Bar Coding
Pyxis S. Rimkus
Bar Coding Overview
•
•
•
•
•
History
Definitions
How Bar Coding works
Bar Coding Applications
Real World Examples
History
• Invented in 1949 by Norman
Woodland
History
• Sprouted from an idea for a twodimensional version of Morse
Code
History
• Developed and expanded for use
by supermarket chains and
railroads in the 1970s
Definitions
• Bar Coding: a method of
capturing data using a bar code.
Definitions
• Bar Code: a series of vertical
bars and spaces that can be
read by a bar code reader.
Definitions
• Bar Code Reader: a scanner and
decoder that translates bar
codes into characters and
transmits them to a computer.
Common Bar Coding
Uses
• Point of sale
• Inventory
control
Common Bar Coding
Uses
• Stock checking
• Labor tracking
Common Bar Coding
Uses
• Warehouse
picking/checking
• Records control
• Library checkout
How Bar Coding Works
• A bar code is just a set of
characters, encoded as a series
of vertical bars and spaces, that
is scanned, decoded, and
transmitted by a special bar
code reader to a computer.
How Bar Coding Works
• The computer is then able to
access and/or update
information from a database
that uses the characters
decoded from the bar code as a
reference for a unique item.
Five Parts of a Bar Code
• Leading quiet zone
• Start character
• Data characters and optional
check characters
• Stop character
• Trailing quiet zone
Widely Used Bar Codes
• UPC/WPC/EAN8/EAN13
– Used at food and discount stores
Widely Used Bar Codes
• Code 39
– Used for LOGMARS (U.S.
Government)
– Used for HIBCC (health industry)
Widely Used Bar Codes
• Code 128
– Used as a more compact version of
Code 39
– Greater character capability
Bar Code Readers
Three Common Types
• Fixed
• Portable Batch
• Portable RF
Real World Examples of
Bar Coding in Action
• SurroMed, Inc. and Pennsylvania
State University
Real World Examples of
Bar Coding in Action
• Bryan Foods and Freezer
Services
Real World Examples of
Bar Coding in Action
• K-Mart, J.C. Penney, Lowe's,
General Motors, and United
Airlines
Summary
• Bar Coding is a useful tool across
many industries
• Bar Coding is required to do business
in today’s competitive environment.
• Bar Coding can be applied across a
wide range of operations within a
single company.
Readings List
1. www.barcodinghq.com/primer.html
2. www.barcodingsolutions.com
3. “The magic of bar codes” Warehousing
Management; Radnor; Aug 2001;
Anonymous.
4. “Breaking the bar code barrier”
Transportation and Distribution;
Cleveland; Mar 2001; Bushnell, Rick.
5. “Another beautiful mind” Chain Store Age;
New York; Feb 2002; Nannery, Matt.
6. “Bar codes go molecular”
InformationWeek; Manhasset; Feb 2002;
Rendleman, John.