Decode nearly any kind of 1D (striped) barcode in your project using this adorable compact barcode scanner. We've looked all over for a small, light, low-power module that can be easily integrated. This OEM scanner has a little camera inside that takes 100 photos per second, instead of using a 'scanning mirror' assembly. This means its less likely to get damaged or out of alignment.

Please note: this is a camera-based not laser-based scanner - you'll have to hold it farther away than you usually do for laser-mirror scanners! Try 10cm/4" or more distance with the button held down.

This all in one module is the most microcontroller-friendly we could find. It is powered over 5V and instead of a USB port, it has a PS/2 interface and acts like a 'keyboard'. In fact, its designed to be a 'pass through keyboard wedge' device for point-of-sale terminals. What's nice about PS/2 is that it uses a single connector for power and data, and uses two data pins. When a barcode is scanned, the raw data is decoded, parity-checked and spit out as if they were typed on a keyboard.

Nearly all microcontrollers have existing PS/2 keyboard examples that would work fine with this barcode scanner For Arduino users, 5:00)

Technical Details