Laser barcode scanners are built into the base of the checkout lane, under a piece of glass. Unlike other scanners, which capture the image of the barcode before analyzing it, a laser scanner shines a focused laser light or beam on the barcode surface, then uses a laser photodetector to capture the reflected light, scan, and decode the barcode. Omni-directional laser scanners can read crumpled, ripped, or damaged barcodes faster and with exceptional accuracy than other types of scanners.