Barcode Slot Readers
Barcode slot readers are devices that look similar to magnetic stripe readers,
except they read only barcodes that are printed on PVC cards, such as employee ID or building access cards
similar to those created by the
Zebra
P120i Card Printer. The slot readers connect to a PC by either a
keyboard wedge or USB cable. The barcode is read by visible red optics
in the slot and then decoded and sent to the PC. The slot reader scans
barcodes printed on paper or plastic card stock. It can be programmed
to divide, rearrange, edit, and validate fields of scanned data. In
addition, it allows for up to 16 preamble or postamble characters.
Magnetic Stripe Readers (MSR)
Magnetic stripe readers read
drivers licenses, credit cards and other information encoded in
magnetic strips. The IDTech's MSRs have built in decoders that only
output the information encoded in the magnetic stripe and sent it to
the PC as if typed directly from the keyboard. By default these MSRs
decode AAMVA,
ISO 7811 and
CA DMV.
- AAMVA (American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators)
is the standard used to encode and decode the magnetic stripes on
drivers licenses in the USA since the year 2000.
- ISO 7811 is the standard used to encode credit card information.
A review of magnetic stripe card ISO standards.
These magnetic stripe decoders can read information from all 3 tracks.
Common uses include credit card point of sale (POS) systems, drivers
license verification, fake drivers license detection and other types
of ID cards.
 A
small compact version of the magnetic stripe reader has just been released
by IDTech, the MiniMag™. The MiniMag is just 90mm long,
approximately the length of a credit card. It will read up to three
tracks of information with a single swipe in either direction. It sounds
a tone and has a three-color LED indicator to confirm a successful read.
The reader is programmable so that the data format and intelligent interface
output can be programmed and configured to match application and communication
requirements. Programming is easy using
ID TECH's Magswipe PC software.
Combo Readers
Combo readers can read both bar code and magnetic stripe media. The
Omni scans bar codes printed on paper, card stock, or plastic. An infrared
option is available for security-based applications, where bar codes
are overprinted to prevent duplication. The Omni reads up to three tracks
of information with a single swipe in either direction. Its die-cast
metal base, stainless steel wearplate, and impact-resistant housing
make it ideal for stand-alone, high-volume traffic.
Programming the card readers:
Because the default settings of these readers allow decoding of the
information stored, programming is not normally necessary. However,
in some cases it may be necessary to program the slot readers for particular
software applications. The keyboard wedge reader can be programmed by
performing various keystrokes on the keyboard according to the manual;
the USB version currently requires software to be installed on a Windows®
98 computer to program.
The ID Tech Omni model card readers are designed for high volume
traffic and are very durable. They have a metal base with tapped holes
and rubber feet.
- Use on any PC with a USB port or a PS/2, PC/AT or Macintosh
keyboard connection; a 6 foot cable is provided.
- Programmable internal decoder and interface.
- Information swiped appears as if it had been typed from the
keyboard.
- Scans barcodes as small as .006" (6 mil).
- The barcode slot readers decode the following linear symbologies
(barcode types) include Code 39, Industrial 2 of 5, Code 128, Interleaved
2 of 5, Code 93, Codabar, MSI/Plessey, Code 11, UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-13
and EAN-8.
- The magnetic card readers decode ANSI, ISO 7811, AAMVA, and
CA DMV.
- Scan velocity: 3-60 inches per second, bi-directional.
- Media thickness: .01 to .055 inches.
- Slot width: .055 (1.37mm).
- Dimensions: Length: 5 inches (127mm). Width: 2.05 inches (52mm).
Height: 1.38 inches (35mm).
- Barcode centerline: .49 inches (12.50mm) from bottom of slot
to center of reading window.
- The user manual for the keyboard wedge version of the slot reader
is
available here.
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Barcode
slot readers read barcodes that are printed on cards such as gym memberships and
employee ID's.