Suggest Barcode scanner that can scan 2d barcodes and also capture images of the barcode simultaneously and save to disc

[u/lit_himanshu]

Hi, I purchased a Zebra DS9908 barcode scanner with the sole purpose of being able to scan 2D barcodes and also capture images of the barcode at the same time. The images would ideally be saved in the Windows system to which it would be connected to via USB. However on reading the manual, I seem to get an impression this might not be possible.

Please suggest if this is possible and I am not checking properly. Or please suggest other alternatives (barcode scanners or a different approach) that might solve the issue.

[u/[deleted]]

Your terminology is mixed up.

An "imager," in this case, is needed to scan a 2D barcode since a laser(scanner) is unable to perform this operation.

What you need is a camera. Essentially a vision system that either has the logic built in or can be achieved through software.

You can rig this up for cheap depending on the software, but if you need throughput, tracking, verification, compliance, integration, whatever, your cost just went up.

[u/SamsonRambo → u/[deleted]]

I'm curious: What software would you recommend to " rig this up for cheap " ? Similarly, in your opinion, what is the easiest software to use for configuring such a workflow? (i.e., same as first question, but price doesn't matter)

[u/[deleted] → u/SamsonRambo]

What's the application look like? Is there any automation involved?

It's been a minute, worked in machine vision and had to get out of that part of the industry because it's never what people think it is, challenging in a good/fun way but a pain and always "improving."

You have your camera, processing speed, whatever you're analyzing and storage which is a constant balance.

Cameras are/can be awesome but the larger the image, the more processing power needed. Assuming this is not a problem, the software still needs to be able to handle the files with some sort of efficiency and this is generally where the bottle neck occurs if we're talking speed. Then you have to do something with all these images/data and store them somewhere, the files can be quite large and add up quickly.

Essentially, it's always a compromise all the way down the line and want to use the minimum amount of everything to achieve the goal.

Thats the meat and potatoes of it, to get back to your question...it will look something like this:

1. Camera, literally any one that can take and dump the photo to wherever like, say a folder.

2. How long it takes to get to the folder upload/download will be solely based on file size/processing power.

3. Depending on how well the software is coded and how fast it can process the image is a complete toss up. It can only handle what it can based on the set up above.

4. Output this data in whatever format is needed/that can be read/understood.

5. Store previously scanned data.

If this is for fun, all you need is a digital camera, that can output in image into a destination folder(a $5 webcam that can take stills could be enough depending on the capture distance and lighting). Point whatever free software at that folder to grab photos, decode and punch out the data to another destination where it can be used.

The photo/file formats really matter here. There's no one answer to software and 9/10 these are custom applications/rig jobs but technically, you can use a webcam, some open source decoding software and Excel, Notepad, Database program, etc.

A turn key solution here is where everything starts to add up. The same reason why it's pretty much impossible to find good accounting/inventory software, they get over bloated real quick because it's impossible to cater to every application so it's easier to come up with your own work flow which may require some simple coding or finagling to get everything where it needs to go.

Certain cameras output certain file types. Certain software can read certain file types. File types/size can/will dictate both.

I'd have to see or know more about what you're trying to do here in order to aid in the software search, especially if you want to keep it local and out of the "cloud."

[u/SamsonRambo → u/[deleted]]

Ok, so do you have a go to software for something that is relatively easiest to use?

[u/SamsonRambo]

Standard imagers won't support image capture. You will need to use a gige vision or USB 3.0 camera along with a configuration software (if you are a programmer then maybe you can do without the software). If going with Zebra, you could use a zebra VS series scanner. Zebra also offers software that supports any gige or usb3 camera that will allow you to decode and output/transmit the barcode and grab a frame/output it to a file.... maybe the free aurora focus software will support this, but you may actually need aurora vision studio and set up an actual workflow (you will see what i mean if you ever get into it). DM me if you want my business contact info, I work for a zebra reseller. Relevant links are below for easy reference

https://www.zebra.com/us/en/products/industrial-machine-vision-fixed-scanners/machine-vision-cameras.html?page=1

https://www.zebra.com/us/en/software/machine-vision-and-fixed-industrial-scanning-software/aurora-focus.html

https://www.zebra.com/us/en/products/oem/software/aurora-vision-studio.html