Avoiding Specular Reflection; Quality Bar Code Labels; Barcode Readability Index - Opticon LH2 User Manual

Fixed position 2d imager

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2) Avoiding Specular Reflection

Do not position the imager at an angle that causes the LED illumination to be reflected

directly back into the imager. This is called specular reflection. Too much reflected light

can "blind" the imager preventing a good decode.

If the bar code label is located on a flat surface, specular reflectivity occurs between 0 to 10

degrees off perpendicular. (See diagram) If the bar code label is located on a cylindrical

surface, such as a test tube, the angle of specular reflection is measured tangent to the

curve. If the curved surface is also moving, there may be more than one position causing

specular reflection.

The quality of the bar code label can affect the scanning performance. Poor quality labels

are more difficult to decode and may result in non-reads or potential misreads.

The bar

code label should be printed to specifications.

This means that the bars are printed within

spec, with the correct widths, no ink spread, crisps edges and no voids. There should be

a sufficient quiet zone on both end of the bar code label. For best results, the paper or

label stock should have a matte finish to diffuse light. The print contrast signal (which is

a comparison of the reflectance of the bars and the background stock) should be as high

as practical.

The Readability Index provides a measurement of a specific symbol's ease or difficulty to

be decoded by the LH2. The Readability Index is specific to the LH2, and should not be

confused with a verification quality measurement.

The Readability Index is a blend of information obtained from the internal operations of the

decoding algorithm pertaining to contrast, symbology construct, error detection, forward

error correction (if applicable), and other symbology-specific characteristics.

The Readability Index is a score on a scale of 01 (very poor) to 100 (very readable).

Due to differences based on motion, skew, reflection, focus, and ambient lighting, the

Readability Index on the same symbol may vary somewhat from read to read. However, a

poor contrast or damaged symbol will score lower than a high contrast undamaged symbol.

The Readability Index can be used as a quick check on the reliability of label generation or

marking systems. When determining the ideal distance from the reader to the symbol, and

constant ambient light, the Readability Index provides a symbol quality assurance tool and

check point for feedback to an overall label or marking quality control system.

The Readability Index is enabled by first reading a CodeXML rule into the permanent LH2

Memory.

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