2D or not 2D, what is the question?
Introduction to the Technologies
Wednesday 5th May 2010
Aston Science Park, Birmingham
Prof Anthony Furness
Technical Director, AIM UK
A message in the parody…
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View different technologies in relation to
their complementary attributes
Technology in relation to needs
Consider too…
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Positioning with respect to other technologies – Objectconnected ICT (aka Item-attendant ICT)
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Integration of technologies
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Standards
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Practicalities
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Change
AIDC Technologies – Data Carrier identification
Secondary Identification and Data Capture
Magnetic
Stripe
Matrix
Codes
Bar Code
Linear
Electronic
Magnetic
Optical
MICR*
Optical
Memory
Programmable
(magneto- Magnetic
Contact
optic)
Resonance
Memory
Non-Contact
Memory
Optical Mark Optical Character
Reading
Recognition
Memory
(OMR)
(OCR)
Card
Contactless
Memory Card
Stacked (or
multi-row)
Full Matrix
Dot Codes
Smart Card Contactless
Smart Card
Charge
injection
RF
Transponder
(RFID)
Examples of Bar and 2D Optical Data
Carriers
Each have their variants
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Each have advantages
and disadvantages
Each have their attributes
Each have their standards
Each have their uses
Matrix
Codes
Bar Code
Linear
Stacked (or
multi-row)
Full Matrix Dot Codes
And new 2D Data Carriers Dotcode
• Newly announced through AIM Global – Dotcode symbology specification
• Unlike other dotcodes (and there are many) Dotcode has been place in the
public domain and supported by an AIM International Symbology
Specification as ISS Dotcode
• Small to medium capacity
• Designed with GS1 and EPCglobal applications in mind
• Tackling issues of production speed and marking
• Tackling issues of high speed Ink-jet printing and laser etch with variable data
• modern symbology features
• RFID backup
Source: AIM Global
2-D Symbologies
 Linear bar codes occupy 2D space, but information
contained within the bar /space structure is the same
irrespective of where, in the height of the symbol, the scan
is performed - hence redundancy in space terms
 2D codes occupy 2D space, but information is contained in
rows or other suitable arrangement within the 2D space
 Symbologies, Structure determinants for the symbols and
the rules by which the data is encoded, attributes,
functional features and the data sets that can be
accommodated
Some 2D Code Generalities
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Multi-row bar code symbologies - data encoded as bars and
spaces, in rows, “1s” and “0s” distinguished by bar and space
structures
Matrix codes - data encoded in cells, filled or unfilled to distinguish
“1s” and “0s”
Data capacities often in excess of 2000 alpha-numeric (but not
always)
Density benefit often > 100 characters per square inch
Error control (error detection and correction) usually selectable, but
requires understanding to apply effectively
Code word concept to accommodate different character sets
Fast and accurate transfer of data
Maxicode –
135 ASCII
characters
Forming 2D Code Symbols
2D Symbols may be
printed
or
direct marked
onto objects
…on all manner of
objects
Quality forming
(printing or
direct marking)
and verification
are important to
assure effective
usage and
standards
1D and 2D Barcodes – Licence Plate and
Portable Data Carriers
Key to Database record
Code “134768”
Scan Barcode
Database Look-up
1D Barcode
contains item
identifier code
2D Barcode contains
Item Attendant Data
Application
Transaction
Data from Database
“Data, Data, Data, Data,
Data, Data, Data, Data,
Data, Data, Data, Data,
Data, Data, Data,
Data...”
“134768”
Application
Transaction
Data From 2D
Barcode
“Data, Data, Data, Data,
Data, Data, Data, Data,
Data, Data, Data, Data,
Data, Data, Data,
Data...”
Data Types in Portable Data Files
Name: A N Other
011011010111
Order No. 374656
Ship Date: 12/1/2001 1011
110101101001
Text
0101…
Binary data
Photograph
(or any graphic)
Signature
Biometric templates
“Bill of Lading”
(BOL-204)
BG*VOCAM*CFWY*VOCAM*
CFWY*921014*1107*001
10
GS*SM*VOCAM*CFWY*92101
4*1107*000000110*T*M2
/8
ST*204*000000001
B2**CFWY****110008*L*PP**
C*S****3
B2A*00*BL
N9*CN*4440200752
N9*CR*11-99463
N1*SH*PITNEY BOWES
N3*EDMOND ROAD
N4*NEWTOWN*CT*06470
N1*CN*MIDAS
INTERNATIONAL
N3*4101 W 42ND PLACE
N4*CHICAGO*IL*60632
LX*1
L5*1*G/CTN MACH NOI SU
MAILING DIV*G/CTN*N
L0*1***1060*N***10*PCS**L
L1*1*0.0000**0.00
L7*1******100
L1*2*0.0000**582.92****FFC**
**ALG. U, STOP CHG:
0.00
1320 Characters
L7*2
L3*1060*G***582.92******10*L*555
D*0
SE*23*000000001
GE*1*000000110
EG*00110*1*1*23
BG*VOCAM*CFWY*VOCAM*CFW
Y*921014*1107*00110
GS*SM*VOCAM*CFWY*921014*11
07*000000110*T*M2/8
ST*204*000000001
B2**CFWY****110008*L*PP**C*S**
**3
B2A*00*BL
N9*CN*4440200752
N9*CR*11-99463
N1*SH*PITNEY BOWES
N3*EDMOND ROAD
N4*NEWTOWN*CT*06470
N1*CN*MIDAS INTERNATIONAL
N3*4101 W 42ND PLACE
N4*CHICAGO*IL*60632
LX*1
L5*1*G/CTN MACH NOI SU
MAILING DIV*G/CTN*N
L0*1***1060*N***10*PCS**L
L1*1*0.0000**0.00
L7*1******100
LX*2
L5*2***N
L0*2***0*N***0*PCS**L
L1*2*0.0000**582.92****FFC****ALG
. U, STOP CHG: 0.00
L7*2
L3*1060*G***582.92******10*L*555D*
0
SE*23*000000001
GE*1*000000110
EG*00110*1*1*23
BG*VOCAM*CFWY*VOCAM*CFWY*
921014*1107*00110
GS*SM*VOCAM*CFWY*921014*110
7*000000110*T*M2/8
ST*204*000000001
B2**CFWY****110008*L*PP**C*S****
3
B2A*00*BL
N9*CN*4440200752
N9*CR*11-99463
Optical Data Carrier Readers
Application Commands
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Symbol
Optical
Reader
Optical
Communication
Channel
Firmware/
Middleware
Application Responses
Laser scanning or image capture
techniques are used to capture data from
bar codes or two-dimensional codes
Labels may use linear bar codes or twodimensional codes of the type illustrated
Host Information
Management
System –
Applications
software
Readers can often
accommodate a
range of popular
symbologies
2D code – Some areas of Application
Portable data files and small item
marking adding to the versatility of 2D :
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Advertising
Dispatch and Receiving
Paper EDI
Maintenance histories
Calibration data
Product histories
Hazard labels
Identification cards
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Identification badges
Manufacturing set-up
instructions
Software up-date
communications
Security & Anticounterfeiting
Small item tracking
Ticketing, forms
…
2D, Colour and Integration
Integrated 2D codes and phone-camera
technology
Exploiting the potential of integrating 2D optical code
technologies with reader capability introduced into
camera-supported mobile phone technology
Current Applications:
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Leisure and entertainment
Advertising
Location and Information services
Transaction support
Information gathering & Communications
Counter-hazard instructions
Enter the era of Internet applications
Source: Colorcode
Enter more colour codes
– Microsoft Tag
High Capacity Color Barcode (HCCB) is the name coined by Microsoft for
its proprietary technology of encoding data in a 2D "barcode" using clusters
of colored triangles instead of the square pixels traditionally associated with
2D barcodes.[1]
Source: www. microsoft.com
Custom codes – eg for visiting cards, use in blogs, hyperlinks to websites …
[1] Microsoft Research – “High Capacity Color Barcode Technology”
Integrated 2D codes and phonecamera technology – ‘4D’ Matrix
Coding and decoding Time-multiplexed 2D Colorcodes [1]
Colour matrix code in which the matrix cells change in accordance with data
to be transmitted over the mobile phone communication channel
[1] Source: Langlotz, T & Bimber, O (2007) Unsynchronised 4D Barcodes (Coding and decoding
Time-multiplexed 2D Colorcodes) Advances in visual computing – third international symposium,
Lake Tahoe NV, USA
2D, RFID and Integration
Re-writable paper and variants
Physical (PR) and chemical (CR) rewrite
mechanisms
Integral RFID
Current Applications:
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Process management
Kanban (in-out parts and procurement)
Parts management
Operating instructions
Distribution instructions
Stock movement in frozen storage
Service parts management
Medical check navigation
Pharmaceutical data management
In-house medical logistics
Up-datable ticketing (card-based)
2D, RFID Integration
and Near Field Communication
• Using RFID, high frequency (13.56MHz)
technology and associated standards
• Using mobile phone is an automatic identification
data capture is not new
• Introduced by DoCoMo in Japan in 2002, using
barcode data capture
• Camera acts as data capture device
• Phone is bar code emulator, tag reader and also
a tag writer
• Phone has no capability to change data on
external data carriers
Enter Natural Feature Identification
Surface Laser Authentication (LSA)
Based upon low power laser scan of material surfaces and
digital signature generation from back-scattered signal
(speckle features)
Image Comparison Methods
Based upon image processing techniques to distinguish region
of interest and effect authentication by image comparison
techniques
Fluorescent Fibre Methods (Fibreloc)
Based upon UV or IR Fluorescent fibres introduced into object
surface and digital signatures derived from image field
Natural-Feature Labels
Two-dimensional code – providing
encrypted location of reference
‘natural-feature’ signature
Label release layer –
removed on application
Window
components
– to assist
positioning
Label substrate
Window
Transparent
protective layer
(optional)
Feature window
through which the
‘natural-feature’
signature is derived
©Anthony Furness
Adhesive layer
Feature Label - exempla construction –
magnified and not to scale
Labels may be printed directly onto item
where appropriate
Further integration - Enter
Smart Feature Labels
Label release layer –
removed on application
RFID tag inlet –
sandwiched in
label substrate
Label substrate
Window
Transparent
protective layer
(optional)
Adhesive layer
Smart Feature Label - exempla construction
– magnified and not to scale
Variants of label can exploit other, lower cost data carrier components
such as linear bar codes, matrix and multi-row bar codes
All part of the richness of technologies available and emerging
©Anthony Furness
Mega Trends in Information &
Communications Technology (ICT)
Looking to the future:
– SAP Research International Research Forum 2006 – 27 academics,
technologists, policymakers, entrepreneurs and associated intellectuals – to
question, discuss, debate and frame the future of information and
communication technologies (ICT) – Outcome:
• Megatrend 1: Web 2.0 and the semantic web
• Megatrend 2: IT Security
• Megatrend 3: Real World Awareness (RWA) – “great promise of RWA agreed
to be automation – systems will be able to collect data without human intervention
or errors and use it to react to events more quickly and effectively”
• Megatrend 4:IT as a Tool for Growth and Development
– Relevant to the “Internet of Things” – principles, tools and
methodology required to exploit the potential
CASAGRAS (Coordination And Support
Action for Global RFID-related Activities and
Standardisation )
CASAGRAS has recognised the need for a fully inclusive model for
the Internet of Things:
NFC
Smart Cards
Sensors
2D Codes
Interrogator /
Gate way
device
RFID
Bar Code
GPS
…on to
CASAGRAS2
and the Future
AIM UK – The UK Association of
Automatic Identification and Mobility
So, if the question is, does 2D have a future? the
answer is clear – It does – where need, opportunity
and enterprise indicate
- more so through integration
Learn more about 2D and other AIDC technologies (and Objectconnected ICT) through AIM UK
Education, Training, Information, Standards and Assist
Look out for the AIM UK 2D Compendium – a wealth of
information on 2D technologies and standards
Thank you for your attention
http://www.aimuk.org/