| A barcode is the series of black and white bands having some information in that form which is convenient for reading by technical means.
Information encoding methodology
Linear barcode. Bands which are read in a single direction (horizontally) are called linear (common). The most famous linear mnemonics (symbolisms) are: EAN (EAN-8 consists of 8 digits, EAN-13 — uses 13 digits), UPC (UPC-A, UPC-E), Code39, Code128 (UCC/EAN-128), Codabar, and Interleaved 2 of 5. Linear symbolisms provide encoding of a small volume of information (up to 20—30 symbols, generally digits).
2-dimensional barcodes:
Symbolisms developed for encoding the huge volume of information are called 2 dimensional. The decryption of such is carried out in two dimensions (horizontal and vertical). At present, the two-dimensional barcode Aztec is the most famous 2-dimensional barcode. In each symbol, it is possible to highlight the area of the target and area of data. The target is the set of concentric squares and serves for the determination of the geometric center of the symbol and in the process it's de-coding. There are two basic formats of symbols of Aztec Code: Compact - symbol with target from two frames and Full-Range - the symbol with a target from three frames.
Radio marks:
Though radio marks RFID already do not have any direct relation to bar coding, they are a logical continuation of the identification system. Sometimes a bar code is also applied on radio marks.
Logical structure:
Code EAN-13 can be divided into 5 zones from the point of view of goods coding:
The prefix of the national organization GS1 (3 digits);
The registration number of the manufacturer of the goods (4-6 digits);
The code of the goods (3-5 digits);
The control number (1 digit);
Additional field (not a compulsory field, some times the sign «>» is put here, "indicator of free zone").
How does the computer terminal distinguish the place of the code? There is no way - it will not distinguish it. This is not required also. For the computer, the entire unique code is important; particularly this entire unique code will be recorded in a database of the Trading Company. Codes starting with two, where the company may encode its own logic for goods, are an exception.
For the encoding of goods of small dimension, a short code EAN-8 is used. This code does not have information about the manufacturer of goods. The regional register serially gives serial number to the goods commonly for all based on the applications received from manufacturers. The quantity of these codes is too limited. |
Barcodes on grocery products in Japan are getting a radical makeover. Japanese design company D-Barcode was hired to seamlessly blend barcodes with some creative art on UPC labels. No matter now artistic they are, barcodes are still functional, and consumers seem to like them much better than the old boring ones.
