Month: July 2021

Norman Woodland, a 27-year-old graduate student at Drexel Institute of Technology in Philadelphia developed the first code system that automatically read product information during checkout. Woodland and his friend Silver were awarded a patent for their application titled Classifying Apparatus and Method on October 7, 1952. Many experts are of the view that the Woodland and Silver bar code was the basis of what would soon become a global phenomenon.

In the beginning, barcodes were developed to store data in the spacing of printed parallel lines. The idea was to help grocery stores speed up the checkout process and keep better track of the inventory. However, the system soon picked up and became a success story.

Barcodes form the basis of identification in almost all types of businesses in the modern world. Barcodes are variously called as Universal Product Codes or UPCs. These are machine-readable codes and come in strips, generally comprising of a series of short black lines of varied thickness. These codes are read by optical scanners called barcode readers or scanned from an image by special software. A laser reader or scanner can translate the barcodes into the corresponding alpha-numeric digits, which are used to uniquely identify a piece of property. Barcodes are used world over to implement Auto ID Data Capture (AIDC) systems that improve the speed and accuracy of computer data entry.

At present, we have codes in several patterns of dots, concentric circles and hidden in images. Barcodes are provided by a body called Uniform Code Council (UCC). A manufacturer has to apply to the UCC for permission to enter the UPC system. An annual fee is charged for the service. In return, the UCC issues the manufacturer a six-digit manufacturer identification number. The manufacturer identification number is part of a standard 12-digit bar code.

Bar coding standards have brought about great precision, technical refinement and uniformity in the way business is conducted in the world. Throughout the world, most of the data entry is done much more quickly. All data is collected in real time. Bar codes have also led to the elimination of manual data entry and retrieval system. The coding has completely streamlined products, making the most effective use of human and physical resources.

Barcode software comes in various styles. It is used to create professional barcode labels. It can be uploaded on a computer like any other software program and possesses a myriad of features. The barcode software can print barcodes on any installed printer with graphics capability. Such software often consists of a menu that displays different options in a user-friendly language. Modern software is very easy to use, giving the user the option to decide a label’s appearance, including the type and size of text, bar codes and graphics. Dialogs, another important feature of many barcode software programs, offer many options to design labels and print barcodes.

Many barcode software programs available in the market offer tool tips. These are basically quick hints that help in modifying and printing multiple label designs. Similarly, high precision on-screen design mode provides an accurate real-time view of a label. Print preview mode displays exactly how the labels look before they can be printed. Perhaps the best part of barcode software is that it usually comes with an array of font capabilities. It solely depends on the imagination of the user to put these fonts to the most flexible use with maximum speed. Several printer drivers have the option to support font downloading.

Software consists of a toolbox that provides access to an extensive series of barcode components. The rich text option allows for multiple typefaces and styles. Graphics can be easily imported or exported in barcode software. That makes logos, pictures and company images easy to adapt. Barcode software is programmed to be latched onto all kinds of laser, ink-jet and dot-matrix printers. This software also provides access to countless high-quality symbols. They also allow serialization sequences. We can choose the sequence from a variety of character sets. Modern software is armed with the option of customizing a user’s own features.

Barcode Scanners are hand-held or stationary devices used to read information contained in a barcode. These devices are connected to a computer through any type of port. Scanners cannot do calculations; they only capture the barcode into letters or numbers. Information, once fed into a computer is processed by the computer’s software. A barcode scanner consists of a code reader and decoder. The reader throws light on a barcode and measures the amount of light that is reflected back by the barcode. This light energy is converted into electrical energy by a scanner. The electrical energy in turn is changed into data in the computer.

Barcode scanners are available in many different varieties. They can be hand held and hands free, wearable, rugged, scan engines, laser or digital. Pen-wand scanners are perhaps the simplest types of such devices. They have to be kept in direct contact with the barcode and held at a precise angle. A pen-wand scanner is moved over the bar to read it. General purpose scanners are generally used at checkout counters and hospitals and are also used to process identification documents. Certain other kinds of scanners, like rugged scanners, are generally used in harsh or extreme conditions.

Another major distinction of barcode scanners is that of an image scanner and a laser scanner. A camera reader is embedded in an image scanner. The camera captures the barcode images, which are then processed by sophisticated image techniques to decode the barcode. An image scanner can read a barcode from four to ten inches away. Laser scanners use lenses to read the codes. Laser scanners enjoy the advantage of reading the bar even from a distance of 24 inches. Moreover a laser scanner can be positioned at any angle to read a barcode. With the advancement of technology, modern laser scanners can read the barcodes with ease from a distance of 30 feet.

Barcode Printers come in various types, including general-purpose laser and inkjet printers. Then there are printers that support multiple symbologies. They are called Thermal bar code label printers. General-purpose laser and inkjet printers cannot directly print barcodes. That is because these basic printers do not support bar code symbologies and are therefore upgraded to do so. They need to be programmed to support bar coding, which may entail addition of more features and fonts.

Barcode printers employ two major printing methods, namely Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer. Both methods basically involve the same technique to print bar codes with difference in the use of ribbon. They make use of a print-head that applies heat to a surface that is pre-marked. Heated ribbon is used to produce long-lasting images in Thermal Transfer printing, while Direct Thermal does not use ribbon and instead prints the image directly on the label. In Thermal Transfer printing, a large number of materials may be used. This generally helps in creating durable images over a long period of time. Direct Thermal, on the other hand, helps in making put-away labels, receipts and other such small variety.

Ideally, barcode printers can print on labels that are specifically designed for the purpose. However, the printers are also capable of printing on fabrics like polyester. We have printers etching away prints on headbands and even synthetic materials. Quite contrary to popular perception, barcodes are not only black. Barcode printers can print in various colors, but black is generally preferred because a light color may end up with insufficient contrast between the bars resulting in unreadable barcodes.

Nowadays, several security features are available to ensure that there is no counterfeit coding by the printers. The latest thermal printers are capable of printing smart labels that contain radio frequency identification chips within the label media. These smart features go a long way in plugging any loopholes in barcode printing and provide a guarantee of authentication.

Barcode labels are the tags that help both humans and machines to identify any given product. These labels come in several types and resemble the average tags. These labels are differentiated by the type of base material, called stock, that they are printed on. Labels are currently available in all types of materials and come with a variety of adhesive backings. They can also be ordered in several customized shapes and sizes.

Apart from the basic types of barcodes labels, labels can also be categorized into three main forms: aluminum barcode labels, polyester barcode labels, and ceramic barcode labels. The aluminum labels are very durable, usually with an image on the surface that lasts for a long time, even in the harshest of climatic conditions. It can withstand wear and tear, heat, cold, chemicals and abrasion. The polyester barcode label has an image imbedded in the underside of the plastic material. It uses a permanent industrial adhesive bonding and is known for its dependability. However, the last word in durability is the ceramic barcode label. It is made up of a stainless steel base and coated with ceramic. These labels can withstand strong acids or very high temperatures.

Barcode labels can be further subdivided into the following categories: resin-coated paper barcode labels, paper barcode labels, long-range retro-reflective barcode labels, and floor labels. Resin-coated paper barcode labels are the most common labels used in the official work. These labels are created with the help of tough resin coating for durability. Paper barcode labels are very economical and ideal for tracking of documents. A long-range retro-reflective barcode label is another case in point. These labels are normally hung from a wall or a ceiling. Made of rigid metal or plastic, these labels provide maximum functionality for long-range scanners. Lastly, we have floor labels. These labels are used in industrial floors and are developed using steel and are then coated with urethane. These labels can withstand heavy vehicular traffic.

With barcode labels forming an intrinsic part of the daily human existence, they are finding an increasing utility in the day to day life. Newer forms of labels are being designed by the day.

Bar code labels are tags that contain encoded information. They are used to identify and list inventories in businesses that use a large number of goods. They are made of paper, vinyl, plastic or metal and have an adhesive surface underneath by which they can be affixed to the surface of the item.

Bar code labels use two primary techniques to encode the numerical information on it. One is the line bars technique. Special bar code software can convert an inputted number into a sequence of vertical lines of various thicknesses. The thicknesses of these lines and the spaces between them indicate the number they denote. Another technique is two-dimensional encoding, where information is coded in the form of a pattern of dots of varying thicknesses in a square or rectangular frame. In both techniques, it is not possible by human eyes to decipher what number they indicate.

Bar code labels are designed by software using a computer. Sizes, colors and data fields are placed if required. Once the bar code template is created, it is printed on a specialized paper with an adhesive surface using a printer. Laser printers give good quality outputs, but there are also special standalone printers made expressly for printing bar code labels.

Once the articles are tagged with bar code labels, they get indexed on the database of the company. The bar codes on these labels can be deciphered using scanners. Bar code scanners are small handy devices, which can decode the bar codes into numerical and data information. Scanners can be fixed at a place or handheld.

Companies that have equipment and necessary expertise can design their own bar code labels. This is ideal for companies that produce a large number of goods per day. Some companies even customize their bar codes in order to suit their needs. Smaller companies and temporary businesses can buy preprinted bar code labels from the market. Preprinted bar code labels are available in bundles of hundreds.

Bar codes are very efficient in maintaining large inventory records for companies. It saves a lot of time, as every item is indexed in the register and only a simple scanning procedure enters its records in the required field. The entire process gets systemized and standardized, as a single bar code pattern will be followed for a single product throughout.

The use of bar codes is not limited to consumer products alone, but wherever there is a need of maintaining statistical information. Even consumer bills such as electricity bills, gas bills, maintenance taxes, ID cards bear bar codes.

Bar code label software is used to print symbols on bar codes. This software can render a pattern of black stripes and dots, each unique from the other, which is used to print bar code stickers. The software prints intricate patterns for each product. The pattern may be several black lines of different thicknesses or it may be a crisscross arrangement of thick and thin black dots.

The software can also identify the product from the pattern. The pattern is fed into the bar code scanner, which transmits it to the computer. There the software can decode the pattern and identify the product.

Bar code label software is used to code and decode stickers on a wide array of products. Departmental store goods, warehouse products, photo IDs, driving licenses and more contain unique bar code labels produced by such software.

Bar code label software is virtually error-free. It can judge labels from the thickness of the lines and dots that by permutation can give several millions of different labels. The software can accurately identify the label from its wide database. The entire process of scanning the label and its decoding by the software takes just a couple of seconds. Hence, bar code label software is almost absolutely relied upon by institutes that retail a large number of goods every day. Such labels are generally foolproof and very difficult to duplicate.

Bar code label software is especially useful when keeping inventory in a large warehouse or a departmental store. This software can be linked with other database programs in order to get a proper census of all the goods or certificates that have been coded or decoded. Using bar code label software to keep inventory of items saves a lot of time and manpower. To maintain a huge inventory, a large workforce is required. Hence, using bar code software is a simpler solution employed by retailers and warehouse owners.

Another important aspect of the utilization of bar code label software is the standardization it creates. Each product gets its own bar code, which remains a standard in all shops and retail outlets throughout the country. Computers of retailers linked to the manufacturer’s computers can provide a minute-to-minute progress of items as they are being sold.