I’ve written about the center decode feature in the Intermec EA30 scan engine (see part 1 below) but there are a few other features I’d like to bring to your attention.
Presentation Mode: Sometimes scanners are used with desktop holders to let a user pass a barcode underneath it and scan hands free. Think of a library check out, a convenience store cash register, or a club scanning ID cards. 
Laser scanners typically pulse their laser on and off when they are in presentation mode (which drives me nuts) in order to detect the presence of a barcode. 2D Camera based scanners have an advantage of being omnidirectional and they will have some illumination on to detect a code.
The EA30 does presentation mode right. The scanner uses ambient light to detect a bar code, so no distracting lights come out of the scanner when it’s idle.
The EA30 scanner can be set up to scan more than one barcode at a time. Take a look at EasySet under Symbologies, and you’ll see the Multicode set up:
You can specify the number and type of codes to scan and because of the way the software scans the image, it’s works as quickly as if you were scanning a single code. Other scanners can read multiple barcodes, but you have to move the scanner around to pick up all of the codes. The EA30 works better than this; the software scans the image so you don’t have to move the scanner. Try it out.
The last feature I’ll mention is the ability to scan both UPC-A symbols and UPC symbols with supplemental codes with one configuration:
Reading both UPC and with one set up is difficult because the large portion of the UPC with supplemental code is a valid UPC-A symbol. The scanner must reliably detect the presence of the supplemental and read it. If you want to test this, use these setting from EasySet:
Consecutive validations = 2
Center decode = on
Supplemental = Transmit if found
Add on security = 100
Imager decode mode = 2D
Initial 1D search = Full
You’ll find these settings in the Symbology section, the Imager Settings, and the Operating Section.
