Popular Uses for Barcodes
A barcode (also bar code) is a machine-readable representation of information in a visual format on a surface. Originally barcodes stored data in the widths and spacings of printed parallel lines, but today they also come in patterns of dots, concentric circles, and hidden in images. Barcodes can be read by optical scanners called barcode readers or scanned from an image by special software. Barcodes are widely used to implement Auto ID Data Capture (AIDC) systems that improve the speed and accuracy of computer data entry.
While traditionally barcode encoding schemes represented only numbers, newer symbologies add new characters such as the uppercase alphabet to the complete ASCII character set and beyond. The drive to encode more information in combination with the space requirements of simple barcodes led to the development of matrix codes (a type of 2D barcode), which do not consist of bars but rather a grid of square cells. Stacked barcodes are a compromise between true 2D barcodes and linear codes, and are formed by taking a traditional linear symbology and placing it in an envelope that allows multiple rows.
Since their invention in the 20th century, barcodes -- especially the UPC code -- have slowly become an essential part of modern civilization. Their use is widespread, and the technology behind barcodes is constantly improving. Some modern applications of barcodes include:
- Practically every item purchased from a grocery store, department store, and mass merchandiser has a barcode on it. This greatly helps in keeping track of the large number of items in a store and also reduces instances of shoplifting. Since the adoption of barcodes, both consumers and retailers have profited from the savings generated.
- Rental car companies keep track of their cars by means of barcodes on the car bumper.
- Airlines track passenger luggage with barcodes, reducing the chance of loss.
- Recently, researchers have placed tiny barcodes on individual bees to track the insects' mating habits.
- NASA relies on barcodes to monitor the thousands of heat tiles that need to be replaced after every space shuttle trip.
- The movement of nuclear waste can be tracked easily with a bar-code inventory system.
- More recently, barcodes have even started appearing on humans. Fashion designers stamp barcodes on their models to help coordinate fashion shows. The codes store information about what outfits each model should be wearing and when they are due on the runway.
- In the late 1990's in Tokyo, there was a fad for temporary barcode shaped tattoos among high school girls.(Wikipedia)
With as many potential uses for barcode and a large number of processing advantages it can become a bit confusing to find the equipment you need for your application. That's where Barcode Control comes in. Please use the articles and tips and resources here to find the proper equipment for your project.
Sample Articles
Barcode scanners have been on the market for a number of years.
You can pay as little as for a scanner up to several
thousand depending on durability, scan engine and whether it's
laser or CCD. How do you choose what barcode scanner is right for
you?
Laser scanners have typically always been more expensive than
CCD scanners. Both
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Signum is Datacraft Solutions, Inc. (www.datacraftsolutions.com) flagship digital kanban automation solution, which streamlines replenishment and enables collaborative communication throughout the supply chain. Signum integrates inventory barcode scanners with an easy-to-use desktop interface. Manufacturers can automatically issue replenishment signals to suppliers at the point of use. Built-in monitoring, customizable alerts and control features ensure that inventory
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British Patent Granted for I/O and memory, Patents further expand portfolio and are applicable to many mobile devicesNewark, CA- 2/23/2004 Socket Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCKT, PSE: SOK), the Mobile Connection Company, today announced the award of a third U.S. Patent, 6,691,196, covering Socket's design for combining bar code scanning I/O and removable memory expansion
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