The current technology we have employed to scan thousands of barcodes
each day is an expensive solution.  We are using a high end (high
speed) image scanner that interprets barcodes through software.  We
need a solution that will allow us to distribute this effort across
many units.  The equipment we are envisioning is a bar code scanner
that would not require each document to be hand presented to the laser
beam.  Imagine a bill counter (like those used in the bank) that would
also scan a barcode.  Does this type of bar code scanner exist?

Hello n2film,

If I am understanding your question correctly, you are looking for a
high volume document imaging scanner, similar to ones used in hospital
medical records departments for scanning in patient charts.  They have
a stack of paper for a given inpatient stay.  They scan in the entire
stack, without having to hand scan each piece of paper, by placing the
entire stack into a document feeder.  From your question, it didn't
seem that you need to store the image of the document itself, but a
scanner and feeder is still the best way I can see to automatically
read a bar code off a document.

You were looking for a distributed solution, so you would hook up
several scanners with document feeders with bar code reading
capabilities to send information to your barcode software system. 
Generally, lower volume locations would get flatbed scanners and high
volume locations would get heavy duty scanners.  An example of such a
machine is described, "Optional OCR and bar code reading capabilities
let this versatile system meet a variety of document requirements.
Whether you are processing checks, remittances, vouchers, credit card
or other similar documents, the SEAC RS50 can provide a time and labor
saving solution." See the two models at the bottom of this page, with
photos.

http://www.dsgnet.com/seac.html 

or this description of a bar code scanner with sheet feeder:

http://www.barcode.co.uk/pages/mt45.htm

A plain barcode reader cannot really work with a document reader. 
(Though I did see it once rigged up over a conveyer belt of documents
laid down individually).  In case this is what you had in mind, a
conveyer belt scanner, they say suitable for documents and conveyer
belt, can be found here:

http://www.pscnet.com/html/lm520.htm

Another fixed scanning product that can take barcodes in any direction
is here:

http://home.intermec.com/eprise/main/Intermec/Content/Products/Products_ShowDetail?section=Products&Product=SCAN3300&Category=SCAN&Family=FIXSCAN

But, I'd say what you're really after is a document scanner with an
autofeeder and built in bar code reading capability.

Here are sites that sell this sort of equipment.  If I'm off the mark
here completely on what you were asking, please clarify and I'll
redirect my search.

http://www.microscan.com/solutions/oem_embedded/document_handling.html

A bar code decoder that works together with a canon scanner is the
Canon Bar-code Decoder 5000series:

http://www.scanstore.com/Hardware/parts.asp?ITEM_ID=11217

Here is the page on document feeders:

http://www.scanstore.com/product_search.asp?qu=document+feeder


Regards,

historybuff


I was not clear whether you needed to save the information contained
in the document, or simply to record the barcode.

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Request for Answer Clarification by n2film-ga on 06 Aug 2002 21:06 PDT

What you have described is exactly what I have in place currently. 
(Note: We are using a high end (high speed) image scanner that
interprets barcodes through software.) Flatbed scanners are not an
option.  The work effort to present each each barcode to a reader is
not much different than loading it onto a flatbed scanner.

I am looking for a low cost solution.  Something similair to a bill
counter that would scan a barcode.  Bill counters cost approx. $1000
and a bar code scanner is approx $600.  I want to marry the two so
that a person doesn't need to hand present each "coupon".  The numbers
would cumulate in a batch file to for reconcilation.

---

Clarification of Answer by historybuff-ga on 07 Aug 2002 09:00 PDT

Hello n2film,

The combination of money counter paper handling and bar code
recognition is available.  These products are used extensively in the
banking industry, or I would imagine coupon processing centers of any
kind.  They are marketed as OMR readers or OCR readers but many have
the ability to process bar codes.  I have included the web page of the
company that most closely meets what you describe.  If you mouse over
the left hand menu, either over the OMR or OCR tabs, you will see
products axm 990/995, axm 985, and axc 950.  The 950 looks like a
smaller solution, more suitable for your distributed environment.

http://www.axiome.ch/Welcome.html

specification sheet for individual product:

http://www.axiome.ch/OCR/Documentations/474_2001_E.pdf

The product you describe is not inexpensive. I would venture to say
that you may have to look for a used equipment solution to meet your
performance and cost requirements.

If I have not answered your question, please go ahead and request a
refund, as I don't anticipate finding further information. If you
would like me to track down a vendor for the products described, do
let me know.

Regards,

historybuff