Corded Barcode Scanners

Corded Barcode Scanners

Most barcode scanner implementations (around 90%) are quite simple - the barcode scanner is used as an alternative to using the keyboard on a desktop PC. The barcode scanner sends its output to the computer's keyboard buffer, wedging its input into the stream normally reserved for the keyboard. That's why you'll sometimes hear of corded barcode scanners being referred to as keyboard wedge scanners. The barcode scanner works with application software on the PC that is waiting for keyboard entry. Think of the barcode scanner in a convenience store. The store software is waiting for the entry of the product number on the UPC code. When the "ENTER" key is pressed, the software looks up the UPC code in its database, pulls the description and price, and adds that information to the receipt. The clerk could use the keyboard to type it in, but naturally it's faster and more accurate to just scan the barcode!