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From: dan@brand.usc.edu (Dan Antzoulatos)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Bar-code Scanners: Are they safe?
Message-ID: <4814@oberon.USC.EDU>
Date: Fri, 23-Oct-87 15:34:47 EST
Article-I.D.: oberon.4814
Posted: Fri Oct 23 15:34:47 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 25-Oct-87 22:49:41 EST
Sender: nobody@oberon.USC.EDU
Lines: 19
Keywords: laser, bar-code, scanner

In recent months, I have noticed the installation of new bar-code scanners
in supermarkets, bookstores, etc, that have made me concerned as to their
safety. The particular model in question is made by Spectra-Physics and has
an asterisc-like (*) opening which seems to allow direct viewing of the laser 
beams from various angles. I'm assuming the power and wavelength are within a 
goverment specified safety range,but I still get anxious when I unintentionally
get directly "hit" by the beams while paying and passing-by.

Any comments?




Dan Antzoulatos  	[USC - Signal and Image Processing Institute]

ARPANET:	dan@brand.usc.edu

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