page_title: Barcode reader
section_title: Technology
hierarchical_section_title: Barcode reader / Types of barcode scanners / Technology
context_page_description: A barcode reader is an optical scanner that can read printed barcodes, decode the data contained in the barcode and send the data to a computer. Like a flatbed scanner, it consists of a light source, a lens and a light sensor translating for optical impulses into electrical signals. Additionally, nearly all barcode readers contain decoder circuitry that can analyze the barcode's image data provided by the sensor and sending the barcode's content to the scanner's output port.
context_section_description: Barcode readers can be differentiated by technologies as follows:
caption: A handheld barcode scanner
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