2D code is not only QR Code, to see what you have seen ?

2D bar code ( 2-dimensional bar code ) records data symbol information using black-and-white graphics distributed in a plane ( two-dimensional direction ) according to certain rules in a given geometry.  In the code compilation, the concepts of ‘ 0 ’ and ‘ 1 ’ bit streams, which constitute the internal logic basis of the computer, are cleverly used. Several geometric shapes corresponding to the binary are used to represent the numerical information of the text, and the information is automatically processed the automatic reading of the image input device or the photoelectric scanning device. It has some common characteristics of the bar code technology : each code has its own specific character set.  Each character has a certain width.  It has a certain verification function.  At the same time, it also has the function of automatic recognition of different rows of information and processing graphics rotation change points.

2D code is a more advanced bar code format than 1d code. 1d code can only express information in one direction ( generally horizontal direction ), while 2d code can store information in both horizontal and vertical directions. 1d code can only be composed of numbers and letters, while 2d code can store information such as Chinese characters, numbers and pictures, so the application field of 2d code is much wider.

According to the principle of 2d code, two-dimensional code can be divided into two categories : matrix 2d code and stacked / row 2d code.

Matrix 2d code Matrix 2d code, also known as chessboard 2d code, is encoded in a rectangular space by different distributions of black and white pixels in the matrix. In the corresponding element position of the matrix, the binary ‘ 1 ‘ is represented by the appearance of points ( square points, circular points or other shapes ), and the binary ‘ 0 ‘ is not represented by the appearance of points. The permutation and combination of points determine the meaning represented by the matrix 2d barcode. Matrix 2d bar code is a new type of automatic graphic symbol recognition and processing code system based on computer image processing technology and combined coding principle. The representative matrix 2d barcodes are QR Code, Data Matrix, MaxiCode, Han Xin Code, Grid Matrix, etc.

QR Code

QR Code is Quick Response Code fast response matrix code, also known as Denso QR Code. It is a matrix 2d bar code standardized by international organizations, which was first developed by Denso, Japan, in September 1994. The Chinese national standard called it the fast response matrix code. In addition to the characteristics of 1d bar code, it also has the advantages of large information capacity, high reliability, small space occupation, effective processing of various text information, supporting 360° arbitrary direction code reading, certain error correction ability, and strong confidentiality and anti-counterfeiting. Support ASCII characters and broad ASCII characters.

Micro QR is a new 2d coding method proposed in ISO : 2006 document, similar to QR. However, compared with QR 2d code, Micro QR has the following characteristics : only one search symbol is needed, and the volume is smaller.

Data Matrix

Data Matrix, originally named Data code, was invented by International Data Matrix ( ID Matrix ) in 1989. Data Matrix can be divided into ECC000-140 and ECC200, ECC200 is more commonly used. Data Matrix supports ASCII characters and broad ASCII characters. is generally used for small volume product serial number identification.

MaxiCode 

Maxicode is a medium capacity, fixed size matrix 2d bar code, which is composed of closely connected hexagonal modules and positioning graphics located in the center of the symbol. Maxicode is specially designed for high-speed scanning and is mainly used for parcel search and tracking.

 

Han Xin Code

Han Xin Code is also called Chinese Sensible. It was developed and designed by China Commodity Coding Center. Hanxin code has the following salient features. Such as super Chinese character representation ability, high coding efficiency, high information density, large information capacity, support encryption technology, anti-fouling and distortion ability, correction error ability and so on.

 

 

Grid Matrix

Grid Matrix, referred to as GM code, is a square 2d code. The code diagram is composed of square macro modules, and each macro module is composed of 6×6 square units. This barcode has the following significant characteristics through its unique coding structure.

 

 

1 Super anti-fouling ability and error correction ability. This 2d code supports five levels of error correction ability, and all bar code information can be restored by the damage within a certain proportion. Lower requirements than many popular 2d code applications. More suitable for some complex application scenarios.

2 has super deformation resistance. This bar code adopts special technical processing methods to solve the problems such as unevenness in application, and supports that the maximum bending curvature ( right angle, concave, convex ) of GM bar code is 90°. It supports the recognition of bending tags within the range of 90°, and has a certain ability to read the wavy barcode tags in time.

3 All-round reading. This bar code supports 360° omni-directional reading and allows the maximum inclination angle to be 45°. Wide range of reading depth, bit error rate is less than one million.

4 Large storage capacity. GM code can accommodate up to 2KB of information. Any computer digital information can be encoded, such as numbers, English letters, Chinese characters, symbols, etc.

Stacked / lined 2d code

The stacking / row-parallel 2d bar code is also called stacking 2d bar code or layer-parallel 2d bar code. Its coding principle is based on 1d bar code, which is stacked into two or more rows as needed.  It inherits some characteristics of 1d bar code in coding design, verification principle and reading mode. The reading equipment is compatible with bar code printing and 1d bar code technology.  However, due to the increase of the number of rows, it is necessary to determine the rows, and the decoding algorithm is not exactly the same as the software.  Representative row type 2d bar code : PDF417 ( commonly used ), Micro PDF417, Code 16K, CODABLOCK F, Code 49, etc.

PDF 417

PDF417 is currently the most widely used stacked 2d code. The bar code is a kind of high density bar code, in the same area than ordinary 2d code can accommodate more information. Widely used in lottery tickets, air tickets, ID reading scenes.

This barcode has the following significant characteristics : large information capacity. Wide coding range. Good security and anti-counterfeiting performance. Decoding reliability is very high bit error rate does not exceed one millionth. Strong ability to correct errors. Bar code production low cost printing requirements are not high. Bar code symbol shape can be changed.

PDF 417 also supports several variants

PDF 417 truncated code : PDF 417 Truncated, also known as Compact PDF 417. This bar code omits the indicator on the right side of PDF417 and reduces the terminator. High environmental requirements when used, if bar code damage will affect the reading effect.

PDF 417 microcode : Micro PDF 417, further reduced PDF 417 code.

 

 

Code 16K

Code 16K is a kind of 2d code. Code 16K bar code is a multi-layer, continuous variable length bar code symbol, which can represent 128 characters and extended ASCII characters in the full ASCII character set.

 

CODABLOCK F

This bar code type is also a stacked 2d code, stacked by multiple Code 128, which supports 256 extended ASCII character sets and uses FNC 4 characters.

Code 49

Code 49 can represent all 128 ASCII characters. Each Code 49 bar code symbol consists of 2 to 8 layers, each with 18 bars and 17 empty. Layers are separated by a layer separator. Each layer contains a layer identifier, and the last layer contains information representing the number of symbol layers

 

This chapter introduces the common knowledge of 2d bar code, each bar code has its related application fields, life will also encounter a variety of different types and characteristics of 2d code, if you need to understand more bar code knowledge,welcome to contact us!Email：admin@minj.cn