AN INTRODUCTION TO BARCODE

Presented By: Van Chiang

1. Brief History of Barcode2. Why barcode? Advantages.3. Symbologies.

- Types, Differences between 1D and 2D

4. Composition of a barcode. - check digit, silent zone, human readable

5. What affect scannability of barcode?- scan method, environment, print quality,

print surface, color combination

6. Q & A

CONTENTS

5 Advantages of Barcode

SPEED

ACCURACY

DATA INTEGRITY

EASY SETUP

COSTSpeedA bar code label of twelve characters can be wanded in approximately the time it takes a keyboard operator to make two keystrokes.

Accuracy Keyboard operator - every 1,000 characters typed, an average of ten keying errors.

(OCR) - every 10,000 reads, there is one error.

BC normal scanner – every 3 million reads, one error.

BC laser scanner - every 70 million reads, one error.

Data Integrity

*error in term of data loss.

Ease of Setup Learn to use the equipment effectively in less than 15 minutes. System are easier to setup than other means of data entry because of the existence of interfacing hardware and software. Barcode labels are easily read by commonly available devices, and can be printed universally.

Cost Effectiveness Barcode systems have a demonstrated payback period of six to eighteen months. Provide the highest level of reliability in a wide variety of data application. Barcode systems create value not only by saving time, but also by preventing costly errors.

SYMBOLOGIES

LINEAR/1D BARCODE 2D BARCODEo Code 39o Code 128o Code UPCo Code EANo Code ITFo Code POSTNETo etc…

o Code Azteco Code PDF417o Code Datamatrixo Code QRo Code Maxicodeo etc…

Code 39 Most common coding for custom usage. Can be decoded by virtually any barcode scanner. One of the oldest modern barcode. Encodes 44 characters only Each character is composed of nine elements:

five bars and four spaces. Three of the nine elements are wide (binary value 1),

and six elements are narrow (binary value 0). An additional common character (*) is used for both

start and stop delimiters. No checksum required. Drawback is low data density, require more space to

encode data.

Code 128

High density barcode. Suitable for small products. Common for custom usage. Encode all 128 characters available in ASCII format. Have a mandatory check character maximizes data integrity. The major drawback is the barcode must be printed by higher

resolution printer to be scanned correctly.

For use in the retail grocery industry – point of sales application. Has several good features such as check digit and good density. A limited number of characters (numeric characters only). In UPC, 1 digit for a system number,

5 digits for the manufacturer number, 5 digits for the product number, and one checksum digit.

In EAN/JAN, 2 numbers for the country code, 10 numbers for the data characters, and one checksum digit.

Code UPC/EAN/JAN

Store up to about 1,800 printable ASCII characters or 1,100 binary characters per symbol.

Has three different encoding schemes that repeat every three rows.

Enables the symbol to sustain considerable damage and still be readable.

CODE PDF417

PDF stands for Portable Data File. A unique start and stop pattern which identifies the format as PDF417. All rows have the same number of codewords. Every codeword contains four bars and four spaces. The total width of a codeword is 17 times the width of the narrowest allowed vertical bar

CODE AZTEC Encode up to 3750 characters . Built on a square grid with a bullseye pattern at its center. Data is encoded in a series of "layers" that circle around

the bullseye pattern. Each additional layer completely surrounds the previous layer

thus causing the symbol to grow in size as more data is encoded. Orientation independent scanning. Commonly used as a electronic boarding pass which is send to the

handphone, or printed out as hardcopy ticket.

BASED ON

CODE DATAMATRIX

Resemble a checkerboard pattern. Low contrast possible. Primarily used for its small size (50 characters in 2 – 3mm2) Exceptional data capacity, capable of encoding up to

2335 alphanumeric characters. Consist of two solid adjacent borders in an "L" shape

(called the "finder pattern") and two other borders consisting of alternating dark and light "cells“ (called the "timing pattern").

The EIA recommends using Data Matrix for labeling small electronic components.Engraved on PCB Printed on Label

QR is the short form for Quick Response. Can encode numeric only, alphanumeric, binary, kanji/kana.

used in a much broader context, aimed at mobile phone users (known as mobile tagging).

The usage?

CODE QR

QR Code to be read with a mobile phone.

COMPARISON BETWEEN LINEAR AND 2D

LINEAR/1D 2D

DATA STORAGE HORIZONTAL ONLY HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL

DATA CAPACITY UP TO 20 CHARACTERS UP TO SEVERAL THOUSANDS CHARACTERS

DATA INTEGRITY DATA LOSS WHEN ANYAREA OF BARCODE DAMAGED

DATA REMAINED INTACT ALTHOUGH UP TO 20%AREA OF BARCODE DAMAGED

Structure of a BARCODE

Factors Affecting Scannability of Barcode

Inadequate Quiet Zone

Shiny background

Scanning angle

External lighting

Defect Printing

Incorrect scanning distance

Wrong color combination

Q & A