That is a great question! The answer is actually based on how people shop and how stores are set up to check things out.
The codes are designed for quick recognition by checkout equipment on a point-of-sale (POS) system. On items that have a hangtag, the code will be on one side of the tag and you will have to probably scan both because that is that the checkout clerk would do (look at both sides of the tag). Grocery checkout systems are designed for faster use typically have one upwards-facing scanner and one forwards-facing one. The code, is typically located either on the bottom of the product or on the side away from the consumer "romance" labeling. The clerk will orient the product so that the front of the product is facing towards them and the opening surface is on the top. So the code will be put on the bottom of the package or on the back (away from the presentation "advertising" side). And it will be close to the bottom because the scanners have a field of view this is about 6 inches tall. On large items that the clerk has to do with a manual scanner (large sacks of dogfood come to mind) this may not be true. The code in this case is generally on a side seam but you probably have to scan the entire bag. Happily those codes are large because they are designed for a scan distance of about 24 inches. The practical impact of this is that you will find the bar codes are often located: -- on boxes: away from the side that is opened. (on the bottom if it is a top-opening item or possible on the lower side or back portion). You can tell the back because there will be a lapped seam where the box joins together and the back side is adjacent to it. -- on cans with wrapped labels: adjacent to the seam where the labels are joined -- on jars with a single label: as far away from the center portion of the label as possible. -- on jars with two labels: on the back label (typically the front label will be larger and may be more elaborate in -- shape; back labels are typically smaller and simpler.) -- on packages that are rectangular with small sides: on the longer of the two small sides. It can be difficult to locate codes on items that are round and that have continuous wrap labels or where the bar code is part of the printing, as on a soda can. In this case, it is typically necessary to scan the entire label surface. We've found it convenient to do this by bracing the bottom of the phone on a table and putting the can in front of it. When the phone is scanning, it makes ticking noises. Each time that there is a tick, turn the can 1/4 turn in front of the camera. We have found that it rarely takes all four turns to get a scan. Orientation to the phone does not matter; Digit-Eyes does omnidirectional scanning. Particularly if you have the 4S or the iPad (devices which have the best cameras) one of the things to do is to scan from fairly far away and to get as much of the product into the field of vision of the camera as possible. We've got a tutorial on the topic here that may be useful http://www.digit-eyes.com/cgi-bin/digiteyes.fcgi?action=scanningTips On Apr 22, 7:56 am, Larry Smith <[email protected]> wrote: > I just purchased digit-eyes this morning. I have been able to scan a couple > of items but only with my sighted wife's help guiding me me to where the > barcode is located on the item. What is the secret to finding the barcode > without sighted assistance. I have had the app for only a few hours, but > right now it is quite frustrating. I'm confident it will get better smiles. I > using the iPhone 4S. Thanks -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the "VIPhone" Google Group. To search the VIPhone public archive, visit http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone?hl=en.
