2D or not 2D, what is the question?

Introduction to the Technologies

Wednesday 5th May 2010

Aston Science Park, Birmingham

Prof Anthony Furness

Technical Director, AIM UK

A message in the parody…

• View different technologies in relation to their complementary attributes

• Technology in relation to needs

Consider too…• Positioning with respect to other technologies – Object- connected ICT (aka Item-attendant ICT)• Integration of technologies• Standards• Practicalities• Change

AIDC Technologies – Data Carrier identification

Secondary Identification and Data Capture

Linear

Full Matrix Dot Codes

ElectronicMagneticOptical

RF Transponder

(RFID)

Contact Memory

Magnetic Stripe

MICR*

Stacked (or multi-row)

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

Optical Mark Reading (OMR)

Matrix Codes

Bar Code

Smart Card

Memory Card

Optical Memory (magneto-optic)

Programmable Magnetic Resonance

Charge injection

Non-Contact Memory

Contactless Smart Card

Contactless Memory Card

Examples of Bar and 2D Optical Data Carriers

Linear

Full Matrix Dot Codes

Stacked (or multi-row)

Matrix Codes

Bar Code

5 0 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 5

Each have their variants

Each have advantages and disadvantages

Each have their attributes

Each have their standards

Each have their uses

And new 2D Data Carriers - Dotcode

• Newly announced through AIM Global – Dotcode symbology specification

• Unlike other dotcodes (and there are many) Dotcode has been place in the public domain and supported by an AIM International Symbology

Specification as ISS Dotcode

• Small to medium capacity

• Designed with GS1 and EPCglobal applications in mind

• Tackling issues of production speed and marking

• Tackling issues of high speed Ink-jet printing and laser etch with variable data

• modern symbology features

• RFID backup

Source: AIM Global

Linear bar codes occupy 2D space, but information contained within the bar /space structure is the same irrespective of where, in the height of the symbol, the scan is performed - hence redundancy in space terms

2D codes occupy 2D space, but information is contained in rows or other suitable arrangement within the 2D space

Symbologies, Structure determinants for the symbols and the rules by which the data is encoded, attributes, functional features and the data sets that can be accommodated

2-D Symbologies

Multi-row bar code symbologies - data encoded as bars and spaces, in rows, “1s” and “0s” distinguished by bar and space structures

Matrix codes - data encoded in cells, filled or unfilled to distinguish “1s” and “0s”

Data capacities often in excess of 2000 alpha-numeric (but not always)

Density benefit often > 100 characters per square inch Error control (error detection and correction) usually selectable, but

requires understanding to apply effectively Code word concept to accommodate different character sets Fast and accurate transfer of data

Some 2D Code Generalities

Maxicode – 135 ASCII characters

Forming 2D Code Symbols

2D Symbols may be printed

or

direct markedonto objects

Quality forming (printing or direct marking) and verification are important to assure effective usage and standards

…on all manner of objects

1D and 2D Barcodes – Licence Plate and Portable Data Carriers

Scan Barcode

Database Look-up

Application Transaction

Data from Database

“134768”

Code “134768”

Key to Database record

“Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data...”

1D Barcode contains item identifier code

“Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data, Data...”

Application Transaction

Data From 2D Barcode

2D Barcode contains Item Attendant Data

Biometric templates

Photograph(or any graphic)

Signature

Text

Name: A N OtherOrder No. 374656Ship Date: 12/1/2001

Binary data

01101101011110111101011010010101…

Data Types in Portable Data Files

BG*VOCAM*CFWY*VOCAM*CFWY*921014*1107*00110

GS*SM*VOCAM*CFWY*921014*1107*000000110*T*M2/8

ST*204*000000001

B2**CFWY****110008*L*PP**C*S****3

B2A*00*BL

N9*CN*4440200752

N9*CR*11-99463

N1*SH*PITNEY BOWES

N3*EDMOND ROAD

N4*NEWTOWN*CT*06470

N1*CN*MIDAS INTERNATIONAL

N3*4101 W 42ND PLACE

N4*CHICAGO*IL*60632

LX*1

L5*1*G/CTN MACH NOI SU MAILING DIV*G/CTN*N

L0*1***1060*N***10*PCS**L

L1*1*0.0000**0.00

L7*1******100

L1*2*0.0000**582.92****FFC****ALG. U, STOP CHG: 0.00

L5*1*G/CTN MACH NOI SU MAILING DIV*G/CTN*N

L0*1***1060*N***10*PCS**L

L1*1*0.0000**0.00

L7*1******100

LX*2

L5*2***N

L0*2***0*N***0*PCS**L

L1*2*0.0000**582.92****FFC****ALG. U, STOP CHG: 0.00

L7*2

L3*1060*G***582.92******10*L*555D*0

SE*23*000000001

GE*1*000000110

EG*00110*1*1*23

BG*VOCAM*CFWY*VOCAM*CFWY*921014*1107*00110

GS*SM*VOCAM*CFWY*921014*1107*000000110*T*M2/8

ST*204*000000001

B2**CFWY****110008*L*PP**C*S****3

B2A*00*BL

N9*CN*4440200752

N9*CR*11-99463

L7*2

L3*1060*G***582.92******10*L*555

D*0

SE*23*000000001

GE*1*000000110

EG*00110*1*1*23

BG*VOCAM*CFWY*VOCAM*CFW

Y*921014*1107*00110

GS*SM*VOCAM*CFWY*921014*11

07*000000110*T*M2/8

ST*204*000000001

B2**CFWY****110008*L*PP**C*S**

**3

B2A*00*BL

N9*CN*4440200752

N9*CR*11-99463

N1*SH*PITNEY BOWES

N3*EDMOND ROAD

N4*NEWTOWN*CT*06470

N1*CN*MIDAS INTERNATIONAL

N3*4101 W 42ND PLACE

N4*CHICAGO*IL*60632

LX*1

“Bill of Lading”

(BOL-204) 1320 Characters

Optical Data Carrier Readers

Optical Reader

Optical Communication

Channel

Firmware/ MiddlewareSymbol

Host Information Management

System – Applications

software

Application Commands

Application Responses

Labels may use linear bar codes or two-dimensional codes of the type illustrated

Laser scanning or image capture techniques are used to capture data from bar codes or two-dimensional codes

5 0 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 5

Readers can often accommodate a range of popular symbologies

Advertising Dispatch and Receiving Paper EDI Maintenance histories Calibration data Product histories Hazard labels Identification cards

Identification badges Manufacturing set-up

instructions Software up-date

communications Security & Anti-

counterfeiting Small item tracking Ticketing, forms …

2D code – Some areas of Application

Portable data files and small item marking adding to the versatility of 2D :

2D, Colour and Integration

Integrated 2D codes and phone-camera technology

Exploiting the potential of integrating 2D optical code technologies with reader capability introduced into camera-supported mobile phone technology

Current Applications:

– Leisure and entertainment

– Advertising

– Location and Information services

– Transaction support

– Information gathering & Communications

– Counter-hazard instructions

Enter the era of Internet applicationsSource: Colorcode

Enter more colour codes – Microsoft Tag

High Capacity Color Barcode (HCCB) is the name coined by Microsoft for its proprietary technology of encoding data in a 2D "barcode" using clusters of colored triangles instead of the square pixels traditionally associated with 2D barcodes.[1]

[1] Microsoft Research – “High Capacity Color Barcode Technology”

Source: www. microsoft.com

Custom codes – eg for visiting cards, use in blogs, hyperlinks to websites …

Coding and decoding Time-multiplexed 2D Colorcodes [1] Colour matrix code in which the matrix cells change in accordance with data

to be transmitted over the mobile phone communication channel

Integrated 2D codes and phone-camera technology – ‘4D’ Matrix

[1] Source: Langlotz, T & Bimber, O (2007) Unsynchronised 4D Barcodes (Coding and decoding Time-multiplexed 2D Colorcodes) Advances in visual computing – third international symposium, Lake Tahoe NV, USA

2D, RFID and Integration

Re-writable paper and variantsPhysical (PR) and chemical (CR) rewrite

mechanismsIntegral RFID

Current Applications:

• Process management• Kanban (in-out parts and procurement)• Parts management• Operating instructions• Distribution instructions• Stock movement in frozen storage• Service parts management• Medical check navigation• Pharmaceutical data management• In-house medical logistics• Up-datable ticketing (card-based)

2D, RFID Integrationand Near Field Communication

• Using RFID, high frequency (13.56MHz) technology and associated standards

• Using mobile phone is an automatic identification data capture is not new

• Introduced by DoCoMo in Japan in 2002, using barcode data capture

• Camera acts as data capture device

• Phone is bar code emulator, tag reader and also a tag writer

• Phone has no capability to change data on external data carriers

Enter Natural Feature Identification

Surface Laser Authentication (LSA) Based upon low power laser scan of material surfaces and digital

signature generation from back-scattered signal (speckle features)

Image Comparison Methods Based upon image processing techniques to distinguish region of

interest and effect authentication by image comparison techniques

Fluorescent Fibre Methods (Fibreloc)Based upon UV or IR Fluorescent fibres introduced into object surface and digital signatures derived from image field

Natural-Feature Labels

Feature Label - exempla construction – magnified and not to scale

Label release layer – removed on application

Label substrate

Window

Transparent protective layer (optional)

Adhesive layer

Two-dimensional code – providing encrypted location of reference ‘natural-feature’ signature

Feature window through which the ‘natural-feature’ signature is derived

Window components – to assist positioning

Labels may be printed directly onto item where appropriate

©Anthony Furness

Further integration - Enter Smart Feature Labels

Smart Feature Label - exempla construction – magnified and not to scale

Label release layer – removed on application

Label substrate

Window

Transparent protective layer (optional)

RFID tag inlet – sandwiched in label substrate

Adhesive layer

Variants of label can exploit other, lower cost data carrier components such as linear bar codes, matrix and multi-row bar codes

All part of the richness of technologies available and emerging

©Anthony Furness

Looking to the future:

– SAP Research International Research Forum 2006 – 27 academics, technologists, policymakers, entrepreneurs and associated intellectuals – to question, discuss, debate and frame the future of information and communication technologies (ICT) – Outcome:

• Megatrend 1: Web 2.0 and the semantic web

• Megatrend 2: IT Security

• Megatrend 3: Real World Awareness (RWA) – “great promise of RWA agreed to be automation – systems will be able to collect data without human intervention or errors and use it to react to events more quickly and effectively”

• Megatrend 4:IT as a Tool for Growth and Development

– Relevant to the “Internet of Things” – principles, tools and methodology required to exploit the potential

Mega Trends in Information & Communications Technology (ICT)

CASAGRAS has recognised the need for a fully inclusive model for the Internet of Things:

CASAGRAS (Coordination And Support Action for Global RFID-related Activities and Standardisation )

Smart Cards

Bar Code

NFC

2D Codes

RFID

GPS

Sensors

Interrogator / Gate way

device

…on to CASAGRAS2 and the Future

So, if the question is, does 2D have a future? the answer is clear – It does – where need, opportunity

and enterprise indicate- more so through integration

Learn more about 2D and other AIDC technologies (and Object-connected ICT) through AIM UK

Education, Training, Information, Standards and Assist

Look out for the AIM UK 2D Compendium – a wealth of information on 2D technologies and standards

Thank you for your attentionhttp://www.aimuk.org/

AIM UK – The UK Association of Automatic Identification and Mobility