How can I properly read data from bar code scanner?

Is it technically possible to aggregate multiple bar codes into one bar code which can be read by a normal POS scanner/system?

• Answer:

  There is two ways I could imagine what you mean when you say "aggregate", it could be to visually overlay two or more barcodes OR to encode several different strings of data into a single barcode, but have it split into different data elements. For visual aggregation orient 1d (linear) barcodes at right angles to each other, so it will create a plaid like pattern.  There is some extra noise and hopefully the scanner/symbology/checksums are strong enough that there aren't misreads. For data aggregation, Code 128 support the ASCII character set which can include special characters such as tab, enter, or other delimiters simulated as if they has been typed on a keyboard as part of the total scan.  3 + Tab + Screws + Tab + $1.29 is a valid encoding that could fill out 3 columns in Excel with a single scan.  The computer sees the keystrokes as if they had come directly from a keyboard. Alternately for data aggregation, some scanners can be programmed to take a single string from a barcode, but apply parsing/transformation rules.  So SKU+$0034.58+25qty could be all one string such as 123456789012$0034.5825.  The barcode scanner knows to break after 12 character, tab, 8 characters, tab, 2 characters.  The Symbol LS2208 or later versions of it have accompanying software which prints programming sheets.  Scan in all the programming sheet barcodes and the scanner will now behave according to the new rules.  This requires no modification to the computer software.