted fixed beam reader

Table mounted fixed beam readerTable mounted fixed beam reader

Hand-Held moving beam readersHand-Held moving beam readers

Fixed beam slot scannerFixed beam slot scanner

CCD ScannerCCD Scanner

Portable Data Collection EquipmentPortable Data Collection Equipment

BAR CODE APPLICATIONSBAR CODE APPLICATIONSINVENTORY CONTROL

– Portable readers

WORK-IN PROCESS TRACKING (WIP) COMPANY INVENTORY– Raw materials– WIP (Components, Assemblies, Semi finished

Products)– Finished Products

APPLICATIONS …APPLICATIONS …SHIPPINGELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE

(EDI)– Direct communication between computers of

two companies (Manufacturer & Vendor)– Industry-wide EDI standards– Reduces cost and saves time of business

transaction

APPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONS … …RETAIL APPLICATIONS

– Super markets– Counter-mounted Bar Code scanners– Universal Product Code (UPC)– Price and description information

WARE HOUSINGHEALTH CARE APPLICATIONS

– Drugs, devices, instruments– Identification of expiry date– Blood banking

Blood groupExpiry dateDonor traceability

APPLICATIONS …APPLICATIONS …

BAR CODING IN LIBRARIESBAR CODING IN LIBRARIES

EFFECTIVE LIBRARY NEEDS EACH DOCUMENT BAR CODED

TWO LABELS PREFERABLYLABEL TO CONTAIN

– Accession number equivalent Bar Code

– Call number

– Institution logo advantageous

ISBN BAR CODE COULD BE USED

BARCODING IN LIBRARIES …BARCODING IN LIBRARIES …

DATABASE PROGRAM LINKS THE BAR CODE TO BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS OF DOCUMENTS

AUTHORISED ID CARD INCLUDES BAR CODE– Card could be used by library– Institutional ID card– Social security number

BAR CODE READER INTERFACED TO COMPUTER

TRACKING OF BOOKS

INCORPORATING BAR INCORPORATING BAR CODE IN LIBRARIESCODE IN LIBRARIES

THE TYPICAL SEQUENCE WOULD BE– Database creation (OPAC)

– Generate Bar Code for all transact able documents

– Bar Code membership cards

– Installation of suitable scanning equipment

– Set different criteria for transactions

ADVANTAGES OF BAR CODE ADVANTAGES OF BAR CODE IN LIBRARIESIN LIBRARIES

Quick and error free entry of access and membership codes

Ensures total integrity of collected data No queuing up at check out/check in counters Avoids piling up of data entry work for counter

staff Aids generation of suitable reminders to delinquent

borrowers Stock verification made easy

Thank You