BAR CODE TECHNOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATION TO LIBRARY SERVICES I R N GOUDAR HEAD, ICAST NATIONAL AEROSPACE LABORATORIES BANGALORE

BAR CODE TECHNOLOGY It is an automatic identification technology Bar code is a predefined format of dark bars and white spaces Structured to contain a specific piece of information It allows real-time data to be collected accurately and rapidly Combination of barcode technology with computer and application software improves performance, productivity and profitability

Discrete Symbology

Continuous Symbology

DATA ENTRY TECHNIQUES MANUAL METHODS – KEYBOARD OPERATION – 1 ERROR/300 CHARACTERS AUTOMATIC METHODS – OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION – MAGNETIC INK – MACHINE VISION – RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION – SMART CARDS – BAR CODE

BENEFITS OF BAR CODING REPRESENT UNIQUE IDENTITY OF A PRODUCT ACCURACY OF DATA INPUT (ERROR FREE) AID EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES AND INVENTORIES LABOUR SAVINGS BY AVOIDING MANUAL SYSTEM

BENEFITS … COST EFFICIENT REAL TIME DATA COLLECTION MEASUREMENT OF WORK IN PROGRESS THROUGHOUT THE FACTORY RAPID ACCESS TO TOTAL PRODUCTION COSTS MORE ACCURATE DESPATCH

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

TERMINOLOGY … HAND-HELD SCANNER – A scanner held and operated by a human operator INTER-CHARACTER GAP – The space between the bars or spaces MOVING BEAM SCANNER – A Bar Code scanner that uses a moving light beam to dynamically scan and decode a Bar Code symbol

TERMINOLOGY … SPACE – The lighter, reflective element of a Bar Code START CHARACTER – A special pattern of bars and spaces used to identify the beginning of a Bar Code symbol STOP CHARACTER – A special pattern of bars and spaces used to identify the end of a Bar Code symbol

Bar-code system

Thermal Transfer Printer

BAR CODE SCANNERS A device used to extract information optically from a Bar Code Bar Code symbol consists of series of vertical dark bars separated by light spaces When illuminated reflected light is detected by electro optical sensor The intensity of reflected light from the dark bars is less than that of spaces

SCANNERS … Reflected light is converted into electrical voltage signals Analog voltages are digitized into raw data The decoder converts this data into the character data representation of the symbol’s code

TYPES OF SCANNERS (READERS) CONTACT READERS – Must touch or come in close proximity of symbol – Good where the label cannot be placed in an easy- to-view position – Normally hand-held/stationary units – Common type is pen/wand reader – A 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 symbol Positioned angle of wand to the surface and movement speed across the symbol are key parameters

Contact Readers

NON-CONTACT READERS Reader need not come in contact with symbol Scan distance may be from 6” to several feet depending upon symbol size and scanner design Hand-held, fixed beam readers

Table mounted fixed beam reader

Hand-Held moving beam readers

Fixed beam slot scanner

CCD Scanner

Portable Data Collection Equipment

BAR CODE APPLICATIONS INVENTORY CONTROL – Portable readers WORK-IN PROCESS TRACKING (WIP) COMPANY INVENTORY – Raw materials – WIP (Components, Assemblies, Semi finished Products) – Finished Products

APPLICATIONS … SHIPPING ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE (EDI) – Direct communication between computers of two companies (Manufacturer & Vendor) – Industry-wide EDI standards – Reduces cost and saves time of business transaction

APPLICATIONS … RETAIL APPLICATIONS – Super markets – Counter-mounted Bar Code scanners – Universal Product Code (UPC) – Price and description information WARE HOUSING HEALTH CARE APPLICATIONS – Drugs, devices, instruments – Identification of expiry date – Blood banking Blood group Expiry date Donor traceability

APPLICATIONS …

BAR CODING IN LIBRARIES EFFECTIVE LIBRARY NEEDS EACH DOCUMENT BAR CODED TWO LABELS PREFERABLY LABEL TO CONTAIN – Accession number equivalent Bar Code – Call number – Institution logo advantageous ISBN BAR CODE COULD BE USED

BARCODING IN LIBRARIES … DATABASE PROGRAM LINKS THE BAR CODE TO BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS OF DOCUMENTS AUTHORISED ID CARD INCLUDES BAR CODE – Card could be used by library – Institutional ID card – Social security number BAR CODE READER INTERFACED TO COMPUTER TRACKING OF BOOKS

INCORPORATING BAR CODE IN LIBRARIES THE TYPICAL SEQUENCE WOULD BE – Database creation (OPAC) – Generate Bar Code for all transact able documents – Bar Code membership cards – Installation of suitable scanning equipment – Set different criteria for transactions

ADVANTAGES OF BAR CODE IN LIBRARIES Quick and error free entry of access and membership codes Ensures total integrity of collected data No queuing up at check out/check in counters Avoids piling up of data entry work for counter staff Aids generation of suitable reminders to delinquent borrowers Stock verification made easy

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