Barcode Scanning and Document Imaging With a Single Device

Barcode scanning and the imaging of documents are two critical functions of businesses today. Until recently separate hardware devices were required to perform both tasks. A barcode scanner and a document imager. Having a single device that can perform both barcode scanning and document scanning would be a very low cost alternative for any business.

Some of the benefits of scanning barcodes are:

* Improved tracking of goods sold.
* Improved management of inventory.
* Better operating efficiency.
* Reduced data entry errors.
* Improved customer experience.

Document imaging benefits include:

* Quick data availability.
* Reduced or eliminated paper storage costs.
* Improved customer relations.
* Eliminated manual searching.
* World wide availability of the documents.

Today there is a solution that utilizes both barcode scanner and document imager. The Honeywell Scanning and Mobility 4800DR is a hybrid device that performs both barcode scanning and document imaging. The 4800DR has a 1.3 megapixel area image sensor and a custom stand system that places a document at the correct distance for imaging.

Barcode scanning with the 4800DR is conducted in one of two ways. The first and most recognized method is to simply align the scanner over the barcode, squeeze the trigger, align the aiming pattern and wait for the good read beep. The second way is to put the barcode scanner into presentation mode. When the scanner is in presentation mode it appears to be turned off because there is no aiming pattern or illumination present. When a barcode is placed in the field of view of the barcode scanner, the aiming pattern and scanner illumination activate and the barcode is read. Presentation mode allows the barcode scanner to be used while in the stand without having to depress the trigger to initiate scanning. Since the 4800DR uses an area imager it can read 1D and 2D barcodes in any orientation.

When used as a document imager the 4800DR can be integrated into just about any application. A suite of software tools is available to help with the integration effort. Twain and SANE drivers are available as well as an SDK (software development kit). Popular image formats are available, including JPEG, TIF and BMP. TIF support is extremely important since many legacy applications use TIF black and white images with Group 4 fax encoding compression for the smallest possible file sizes. The 4800DR also is equipped with a variety of image processing functions. Edge sharpening, gamma, histogram stretch, noise reduction, text enhancement and document auto-cropping. Auto-cropping is extremely useful as it removes the blank space around the edges of a document. The 4800DR acquires an area that is slightly larger than an 8.5" x 11" document. If a document the size of a standard business card was being imaged, the area encompassing the card is not wanted. The auto-cropping feature of the 4800DR crops the blank area surrounding the card and transfers an image that is only a little bigger than the card. Auto-cropping a document is another way to shrink the image file size.

The 4800DR is the first hybrid barcode scanner and document imager on the market. By uniting the functions of both devices the customer gets the benefits of both devices at a lower cost since a single device is bought.

To find out more about the 4800DR please visit the product page at Honeywell's website. http://www.handheld.com/Site.aspx/na/en/product_center/hardware/?product=259