Barcode scanners come in all shapes and sizes. But what is the actual difference between a 1D and a 2D barcode scanner? And what technologies are behind them? Let's go back in time and go through the three most important technologies: the laser, the linear imager, and the 2D imager.
Barcode scanners come in all shapes and sizes. But what is the actual difference between a 1D and a 2D barcode scanner? And what technologies lie behind them? Let's go back in time and go through the three most important technologies: the laser, the linear imager and the 2D imager.
The first barcode scanners worked with a laser beam. This scanned the barcode (1D barcode) by reading the black and white lines. Laser was the standard for years: reliable, fast, and perfect for simple barcodes on products. But: a laser can only read horizontal barcodes, not 2D codes like QR.
Then came the linear imagers. Instead of a laser, they use a small camera that takes a picture of the barcode. This often makes them better at reading damaged or poorly printed barcodes. Linear imagers are still primarily focused on 1D codes, but they do so faster and with more flexibility than lasers.
With the growth of 2D barcodes (such as QR codes and DataMatrix), new technology was needed: the 2D imager. This type of scanner does not only read horizontally but can recognize entire patterns. This allows you to scan 1D and 2D codes at once. Moreover, 2D imagers even work from a screen or mobile display – something that is not possible with lasers and linear imagers.
History shows how scanners have developed:
Laser: reliable, but limited to 1D.
Linear imager: better performance with 1D, even with poor barcodes.
2D imager: the all-rounder of today – reads everything, everywhere.
Warehouse with standard barcodes: laser or linear imager
Production environment with dirty or damaged labels: linear imager
Outdoor applications or mixed codes: 2D imager
Which scanner you choose depends on your application. For simple barcodes, a 1D scanner is often enough. But if you want to be ready for the future and have maximum flexibility, a 2D imager is the best choice.
