Written by- Jaya Pathak
What Is a Barcode and How Does It Work?
Wikipedia defines barcode as the method of representing data in visual, machine-readable form. It is a printed series of parallel bars with varying lengths. It is used to enter data into a computer system. Typically, the bars are black on a white background. The width and quantity of bars changes as per change in the application. These bars are used to represent the data in the form of binary digits.
The sequences of these bars can represent numbers from zero to 9 and is processed by computer. The absence of presence of bar of a particular width in a particular position in a particular sequence is being read by the computer in the form of binary digits.
Information is read by optical scanner which is a part of the computer system. In order to read the information, you can use a handheld scanner or a barcode pen. Move it across the code or the code can itself be moved by hand across the scanner built into a checkout counter. The computer can store and process the data in the form of barcode.
You must have seen that in supermarkets are other retail stores, bar codes are printed on items. Each barcode is unique and is designed for different product. In a universal product code, the five digits on the left are assigned to a particular manufacturer and the five digits on the right is used by the manufacturer to identify a specific product.
History of bar code
Barcode was invented by Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard silver. It was patented in the United States of America in 1952. This invention was based on Morse code which was extended to thin and thick bars. This invention became commercially successful when it begun to be used to automate supermarket checkout systems.
Types of barcodes
Primarily, barcodes are of two types:
- 1D barcode
- 2D barcode
Barcode system
It is a network of hardware and software containing primarily mobile computers, printers, handheld scanners, infrastructure and supporting software. The barcode system is used to automate data collection. It is to be noted that bar coding system is not radio frequency identification system. Many of the companies use both technologies as a part of larger resource management system.
A barcode system contains some infrastructure which connects mobile computers, handheld scanners and printers to databases which stores and analyse the data collected by the system. That is the software which manages the system. It is basically a code which manages the connection between hardware and database.
Usage of barcode
Barcode is used in:
- Retail and commerce: The UPC barcodes are printed on most of store products which accelerate checkout and inventory management. It helped to reduce the price tag swapping and deters shoplifting. EN13 barcodes are used on books, magazines and other printed materials. The retail membership cards use barcodes in order to identify customers for personalized offer and marketing.
- Transportation and travel: Barcodes are used in transportation to quickly process sales and inventory. The boarding passes are used by airlines to foster faster check-ins. Mobile phone barcodes allow the electronic boarding passes and taken validation. Barcode is also embedded on the luggage tags which helps to track airline baggage accurately and reduce the loss.
- Healthcare and hospitals: The patient identification wristband contains bar code to access their medical history, allergies and ensure to provide safe medication and administration. Barcode is also used in SOPE modes for patient records and documentation. Barcode enhances safety and efficiency in medication management in healthcare industry.
- Document management: Barcodes are used in rats scanning to index and organize documents. It is most frequently used in libraries and archives to track and automate lending systems.
- Logistics and parcel tracking: Barcodes are used to track the parcel, express mail and rent cars. It can be integrated with a conveyor-built check readers to identify and log data on items being processed. It helps the logistics companies to ensure precise delivery and planning.
- Position tracking and industrial sensors: It is used in noncontact 1D and 2D position sensors. The linear encoders with closely packed barcodes allow high precision positioning. It helps to detect the absolute positioning and rotation.
- Manufacturing and shop floor control: Employees can scan work orders to track the progress of the job and time spent. It improves operational efficiency and accountability in production processes.
- Web integration: Matrix barcodes or popularly liners QR codes can embed hyperlinks here quick web navigation periods shoppers can scan a QR code to compare the product prices online and review the additional information as well.
QR code
It is a special type of barcode which contains printed square patterns or small black and white squares which consist of data that can be scanned into a computer system. These squares represent number from zero to 9, letters from A-Z and characters in the form of non-Latin scripts.
It was developed in 1994 by the Japanese corporation Denso Wave which is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor corporation. It was developed to track the automobile parts during the assembly process.
Barcode creation
The creation of barcode requires generation of visual code which represents a specific data. It requires some specialized software called barcode generators. These generators allow users to input the data and select the desired barcode type which can be used by the software to translate into or scannable image. Barcode generator It’s OK supports multiple barcode formats idiot there are options to adjust the size, color and resolution of bar codes as per the specific requirement. You can integrate barcode with existing systems.
Barcode scanning
It is process of reading and interpreting information embedded in barcodes. It is an integral component of barcode system.
Scanning of barcode involves optical machine-readable representation of data. Typically, it is present in the form of parallel lines which varies in terms of width and spaces between them. These codes are scanned by devices which enterprise the information consist within them and provides a quick access to relevant data.
Barcode scanning reduces any chances of error and hence accelerates data input. It is widely used in retail sector to smoothen the transaction. It is used in the healthcare industry on patient’s ID to keep a track record of medication.
Conclusion
Barcodes have completely transformed the operation of business. It is offering efficient solution for operational process and management of data. With the advancement of technology, the creation and scanning of barcode will provide even more robust and versatile application across the globally. It will ultimately contribute to accuracy efficiency and customer satisfaction.
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