Barcode Scanner (application)
Encyclopedia
The application Barcode Scanner also known as ZXing (short for Zebra Crossing) is an Android app that allows a user to scan 1-D or 2-D "graphical barcodes" with the camera on their Android device. This program turns that scan into the original data that is represented by the barcode. This allows the user to get to web addresses, geographical coordinates, small pieces of text, and much more just by pointing their device's camera at a barcode. In this way the android based system works very similarly to a conventional Barcode Reader
except that it is only composed of commodity hardware and some this software application.
There are many different types of barcodes that are supported by this application, in addition to the commonly though of of 1-D barcode
. These are commonly used on products such as food, books, clothing, DVDs, and most other products sold commercially. When the Barcode Scanner application scans the 1-D barcode on one of these types of items, it can automatically search the web for that product. With this functionality, the application can enable the user to quickly do comparisons between the price of an item they are looking at in a store with prices from online retailers.
The most basic 2-D type of code that can be read by this application is a Data Matrix
code however the QR code
is generally more widely used. QR codes are often embedded in websites so that when users are browsing the website on their desktop or laptop and want to transfer a link, product, or application to their Android device, they can quickly point their camera at the screen and using the Barcode Scanner application, get that data from the website.
Barcode reader
A barcode reader is an electronic device for reading printed barcodes. Like a flatbed scanner, it consists of a light source, a lens and a light sensor translating optical impulses into electrical ones...
except that it is only composed of commodity hardware and some this software application.
There are many different types of barcodes that are supported by this application, in addition to the commonly though of of 1-D barcode
Barcode
A barcode is an optical machine-readable representation of data, which shows data about the object to which it attaches. Originally barcodes represented data by varying the widths and spacings of parallel lines, and may be referred to as linear or 1 dimensional . Later they evolved into rectangles,...
. These are commonly used on products such as food, books, clothing, DVDs, and most other products sold commercially. When the Barcode Scanner application scans the 1-D barcode on one of these types of items, it can automatically search the web for that product. With this functionality, the application can enable the user to quickly do comparisons between the price of an item they are looking at in a store with prices from online retailers.
The most basic 2-D type of code that can be read by this application is a Data Matrix
Data Matrix
A Data Matrix code is a two-dimensional matrix barcode consisting of black and white "cells" or modules arranged in either a square or rectangular pattern. The information to be encoded can be text or raw data. Usual data size is from a few bytes up to 1556 bytes. The length of the encoded data...
code however the QR code
QR code
A QR code is a type of matrix barcode first designed for the automotive industry. More recently, the system has become popular outside of the industry due to its fast readability and comparatively large storage capacity. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white...
is generally more widely used. QR codes are often embedded in websites so that when users are browsing the website on their desktop or laptop and want to transfer a link, product, or application to their Android device, they can quickly point their camera at the screen and using the Barcode Scanner application, get that data from the website.