Scanning Devices Inc.
Sensors, Instruments and Controls
Auto-Identification Systems and Integration 		111 Terrace Hall Avenue
Burlington, Massachusetts (USA) 01803
1-781-272-5135
FAX: 1-781-272-4856
US Eastern Time GMT - 5:00
Email us: mail@scanningdevices.com

Media for Auto ID Applications

Scanning Devices works with several varied media for auto ID applications. Each has unique characteristics that make it the media of choice in different application settings. Contact us if you would like to review media selection for your applications.
Barcodes
Dominant Features: Non-contact line of sight, read only.

A ubiquitous but often misunderstood media. Consumers encounter barcodes every day as they dominate the retail channel. The UPC (Universal Product Code) label contains two numeric identifiers: manufacturer and product. These two uniquely identify the item. The barcode contains no price, description, inventory location, tax status or other information, just the unique ID. From that ID, other useful information may be obtained.

And there are other (non-UPC) barcode symbologies for other applications, extending back into manufacturing where goods originate. As products move through manufacturing and distribution, their form and labeling changes. Barcodes are often used to identify at these stages as well.

Scanning Devices manufactures barcode systems and components for manufacturing and distribution. In a few words, systems use barcodes to make sure the item in place is the proper one.

Photo of Handheld Scanner with Target Barcode System

Scanning Devices Target Barcode System for Manufacturing Quality Control

Magnetically Encoded Plastic Cards - "MagStripes"
Dominant Features: Easy to read reliably, difficult to alter
  • Credit Cards
  • Student ID's
  • Drivers Licenses
  • Membership Cards

Most everyone has one. They carry different information in a common form: credit, buying power, identification, admissions, access, priviledges.

Scanning Devices offers components and systems to read and process magnetic card data. Processing may mean:

  • Logging data from the card for later use
  • Validating data at the point where it is read for real-time decision making
  • Transmitting it wirelessly to a far away place to authorize credit
Photo of Wireless Credit Card Terminal using Palm Handheld

Scanning Devices MagStripe Reader with Wireless Palm Handheld

iButtons
Dominant Features: Read and write in an industrial package
  • manufactured by Maxim Dallas Semiconductor
  • industrially packaged memory and controller components
  • identified by unique serial number
  • most models offer read and write data capability
  • special purpose temperature logging
  • read and write with handheld computers for mobility

Scanning Devices offers iButton components, foundation software libraries, application utilities and complete turn-key solutions for Handheld-PC networked systems using iButton media.

Sample applications

  • Asset tracking, industrial maintenance recording
  • Security route accounting in banks, manufacturing facilites and construction sites
  • Temperature logging in marine biology and refridgerated distribution
  • Work order accounting in landscaping, pool maintenance and other mobile service industries

The iButton serial number is the "ID". In the range of applications, it represents a person, place or thing.


iButtons with Palm Handheld and Scanning Devices iConnection
Smart Cards
Dominant Features: Read and Write magstripe equivalent plastic cards.

Smart cards extend magstripe cards with an update capability. Reading and writing the "smart" component may be done with or without direct electrical contact. The smart component is a microchip embedded in the plastic card. In addition to writing, the smartcard generally can store more information than a magnetic stripe.

Scanning Devices manufactures components enabling handheld PDA's to read and write smartcards. In Scanning Devices components, the reader's conducting fingers contact the card in a guide to enable reading and writing.

Typical applications: data collection, access control.

Photo of Palm Clip-on Smartcard Reader

Palm Clip-on Smartcard Reader

RFID Tags
Dominant Features: Non-contact, non-positional reading and writing.

An emerging media with developing standards for Electronic Product Code (EPC) and mandated application in supply chain and distribution. Early RFID applications have been in access control, anti-theft systems and material handling, but large retail distribution activity will quickly overtake these activities. Consumer product manufacturers are making substantial investments to incorporate RFID taging.

RFID systems offer advantages over:

  • barcodes (read and write, non-positional, item uniqueness)
  • iButtons (non-contact)
  • Magstripes (read and write)
  • Smart cards (non-contact)

On the disadvantage side:

  • Complex and varied reading performance
  • Emerging standards
  • Emerging products

Disadvantages are being removed steadily through research and development. Watch for dynamics in RFID technology.

Line drawing of instructor at blackboard

Scanning Devices offers products and services introducing RFID technology :

  • Business planning to uncover RFID Value and compliance.
  • Engineering experience in RFID tag selection, placement, programming and reading.
  • Scanning Devices RFID Center for hands-on experience with tags and readers applied to your products.
  • RFID Tool Kit to support introduction and startup activities in your facility.
  • LoadBuilder System, a prototype implementation.

Contact us to start a discussion.

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