Track, Trace & Control Solutions © 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. 2D BASICS & EVOLUTION OF 2D SYMBOLOGIES

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. About your Instructors Matt Van Bogart Global Channel Manager Joined Microscan in 1996 Held positions in Marketing, Product Management and Sales Juan Worle Technical Training Coordinator With Microscan since 1996 Held positions in Service, Applications, Sales and Marketing

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. About Microscan Track, Trace & Control Leader  Technology innovator and leader  Focused on Track, Trace & Control solutions  Capabilities from barcode reading to precise inspection  ISO 9001:2000 certified  Recognized for quality leadership  Global customer base  Worldwide locations - local support  Strong global partner network  A Spectris company

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. About Microscan  Microscan is founded on technology Innovation –Inventor of laser diode bar code scanner –Inventor of Data Matrix symbology –27+ years of innovation in Auto ID & Machine Vision  Microscan continued technology leadership today –Long list of “firsts” for Auto ID & Vision technologies –Most extensive product line for Track, Trace & Control –Others follow Microscan’s new product development  Microscan unique solutions & patented technology –Hold 90+ technology patents in US –Pending 30+ additional technology patents –Extensive library of robust machine vision algorithms/tools Proven Technology Leadership

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. About Microscan  Headquarters Renton, WA (Seattle)  Sales/Service/Support Amsterdam, Brussels, Munich, Istanbul, … Beijing, Guangzhou, Seoul, Shanghai Singapore, Tokyo, … Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Minneapolis, Nashua, Newark, Renton, …  Design/Engineering Renton, WA & Nashua, NH  Manufacturing Renton, WA  Distribution/Solution Partners 300+ locations worldwide Worldwide Presence

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. Convergence of technology

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. Today’s Objectives By the end of this Webinar, you will know:  The lineage of 2D Symbologies  The structure of common 2D Symbologies  Why 2D Symbologies are so popular in so many markets

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. Today’s Topics  Evolution from Linear to 2D  2D Stacked Symbologies: PDF417  2D Matrix Symbologies: Data Matrix  2D Matrix Symbologies: QR Code

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. Evolution from Linear to 2D  As the need for higher capacity codes arose, compact codes were developed  First introduced were 2D stacked: several 1D type codes stacked on top of each other  Then 2D Matrix: data encoded in 2 Directions  1D symbols encode in one direction, 2D encode in 2 directions  2D symbols contain more data in less space Code 39Code 49PDF 417QR Code

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. Evolution from Linear to 2D Early Stacked Symbologies  Code 49, Code 16K  Developed in the late 1980s  Encodes more data than standard linear codes  Sensitive to tilt angles on laser scanners Code 49 is considered the first 2D symbology Code 16K is similar to code 49 but can contain more data and is more efficient

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. 2D Stacked Symbologies: PDF417 PDF 417  Parable Data File, 4 bar/space, 17 modules  Introduced in 1990  AIM Standard  Margins on sides, top, and bottom  Reed-Solomon Error Correction (ECC or ECL) –Levels 0 – 5 –Reduces Truncation: missing characters –Reduces Substitution: incorrect characters  Tilt angle consideration

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. 2D Matrix Symbologies: Data Matrix History  Developed in mid-1990s  AIM Standard soon follows  Symbol sizes range from 10 x 10, up to 144 x 144 rows x columns  Up to 3116 numeric, 2335 alphanumeric characters  Small, easy to print and decode, secure  Most common in DPM applications Microscan holds the original Data Matrix patents

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. 2D Matrix Symbologies: Data Matrix Structure Element Also known as: cell, module Square shaped cell that encodes one bit of binary data “0” or “1” Consistent size throughout code The color of binary 1 is the same as the L-pattern Element measurement determines resolution Quiet zone Also known as: margin, no print zone Required: 1 element size around all sides For best performance: 20% of symbol size

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. 2D Matrix Symbologies: Data Matrix Structure Locating Pattern Clock Pattern: Two sides are alternating light and dark elements. Used for synchronizing the decoding process. L-Pattern: Two solid lines, forming an “L” Data Region The area inside the finder pattern Contains data and error correction

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. 2D Matrix Symbologies: Data Matrix Data Regions  High capacity symbols contain multiple data regions  Each data region can contain up to 88 numeric or 64 alpha/numeric characters  Error correction repeats through the entire symbol Data Region Alignment Patterns Multi-Region Data Matrix

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. 2D Matrix Symbologies: Data Matrix Error Correction  ECC 0 through ECC 140 –Original versions –Convolutional check digit  ECC 200 –Introduced in the late 1990s –Reed-Solomon calculation allows up to 60% of the data region to be damaged –The current ‘standard’ –Allows rectangular codes –Upper right corner element is always binary zero ECC 0 – ECC 140 ECC x 32 ECC 200 ‘Rectangular’

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. 2D Matrix Symbologies: QR Code History  Quick Response Code  Introduced in 1994 by Nippondenso  Sizes from 21x21 to 177x177  Up to 4296 alphanumeric, or 1817 Kanji characters  Small, easy to print and decode  Popular in Asia because of simple Kanji & Kana character support  Becoming more popular in retail using smart phones

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. 2D Matrix Symbologies: QR Code Structure Element Cell, module Square shaped cell that encodes one bit of binary data “0” or “1” Consistent size throughout code The color of binary 1 is the same as the position detection pattern Quiet zone Margin, no print zone Minimum of four times the element width (4X) on all sides of the symbol

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. 2D Matrix Symbologies: QR Code Structure Locating Patterns Three position detection patterns are used to locate the symbol, and determine orientation Data Region The area that contains data and error correction code words

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. Error Correction  Reed-Solomon  Four levels: L, M, Q and H  Higher correction levels generate larger codes 2D Matrix Symbologies: QR Code ECC level and recovery Level% of damage L7% M15% Q25% H30%

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. Introduction to 2D Symbologies Conclusion  Evolution from Linear to 2D –Space constraints: a lot of data in a small amount of space –Error correction: damaged symbols still decode – ideal for DPM  2D Matrix Symbologies: Data Matrix & QR Code –Similar structure between these 2D Symbologies –Margin –Locating pattern –Data region & Error Correction  Many applications now using 2D technology –Automotive –Electronics –DoD / Aerospace –Document Handling –Packaging –Pharmaceutical

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. Next session…. Marking & Decoding 2D Symbologies  Proper marking techniques for your application & maximizing readability  Different marking methods available  How a 2D symbol is decoded

© 2010 Microscan Systems, Inc. Thank you! For more information Website: –Online courses –Spec sheets –Technology brochures –Support self-help and support request form Instructors: Juan Worle, Technical Training Coordinator Matt Van Bogart, Global Channel Manager Feedback on this webinar: Additional contacts: Product information: Training: Support: