BAR CODE TECHNOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATION TO LIBRARY SERVICESI R N GOUDARHEAD, ICASTNATIONAL AEROSPACE LABORATORIESBANGALORE-560017

BAR CODE TECHNOLOGYIt is an automatic identification technologyBar code is a predefined format of dark bars and white spacesStructured to contain a specific piece of informationIt allows real-time data to be collected accurately and rapidlyCombination of barcode technology with computer and application software improves performance, productivity and profitability

Discrete Symbology

Continuous Symbology

DATA ENTRY TECHNIQUESMANUAL METHODSKEYBOARD OPERATION1 ERROR/300 CHARACTERSAUTOMATIC METHODSOPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITIONMAGNETIC INKMACHINE VISIONRADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATIONSMART CARDSBAR CODE

BENEFITS OF BAR CODINGREPRESENT UNIQUE IDENTITY OF A PRODUCTACCURACY OF DATA INPUT (ERROR FREE)AID EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES AND INVENTORIESLABOUR SAVINGS BY AVOIDING MANUAL SYSTEM

BENEFITS COST EFFICIENTREAL TIME DATA COLLECTIONMEASUREMENT OF WORK IN PROGRESS THROUGHOUT THE FACTORYRAPID ACCESS TO TOTAL PRODUCTION COSTSMORE ACCURATE DESPATCH

BAR CODE TERMINOLOGY BAR- The darker, non reflective element of a Bar CodeBI-DIRECTIONAL SYMBOL- A Bar Code symbol format which permits reading in either direction across the bars and spacesCHECK DIGIT - A calculated character included within the Bar Code for error detectionFIXED BEAM SCANNER- A stationary Bar Code Scanner. The symbol must be moved through the light beam to be read

TERMINOLOGY HAND-HELD SCANNERA scanner held and operated by a human operatorINTER-CHARACTER GAPThe space between the bars or spacesMOVING BEAM SCANNERA Bar Code scanner that uses a moving light beam to dynamically scan and decode a Bar Code symbol

TERMINOLOGY SPACEThe lighter, reflective element of a Bar CodeSTART CHARACTERA special pattern of bars and spaces used to identify the beginning of a Bar Code symbolSTOP CHARACTERA special pattern of bars and spaces used to identify the end of a Bar Code symbol

Bar-code system

Thermal Transfer Printer

BAR CODE SCANNERSA device used to extract information optically from a Bar CodeBar Code symbol consists of series of vertical dark bars separated by light spacesWhen illuminated reflected light is detected by electro optical sensorThe intensity of reflected light from the dark bars is less than that of spaces

SCANNERS Reflected light is converted into electrical voltage signalsAnalog voltages are digitized into raw dataThe decoder converts this data into the character data representation of the symbols code

TYPES OF SCANNERS (READERS)CONTACT READERSMust touch or come in close proximity of symbolGood where the label cannot be placed in an easy-to-view positionNormally hand-held/stationary unitsCommon type is pen/wand readerA 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 READERS A low-resolution wand may not be able to recognise a narrow bar of high-density symbolPositioned angle of wand to the surface and movement speed across the symbol are key parameters

Contact Readers

NON-CONTACT READERSReader need not come in contact with symbolScan distance may be from 6 to several feet depending upon symbol size and scanner designHand-held, fixed beam readers

Table mounted fixed beam reader

Table mounted fixed beam reader

Hand-Held moving beam readers

Fixed beam slot scanner

CCD Scanner

Portable Data Collection Equipment

BAR CODE APPLICATIONSINVENTORY CONTROLPortable readersWORK-IN PROCESS TRACKING (WIP) COMPANY INVENTORYRaw materialsWIP (Components, Assemblies, Semi finished Products)Finished Products

APPLICATIONS SHIPPINGELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE (EDI)Direct communication between computers of two companies (Manufacturer & Vendor)Industry-wide EDI standardsReduces cost and saves time of business transaction

APPLICATIONS RETAIL APPLICATIONSSuper marketsCounter-mounted Bar Code scannersUniversal Product Code (UPC)Price and description informationWARE HOUSINGHEALTH CARE APPLICATIONSDrugs, devices, instrumentsIdentification of expiry dateBlood bankingBlood groupExpiry dateDonor traceability

APPLICATIONS

BAR CODING IN LIBRARIESEFFECTIVE LIBRARY NEEDS EACH DOCUMENT BAR CODEDTWO LABELS PREFERABLYLABEL TO CONTAINAccession number equivalent Bar CodeCall numberInstitution logo advantageousISBN BAR CODE COULD BE USED

BARCODING IN LIBRARIES DATABASE PROGRAM LINKS THE BAR CODE TO BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS OF DOCUMENTSAUTHORISED ID CARD INCLUDES BAR CODECard could be used by libraryInstitutional ID cardSocial security numberBAR CODE READER INTERFACED TO COMPUTERTRACKING OF BOOKS

INCORPORATING BAR CODE IN LIBRARIESTHE TYPICAL SEQUENCE WOULD BEDatabase creation (OPAC)Generate Bar Code for all transact able documentsBar Code membership cardsInstallation of suitable scanning equipmentSet different criteria for transactions

ADVANTAGES OF BAR CODE IN LIBRARIESQuick and error free entry of access and membership codesEnsures total integrity of collected dataNo queuing up at check out/check in countersAvoids piling up of data entry work for counter staffAids generation of suitable reminders to delinquent borrowers Stock verification made easy

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