Final answer:
A bar code reader in a supermarket checkout is part of an electronic data capture system, which uses laser technology to read Universal Product Codes (UPCs) and send the information to the store's point-of-sale system for processing and inventory management.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of storage that uses a bar code reader to store and read items being scanned is referred to as an electronic data capture system. Bar code readers, particularly in supermarkets, are integrated into a point-of-sale (POS) system.
They are used to quickly and accurately input product information into the store's computer system at checkout. These systems work by scanning the bar code, which contains a unique identifier for each item, and then referencing the store's database to retrieve the item's price and description.
Bar code readers typically use laser technology to read the Universal Product Codes (UPCs) printed on product labels. As the laser scans the bar code, it deciphers the black and white bars into numeric or alphanumeric data, which is then processed by the POS system. This technology helps in maintaining inventory levels, pricing accuracy, and expediting the checkout process.
Modern checkout systems have greatly advanced from earlier days where manual input was required for each item. With the introduction of self-scan checkout aisles, efficiency has increased, allowing one cashier to oversee multiple transactions. Bar codes and their readers have thus become an essential tool in modern retail operations.