Guide to DualBeam Barcode Reader Systems From Barcode Automation, inc revised 8/10/12 ® Barcode Automation, inc. Doing It Better - Because We Care. Ver. 1.8 800-528-9167 407-327-2177 FAX 407-327-6172 Post Office Box 195268 Winter Springs, FL 32719-5268 email info@barcode-automation.com web page http://www.barcode-automation.
Guide to DualBeam Barcode Reader Systems Table of Contents Page Comparing Barcode Readers to Other Vehicle Identification Systems General comparison of different access control technologies available today. 3 Comparing Costs Cost comparison between barcode readers and comparable RF-ID systems. 5 BAI Readers and Decals General features and advantages of using BAI readers. 7 Planning where to use the BAI Reader General information on how and where to use barcode readers for access control.
Comparing Barcode Readers to Other Vehicle Identification Systems Access control systems exist to control who is allowed to enter a door or gate. Before opening a vehicle gate, the access control system must first identify the vehicle to determine if it should be allowed in.
Comparing Barcode Readers to Other Vehicle Identification Systems, continued Automatic Vehicle Identification When using equipment in this category the vehicle driver does not have to do anything special for the access system to operate. As the vehicle approaches the gate it is identified automatically, with no action required from the driver. These are generally known as "hands free" systems and represent the most advanced equipment used for vehicle identification.
Comparing Costs New System Costs When choosing which vehicle identification system to use there are two important questions on everyone's mind: 1. What is the initial cost of the system to install? 2. What are the normal operating costs of the system? There can be a large difference in the initial cost of a system depending on what equipment is used. For the comparison shown here we are using a hands-free RF-ID system that closely matches the capabilities of the BAI barcode reader.
Comparing Costs Ongoing System Operation and Replacement Costs Installation cost is only part of the expense involved in owning and operating an access control system. Ongoing operation and maintenance costs are also important, as people use the access control system there will be lost or broken RF tags and damaged barcode decals that must be replaced. For this comparison, we use the cost of replacing RF-ID tags and barcode decals over the first 5 years of operation.
BAI Readers and Decals BAI barcode reader systems are made up of two items: • • Decals for vehicles Barcode reader Decals should be applied to the rear side window of each vehicle on the same side as the barcode reader. Decals should NOT be placed on the windshield or rear window. BAI barcode readers are optical devices, and must be able to “see” the decal in order to read it. If you cannot stand at the reader location and see the decal, the barcode reader won’t see it either.
Planning where to use the BAI Reader Example: Residents Only lane for gated communities with 24 hour guards. In this example, there are 2 entry lanes into a community. Visitors and vendors go through the lane next to the guard house in order to be identified and documented before entering. Traffic at this lane tends to back up quickly due to the amount of time it takes to process visitors. Community residents bypass this mess and use the Resident Only lane.
Planning where to use the BAI Reader continued Example: Residents Only lane for gated communities with a telephone entry system. In the same basic situation as before, there are 2 entry lanes into a community. Visitors and vendors go through the lane next to the telephone entry unit in order to be identified and documented before entering. Traffic at this lane tends to back up quickly due to the amount of time it takes to grant access to visitors.
Planning where to use the BAI Reader continued Example: Control Access to private or employee parking areas using the BAI Reader in Standalone mode. Standalone mode is where the BAI reader handles access grant or deny functions by controlling the gate operator directly. In this example, the only equipment necessary is the BAI reader and a gate operator. Each authorized vehicle has a barcode decal applied. The ID numbers for vehicles are programmed into the reader and set to either grant or deny access.
Planning where to use the BAI Reader continued Example: Track fleet vehicles in or out of a parking area. Each fleet vehicle has a barcode decal applied, which is read by a BAI reader every time it leaves or returns to the lot. The readers communicate with an access control system or host computer which handles tracking the movement of vehicles in and out of the area.
BAI Reader Location Recommended Distance From the Gate Operator Entry Lane Approx 25' BAI Reader Gate Overhead view of Installation As shown in this illustration, the reader should be located approximately 25 feet before the gate. This allows about one car length (plus a small gap) for vehicles to pass the reader before stopping at the gate. The barcode decal is placed on one of the rear side windows of the vehicle in an unobtrusive spot.
BAI Reader Location continued The maximum vehicle speed for BAI readers is 25 mph. With the reader mounted 40' from the gate, drivers may pass by faster than 25 mph, resulting in reading problems. If a vehicle does not read due to excessive speed it will have to stop at the gate, which does not open, before recognizing the failure. Now it is necessary for the vehicle to back up to the reader and try again, which may be difficult and is certainly hazardous to incoming traffic.
BAI Reader Location continued Distance from the road or lane BAI readers operate reliably at distances out to 6' away. The reader should be mounted so that vehicle traffic passes at least 2' away to prevent damage from truck mirrors or other protrusions.
BAI Reader Location continued Installation drawing for Model BA-220 DualBeam barcode reader 24" Barcode Automation, inc. DualBeam 40" to bottom of reader Read area extends to 65" above ground Read area starts 35" above ground 7.5" from center of Post to curb 6" Curb This is the typical mounting location for the BA-220. At 2' from the reader the unit will read decals from 35” above the pavement to 65” above the pavement.
BAI Reader Location continued Read Area for Model BA-220 DualBeam barcode reader 108" 96" 84" 72" 60" BA-220 Guaranteed Read Zone 48" 36" 24" 12" 12" 24" 36" 48" 60" 72" 84" This side view of the read area assumes that the reader is mounted at the recommended height. The bottom of the BA-220 reader should be 40” above the pavement, which puts the center of the window at 54” above the pavement. Ver. 1.
BAI Reader Location continued Installation drawing for Model BA-440 DualBeam barcode reader 24" 44" to bottom of reader Barcode Automation, inc. DualBeam Read area extends to 65" above ground Read area starts 35" above ground 7" from center of Post to curb 6" Curb This is the typical mounting location for the BA-440. At 2' from the reader the unit will read decals from 35” above the pavement to 65” above the pavement.
BAI Reader Location continued Read Area for Model BA-440 DualBeam barcode reader 108" 96" 84" 72" BA-440 Guaranteed Read Zone 60" 48" 36" 24" 12" 12" 24" 36" 48" 60" 72" 84" This side view of the read area assumes that the reader is mounted at the recommended height. The bottom of the BA-440 reader should be 44” above the pavement, which puts the center of the window at 50” above the pavement. Ver. 1.
BAI Reader Connections Wiring for power connections to Model BA-220 DualBeam barcode reader: Model BA-220 is powered by 115VAC @ 0.8A, refer to local electrical code for proper AC wiring. Requires 3 wires (Hot, Neutral, Ground) for AC power connection. Model BA-220-24 is powered by 24Vdc @ 2.5A. Recommend using 18 AWG stranded copper wire for distances up to 200'. For longer distances, use 16 AWG wire. Requires 2 wires, V+ and V-, for DC power connection.
BAI Decals Decals are available in 56 different color combinations. All read equally well, so the choice of color is up to the end user. Some colors are bright and easily noticed, while others are more subdued and unobtrusive. Standard decals measure 3.7” tall x 2.5” wide and will read out to 6' away from the reader at up to 25 mph. Here are a few color examples: Black on White Black on Black Blue on Gold Black on Yellow Custom decals can also be made by integrating a logo or name into the decal.
Applying Decals to Vehicles General Guidelines for applying decals: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Place decals on the same side of the vehicle that the reader is on. Apply to the outside of the window glass. Decals will not read reliably through glass. Orient decal with the stripes running horizontal. (as shown). The bottom of the decal should be at least 36 inches above the ground. The top of the decal should be no more than 65 inches above the ground. Place decal in an unobtrusive spot on the rear side window.
Applying Decals to Vehicles Recommended application procedure: Clean the Window. ● ● ● Clean the window glass using SoftScrub® or other mild abrasive cleaner. Do not use glass cleaner. Mild abrasive cleaners will not scratch the window, but are very effective at removing wax or other chemical coatings that will interfere with the decal bonding to the glass. Most glass cleaners contain silicone or other chemicals that “fill in” pits and scratches in the glass.
Applying Decals to Vehicles continued Apply the decal. (continued) 3. Line up decal in desired location on window, then press firmly on top where the backing was peeled back 4. Place squeegee at top of decal. Press firmly against window and run it smoothly down the decal 5. Hold backing with other hand 6. As you move the squeegee down, backing will come loose 7. Decal is now in place Ver. 1.
Barcode Reader Required Maintenance BAI barcode readers are optical devices and must be able to “see” the decal in order to read it. Accordingly, the optics and window must be reasonably clean to get the best performance. The only required maintenance on the readers involves cleaning the window and optics. No adjustments or alterations are required or allowed. Routine maintenance tasks are separated below into external (outside of the reader) and internal (inside the reader) cleaning.
Barcode Reader Required Maintenance continued 5. Clean the inside of the reader window. With the BA-220 decoder removed the window is easy to reach and clean. On the BA-440 the window is on the inside of the hood and is also easily cleaned. 6. Locate the gold wheel (polygon) on the upper right corner of the decoder. This wheel has eight (8) flat sides that must be cleaned.
Decal Maintenance and Replacement This is a guide for what to expect as decals age. BAI decals have a Limited Warranty for two years after purchase, and we expect them to work reliably for up to 5 years. There is really no maintenance on the decals, but they will degrade as they grow older, and their ability to reflect laser light will drop. To illustrate this, the images below show the progressive drop in decal reflectivity in a way that the human eye can see.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) These are some of the most frequently asked questions we get: Does the Sun cause problems reading barcodes? No. DualBeam model barcode readers manufactured by Barcode Automation, inc. (BAI) incorporate advanced technology developed and refined after years of research. New readers perform reliably regardless of the Sun or weather. Can the barcodes be copied? All BAI readers will ignore photocopies, photographs, or computer printed duplicates of the decal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) continued Can the barcodes be stolen? Our decals use a waterproof adhesive that will normally last up to 5 years. Once applied to the prepared surface on the vehicle window, the decal is difficult but not impossible to remove intact. Typically the decal must be scraped off in pieces to remove it. What is the advantage to your vehicle reader? What does it do for me? Once the BAI reader is installed, the vehicle driver does not have to do anything but drive by the reader.
