Bar Code 101 Presented at AutoTech 2002

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Bar Code 101Presented at Auto-Tech 2002
By Christina S. Barkan Director, Global Standards
Development Symbol Technologies, Inc.
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Topics

• Symbologies relevant to the AIAG
• How bar codes and scanners work
• Making the right scanning choices
• Other technologies

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Linear Symbologies

• Code 39
• Code 128

UN 123456789 A2B4C6D8E
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Symbology Fundamentals

• Character Set
• Bar / Space Encodation Patterns
• X-dimension
• Impacts Scanner Resolution
• Start / Stop Characters
• Length
• Can affect ability to decode

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Concept of License Plate
Bar Code Symbol Scan Operation
Database Look-up Operation
Code 1J123456789A2B4C6D8E
1J123456789A2B4C6D8E Data

• Code is license plate key to database
• Requires real time access to database

Application Transaction
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Code 39
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Code 39

• Key Applications
• Logistics
• Warehousing
• Inventory
• Work in Process

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Code 39 Symbol Structure
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AIAG Manufacturer Label Segment
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Code 128
UN 123456789 A2B4C6D8E
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Code 128

• Key Applications
• EAN/UCC 128 Retail Shipping
• Automotive Shipping
• Factory
• Blood Bag Identification
• Library
• Numerous Niche Apps

For an equal number of data characters, Code 128
takes less space!
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Code 128 Symbol Structure
1P1

1
0
6
1
4
1
4
1
0
0
0
4
1
5
MOD 103
Data Identifier
DATA
Start A, B, or C character
Stop character
Learn More Session 12B The Syntax of Data
Identifiers
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An AIAG label with Code 128
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2D symbologies in AIAG guidelines

• PDF417
• Logistics
• ID Cards
• Motor Vehicle
• Data Matrix
• Parts Marking
• QR Code
• Used for applications in Japan
• Suppliers may mark parts per B-4 guideline

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2D Fundamentals

• In addition to linear fundamentals
• Can hold anywhere from 100 to 2000 characters in
  a single symbol
• Error Correction
• Portable Data Base
• Can be either Stacked or Matrix
• Matrix symbologies can only be read with an imager

This is critical when specifying a scanning
solution
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Bar Code Application Scheme
PDF417 Scan Operation
Database Look-up Operation
012345 Data
)gtRS06GSP90347789GSQ640GS 15KG1155GS 2JUN12345678
9A2B4C6D8EGS 20LA6-987GS7Q40GTRS 06GS1JUN123456789
A2B4C6D8EGSQ160RS 06GS1JUN123456789B2B4C6D8FGSQ160
RS 06GS1JUN123456789C2B4C6D8GGSQ160RS 06GS1JUN1234
56789D2B4C6D8HGSQ160RSEOT
Required data is contained within 2D bar code
Application Transaction
2D bar code becomes a portable database
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Error Correction

• All major 1D symbologies incorporate error
  detection
• All major 2D symbologies use Reed-Solomon error
  correction
• A significant amount of a 2D symbol can be
  destroyed and still recover 100 of the
  information
• EC data stored in symbol permits destroyed
  information to be mathematically recreated

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Error Detection and Correction
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PDF417

• Stacked Symbology
• Reed-Solomon Error Correction
• Largest Finder Pattern
• Laser scanner or imager

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PDF417

• Capacity is function of data type
• 1108 Bytes
• 1850 ASCII Characters
• 2710 Numeric Digits
• Much higher capacity with other compression
  techniques
• Macro PDF for concatenation of multiple PDF417
  symbols
• Up to 899,999 symbols

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PDF417 on the GTL label
Learn More Session 24B Global Transport Label
(GTL) Update
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Data Matrix

• Matrix Code
• Convolution or Reed-Solomon error correction
• Finder Pattern along bottom and right side
• Imaging Scanner only

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Data Matrix

• Single Symbol
• 2335 Alphanumeric Characters
• 1556 Binary Bites
• 3116 Numeric Digits
• 16 Data Matrix symbols can be used together to
  contain a single message

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Data Matrix Parts Marking
Learn More Session 14B Direct Part Marking
Session 15B 2d Bar Code Direct Marking
Overview
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QR Code

• Matrix code. 
• 2509 numeric or 1520 alphanumeric characters
• 3 levels of error detection. 
• The smallest QR Code measures 21 X 21 cells (each
  cell encodes one bit)
• can grow in increments of 4 cells to a maximum
  size of 105 X 105 cells. 
• The squares in the bottom left, top left, and top
  right corners are locator patterns.
• Imaging scanner only

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Symbology Selection Process
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Scanner Fundamentals

• Light and dark bars form a pattern
• The bars and spaces in this pattern vary in width
• Scanners detect the difference or contrast
  between the dark bars and the light spaces to
  see the pattern
• The decoder matches the pattern it receives from
  the scanner to a symbology table in its memory

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Scanner Basics
Analog Signal
Digital signal is transmitted to the decoder
Digital Signal
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Fundamentals
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Contrast and Bar Widths

• Bar width growth and poor contrast impact
  readability and performance

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Defects and Damage

• Defects and damage impact or prevent scanning

Learn More Session 26B Symbol Quality and
Accuracy
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Scanners for all your needs...
One Dimension 2 Dimension Matrix Codes Image
Captures
Damaged or Poorly printed Barcodes
One Dimension 2 Dimension
One Dimension
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Identify Application
Scanner Selection Process
Attended Scanning?
Identify Symbology
Conveyor/ Fixed Position
Contact your vendor for set-up
No
If matrix, requires imager or camera
Yes
Impacts product selection
Identify Scanning Working Range
Integrated Scanning Terminal? Keyboard? Pen
Input? Display size and resolution? Memory?
Identify Data Collection Requirements
Fixed
Hands-free
Handheld
Ergonomics
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Choose the Right Scanner for Your Application

• Know your application
• Know your environment
• Know your users
• Know the limits and extent of the technology
• Calculate your benefits
• Understand the systems implications
• Know your budgetary constraints
• IMPLEMENT FOR SUCCESS

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Other Technologies

• Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
• Sensors
• Electronic Seals
• Real Time Locating Systems (RTLS)
• Integrated Circuit Cards (Smart Cards)
• Biometrics

Learn More Session 21B RFID Primer
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Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID)

• Read/Write or Read-only
• ID Only to 128 kbytes
• Decreasing cost
• Line of sight - Not a requirement
• Ability to read multiple tags simultaneously
• Selective read - Specific tag or specific data
• Not a replacement for bar code or 2D symbols

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Sensors

• Not really an ADC technology - but an integral
  part of certain RFID Applications
• Types
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Pressure (e.g., tire pressure)
• Light
• Shock/Vibration
• Olfactory
• IEEE 1451 describes the interface to recording
  devices, e.g., RFID

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Electronic Container Seals (eSeals)

• Not really an ADC technology - but an application
  of RFID and sensors
• Provides both barrier and communications
• Provides both identification and tamper-status
• Can be battery operated (longer range/event
  record) or passive (lower cost)
• ISO 18185 is the eSeal standard

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Real Time Locating Systems (RTLS)

• Not really an ADC technology - but an application
  of RFID
• Provides both identification and location,
  generally through multi-lateration
• Types
• Sign Post/Localizers (Been Here)
• Time of Flight Ranging Systems
• Amplitude Triangulation
• Differential Time of Arrival (DTOA)
• Cellular Triangulation
• Satellite Multi-Lateration

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Integrated Circuit Cards (Smart Cards)

• Credit card form factor
• Similar to RFID
• Either Contact, Vicinity (10 cm), or Proximity
  (70 cm)
• Wide range of security/ personal identification
  applications (access control, trusted traveler,
  employee identification, banking, debit/credit,
  etc.)

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Summary

• Understanding bar code fundamentals ensures
  successful business solutions.
• Linear symbologies perfect for real time lookup
  applications
• 2-D and Matrix Symbologies Offer
• Higher Information Density (less space)
• Robust Error Correction
• Portable Data Bases
• Scanner selection impacts project success
• Other technologies solve business problems not
  solved with bar codes