The 2d barcode scanner makes usage of two already available and widespread technologies: the imaging technology and the CCD technology (ccd stands for charge couple device) – the imaging technology is used in regular barcode scanners (also known as 1D barcodes), the ones you see in almost every shop, hypermarket or anything else similar. The CCD technology is commonly encountered in ccd barcode scanners and relies on a camera that records an image onto a CCD. If you’re interested in reading more about the CCD technology you should hit that previous link and read about CCD barcode scanners there.

2d barcode image

The above image is how a 2d barcode looks like – a little bit different than the ones you see printed on products. You’re probably accustomed with barcodes simply being a picture of some lines (some thicker than others) and with some random numbers under them. 2d barcodes are just a thing of the future and are way more reliable than regular 1d barcodes.

Now, let’s move on to the more interesting part – and that is what exactly are 2d barcode generators.

What are 2d barcode generators ?

Studying the above image it’s easy to understand that 2d barcodes are a bit harder to generate and read, thus emerged the need for a 2d barcode generator. 2d barcode generators aren’t in any way different from 1d barcode generators – they basically provide the same service and that is to generate barcodes – they’re just using different techniques to do so. There are various techniques to generate 2d barcodes – or symbologies if you wish – some of the most known ones are:

• Aztec
• Code 16k
• Compact PDF417
• DataMatrix
• Macro PDF417
• Micro PDF417
• PDF 417
• QR Code
• Semacode

These exact symbologies have been implemented using an array of specialized software solutions that have been implemented where they were needed. One thing you should remember is that 2d barcodes aren’t as widespread as 1d barcodes just yet but they’re on their way.

How do I create a 2d barcode ?

A quick search online reveals various online websites that allow you to generate 2d barcodes by supplying only a few parameters. An example of such a website is the page from Raco Industries which allows you to easily create 1D and 2D barcodes using the aforementioned symbologies and many more.

• Aztec Code
• Code 16K
• Compact PDF417
• DataMatrix
• Macro PDF417
• Micro PDF417
• PDF417
• QR Code
• Semacode

All of these 2d barcode generation symbologies have a specific way of generating 2d barcodes. For example, the Aztec code requires the usage of an Aztec code rune to be able to generate a 2d barcode. The Code 16k uses 3 sets of parameters – ASCII 1,2 and 2 pairs of digits – besides these parameters it’s actually very important that you specify the quiet zone width (the white zone between the lines) and the actual dimensions of the generated barcode. The Compact, Micro and Macro PDF417 symbologies are quite impressive and are a pretty hard to grasp concept at first. Here’s a little information on what exactly the Compact PDF417 technique is about and when it’s best to use it:

Compact PDF417, or Compact Portable Data File 417, has the same features as PDF417 standard. However, Compact PDF417 may be used where space considerations are a primary concern and symbol damage is unlikely. In an environment where label damage is unlikely (e.g. an office), the right row indicators, that PDF417 Symbols feature, may be omitted and the stop pattern may be reduced to one module width bar. This procedure reduces the non-data overhead from 4 codewords per row to 2 codewords per row, with some trade-off in decode performance and robustness, or the ability to withstand noise, damage, degradation, dust etc. This overhead reduction version is called Compact PDF417, which is fully decoder compatible with standard PDF417

The Semacode is a combination between URL’s and barcodes, here’s a short explanation of what it is exactly:

The fundamental concept of semacode is the URL barcode. A barcode is a machine readable visual tag, and a URL (Universal Resource Locators) is an internet address. Semacode Tag is the encoding of URLs into barcodes based on Data Matrix 2D Symbology.

If you’re also interested in learning more about barcode scanners, you could always visit our barcode scanner usb website or our ccd barcode scanner website.

There are special scanners that read such 2D codes and are called 2D-Scanners. The 2D scanner usage involves the improvements in these barcodes and acts more like a portable database scanner that reveals important information every time information on the bar code is scanned. 2D codes are also referred to as the matrix codes, since the matrix happens to be an appropriate representative of 2D symbols.

2D barcodes would be able to save data across the length and the width of the specific barcode. They were introduced after there were space limitations, although the data requirement was mandatory. Data entry into such codes is extremely fast and there are as many as 20 different symbologies for 2D barcodes. The 2D scanner usage employs the handheld scanners with mobile beams that would sweep the label effortlessly.

2D bar codes are robust and cannot be abused or corrupted, therefore they can ultimately store more data. 2D bar code symbolics fall into different categories – matrix and stack. They could be used for packing lists, licenses, patients’ records in health care organisations and tax forms. 2D bar codes are a part of comprehensive solution for scanners and can be connected to the station through the keyboard. The installation is fairly simple and the 2D scanner usage authorizes trouble-free data editing, formatting, remapping etc without any special software application.

2D barcodes could be incorporated in different kinds of business or software models, without any intricacies. As compared to the traditional barcode, much more information could be stores here and they happen to be more versatile as well. They could still be read by a barcode scanner if they are damaged or cracked. Out of all the 2D barcodes, Datamax codes are highly popular and they could be printed using the Datamax printer.

However, the most important question is where to buy a 2d barcode scanner? Some of the most common brands in the market include Symbol, Wasp, Adesso, Metrologic, CK1, Intermec, TS, CCD, Datalogic, Informatics, PSC, Standard and Trakker. All of these brands tend to have different features for each of their models. The weight of these 2D scanners might vary in accordance of the brand chosen, whereas some of them may be slimmer than the rest.

A majority of these scanners could be connected to the computer screens or displays through a USB wire, whereas some could be connected with Bluetooth. Wireless scanners are commonly prevalent these days and are powered by a battery. Each charged battery could scan up to 30 hours and would last for about 20000 scans. The standard range is about 160 feet. On the other hand, all those scanners which are connected to computer through wires have a scanning radius up to 5 feet. All the USB scanners available in the market today use the plug-n-play feature which would allow the scanners to function immediately, as opposed to installing special software.

Before actually buying the 2D scanners, it is important to identify the purpose for which you need these scanners. You need to recognise the type of the barcodes to be scanned and its specific orientation. You also need to finalise the location at which these scanners could be fitted in your organisation, so as to single out whether you need wireless scanners or wired scanners. If you choose the scanners which do not have the plug-and-play feature, you also need to make arrangements for the specific software required by these devices.