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VSys can use barcode and magnetic stripe readers to speed up the volunteer sign-in process. Like touchscreen displays, both of these devices emulate (pretend to be) a simpler device, in this case a keyboard. What is scanned using these readers is effectively typed into VSys at high speed.
There are four primary kinds of barcode readers.
Technology |
Description |
Pros |
Cons |
Pen readers |
These look like a writing device. To read a barcode, swipe the tip of the pen along the barcode. |
Very inexpensive |
Much slower to use; Requires manual dexterity on volunteer's part. |
Laser scanners |
Just like the readers at the grocery store, these can be mounted anywhere and read barcodes placed within a few inches of the reader |
Fast reading; Does not require barcode to be placed up against scanner |
More expensive ($250+). |
CCD readers |
Handheld or mounted, these have wide heads and are placed up against the barcode to read it |
Inexpensive ($75+) |
Requires being placed up against the barcode to read (or vice-versa). |
Swipe readers |
These require that the card be swiped (like a mag stripe card) but read a barcode. |
Inexpensive; Fast reading; Very reliable |
Requires that the printed barcode be on an edge of the card to be read. |
Magnetic stripe readers
These look much like credit card processing machines and either plug into your keyboard port (with the keyboard) or into a USB port. (In our internal testing, we've been very pleased with the ID Tech MiniMag Swipe Reader, about US$55.)
RFID card readers
While VSys has no direct support for RFID readers, those that emulate a keyboard (like the magnetic stripe and barcode readers do) should work fine.
Caps Lock
If the physical keyboard's Caps Lock key is on, text that's scanned via a barcode scanner or magnetic stripe reader will have its case inverted. That is, "A" becomes "a"; "a" becomes "A". Since barcode and magnetic stripe values are case-sensitive, this can cause the kiosk to not recognize otherwise valid cards.