One barcode consists of different size bars and spaces. Using a light emitting source like laser or LED a barcode is illuminated. A light receiving sensor which is only sensing the wavelength of the emitting light is now being moved with a constant speed along the bars and stripes of the barcode, to recognize the light reflecting and not reflecting parts. In case of bars the light reflection is less then facing the spaces. The pulsing light of the light source will be counted by the sensed reflection and caused by the constant reading speed the barcode decoder can count out the relation of the bars and stripes. The CPU of the decoder now compares and calculates the recognized Bitmap to identify the kind of barcode used and the value been decoded. The result can now been interfaced to any kind of computer.

BCR: Barcode Reader

Laser engines are used in barcodes reader optic, because their light is very strong and exact, what makes decoding more precise. The extremely focused light is controlled by a high sophisticated mirror-system. The laser light reflection at the bars and stripes is received by a laser light sensing unit to be send to the decoder CPU.

Once upon a time there was the pen-reader, that’s how the barcode story starts. But still alive. The ball-pen look-alike reader does have a light emitting and a light receiving diode in its tip. The light is being pulsed in a high frequency. While moving the pen along the bars and stripes of the barcode, the receiving diode senses more or less light, pending on the reflecting surface. The decoding CPU, which compares the received Bit stream with it’s  memorized barcode standards finds out which barcode and what value was encoded.

GS1 and before CCG is the German organization to be contacted if an EAN barcode or an IPC code for RFID usage is requested to be listed internationally.