Advanced optical components for barcode readers 

Automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) precisely identifies objects and obtains key metrics like IDs and destination data. AIDC scanners, used in retail, point-of-sale terminals, courier pick-up, and warehousing, read barcodes or QR codes using linear image sensors or 2D array imagers. In distribution centers, advanced fixed cameras on high-speed conveyor belts monitor QR codes and package volumes. 

AIDC systems consist of three parts: the illumination system, the optical sensor, and the decoder. The illumination system uses laser or LED light, typically red, to light the barcode or QR code. The optical sensor, either an image sensor or an array of photodiodes, detects the reflected light and generates a signal sent to the decoder. The decoder, usually a microcontroller, interprets and converts the signal into numerical code for further processing. 

ams OSRAM offers a complete product portfolio for AIDC systems. CMOS image sensors can be easily integrated into scanners. High-speed line scanners enable 1D readout and fast conveyor belt integration. Global shutter image sensors provide power-efficient readout with no image distortion and enable 3D volume measurements in 3D vision systems. Laser diodes are ideal for barcode and QR code scanning, with green laser diodes offering four times brighter appearance than red, making them ideal for long-distance scanners. Proximity and presence sensing solutions enhance autofocus and controlled system wake-up to save energy.