|
Bar-coding is a kind of symbol used to encode the various data. For example,
product's code, quantity, price, serial number, etc. Barcode has lots of
standards and symbols. They are being used properly at the sight in accordance
with each special requirement. Barcode symbols are mainly divided into two
groups, linear barcode and two dimensional barcode.
LINEAR BARCODE has a
configuration as below. It is consisted of black lines and white spaces. Each of
the lines and spaces has a different width and not the same. This type of
barcode symbol is the most widely spread to the public at present. The following
linear barcode symbols are typical examples.
- EAN (European Article Number)
| EAN is one of the most widely spread symbol among the typical linear
barcode symbols. It was established in 1977 in Europe, and it has been used
not only in European countries but also in Japan and another countries. EAN
code consists of 13 digits, including prefix (1 digit) and flag (2 or 3
digits). There is also a smaller version of EAN code, which is consisted of
8 digits.
|
 |
- UPC (Universal Product Code)
| UPC is a standard barcode symbol for retail in the United States and
Canada. It was established in 1973 as a pioneer of barcode symbol. In 1977,
UPC was modified and EAN code was created by Europe. UPC code consists of 12
digits, which is called UPC-A. The difference between UPC and EAN is that
UPC doesn't have any flag like EAN. There is also a smaller version of UPC-E
(8 digits) as well as EAN 8 digits.
|
 |
- JAN (Japanese Article Number)
| JAN was established in Japan in 1978 and it's available only in Japan. JAN is derived from
EAN. Except for having its original Japanese flag "49" and
"45", it has almost the same structure as EAN code. JAN also
consists of 13 digits, including prefix (1 digit) and flag (2 digits) as
well as EAN. There is also a smaller version (8 digits).
|
|
- ITF (Interleaved Two of Five)
| ITF is a special barcode symbol for logistics such as distribution,
inventory management. Generally, EAN and UPC barcode labels are affixed on
each item, however, ITF barcode label is affixed on each carton box which
contains several items inside. The standard ITF code consists of 14 digits,
including package indicator (1 digit), EAN code (12 digits), and check digit
(1 digit). There are also another versions like extended version (16 digits)
and add-on version (6 digits).
|
 |
- CODE 39
| CODE39 is a binary level barcode, and it was developed by Intermec Corp.,
in 1975. It consists of 5 black bars and 4 white bars. The three of the nine
bars are wide ones. It is famous for its lower misreading rate. And it is
standardized in ANSI. In Japan, CODE39 is adopted as a standard in the
industrial fields, and in addition to that, it is officially standardized by
EIAJ (Electronic Industries Association of Japan).
|
 |
- NW-7 (CODABAR)
| NW-7 is a binary level barcode, and it was developed by Monarch Marking
Inc., in 1972. Because it has comparatively simple barcode composition, it
is suitable to print serial numbers of home-delivery service and registered
mail service. It is called "NW-7", because it consists of seven
bars, narrow and wide ones. However, it is also called "CODABAR"
in U.S. generally.
|
 |
- CODE 128
| Code 128 is a binary level barcode that can encode text, numbers, several
functions and 128 pieces of entire ASCII characters. It is consisted of
three types of subset, subset A, subset B, and subset C. Using the subset C
allows high density numeric encoding. It encodes production date, expiry
date, net weight, measurement, lot number, delivery address, or customer. At
present, CODE 128 is being used in medical field or retail field, because it
can encode much more data than other binary barcode symbols.
|
 |
TWO DIMENSIONAL BARCODE
is thickly stacked or has a matrix format as below. PDF417 is an example of
stacked type, and QR code and Maxi code are examples of matrix type. These barcode symbols can
store much more information compared with linear barcode symbols. These types of
symbol have been introduced to some industrial fields gradually.
- QR code
| QR code (Quick Response Code) is one of the 2-Dimensional barcode symbols, and it was developed by DENSO Corporation in Japan. It
can store larger amounts of data than linear barcode symbols. And it can
encodes various kinds of data such as numeric, alphanumeric, Chinese
characters (Kanji), Japanese Kana and binary codes. Because of its unique
configuration as the right drawing, with three corners' position detection
pattern, they can scan it from all the directions (360 degree) and reading
speed is much higher than linear barcode symbols. QR code had been
standardized in AIM International Standard, JEIDA, JIS, and ISO so far.
Recently, in Japan they started to use it for their various IT solutions. |
 |
- Maxi code
| JAN was established in Japan in 1978 and it's available only in Japan.
JAN is derived from EAN. Except for having its original Japanese flag
"49" and "45", it has almost the same structure as EAN
code. JAN also consists of 13 digits, including prefix (1 digit) and flag (2
digits) as well as EAN. There is also a smaller version (8 digits). |
|
- PDF417
| JAN was established in Japan in 1978 and it's available only in Japan.
JAN is derived from EAN. Except for having its original Japanese flag
"49" and "45", it has almost the same structure as EAN
code. JAN also consists of 13 digits, including prefix (1 digit) and flag (2
digits) as well as EAN. There is also a smaller version (8 digits). |
|
|
