Introduction into barcode technology.

1. Why bar code?
To improve the effectiveness of computer system by reducing error in
data entry and increase the speed of entry. Studies show that the error rate
of human typing is approximately 1 error for every 300 character entered.
And Barcode data entry method will reduce it to 1 out of 3 million. In
term of speed it took 10 seconds to enter 20 character but it take less than
2 seconds for the same information to be retrieve from a bar code.

2. Barcode Terminology
$ + S R 2
Bar
Space
Human Readable
Void / Hole
Quiet Zone
•Quiet Zone must be at least 10 times the thickness of the narrowest bar
•Human Readable can be printed on top or below the barcode. It can be hidden too.
•Void/Hole is cause by dirty print head, fail heating element, dirt on media
•PCR means Print Contrast Ratio meaning the reflectance ratio between bar and
space.
Barcode Height

3. Start and stop character
• Characters that determine the beginning and ending of the data
set; also tell scanning direction

4. Discrete code
• A bar code symbology where the spaces between characters (inter character gap) are
not part of the code

5. Continuous code
• A bar code symbology where all spaces within the symbol are parts of characters. There
is no intercharacter gap in a continuous code.

6. What is a Check Digit?
Some barcode like Code 39 support Check digit to ensure data integrity of the barcode.
Check Digit / Check Sum is an automatic part of the symbology it will be a character
calculated by a complex algorithm. An algorithm is a mathematical process
applied to numeric values given each of the original data characters to be
encoded in a symbol (barcode). The algorithm generates a single character that
will be appended to the original data in a predefined specific position within the
symbol. Following this process the barcode is then created with the original data
and the extra character. This will then require that the scanning equipment be
configured to read the symbology the barcode is printed in, with the Check
Character / Digit option enabled.
Check Sum

7. What is Mil?
Mil is the metrix use to measure the density / Size of a bar code
1 Mil = 1 / 1000 inches.

8. Thermal Printer Print Head
A 203 dpi (dot per inches) will have 8 heating element horizontally and vertically
across a distance of 1mm.
So a 203 dpi printer will print the smallest bar which has 5 mil
1/203 * 1000 = 5 mils
In the market, we can find, 150dpi (6.7), 203dpi (5), 300dpi(3.3), 400 dpi (2.5)and
even 600 dpi (1.7) printer.
A section of the Thermal Printer
Print Head Heating Element
1 mm
1 mm

9. What is a Ladder and Fence/Cattle Fence Barcode?
Fence Ladder
Direction of Print

10. Commonly use 1 Dimension Barcode
EAN 8/13 Code 128
UPC A/E CodaBar
Code 39 Code 93
Interleaved 2 of 5 UCC/EAN 128
Postnet
http://www.computalabel.com

11. Commonly use 2 Dimension Barcode
Code49
Code 16
PDF417
MicroPDF417
Code One
MaxiCode
Data Matrix
Aztec Code
QR Code

12. Printer requirement Check List ….
 Label size
 Paper roll size
 Speed of print
 Number of print per day requirement
 Type of Interface (Is mobile required)
 Thermal Transfer or Direct Thermal
 Type of label requirement (Sensor mark, material, environment)
 Local Language font support requirement
 Printer language requirement (IPL, FP, DP, Dsim, ZSim)
 Other option (Cutter, label taking, roll take up, Self Strip)
 Application (Customize, Label design software)

13.  For more info, please contact us at:
 PT Sky Cybernet Indonesia
 Homepage: www.skycyber.net
 Email: info@skycyber.net