On October 20, 2009, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the barcode. On that day in 1949, Woodland and Silver patented their work on “Classifying Apparatus and Methods”. The barcode invented years ago consisted of a series of circles. Today, barcodes are the cheapest and most effective way of encoding data for ADC purposes. Most widespread in trade, they are gaining an increasing number of users in other economic sectors every day. However, the shape of the most popular linear barcodes has taken the form of parallel bars and spaces over the years. Barcodes, which revolutionized and automated retail and wholesale trade many years ago, have become very popular in other industries. Over time, however, their users began to feel the limitations resulting from the structure of the codes and the amount of data that could be encoded in them. For example, the EAN-13 barcode, read at points of sale, allows only the product identification number to be encoded. However, there is no technical possibility to present additional information, such as an expiration date or production batch number, in the form of this code. In turn, the GS1-128 barcode, which enables the encoding of various data sets through the use of so-called Application Identifiers, often proves to be too large from the point of view of some sectors. It is impossible, for example, to place this symbology on very small products.
The answer to these types of problems is a new – two-dimensional – code symbology: GS1 DataMatrix. GS1 DataMatrix is a symbology intended for use within the GS1 system and in accordance with its rules: data structure and format. GS1 DataMatrix barcodes can be printed as square or rectangular symbols, composed of independent modules within the boundaries of an “L”-shaped positioning pattern. The symbol allows for encoding a large amount of data on a relatively small surface compared to traditional linear codes. For this reason, this symbology is gaining increasing popularity in industries such as: aviation, pharmaceuticals, the military, and medical device manufacturing. However, it should be remembered that two-dimensional image scanners or vision systems are used to read and decode this symbology. Two-dimensional codes are currently used on units with a small surface area for product marking, for example in healthcare. This applies to products that do not pass through retail points of sale, as well as those for which there is a need for tracking in the production process. Two-dimensional codes allow for the encoding of various data sets thanks to the use of the previously mentioned Application Identifiers, which uniquely identify both the product itself, as well as additional data, their format and meaning. Within the GS1 system, there are over 100 such Identifiers that allow for encoding: expiration date, production batch number, location numbers, as well as other data in the form of a single symbol on a very small surface.
Why it is worth using the new standard
GS1 DataMatrix codes will not replace other GS1 system symbologies. Every use of a GS1 DataMatrix code should be in accordance with the GS1 system guidelines and limited to applications defined by the GS1 system for a two-dimensional code. The use of the new symbology within selected areas will allow their users to achieve many benefits. GS1 DataMatrix barcodes guarantee a much higher density of information compared to traditional one-dimensional codes, which allows for the inclusion of a huge amount of data on a very small surface. Furthermore, GS1 DataMatrix symbols use sophisticated error correction algorithms, which enables the reading of partially damaged codes. This means that print quality and contrast play a smaller role than in the case of linear or stacked codes. The use of the algorithm allows for the reconstruction of up to 20% of damaged characters, while traditional barcodes do not have any error correction capability.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” 6/2009.