BAR CODE TECHNOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATION TO LIBRARY SERVICES

I R N GOUDAR HEAD, ICAST NATIONAL AEROSPACE LABORATORIES BANGALORE-560017

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

AUTOMATIC METHODS
OPTICAL CHARACTER

OPERATION 1 ERROR/300 CHARACTERS

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 o BI-DIRECTIONAL SYMBOL - A Bar Code symbol format which permits reading in either direction across the bars and spaces o CHECK DIGIT - A calculated character included within the Bar Code for error detection o FIXED 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

symbols 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

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

Thank You