barcode writeup may 19 2010
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Standards based twodimensional symbologies for egovernance applications
A barcode is an optical machinereadable representation of data, which shows certain data on Products, Calendar events, Contact information, EMail address, Geolocation, Phone number, SMS, Text, URL etc. They are interpreted instantaneously and without errors by a bar code decoder.
2D (two dimensional) barcodes have data encoded in both horizontal and vertical directions. They contain more information than 1D (one dimensional) linear barcodes that have data being encoded in horizontal direction only. Conventional 1D barcodes (shown) have a single row of bars that get wider as more data is encoded, 2D barcodes (shown) make use of its vertical dimension to pack in more data. Since data is encoded in both the height and width of 2D barcodes, hundreds of characters can be embedded in a single barcode the size of a large postage stamp. Scan and decode of this type barcode requires use of a 2D compatible scanner.
In summary, 2D barcodes offer higher data capacity, a better fit into tiny spaces and depending on the scanning device, the ability to be read without regard to orientation. Since data is encoded in both the horizontal and vertical dimensions, more data can be packed within the barcode while maintaining a manageable size for easy scanning. 2D bar code technology should be thought of as one that is complementary to the traditional 1D scanning technology, not its replacement.
One of the amazing (and beneficial) aspects of twodimensional symbols is their potential durability. To sabotage the readability of a conventional 1D symbol, one only has to add another bar
to the beginning or end of the symbol or draw a line through the symbol, parallel to the stripes. This throws off the checks and a balance built into the decoding algorithms of a 1D bar code decoder and makes the symbol unreadable. By comparison, many degrees of redundancy can be built into a 2D symbol. While it makes the symbol somewhat larger,
the remaining symbol is remarkably secure. Reports indicate that inspite of minor deliberate attempts on 2D symbols with holes, black marker and tearing, the symbol has remained readable.
Because of the multitude of possible barcode formats available, many of them proprietary, the barcode standards group recommends using only barcodes that meet the following criteria:
• Approved by ISO and therefore public domain status declared • Open standards (royalty free use, no patent exercised) • Proven implementation (mobile or nonmobile) • Can be read by a consumeravailable mobile device
Standardsbased barcode formats have clear superiorities over proprietary formats: • the designers are known experts; • the technical specifications are available; • there is wideranging industry support;
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• there are multiple vendors; and • there is guaranteed data capacity.
2D Matrix Symbologies – Examples
DataMatrix is a twodimensional barcode that can store from 1 to about 2,000 characters. The symbol is square and can range from 0.001 inch per side up to 14 inches per side. DataMatrix is being used to encode product and serial number information on electrical rating plates; to mark of surgical instruments in Japan; to identify lenses, circuit boards, and other items during manufacturing. MaxiCode is a fixedsize code that holds up to 93 data characters. The symbol is composed of a central bullseye locator and offset rows of hexagonal elements. Created by United Parcel Service (UPS), the MaxiCode symbol was designed for quick automated scanning of packages on highspeed conveyor lines (special cameras can read a MaxiCode on a carton travelling at up to 500 feet per minute).
Data Matrix symbols are made up of modules arranged within a perimeter finder and timing pattern. It can encode up to 3,116 characters from the entire ASCII character set (with extensions). The symbol consists of data regions which contain modules set out in a regular array. Large symbols contain several regions. Each data region is delimited by a finder pattern, and this is surrounded on all four sides by a quiet zone border (margin). Symbols have an even number of rows and an even number of columns. Most of the symbols are square with sizes from 10×10 to 144×144. Some symbols however are rectangular with sizes from 8×18 to 16×48. All symbols utilizing the ECC200 error correction can be recognized by the upper right corner module being the same as the background color. ECC200 allows the routine reconstruction of the entire encoded data string when the symbol has sustained 30% damage, assuming the matrix can still be accurately located.
Data Matrix was invented by International Data Matrix, Inc. (ID Matrix) which was merged into RVSI/Acuity CiMatrix, who were acquired by Siemens AG in October, 2005 and Microscan Systems in September 2008. Data Matrix is covered today by several ISO/IEC standards and is in the public domain for many applications, which means it can be used free of any licensing or royalties. (ISO/IEC 16022:2006—Data Matrix bar code symbology specification). Datamatrix barcode generator programs can be obtained from
http://datenfreihafen.org/projects/iec16022.html (GPL)http://www.libdmtx.org/ (LGPL) The QR Code (Quick Response Code) It can encode up to 2509 numeric or 1520 alphanumeric characters and offers three levels of error detection. The smallest QR Code measures 21 X 21 cells (each cell encodes one bit) and can grow in increments of 4 cells to a maximum size of 105 X 105 cells. The squares in the bottom left, top left, and top right corners are locator patterns. The QR Code was developed in Japan by the Nippon Denso Company. The use of the QR Code is free of any license. The QR Code is clearly defined and published as ISO standard. Denso Wave owns the patent rights on QR Code, but has chosen not to exercise them. Micro QR Code is a smaller version of the QR Code standard for applications with less ability to handle large scans. There are different forms of Micro QR Code as well. The highest of these can hold 35 characters. Design QR is a QR Code that was optimized to include a picture or logo to enhance conversion rates.
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QR Code data capacity[6]Numeric only Max. 7,089 charactersAlphanumeric Max. 4,296 charactersBinary (8 bits) Max. 2,953 bytesKanji/Kana Max. 1,817 characters
QR Code ISO/IEC 18004:2006 specifications can be obtained from http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=43655
There are various distinct advantages of using bar codes• Data entry errors are eliminated• Quick and instantaneous processing• Support for Scanners, webcams, readers and mobiles. Collaboration amongst the key trade
association representing the brands (GS1) and operators (GSMA• Mobiles enabled with GPRS/3G can provide additional functionality of online verification• Content encoding to eliminate document forgery can be enforced
PDF417: Developed in 1992 by symbol Technologies, PDF417 is a multirow, variable length “stacked” symbology. The symbolis composed of a stack of 3 to 90 rows. A PDF417 symbol consists of 17 modules arranged into four bars and four spaces. This offers a maximum of 1850 text characters or 2710 digits or 1108 bytes.
Error correction levels user selectable and can be set from 0 (zero) to 8(eight). Lower is recommended for closed applications and higher level is recommended where label damage is more likely. In order to recover the complete content of the document and genuiness linear barcodes such as PDF417 is widely used with encryption. The rectanglar length and width of the bar code will increase based on the size of the encrypted data. This can be used online or offline for any document verification requirements.
As a 2D Barcode has to be used through user interaction with their handset, the 2D Barcode service can support many benefit scenarios for mobile users and enable new business models:
• Location based services (not using network based location, e.g. triangulation) • Profiling services • Eliminate forged documents
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• Detailed usage statistics • Assist promotion of operatorbranded services • Promote enduser loyalty for userservices (e.g. branded, bundled and relevant) • Help build a backend content provider community via the operator • Enable metrics collection of services takeup by end users • Assure a secure end user environment (e.g. integrity and authenticity of information).
Applications for 2D technology:
2D Bar codes are widely used for print media and advertising. All Press releases from Government at District, State and National level can very effectivey use this technology to reach many people through mobiles. Normally the URI is encoded in the 2D barcode leading the mobile user to a web page where the government schemes are given in detail or to the video/audio content of the government press releases.
2D barcode technology provide high security for applications in retail, production and manufacturing and helps business owners to run their companies without any difficulty and productively. As 2D barcode technologies are useful for asset tracking and theft prevention security systems, it increases profits. Owners and managers can easily track their products leading to very less losses and less prone to human error.
2D barcode technology must be essentially used with biometric physiological technologies in order to interpret digital data of a transformed image into a readable code, which is suitable for standard technologies. 2D barcodes utilizes the vertical dimension to insert a lot of data and save a lot of time and money in this process.
2D barcodes facilitates to identity authentication in typical applications. Driver’s licenses, and many other identification cards, which are important consists of 2D barcodes in order to make verification fast and easy. The 2D barcode on the card is very useful as it contains a large amount of data which is nearly impossible to copy on a small condensed area.
The performance and popularity of 2D barcodes has made complete industry of mobile biometric devices very essential for security purposes, which was considered impossible without 2D barcodes. In government, law enforcement and the military applications, mobile devices incorporating biometric identification authentication techniques is based on 2D barcodes to verify and transmit necessary data across considerable distances.
Tax Return – The tax form printed with the 2D barcode symbol using any ink jet or laser printer for mailing to the tax authority leads to many benefits. When the form arrives at the tax authority, the data can be captured quickly with 100% accuracy from the symbol in seconds using a scanner. Not only is the direct cost of paying someone to key the data eliminated, but the indirect costs – to both taxpayers and the government of the errors introduced by manual key entry are done way with. Since studies show that professional key entry can result in up to 1 error every 300 keys, we know these errors exist. Moreover, this application has clear potential outside the income tax arena – any situation in which companies or individuals are supplying information to a government in paper form could benefit from this idea. This includes company excise/sales tax returns, the submission of company employment information, and the collection of government economic statistics from business enterprises, among others.
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The 2d bar codes are also used for georeference very effectively in all applications. The applications which are of locational importance can include this as part of the address. The applications such as land records, telephone connection, water connection, passport which verifies the address, ration card which verifies the address, eelction ID card which verifies the address can include the georefernce id as part of their application and the 2d bar code in the card will instantly verify the details. The sample shown here with 2d QR code is the google geo reference of Open Technology Centre, NIC, Chennai.
Just by adding a 2D barcode symbol to a form, you create what is, in effect, an "intelligent document", one that can be read by human beings, but that can also be automatically and accurately entered into a computer whenever was required. The ration card, driving license, mark sheets, vehicle RC book, health card, hospital card etc. are classic examples.
Packing List Trading partners agree on a standard methodology for encoding shipping information in a 2D symbol, attached to a shipped order. Order data (PO number, shipping date, product codes, quantities, etc.) can automatically be entered into the receiver’s receiving computer terminal in a couple of seconds.
MobileTicket: The ticket for government allotments, entry to cinima halls, entertainment shows, exhibition, theme parks, even travel tickets can be displayed on mobile sent as MMS to mobiles from the internet, web applications.
Patient Record On a hospital patient’s chart record is a 2D symbol, encoding their name, health care number, doctor’s name, date of admission, allergies, etc. When direct care is given to the patient, the caregiver or doctor records the action by scanning the bar code. Also, the bar code is scanned when medication is administered and the possibility of giving a patient the wrong medicine is virtually eliminated.
If we look at the adoption across the globe, the usage for variety of purposes is on the increase more towards security requirements with high level encryption.
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Japan : In Japan, QR codes usage increased rapidly from its launch to the present day. At the beginning of 2004, 27 % of mobile subscribers used 2D Barcodes (Source: Mitsubishi Research). In Q3 2006 this figure increased to 60% (source japan.internet.com). Some Japanese operators (e.g. DoCoMo with 93% of their handsets having 2D Barcode support) had developed a significant content provider value chain and customer loyalty. China : China Mobile has already launched a 2D Barcode service. This service includes several applications, such as WAPbrowsing and name card recognition. The client software on the phone supports both indirect mode and direct mode, and the software could be downloaded from the server. Singapore : Various industry parties have congregated together under the Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) banner to form a Visual Codes Consortium, this venture is also backed by the Singapore regulator, the IDA. Korea : In 2003, KT Freetel launched their 2D Barcode service, followed shortly by SK Telecom in 2004. Initially, only 1% of the subscribers experienced the service, however the number increased to over 30% (14 Million) by Q4 2007. In Korea, subscribers easily encounter 2D Barcodes; they are found in newspapers, on product items, in taxi’s etc. The interoperability of the 2D Barcodes among the MNO’s is a prerequisite to the service. The indirect mode is used and the business model is related to internetworking policy between MNO and contents publishers. France : The French Mobile Operators (Bouygues Telecom, Orange and SFR) launched a 2D Barcode service called “flashcode” in June 2007. It started with a pilot with 3 major media Groups : Lagardère, Mondadori and Prisma. A Website has been created by the AFMM (French Mobile Multimedia Association) in order to promote “flashcode” and is available at http://www.flashcode.fr Interoperability is achieved by a centralised registry provided by the AFMM. A third party or marketer who wants to have 2D Barcodes has to reserve "flashcodes" at the AFMM through a web interface. This guarantees the uniqueness of the flashcodes. Spain : Telefonica launched a 2D Barcode service called “bidi” during 2007. Third parties that want to start using 2D Barcodes as a service can subscribe to it as part of Telefonica s Service ́Portfolio. This service is not interoperable. The lack of current interoperability/standards is a danger of market fragmentation. US market : Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, TMobile and Verizon – are currently involved in the CTIA Code Scan Action Team (CCSAT) under the direction of the CTIA to drive the development of industry standards and assist in encouraging the development of camera phone code scan products in the US. The team is working together to enable wireless industry communications to external stakeholders (such as consumer goods, media, and retailers) who require a unified approach by wireless operators (technologically and systemically), prior to committing to initial capital expenditures, technology selection and marketing resources. These external investments are required to drive actual utilization of the camera phone Code Scan technology infrastructure.
The links below direct you to the pages of the software providers. NOKIA: http://mobilecodes.nokia.com/scan.htmInigma reader: 3GVision supports 450+ handsets. Install via mobile browser: http://www.inigma.mobi or download to a computer and transfer it to your mobile device from www.inigma.com
NeoReader: NeoMedia Technologies / Gavitec AG mobile digit. Install via mobile browser: http://get.neoreader.com
UpCode reader: Install via mobile browser: http://www.upcode.fi www.upcode.mobi
or download to a computer and transfer it to your mobile device from www.upc.fi/en/upcode/instructions/download
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Semacode reader: Install via mobile browser: http://semacode.org/ota or download to a computer and transfer it to your mobile device from semacode.org/software/
QuickMark reader: Download to a computer and transfer ir to your mobile device from www.quickmark.com.tw/En/basic/index.asp
Generating 2D Barcodes
Maestro: PHP QR Code and Data Matrix Generator
http://mobilecodes.nokia.com/create.jsp
Jason Delport’s Create QR Code: User interface for the Google Chart API with 500px x 500px maximum size.
http://createqrcode.appspot.com/
BeQRious Basic but can save as a pdf. http://www.beqrious.com/qrcode/create
3G Vision http://www.3gvision.com/CreateBarcodes.html
Invx: One size but generates a QR Code and a Datamarix Code simultaniously.
http://invx.com/
Jaxo: Select encoding mode, multiple colors and upload background graphic.
http://www.jaxosystems.com/barshow/?lang=en_US
Kaywa: Generates small, medium, large and extralarge sizes.
http://qrcode.kaywa.com/
Mofuse Basic. http://qrcode.mofuse.com/
http://keremerkan.net/phpqrcodeanddatamatrixgenerator/
Nokia: Includes full VCARD implementation.
http://mobilecodes.nokia.com/create.jsp?terms=accepted
TECIT (TBarCode)for Linear and NonLinear bar codes
http://www.tecit.com/onlinedemos/tbarcode/barcodegenerator.aspx?LANG=en
Thus 2D barcodes is a industry by itself which can be exploited for many egovernance requirements as an cost effective solution. The 2D barcode solutions can be innovatively used to prevent forgery, to validate any ID system, to verify any locational reference, to refer any website,audio,video,SMS, etc.. It is an open source and open standard based solution which reduces cost of deployment.
Contact details for the implementation of 2D Bar code solutions:
Dr Balasubramanian, DDG and Head Open Technology Centre, [email protected]
Sh PK Prasad, Sr TD, State Informatics Officer, Tamil [email protected]
VS Raghunathan, Sr TD NIC, [email protected]
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References:
1. Wikipedia refernces on QR Code, 2D Bar codes2. "QR Code Standardization | QR Code.com" . Densowave.com. http://www.denso
wave.com/qrcode/qrstandarde.html. Retrieved 20090423.
3. Barcode Contents" . zxing – A rough guide to standard encoding of information in barcodes. http://code.google.com/p/zxing/wiki/BarcodeContents. Retrieved 17 February 2009.
4. "QR Code.com" . Densowave.com. 20031106. http://www.densowave.com/qrcode/indexe.html. Retrieved 20090423.
5. "About 2D Code | QR Code.com" . Densowave.com. http://www.densowave.com/qrcode/aboutqre.html. Retrieved 20090423.
6. Tony Seideman, "Barcodes Sweep the World", barcoding.com Wonders of Modern Technology
7. "BarCode1 2Dimensional Bar Code Page" . Adams1.com. http://www.adams1.com/pub/russadam/stack.html. Retrieved 20090610
8. http://www.iso.org
9. http://datenfreihafen.org/projects/iec16022.html
10.http://www.libdmtx.org/