Scanner Interfaces
By: Mary - 6/1/2016

<h1>How to connect a Barcode Scanner</h1>

Barcode scanners can be connected to a PC, MAC, or Tablet through a variety of wired and wireless interfaces.  The most common for PC is USB, the most common for tablets is bluetooth.

<h2>USB Connections</h2>
<b>USB barcode scanners</b> plug into a computer using the standard female USB port.  Most versions of Windows from Windows 2000 on up install the necessary HID driver automatically, removing the need to download a device specific driver.  The driver will normally be a HID (Human interface device) with the manufacturer's name sometimes specified with it example: Zebra HID Device.  Once it is installed the scanner will send data as if it was typed by a USB Keyboard, meaning that wherever the cursor is is where the data is sent.

<h2>Legacy PS2 and Serial Connections</h2>
Prior to USB Barcode Scanners, the most common way that a barcode scanner was connected to a computer was via a PS2 cable and a "keyboard wedge". This splitter cable allowed both a keyboard and a scanner to use the same port on the computer.  The data would be sent to the computer as if it was typed through a keyboard.  Most new computers no longer come with a PS2 port.

Serial connections are still around today to connect scales and scanner scales to the PC.  The advantage of a serial connection is that the data gets directed to a serial COM port instead of as keyboard data.  This allows the software to monitor the port and utilize the information without having to have the cursor have focus.  <a href = "/supplies_38/USB-to-Serial-Converter_594/">USB to serial adapters</a> are available for computers without serial ports.

<h2>Bluetooth Connections</h2>

Bluetooth scanners connect to the PC or tablet in two ways.  1) By using a charging base station that has a USB connection.  2) By using a direct bluetooth connection with the device.  In both cases once paired the data is sent as keyboard wedge, in one case you have to go through pairing procedures in the other case you just connect it as if it was using a USB connection.

Pairing a bluetooth scanner directly with a tablet or smartphone normally requires the scanning in of a pin number.  Please see the appropriate quick start guide or manual for the pairing pin number barcodes: <a href = "https://posguys.com/drivers.asp?catID=3">https://posguys.com/drivers.asp?catID=3</a>

**Updated 6/1/2016*

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Scanner Interfaces By: Mary - 6/1/2016

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Scanner Interfaces
By: Mary - 6/1/2016