Bar Code

Bar Code

The difference between OCR and barcode is that OCR reads text not designed to be read by a computer while barcode reads symbols designed to be read by a computer. As long as the operator can sweep the scanner from one end of the barcode to the other at an even speed without wandering off the code, the maximum width of a barcode is theoretically unlimited. The barcode is generally illuminated by a row of light-emiting diodes built into the scanner. A barcode is a machine-readable symbol used to encode information in order to automate a business process. The Code 39 barcode is the easiest to use of alpha-numeric barcodes and is designed for character self-checking, eliminating the requirement for check character calculations.

Barcode

Barcodes, of course, are those ever-familiar "bars" and "numbers" on virtually everything. Barcodes are essentially a way to compress data into a conventional format for data exchange and retrieval and can be observed in a variety of useful applications. Barcodes are created as high quality JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, BMP or WMF graphic images. Barcodes were designed to be read electronically. Barcodes are read by either scanning a point of light across the symbol and measuring the lengths of reflections (white spaces) and no reflections (black bars) or capturing a video image of the symbol. Barcodes include a wealth of information about a product. Barcodes are affixed to components either via labels or direct printing. Since barcodes were first introduced users have wanted them tocarry more data per unit area. 10 Code 128 barcodes can encode both alpha and numeric characters. Code 128 is about the best that can be achieved with one dimensional barcodes.

Barcodes

When reading the ISBN barcodes, the most common method of reading them is with the barcode scanner. There are about 300 different types of barcodes (different schemes of bar and space arrangements for coding the data). All barcode system needs can be determined by asking two questions, (1) how and where will you print the barcodes, and (2) how and where will you read them. Non-contact scanners can read barcodes from a distance. General purpose laser scanners can read barcodes from a distance of 4 inches to 18 inches away. High performance scanners can read barcodes from 7 inches to a distance of 20 feet.

Bar Codes

UPC is just one bar code symbology out of over 300 others. UPC-A is a barcode used to encode a 12 digit number. UPC-A is used by grocery stores within the United States. UPC-E is the smallest barcode available because it is a zero suppressed version of the UPC-A barcode. The UPC is also the "original" barcode. In 1973, the UPC barcode was born. The reason to choose a different barcode symbology than UPC or EAN is these codes are fixed length codes. The number contained in the UPC or EAN barcode is now called the Global Trade Item Number or GTIN.