Barcode
Vyakhaya (18PHDFST206)
PhD in Food Science &
Technology.
I Semester
MLT 501 Library & Information Science

Key Points :
• What is barcode?
• Barcode types
• Evolution of barcode
• Anatomy of barcode
• Types of Barcode Scanner
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Applications
• Facts about Barcodes
• Future prospects
• Conclusion

What is barcode?
 It is an Automatic Identification Technology
 It is an optical machine readable representation of data,
which shows data about object to which it is attached
 Bar code is a predefined format of dark bars and white
spaces
 Structured to contain a specific piece of information
 It allows real-time data to be collected accurately and
rapidly

Evolution of Barcode
 In 1948 Bernard Silver, a graduate student at Drexel
Institute of Technology in Philadelphia along with his
friend Norman Joseph Woodland started working on a
variety of systems. Their first working system used
ultraviolet ink, but the ink faded too easily and was
expensive.
On 20th October, 1949 Woodland and Silver
filed a patent application in which they described the
linear printing patterns, as well as the mechanical and
electronic systems needed to read the code.

 In the early 1970s, common barcodes started appearing on
grocery shelves. To automate the process of identifying
grocery items, UPC barcodes were placed on products.
 Today, barcodes are just about everywhere and are used for
identification in almost all types of business.
 As far back as the 1960s, barcodes were used in industrial work
environments. Some of the early implementations of barcodes
included the ability identify rail,road,cars,etc.

Anatomy of Barcode- 13 digits
Country
Code (3)
Product
Details (4)
Company
Detail (4)
Check
Digits (2)

Can anyone guess from which country does
this barcode belongs ?
CHINA

Country Code Sample
 India 890
 Australia 930
 China 690
 Iran 626
 United Arab Emirates 629
 Japan 490
 Singapore 888
 Pakistan 896

Types of barcodes:
1. Linear barcodes (1D)
2. Matrix barcodes (2D)

Linear Barcodes
 A linear, 1D barcode is made up of a series of bars of
different specified widths. The numbers of bars used in
the code are defined by the type of code used. Linear
code meets the requirements as these are the codes
commonly used throughout the retail and
manufacturing industries, easily created with simple
technology/fonts and easily generated and referenced
within most barcode software packages.

Matrix barcodes (2D)
 Matrix barcode is a 2D barcode that consists of cells,
rather than bars, arranged in a pattern (usually square
or rectangular). A matrix code can be incredibly
complex storing up to 2,335 characters. Matrix barcode
is scalable, with commercial applications as small as
300 micrometers and as large as a 1 meter (3 ft) square.

Barcode Scanner
Laser, single line
Scanner
CCD, single line
scanner
Fixed mount, multi-line
Scanner
Pen type
scanner
Mobile phones as
scanner

• Pen Type barcode Reader
This is a contact scanning device. The
wand actually touches the bar code. It is used
frequently in the library circulation desk. It
is easy to use and less expensive.
• Laser Scanner
Laser This is a non-contact scanning device.
The scanner head never touches the bar code. A
standard laser scanners can scan the bar codes
from 2 inches to 8 inches from the item. This
type of scanner appear very often in stores.
• CCD Reader
CCD (charged coupled device) This is a
non-contact and contact scanning device. You
have to place the scan head over the bar code to
scan. The scanning distance is from 0 to 3
inches. It is considered as less expensive laser

• Omni directional barcode scanners
Omni-directional scanners almost all use a laser.
Unlike the simpler single-line laser scanners,
they produce a pattern of beams in varying orientations allowing
them to read barcodes presented to it at different angles.
• Smartphone's as a barcode Scanner
While cell phone cameras without auto-focus are not ideal
for reading some common barcode formats,
there are 2D barcodes which are optimized for cell phones,
as well as Data Matrix codes which can be read quickly and
accurately with or without auto-focus.

Advantages
 Represent unique identity of
a product
 Accuracy of data input
(error free)
 Labour savings by avoiding
manual system
 More accurate dispatch
 Cost efficient
 Real time data collection
 Measurement of work in
progress throughout the
factory
 Rapid access to total
production costs

Disadvantages
 System Failure may cost more delays.
 Scratched or crumpled barcodes may cause problems
 Data must be coded in the barcode
 In laser scanning, durability and cost are the two
disadvantages

Applications of Barcode
 HOSPITALS: Barcodes can allow for the organization of large amounts of data. They are
widely used in the healthcare and hospital settings, ranging from patient identification
(to access patient data, including medical history, drug allergies, etc.) to medication
management.
 RETAIL: Speeding up checkouts and ordering.
 OFFICE: Recording transactions.
 HEALTH: Ensuring correct dosage and treatment.
 TRAVEL: Making ticketing more efficient, ensuring safety and speedier check in.
 LIBRARIES: Logging borrowers and books.
 BARCODED TICKETS: allow people to enter sports arenas, cinemas, theatres,
fairgrounds, and transportation, and are used to record the arrival and departure of
vehicles from rental facilities etc.

Application of Barcode : For Library
 BCA provides consultation, equipment from a
variety of manufacturers and 25 years
experience in the data collection market. We
provide the solutions to your situation, not an
off the shelf packaged solution.

Application of Barcode : For Industries
 BCA provides consultation, equipment from a
variety of manufacturers and 25 years experience in
the data collection market. We provide the solutions
to your situation, not .an off the shelf packaged
solution.

Application of Barcode : For Laboratories
 BCA provides labels, printers and bar code scanners
specifically for the LABORATORY environment. Our
labels, suitable for all printers and most software
packages, can withstand moisture, refrigeration and a
variety of solutions. The adhesive can also be glove
free.

Upgradation of Barcode
One of the most common tools for reading
barcodes is the hand held barcode scanner. All of the
barcode scanners recommended and sold by ID
Automation have built-in decoders that can read
several different bar code types. Most of the scanners
sold by ID Automation receive their power from the PC
keyboard or USB port so no external power supply is
required. When a barcode is scanned, the data is sent
to the PC as if it was typed using a keyboard.

Not all scanners can scan barcodes that are printed
at very small x dimensions, so it is advisable to check
the barcode scanner manual to make sure the scanner
can read the small x dimension barcodes. Also, make
sure the printer can accurately reproduce small x
dimension barcodes. The ID Automation Plug ‘n Play
Barcode Scanner will scan linear bar codes consistently
at 4 to 32 mils in size and up to 4.2" in width from a
distance of 4" to 8" at 200 scans per second and can be
programmed to scan function keys from barcodes.
Cont…

Facts about barcode
 The first product ever scanned with a bar code was a pack of Wrigley's Juicy
Fruit Gum in Ohio in June 1974.
 A scanner reads spaces between the black lines i.e. the width of the white
space.
 QR codes don't have to be black and white �
 More than 5 billion barcodes are read every day around the globe!
 THE average typist will make one mistake in 300 keystrokes. But the chance of
a barcode error - where the data does not match the product scanned - is
roughly one in a million.

Future Prospects
 The future of barcodes is no barcode at all. Predictions
are that Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags,
which are added to packaging before purchase will
replace the barcode and for checking out purposes, are
much more efficient.

 It uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify
and track tags attached to objects. The tags contain
electronically stored information.
 Active tags have a local power source such as a battery
and may operate at hundreds of meters from the RFID
reader. Unlike a barcode, the tag need not be within the
line of sight of reader.

Future Scope
 Technology behind barcodes is constantly improving.
 This greatly helps in keeping track of a large number of items in a
store.
 Reduces instances of shoplifting involving price tag swapping.
 The tracking of item movement, including rental cars, airline
luggage, nuclear waste, mail and parcels .
 Entertainment, sports arenas, etc tickets can have barcodes. This can
allow to identify duplicate tickets more easily.

Conclusion
In today's competitive world, computerized information
system are becoming more and more vital for
management, profitability and efficiency. There are
more than 300 different types of barcodes, all with own
specifications
Combination of barcode technology with
computer and application software improves
performance, productivity and profitability

Thank You!
So please spread the words to
everyone…..