Self-scanning information stations: These stations are placed next to products or services where additional information may be obtained regarding the product or service by scanning a barcode. This activity may extract product information from a database, provide instructions or details regarding a service or process, suggest recipes, list alternatives, and/or give prices in a large-type easy-to-read format whenever the barcode is scanned. This application is useful in retailing as well as for internal business operations where specific information is required from many different products.