Dec. 09, 2024
Tip One
Clean the reading window. Make sure your barcode scanner is getting full optical reading
capacity by cleaning the reading window often. This is especially recommended when using in
a harsh environment where dust, abrasion, humidity, finger prints, etc. will be common. Here
are some do&#;s and don&#;ts when cleaning the reading window.
WCMI supply professional and honest service.
Reading window is made of plastic:WARNING! Be careful at all times. Do not look directly into the laser path for an extended period of time. This could damage your eyes.Electrostatic charges cause dust particles to stick to the reading window. This effect can be combated by using anti-static synthetic cleaner in combination with a lens cloth. You can find these online and they aren&#;t very expensive.Protect your barcode scanner from these conditions:Be careful not to drop your barcode scanners . There are many integral parts to a barcode scanner and they can easily be damaged or misaligned if dropped. Check your specifications on your barcode scanner for drop specifications. Some rugged barcode scanners can be dropped from certain distances without getting damaged. Most barcode scanners come with a wrist strap that can prevent dropping during operation.Your barcode scanner will not turn on. Possible quick solutions may be that the battery isn&#;t charged or may need replacing. Also, check to see if the battery is installed properly. The battery connections may not be touching if the battery is misaligned in the housing.Here&#;s what to do if your trigger is stuck on your barcode scanner . Try this quick trick only if your barcode scanner isn&#;t under warranty. Tinkering with your barcode scanner may void warranties. Before you send your barcode scanner in for repair take a straight-pin, or similarly small object, and run it around the tiny gap between the trigger and the handle. If there is any offending build up of debris in there that is causing the problem, this will work it loose. If this isn&#;t the case, then depending on your exact model, the handle may be separated from the rest of the unit.It is important to understand the IP Rating (Ingress Protection Rating) of your barcode scanner . For instance, the Zebra MC90xx devices is IP 64. In the code IP 64, the 6 means dust-tight. No ingress of dust will occur. The 4 means Protected against splashing water. Water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects. Understanding the IP Rating of your barcode scanner will help you increase the life of it.There are times when you&#;ll get a frozen screen on your barcode scanner . A simple fix for this could be a reboot of your barcode scanner . If your barcode scanner is experiencing a frozen screen and will not respond to any prompts, try removing the battery for at least 30 seconds. After 30 seconds re-attach the battery and see if it will reboot. Most barcode scanner owner&#;s manuals will have proper procedures to follow if your barcode scanner is experiencing a frozen screen. Always follow the manufacturer&#;s recommended procedures as outlined in their manual.During data communication, no data was transmitted, or transmitted data was incomplete. This could be because your barcode scanner was removed from the cradle or unplugged from the host computer during communication. Try replacing the barcode scanner in the cradle or reattaching the Synchronization cable and re-transmit. Remember, whenever transmitting data, do not perform any other functions as this could cause incomplete data transfer.
One of the best ways to protect your barcode scanners is with our EXPRESS Repair Centers. Having a professional certified technician doing preventative maintenance and doing responsive repairs, can help increase uptime.
Here at MIDCOM we offer barcode scanner repair that offers easy mail-in service with a No-Fee Guarantee. Talk to one of our Specialists now for all your barcode scanning needs by calling (866) 431- .
QR stands for "Quick Response."
While they may look simple, QR codes are capable of storing lots of data. But no matter how much they contain, when scanned, the QR code should allow the user to access information instantly &#; hence why it&#;s called a Quick Response code.
A QR code is a type of barcode that can be read easily by a digital device and which stores information as a series of pixels in a square-shaped grid. QR codes are frequently used to track information about products in a supply chain and &#; because many smartphones have built-in QR readers &#; they are often used in marketing and advertising campaigns. More recently, they have played a key role in helping to trace coronavirus exposure and slow the spread of the virus.
Check out this video on YouTube how to recognize malicious QR codes and protect yourself:
The first QR code system was invented in by the Japanese company Denso Wave, a Toyota subsidiary. They needed a more accurate way to track vehicles and parts during the manufacturing process. To achieve this, they developed a type of barcode that could encode kanji, kana, and alphanumeric characters.
Standard barcodes can only be read in one direction &#; top to bottom. That means they can only store a small amount of information, usually in an alphanumeric format. But a QR code is read in two directions &#; top to bottom and right to left. This allows it to house significantly more data.
The data stored in a QR code can include website URLs, numbers, or up to 4,000 characters of text. QR codes can also be used to:
The development team behind the QR code wanted to make the code easy to scan so that operatives did not waste time getting it at the right angle. They also wanted it to have a distinctive design to make it easy to identify. This led them to choose the iconic square shape that is still used today.
Denso Wave made their QR code publicly available and declared they would not exercise their patent rights. This meant anyone could make and use QR codes.
Initial uptake of the idea was slow; however, in , the first mobile phones containing built-in QR readers were marketed in Japan. The use of smartphones led to an increase in the number of companies using QR codes.
In , Denso Wave continued to improve on their original design. Their new QR codes include traceability, brand protection, and anti-forgery measures. There are many new uses for the QR code, from transferring payments to determining objects' positions within augmented reality.
Most smartphones have built-in QR scanners, which are sometimes built in the camera. A QR scanner is simply a way to scan QR codes.
Some tablets, such as the Apple iPad, have QR readers built into their cameras.
Some older devices may require a particular app to read QR codes &#; these apps are readily available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Scanning a QR code using your device is straightforward:
Attackers can embed malicious URLs containing custom malware into a QR code which could then exfiltrate data from a mobile device when scanned. It is also possible to embed a malicious URL into a QR code that directs to a phishing site, where unsuspecting users could disclose personal or financial information.
Because humans cannot read QR codes, it is easy for attackers to alter a QR code to point to an alternative resource without being detected. While many people are aware that QR codes can open a URL, they can be less aware of the other actions that QR codes can initiate on a user&#;s device. Aside from opening a website, these actions can include adding contacts or composing emails. This element of surprise can make QR code security threats especially problematic.
A typical attack involves placing malicious QR codes in public, sometimes covering up legitimate QR codes. Unsuspecting users who scan the code are taken to a malicious web page which could host an exploit kit, leading to device compromise or a spoofed login page to steal user credentials. Some websites do drive-by downloads, so simply visiting the site can initiate a malicious software download.
Mobile devices, in general, tend to be less secure than computers or laptops. Since QR codes are used on mobile devices, this increases the potential risks.
QR code-generating software does not collect personally identifiable information.
The data it does collect &#; and which is visible to the code&#;s creators &#; includes location, the number of times the code has been scanned and at what times, plus the operating system of the device which scanned the code (i.e., iPhone or Android).
The QR codes themselves can&#;t be hacked &#; the security risks associated with QR codes derive from the destination of QR codes rather than the codes themselves.
Hackers can create malicious QR codes which send users to fake websites that capture their personal data such as login credentials or even track their geolocation on their .
This is why mobile users should only scan codes that come from a trusted sender.
The patterns within QR codes represent binary codes that can be interpreted to reveal the code's data.
A QR reader can identify a standard QR code based on the three large squares outside the QR code. Once it has identified these three shapes, it knows that everything contained inside the square is a QR code.
The QR reader then analyzes the QR code by breaking the whole thing down to a grid. It looks at the individual grid squares and assigns each one a value based on whether it is black or white. It then groups grid squares to create larger patterns.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Barcode Access Control.
A standard QR code is identifiable based on six components:
QR code-generating software does not collect personally identifiable information.
The data it does collect &#; and which is visible to the code&#;s creators &#; includes location, the number of times the code has been scanned and at what times, plus the operating system of the device which scanned the code (i.e., iPhone or Android).
QR codes can be used for multiple purposes, but there are four widely accepted versions of QR codes. The version used determines how data can be stored and is called the "input mode." It can be either numeric, alphanumeric, binary, or kanji. The type of mode is communicated via the version information field in the QR code.
There are two additional modes which are modifications of the other types:
NOTE: A QR code can use multiple modes, so long as each QR code contains the correct version information field.
It is possible to create QR codes in many different shapes and styles, but five types are most commonly found. They all do the same job &#; they just look slightly different.
1. QR code - This is the original version of the QR code created by Denso Wave in the s. It's easy to identify by its three finder patterns in the bottom&#;left, top&#;left, and top&#;right corners.
2. Aztec code - While it looks similar to a QR code, the Aztec code, developed by Welch Allyn, contains only one finder pattern, right in the middle.
3. Maxi code - This type of QR code is used by the United States postal service. It's similar to the Aztec code in that it places the finder pattern in the middle, but it uses a honeycomb pattern instead of squares.
4. PDF417 - Invented in by Ynjiun Wang of Symbol Technologies, the oddly named PDF417 predates the QR code by three years. It looks like a mix between a QR code and a barcode and is easily recognizable by its rectangular shape.
5. Semacode - Developed by a software company of the same name, the Semacode is a data matrix that looks a lot like an ordinary QR code but doesn&#;t have recognizable finder patterns.
QR codes are used in numerous contexts &#; for example:
They can also be used to link directly to product pages online. For instance, if you were searching for the exact dress a model was wearing in a poster, a QR code could directly take you to the web page where you could purchase it.
The coronavirus pandemic has supercharged the use of QR codes. For example, in the UK, visitors to hospitality venues such as bars and restaurants are invited to scan a QR code upon arrival using the NHS Covid-19 tracing app. This is to help trace and stop the spread of the virus. If someone tests positive for Covid-19 at that venue, other visitors to the location are alerted by an app, thanks to the data accumulated from QR code scans.
You may also find QR codes on the packaging for some of your favorite products. These QR codes can reveal information about the product, such as nutritional information or special offers you can use next time you make a purchase.
QR codes were initially invented to help track parts in vehicle manufacturing, and they are still used throughout the manufacturing industry. You'll also find QR codes used by other businesses that need to keep a close eye on products and supplies, such as the construction, engineering, and retail industries.
Postal services around the world also use them. Because they can contain a large amount of information, they are often relied upon to track parcels. For example, global fashion brand ASOS have moved entirely to QR codes for tracking refunds.
QR codes are also used in schools and colleges to help engage with students. They have appeared everywhere, from the classroom to the library, for tasks such as helping students find the books they are searching for.
There&#;s no telling where and when you might come across a malicious QR code. That&#;s why it is essential to use a QR Scanner you know you can trust and not download a random one from the app store or online.
Kaspersky QR Scanner instantly checks that a scanned link is safe before submitting any information to you.
The scanner provides QR code authentication and alerts you to potential dangers behind a QR code, such as:
Kaspersky QR Scanner still provides everything you need from a QR Scanner, such as adding contacts to your . It also creates a log of past scans so that, if necessary, you can trace back to see when and where you may have been compromised.
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