At barcode.com, we frequently discuss 2D barcodes and the impact they have on consumers and corporations alike, but 2D barcodes are really creating revolutionary solutions that cater to evolving business needs across almost every market.

2D barcodes have been put to use through the years throughout a variety of production, tracking, and maintenance processes. However, in other markets, 2D barcodes were often avoided because of capability and compatibility issues with legacy barcode processes. With the advent of new scanning technology, 2D barcodes are being used at an astronomical rate across a wide range of industries. In fact, 2D barcodes and barcode applications are being implemented at more than double the rate of standard 1D barcode technology.

This is widely because companies are analyzing how 2D barcodes can meet their growing needs in changing times. 2D barcode symbologies have a high enough capacity to include intelligent data that can be used to drive systems and processes in any environment. While the data stored in typical 1D barcodes can’t be used if it’s not associated with a database, 2D symbologies can encode enough information to drive applications, eliminating the need for database access.

Because of this, 2D barcodes are already being utilized in many field service applications because workers with no remote database access can easily scan a 2D barcode to retrieve all necessary information to complete the job. In addition, 2D barcodes are rapidly being implemented in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Patients wristbands’ are popping up adorned with 2D barcodes by the day, and while the FDA currently requires 1D barcodes on all hospital medications, there seems to be a push to 2D barcodes because they would be able to hold more information on the medication.

Just a few years, these 2D barcode applications would not have been possible, but because of improved area imagers and omni-directional scanning capabilities, 2D barcodes have become a viable solution across many industries. One scanner that is particularly geared for reading 2D barcodes is the Intermec Intellibeam EX25 Area Imager. With this scanner, companies can read stacked 2D barcodes and matrix 2D barcodes, in addition to standard 1D barcodes in any orientation at both a long and short range. Scanners like the Intermec Intellibeam EX25 Area Imager have been able to change the way 2D barcodes are used, maximizing the efficiency of businesses across a variety of markets.

If you’re interested in learning more about what the 2D barcode revolution can do for your business, you can download the white paper, provided by Intermec Technologies, or, contact a representative today!

CardStar is a unique iPhone application that allows users to leave all of their rewards and membership cards at home and store the barcodes on their iPhone or iPod touch, where most common merchants can then scan the barcodes directly from the screen.

To the average consumer, this technology will definitely come in handy, but to us at barcode.com, this technology is revolutionary. Previously, 1D barcodes, which are used at most stores, could not be scanned directly from the LCD screen. This is because while the human eye will see black and white barcodes, the screen is really made up of red, green, and blue lines, which interfere with a laser scanner. The folks at CardStar were able to get around this by re-configuring the way the barcode/image is rendered on the LCD in portrait mode.

In a controlled environment using a Symbol/Motorola M2008-1400-0100 ZNR barcode scanner, CardStar was able to achieve a 100% success rate in scanning various reward cards fromm different merchants. They decided to test their new technology in common chain stores in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Washington, DC and achieved an 80% success rate. However, there were many uncontrolled variables such as user error, lighting, and antiquated equipment, but CardStar continues to experiment in order to achieve the highest scan success rates possible.

In order to maximize scan rates, CardStar suggests that merchants use handheld scanners, and hold approximately 5-7 inches away, just shy of being perpendicular. Consumers can achieve successful scans by using high-quality screen protectors and making sure the phone is free of excessive fingerprints and dust.

Currently, CardStar offers a list of over 130 companies across 6 categories where you can start adding your card information for use on the application. Future plans for CardStar include implementing custom coupons based on buying habits that would be sent straight to your phone, appeasing both consumers and manufacturers. As Andy Miller, the brains behind CardStar says, it’s all about having “the right offer, at the right time, at the right place.” For a demonstration of how Cardstar works, you can view the video. If you’re interested in learning more about CardStar’s iPhone application, check out their website.

Datalogic recently released their next generation of Gryphon 2D barcode imagers, the Gryphon D432/D412.  These recent additions can improve productivity in a variety of applications, and are ideal for retail and light industrial environments.  The Gryphon 2D Plus supports numerous symbologies, including 1D, 2D, postal barcodes, as well as stacked and composite codes like PDF417 and GS1 DataBar.  Equipped with Datalogic’s patented Green Spot Technology and 5-dot aimer, you’re sure to get accurate reads.  In addition to the standard features of the Datalogic Gryphon, the 2D Plus also enables image capture for applications that require signature capture or wide document scanning.  For more information about the new Datalogic Gryphon 2D Plus barcode imager, you can read the Product Profile.

Although implementing a DPM solution has been complex in the past, new developments are making this technology more functional.  The latest Direct Part Mark (DPM) solutions are offering a new level of performance and flexibility to businesses.  Today I’d like to take a look at some of the new DPM solutions and how they can improve your business.

Variable Focus- Mobile DPM readers are capable of switching between near and far focal distances.  Fixed DPM systems of the past were only capable of reading codes presented at the same distance every time.  This made DPM systems more costly and required multiple fixed readers for different sized marks.  This new variable focus capability allows multiple sized marks to be read at varying distances with only one reader.

Flexible Data Capture- Today’s DPM solutions have the flexibility to capture multiple data types in addition to DPM.  In fact, many DPM solutions are capable of reading DPM, 1D barcodes, 2D barcodes and RFID tags.  For example, the Honeywell 6300 Series DPM Imager pictured at left is capable of reading 1D, 2D and DPM codes.

Omni-Directional Functionality- Unlike the solutions of the past that required marks to be perfectly aligned with readers to get an accurate read, today’s high-performance DPM solutions allow marks to be presented at any angle.  This new flexibility can save your business valuable time that improves productivity and throughput.

Reliable Reads- Complex DPM systems of the past required illumination schemes to help accurately read marks and ‘noisy’ (scratched or damaged) marks were still difficult to read.  The advanced processing in today’s DPM solutions can accurately capture data even when a mark is damaged and miniature diffusers eliminate the need for complex illumination schemes.

As you can see, this once complex technology is becoming more flexible and functional with every innovation.  For more information about DPM solutions, please contact me at ehodges@barcode.com.

2D barcodes are increasingly being adopted in many industries because of their numerous benefits.  Because of this, I thought it would be a good idea to take a closer look at the different types of 2D barcodes and the benefits they provide.  The biggest benefit and probably the one you’re most familiar with is the fact that 2D symbols can encode more data than 1D barcodes of the same size.  But there is more to 2D barcodes than just increased data storage.

There are two main categories of 2D symbologies, stacked and matrix.  The difference between these categories is simply the way data is encoded and how they are read.

Stacked Symbologies

Stacked symbologies resemble a set of linear barcodes literally “stacked” on top of each other.  The most common stacked symbology is PDF417, pictured at left.  Other stacked symbologies include: Code 49, Code 16K and GS1 Databar.  There is also a wide range of other stacked symbologies with capacities of up to 2000 or more characters.  Most stacked symbologies are capable of error detection and correction.  They can be read by laser scanners, linear imagers and area imagers, although some symbol sizes cannot be processed by certain readers.

Matrix Symbologies

Matrix symbologies are made up of a pattern of cells that can be square, hexagonal, or circular in shape.  The key variable for encoding matrix barcodes is the position of each element relative to the center of the symbol.  The most common matrix barcode is Data Matrix, other examples include Maxi Code, Aztec Code, Code One and QR Code, pictured at left.  Matrix symbologies are decoded by processing the entire image; this means that laser scanners cannot read matrix symbols.  Area imaging is the only barcode scanning technology capable of reading matrix symbols because it can view the entire image at once.  Area imaging provides orientation-independent scanning, a major benefit when scanning barcodes.  This means matrix barcodes, as well as other barcodes, can be read at any angle with an area imager.  In most cases, matrix barcodes offer higher data densities than stacked barcodes.  However, much like stacked symbologies, a wide range of matrix symbologies have capacities of up to 2000 or more characters.  Additionally, matrix symbols are also capable of error detection and correction.

Now that you’re familiar with the two main categories of 2D barcodes, let’s look at some of the additional benefits provided by 2D symbologies:

• Capacity- 2D codes allow you to store more data in a smaller space than 1D codes
• Portability- 2D codes don’t require database access for decoding, instead data travels with the item
• Flexibility- compact Matrix 2D codes can be read on curved surfaces
• Increased efficiency- increased data capacity and flexibility make goods move more quickly
• Emerging standards- new standards set the stage for millions of new products to be marked by 2D symbols in the coming years

If you have any questions or would like more information about 2D barcodes, please contact me at ehodges@barcode.com.  Tomorrow I’ll be looking at a technological advance having a big impact on 2D barcodes, near-far area imaging.  Check out this teaser for one of the Intermec products I’ll be focusing on and don’t forget to read the entire post tomorrow.