2D Barcode Technologies History

Bar code was not commercialized until 1966. The National Association of Food Chains (NAFC) put out a call to equipment manufacturers for systems that would speed the checkout process. In 1967 RCA installed one of the first scanning systems at a Kroger store in Cincinnati . The product codes were represented by "bull's-eye barcodes", a set of concentric circular bars and spaces of varying widths. These barcodes were not pre-printed on the item's packaging, but were labels that were put on the items by Kroger employees. But there was problems with the RCA/Kroger code. It was recognized that the industry would have to agree on a standard coding scheme open to all equipment manufacturers to use and adopted by all food producers and dealers.

2D Barcode Technology Principle

Electronic Filing is the preferred method of filing. However,

2D barcode is the best alternative method for paper

processing. A 2D barcode is similiar to product barcodes (also called UPC or 1D barcodes) that you see on commercial products every day. The difference is that a 2D barcode can store much more nformation than the 1D barcode in a small space. The 2D barcodes are automatically generated when you print the fillable tax form and print using

the print button at the top of the first page of the form.The 2D barcode contains all the information you have typed into the filliable form, ready for scanning at the Arizona Department of Revenue.

2D Barcode Benefits

The Arizona Department of Revenue uses 2-D barcode:

· to help speed up data entry. Instead of keying the information from each individual

income tax return by hand.

· to capture the same information into its computer tax records in a fraction of the time.

· to process refunds faster.

PDF417

PDF-417 is a two-dimensional barcode which can store up to about 1,800 printable ASCII characters or 1,100 binary characters per symbol. The symbol is rectangular; the shape of the symbol can be adjusted to some extent by setting the width and allowing the height to grow with the data. It is also possible to break large amounts of data into several PDF-417 symbols which are logically linked. There is no theoretical limit on the amount of data that can be stored in a group of PDF-417 symbols.

The capacity of PDF-417 can be helpful in applications where the data must travel with the labeled item, where a host database is not always available for quick look-up. PDF-417 is being used for hazardous materials labeling; storing technical specifications and calibration data on electronic instruments; encoding fingerprints and photographs on the backs of drivers' licenses.

Data Matrix

DataMatrix is a two-dimensional barcode which can store from 1 to about 2,000 characters. The symbol is square and can range from 0.001 inch per side up to 14 inches per side. As an example of density, 500 numeric only characters can be encoded in a 1-inch square using a 24-pin dot matrix printer. The sample shown above encodes 20 ASCII characters.

DataMatrix is being used to encode product and serial number information on electrical rating plates; to mark of surgical instruments in Japan ; to identify lenses, circuit boards, and other items during manufacturing.

Maxicode

MaxiCode is a fixed-size code which holds up to 93 data characters.  The symbol is composed of a central bulls-eye locator and offset rows of hexagonal elements; the overall dimensions of the symbol are approximately 1.11 x 1.054 inches.  Each element measures 0.035 x 0.041 inches.

Created by United Parcel Service, the MaxiCode symbol was designed for quick automated scanning of packages on high-speed conveyor lines (special cameras can read a MaxiCode on a carton travelling at up to 500 feet per minute).  A 2-D scanner is required; MaxiCode cannot be read using an ordinary linear barcode scanner.  The Barcode Software Center carries several label design and printing programs that can create MaxiCode symbols; we also have function libraries for programmers, programs for creating master artwork, and add-in hardware modules for Hewlett-Packard printers.

AZTEC CODE

Aztec Code is a 2 dimensional matrix style bar code symbology. Aztec Code was invented by Andrew Longacre, Jr. of Welch Allyn Inc. in 1995 (later Hand Held Products Inc., now Honeywell Imaging and Mobility ). The code was published by AIM International in 1997 and although the code is patented, it has been released to the public domain.

QR Code

The QR Code (Quick Response Code) is a 2-dimensional matrix code.  It can encode up to 2509 numeric or 1520 alphanumeric characters and offers three levels of error detection.  The smallest QR Code measures 21 X 21 cells (each cell encodes one bit) and 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.

The QR Code was developed in Japan by the Nippondenso Company; it was introduced in 1994 at the Japan Scan-Tech show and was submitted to AIM for consideration as a standard in 1996.