Barcodes systems

Most automated systems are designed to utilize either barcodes or optical character recognition imprints (OCR). The majority used barcodes but a number of systems can also accept OCRs and other identifiers as well.

A barcode is a machine readable code consisting of a series of bars and spaces printed in defined ratios.  It is formed by combinations of high and low reflectance regions of the surface of an object, which are converted to ‘I’s and ‘0’s.

Barcodes are easier to scan than OCRs in that scanning equipment must be able to read each entire OCR symbol, while barcodes are scanned by reading any path across the label which touches all bars.
Barcode symbologies are essentially alphabets in which different width of bars and spaces are combined to form characters and ultimately a message.

‘Bar Codes’ are graphical patterns whose principle function is to convey data, and ‘symbologies’ are sets of rules that relate those patterns to their encoded message.

Barcodes are used for a number of purposes other than product identification. Delivery services used barcodes to track packers, and student card may well have a barcode representing student number.

The barcode technology has been developed with the creation of 2D barcodes to increase the data capacity of ID barcodes. With the integration of cameras, mobile phones act as scanners, barcode readers and portable data storages and maintaining network connectivity.
Barcodes systems