A Barcode Label is an electronically readable „font“, consisting of white and black bars. A barcode contains a small amount of encoded information, that can be read and processed electronically by a barcode-scanner or a camera.
The barcode tags or barcode labels from SecurityLabel, which are tried-and-tested millions of times, are equipped with machine-readable barcodes or QR-codes and can also be produced tear-proof, tamper- or water-resistant, in order to prevent the usual errors which could distort information, such as: poor contrast, printing errors, distance errors in the barcode, reflecting surfaces.
They are suitable for almost all surfaces, including foil, glass, metal, plastic, etc. Available as roll, zig-zag, stack or single product.
Barcodes today have many different applications, such as:
One-dimensional barcodes: These types of barcodes are mainly used for packaging and selling any type of product.
Two-dimensional barcodes: These barcodes can store more information than the one-dimensional bar codes. They are mostly used for marketing purposes.
Barcodes are mostly used in the following areas:
Objects: Barcodes are used to identify, store and sell goods and objects.
People: Barcodes are perfect for making access control faster, easier and safer.
The barcode-technology is a widespread technology, since it is very cost-effective to use and at the same time has an automatic and secure flow of information
There are about 50 barcode types and new barcodes are created every year. Each of these codes has different abilities, that can be used for different products. The most commonly used bar codes are: GS1 DataBar, EAN-13, and QR code.
GS1 DataBar
The GS1 DataBar is the most widely used barcode in the trade and industry because it allows you to encode several data at the same time, such as product description, durability date and weight.
The length of this code is variable but can not contain more than 48 characters.
EAN-13
The abbreviation EAN stands for “European Article Number”
The barcode EAN is mostly used in stores where there are a large number of articles to make the acquisition faster and easier.
The EAN-13 code contains 13 characters.
QR-Code
The QR code is one of the most modern two-dimensional barcodes. This code is particularly suitable for smartphones and other mobile devices.
In order to read a barcode, you need a barcode-reader that reads and passes the barcodes. Most of the barcode-readers consist of a reading and a decoding unit: the barcode-readers use an infrared light technology.
The devices most frequently used are optical pens, readers for barcode cards, CCD scanners and laser scanners.
Optical Pens
Optical Pens are passed over the barcode by hand, like a normal pencil. In order to correctly capture the code, the stylus must be moved over the bars at a uniform speed.
The advantages are:
low costs
easy operation
The disadvantages are:
a separate decoder can be required
poor readability with damaged codes
Reader for barcode cards
In this case, the reader is stationary and a printed barcode card has to be passed through the reader.
The advantages are:
very simple operation
low costs
The disadvantages are:
only reads cards
CCD-Scanner
These scanners can capture a very long barcode, quickly and at once. The decoder is usually integrated into the device.
The advantages are:
high resolution
very simple operation
The disadvantages are:
can only read one-dimensional bar codes
Laserscanner
This device directs several laser beams to the barcode to read the code more quickly. The decoder is usually integrated in the laserscanners.
The advantages are:
fast reading speed
easy to use
The disadvantages are:
can only read one-dimensional bar codes
Origin of barcodes
Barcode technology was patented by Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver in 1952, but was not used until 1973.
The supermarket “Walmart” tried to persuade the producers to use bar codes in the 1970s, but the first barcode marked product (Wrigley chewing gum) was sold in a “Marsch” supermarket.
In 1976 the one-dimensional bar codes were introduced for the first time in Europe. 10 years later, two-dimensional codes were used.
In 2007, experts have developed a new four-dimensional code. This type of code is animated, because the fourth dimension is time.
Mobile Tagging
Since 2003 we speak often of mobile tagging. Objects are printed with a two-dimensional code. These 2D codes can then be read using a smartphone or other mobile device.
Mobile tagging codes usually include:
Link to a web page
Telephone and address data
Transaction code
There are different types of mobile tagging: commercial tagging, public tagging and private tagging.
Commercial Tagging
In commercial tagging we talk about the application of codes with purely commercial reasons, such as in mobile marketing.
In commercial tagging, the codes have the following information:
Company logo
Deals
Downloads
Link to a web page
Public Tagging
In public tagging, codes are used to make various information public so everyone can use it. For example:
Timetable
Directions
Images
Private Tagging
Private tagging takes place for private reasons. Codes are used to store and forward personal information.
Telephone numbers
Addresses
Contact details
Mobile tagging provides products with more information than you can see at first sight. This connects the physical to the virtual world. This concept is called “Physical World Connection” (PWC).
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