Inspector Model D4000

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Inspector Model D4000

• Dual mode portable bar code verifier
• This presentation includes bar code basics

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• We design and manufacture the world's most
  complete line of bar code verification equipment

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BAR CODES Are the Worlds Least Expensive and
Most Reliable Method of Entering Data

• Bar codes are increasingly being used in critical
  applications where there is no backup

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Bar Code 101

• Two basic bar code variables
• Light/dark
• Narrow/wide
• Five basic bar code parameters
• Layout
• Ratio or edge-edge
• Element dimensions/deviations
• Reflectance/print contrast
• Spots and voids

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Light / Dark

• Virtually all bar codes are read using reflected
  and monochromatic light
• Diffuse light is scattered randomly
• Specular light does not scatter (mirror)
• Scanners sense diffuse light
• High low reflectance differentiates elements -
  bars and spaces

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Narrow / Wide

• Elements are different widths
• Ratio type codes contain two widths
• Code 39, I 2 of 5, Codabar
• Edge-edge codes contain four widths
• Code 128, UPC, EAN, UCC/EAN 128
• Width of narrow element X dimension

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Layout

• 1 human readable
• 2 proper size quiet zone
• 3 correct data encoded in symbol

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Ratio

• 1 narrow element width
• 2 wide element width
• Ratio avg. wide element width / avg. narrow
  element width
• 21 to 3.21 normal

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Element Dimensions / Deviations

• 1 narrow element
• 2 wide element
• 3 element width tolerance
• 4 tolerance added to narrow element
• 5 tolerance subtracted from wide element
• 4, 5 not easily recognized as narrow or wide

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Reflectance / Print Contrast

• 1 bar Low reflectance
• 2 space High reflectance
• 3 highest reflectance in symbol, L
• 4 lowest reflectance in symbol D
• Symbol contrast L-D
• PCS (L-D)/L
• Scanners must see a significant difference in
  reflectance for reliable performance

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Spots and Voids

• 1 bar with void inside
• 2 space with spot inside
• 3 signal distorted by void
• 4 signal distorted by spot
• 5 signal with no distortion
• Distorted signals can result in no read, poor
  read rate or data error

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What Is Verification?

• A specification or parametric check of a bar code
  symbol
• Objective predict or ensure readability

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What Is Scanning?

• Decoding bar codes
• Objective dig data out of noise

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Why Not Use A Scanner To Verify?

• A scanner is designed to read bad codes
• In open systems bad means different things (all
  designs are different)
• Codes do not get better in shipment
• The better the scanner you use, the less likely
  it is your customer will be able to read the code

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What Types Of Verification Methods Are Available?
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Verification Methods

• Traditional method
• ANSI method
• Film master (N/A for D4000)
• Data validation

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Traditional Method

• Objective Determine how well the symbol is
  printed
• No regard for scanner type
• Micrometer, optical comparator history
• Major parameters analyzed
• Avg. bar deviation
• Print contrast signal
• Absolute element widths (optional)

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Traditional Method

• Major applications
• Print setup
• Less expensive portable models
• Absolute measurements for high speed systems
• Augmentation for explaining ANSI method grade
  values
• On-line verification strategy

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ANSI Method

• Objective Predict how well any type of scanner
  incorporating a particular optical configuration
  (aperture/wavelength) will read this symbol
• Overall symbol grade is indicator
• B/06/660 or 3.2/06/660

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ANSI Method

• All quality parameters derived from scan profile
• Lowest of parameter grades overall symbol grade

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ANSI Method

• Most documented and traceable verification method
• Quality parameters analyzed
• Symbol contrast
• Modulation
• Defects
• Decodability
• Reference decode
• Rmin/Rmax
• Minimum edge contrast

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ANSI Method

• Multiple scan averaging is recommended
• This provides more information on area of symbol

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ANSI Method

• Major applications
• Most compatible with symbols printed on flat
  surfaces
• UPC/EAN and AIM specifications recommend it
• Method of Choice for large ISO9000 companies
  (NIST Traceability)
• Choice for compliance labeling
• Excellent on-line evaluation process
• Can detect any print method failure (traditional!)

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Data Validation

• Ensure proper data format
• UCC/EAN AI formats
• HIBC mod 43 check digit
• Ensure data match for specific content
• Destination on shipping label
• Product ID

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D4000 Modes of Operation

• Laser mode
• ANSI mode
• Mode set by scanner type installed
• The modes provide different types of analyses
• The modes provide different types of pass/fail
  criteria

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D4000 Laser Mode

• Traditional parameters flag errors
• Ave. bar deviation
• Quiet zone
• Ratio
• ANSI Decodability can flag error
• User programmable threshold (B - F)
• Easy point and shoot

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Laser Mode - CR1 Scanner

• More accurate analyses than original scanner
• Analyzes wide range of code size including high
  density codes with 5 mil (.127 mm) X dimension

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Laser Mode - CR1 Scanner (Cont.)

• Scanning instructions on scanner
• Adjust scan distance so beam width is minimum of
  twice the width of bar code
• 2 inch (51 mm) minimum scan distance

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D4000 ANSI Mode

• ANSI overall symbol grade flags errors
• Fail threshold user programmable (B-F)
• Ensure proper aperture/wavelength is set
• Calibration required for reflectance calculations
• Traditional parameters used for reference
• Avg. bar deviation is a trend indicator for
  Decodability

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D4000 ANSI MODE (Cont.)

• Manual scanning
• Scan 8 - 12 IPS (smooth)
• Begin and end scan outside of quiet zone
• Multiple scan average desired
• Scan in both directions

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D4000 Data Validation

• Mandatory modulo check digits
• Code 128, UCC/EAN 128, UPC/EAN
• UCC/EAN data format checks
• UCC/EAN AI format checks
• Comparison mode (laser mode only)

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D4000 Operation HintsEnter Select Keys

• Press ENTER and SELECT at any time simultaneously
  to enter main menu
• Except when actively calibrating or printing a
  scan profile (ANSI mode)
• Press SELECT to move cursor or change a choice
• Press ENTER to enable that selection
• You may scan at any time in any place in the main
  menu

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D4000 Operation HintsAnalysis Screens

• Initial screen indicates pass/fail analysis and
  decoded data
• Press SELECT to scroll data
• LEDs indicate avg. bar deviation
• Individual screens accessible for detailed
  analysis information
• Press ENTER to access detailed screens
• First screen accessed is remembered
• Press ENTER to return to initial screen

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D4000 Operation HintsStorage Buffer

• Full displayed when storage enabled
• Buffer cleared by pressing ENTER with cursor on
  full message

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D4000 Operation HintsANSI Mode Interpretations

• Ref decode F on multiple scan average analysis
  indicates at least one scan failed ref decode
  (A-F averaged in multiple scan analysis grade)
• Large (gt 35) defect calculation may indicate a
  bad quiet zone
• Decodability set to 00 in a single scan
  indicates a global threshold failure

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• World Leader in Quality Assurance and Data
  Validation of Printed Symbols