Barcodes and barcode scanners

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What are barcodes

Barcodes are simply information on a product disguised in code spaces used to identify products in stores . The lines in a bar code represent numbers and letters which, when read by a bar code scanner, can be decoded, recorded and processed by a computer system

What Do The Numbers Mean?

• 0 = 3211 1 = 2221 2 = 2122 3 = 1411 4 = 1132 5 = 1231 6 = 1114 7 = 1312 8 = 1213 9 = 3112

• Each digit is coded by two black and two white stripes. The stripes have widths of from 1 to 4 units, and the total width for each digit is always seven units.

• Some digits of the barcode are reversed, so that they read right to left. Part of the code has black and white inverted, so black stripes are white and vice versa. This helps cut down errors and allows a computer to work out if the code was read from the wrong end when it was scanned.

Types Of Barcodes

• Linear barcodes-are created by translating the supported characters that should be displayed into combination of narrow and wide bars which are combined into a barcode.

• Matrix (2D) barcodes-is a two-dimensional way to represent information. It is similar to a linear (1-dimensional) barcode, but can represent more data per unit area.

Barcode types and use

Data Matrix is used for automotive item identification

UPC/EAN is used for Items for sale worldwide

Maxi code is used for US Department of defense

Code 128 is used for Shipping cartons

Some examples include:

Linear barcodes 2D barcodes

Code 128 Data Matrix

UPC PDF417

Interleaved 2 of 5 Maxi code

Types Of Barcodes

How Do Barcodes work

• Barcodes can be read by shining a light across the stripes or by scanning the stripes like they do in grocery stores. A video image is captured and measures the lengths of the white spaces and black bars. They are then analyzed and data are decoded, stored and processed.

Barcode Uses

• Sales data input• Inventory management• Advertising• Tickets

Advantages of barcodes

•Time/Accuracy of data input.• Speed of entering data into your computer system.• Timeliness of information for more effective management of resources, inventories, etc.• Labor savings realized through elimination of manual systems.

Disadvantages of barcodes

• Damaged Labels• Upfront Cost• Printer Requirements• Odd Shaped Merchandise

Barcodes: Color & ContrastGood

Barcodes: Color & Contrast Bad

Bibliography

http://www.slideshare.net/MaxineHorn/creative-barcode-presentation-2011

http://www.activebarcode.com/howto/powerpoint2010.html

http://www.barcodeman.com/info/color_bc.php