Across industries, the barcode labels you use to identify your products and assets are critical to your business. Compliance, brand identity, effective data/asset management require effective (and accurate) labeling. The quality of the labeling and printing effects operational efficiency.
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Making informed business decisions about which barcode labels – and therefore scanners, readers, printers, and more – all lies in understanding the variations of barcode labels and their unique characteristics.
You need to know the type of barcodes not only for determining what works best with your products and assets but also so you can best determine the other supporting technology (integration systems, printers, scanners, readers) that will give you a comprehensive barcode solution for your entire enterprise. Our FAQs can get you started.
Q: WHAT IS A 1D BARCODE?
A: A 1D barcode (also known as a linear code) is a visual black and white pattern, using variable-width lines and spaces for encoding information. That information – such as numbers or other keyboard characteristics – is encoded horizontally from left to right. 1D barcodes holds a limited number of characters, typically 20-25. In order to add more numbers, the barcode must be longer. The most familiar 1D barcodes are those common UPC codes found on grocery and consumer items. A 1D barcode depends on database connectivity in order to be meaningful; after a scanner reads the numbers in the code, they must be linked back to product or pricing date, or other information.
Q: WHAT IS A 2D BARCODE?
A: A 2D barcode uses patterns, shapes, and dots to encrypt information both horizontally and vertically. 2D barcode can encrypt more characters (around ) in the same amount of space as a 1D barcode (which only has 20-25). Types of 2D codes include QR code, PDF417, and Data Matrix. In addition to holding more data, 2D barcodes can encrypt images, website addresses, and other binary data, which means that the codes can work independently of a database. 2D barcodes can be used to mark very small items where a traditional barcode label will not fit – think of surgical instruments or circuit boards inside of a computer. When it comes to customer selection, 2D barcodes are often people’s preference due to the amount of information a 2D barcode can hold in comparison to a 1D.
Q: WHAT ARE THE OPERATIONAL AND FUNCTIONAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE 1D AND 2D BARCODE?
A: Operationally, the critical difference between the two types of barcodes is in the type of scanning engine required to read them. (See the next question for more). Functionally, which type of code is used will depend on the application. Linear (1D) codes tend to be used in scenarios where the associated data is prone to changing frequently (i.e., pricing or the contents of a container). 2D barcodes are used where there may not be database connectivity, where space is limited, and where larger amounts of data are required. Most companies use a variety of different codes for different applications. Think about a typical shipping label or package. This will reveal as many as a half-dozen different types of barcodes on a single box. Again, 2D barcodes tend to be popular due to the amount of information one can hold. Knowing the capabilities (and limitations) of both 1D and 2D barcodes allows you to make the best decision for your enterprise.
Q: WHAT KIND OF LASER SCANNER OR IMAGE READER DO I NEED TO READ A 1D OR 2D BARCODE?
A: There are two different scan engine types (laser scanner versus imager) for interpreting the information provided in the barcode. Many companies producing the technology capable of reading the barcode data uses the term “scanning” regardless of the type of scan engine used. For the purposes of these FAQs, we are trying to draw a clearer distinction for you.
Linear (1D) codes can be scanned with a traditional laser scanner. A laser scan engine uses a laser and mirror to create the bar that scans the information. 1D barcode scanners will only interpret the linear barcode scanning technology. 1D barcode scanners are typically less expensive since the type of encryptions they can decode is limited. A laser scan engine comes in standard range or long range.
2D barcodes must be read using a scan engine type known as an imager. Imagers come in two types – 1D only and 1D/2D. There are subsets of each: standard range, medium range or near/far. 2D barcode imagers can read both linear and two-dimensional barcodes. 2D imagers have become so versatile that they often are replacing 1D barcode scanners in many applications.
2D barcode readers include Honeywell’s Granit series the Granit 191Xi, an industrial scanner that can read both types of barcodes, along with the SR61-HP, which includes the company’s fastest scanning engine. In addition to reading all types of data encryptions, 2D barcode imagers can read from any direction, at long ranges, and can interpret damaged or poorly printed barcodes.
Q: WHAT SHOULD I USE FOR READING A DAMAGED OR POORLY PRINTED BARCODES?
A: A 2D imager can read damaged or poorly printed linear barcodes. 2D imagers will reduce wasted time spent trying to read bad barcodes and will boost overall productivity in environments where reliability and flexibility are important.
Q: IS A 1D BARCODE SCANNER ABLE TO READ BARCODES FROM ANY ANGLE (OMNIDIRECTIONAL)?
A: No. 1D barcode scanners are extremely limited in the angle at which it must scan 1D barcodes. The benefits of 2D imagers is that they are omnidirectional and can read even a damaged or poorly printed barcode from any angle. This can have a tremendous impact on the workflows of your operation because it will take less time to find the right angle. 2D barcode imaging technology helps increase efficiency, productivity and lessens worker hand-fatigue.
Q: CAN I CAPTURE IMAGES OF DOCUMENTS AND SIGNATURES WITH A 2D BARCODE SCANNER?
A: Yes. 2D barcode imagers minimize the risk of fraud in shipping and delivery applications. These readers can easily and accurately capture signatures with a simple image capture, allowing drivers to quickly expedite the delivery workflow.
Q: WHAT IS THE MOST EFFICIENT AND ACCURATE BARCODE OPTION?
A: Many companies incorporate both 1D and 2D barcodes into their labels, often at the request of customers or to meet industry-specific labeling standards (as in the aerospace or automotive industries). 2D barcode imagers are the best option if you are looking for fast and accurate barcode readings. 2D barcodes used in manufacturing and supply chain applications has increased, as this scanning technology efficiently scans moving items on conveyor belts without worrying about scanner alignment. Additionally, 2D barcodes are ideal for imprinting on the small parts associated with manufacturing, electronics, pharmaceutical and medical equipment industries.
Q: WHAT ARE THE OTHER TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS OF A COMPREHENSIVE BARCODE SOLUTION THAT I NEED TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER?
A: In addition to choosing the appropriate barcodes and scanners (laser-based or image-based), you will also want to consider integrations with other software systems within your operations such as ERP systems. And you will want to consider how you are going to print your own labels and verify them. Our industrial barcode printers provide high-performance, high volume printing for your fast-paced environment. They are easy to integrate, set up, and configure so you can keep your mission-critical processes running without disruption. A barcode verifier checks to ensure the barcodes you print are of the highest quality, often measuring them against ANSI or ISO specifications.
We have decades of experience in barcode solutions – from labels, to readers, to printers, to software integration systems.
We will support you in making the most informed decision for your enterprise and can outfit your company with barcode technology from the world’s best providers (like Honeywell and Zebra). Contact us to begin building your comprehensive barcode solution for your enterprise.
If you are using Raspberry Pi microcontroller / single-board computer to develop your system, and at the same time, you need a 1d/ 2d embedded barcode scanner to work with it, then this article would be helpful for you:
Here we introduce how we connect the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ micro-controller with RTscan embedded barcode scanner and how to make them work with each other.
When we try to integrate an embedded barcode scanner with the Raspberry Pi microcontroller board, but we would meet these problems:
Read below and find how RTscan provides solutions for above questions.
Raspberry Pi 3B+:
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B is the latest iteration of the most popular single-board computer. It provides a quad-core 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 CPU running at 1.2GHz, four USB 2.0 ports, wired and wireless networking, HDMI and composite video output, and a 40-pin GPIO connector for physical interfacing projects.
Raspberry Pi 3 Pinout
And for our application to connect with embedded barcode scanners, we need the 3.3V (or the 5.0v) power supply pin, and GND pin, RXD, TXD pins.
And also, we will demo how to connect our embedded barcode scanners: with raspberry Pi via USB interface.
In this article, we just choose RT870 as an example to do the connection and integration, all the above listed models like RT830C, RT234 and RT231 etc are also ideal for connection with Raspberry Pi for different applications.
RT870 has RJ45 and micro USB output.
RTscan provides two types of solutions:
RTscan provides the following DuPont interface to connect the embedded barcode scanner with Raspberry Pi:
This is a simple solution, just connect the 5.0V power supply (the EVK needs 5.0v power supply), GND, RX, and TX pins.
RT870 RJ45 Pinout
PIN Connection:
For Raspberry Pi, if you prefer to connect the embedded barcode scanner via USB interface, it also is fine, setup RTscan’s barcode scanner to HID mode (work directly) or USB CDC/Virtual Com mode (follow Part III/USB CDC communication).
For more information, please visit Embedded Barcode Scanner Engine.
We developed Python sample code to work with our scanners so that you can copy our source codes and program your system very quickly and no need to write the whole code one by one; save your time and speed up your integration work!
In this article, we choose the RT870 as an example to do the programming. Below we show how they work together when they connect via TTL-232, USB-CDC, and USB-HID.
Connect the 5.0v power supply pin, and GND pin, RXD, TXD pins via Dupont cable.
RT870 needs to be set up with RS232 mode, scan the following barcode
Set to RS232 Mode, the default baud rate is , 8-n-1
For more details, please refer to “User-Manual-RT830A-RT870-RT860_V1.2.3”
Use serial port 0 in Raspberry Pi,
/dev/ttyS0
More settings would be required to enable Raspberry Pi serial0, please see below (If you already opened it, then ignore this):
1.Enable serial port ttyS0
Open the serial port/dev/ttyS0
Via command window, input:
sudo rasp-config
2.Open the system configuration interface as shown below, select Interfacing Options
Then select serial:
Select No:
Choose Yes:
Finally, save and exit.
Now, please enter the following command, check the serial port ttyS0:
ls -la /dev/
But, if it still cannot be used, please double-check and re-configure it.
3. Close the Console
In the terminal, input:
sudo systemctl stop
sudo systemctl disable
Then, restart
And input:
sudo systemctl mask
Now it works!
4. Modify Raspberry Pi CPU frequency (optional, you would no need to do this)
After the above steps 1 and 2, the settings are theoretically completed. But some times:
(1)After sending a string via serial port, in most cases the receiver shows up garbled data.
(2) When the serial port receives data, if it appear data like: **\xe8 \xe9**
This would be caused by the wrong working frequency of the Raspberry Pi, information link:
Raspberry Pi 3 login via UART on GPIO Baud Rates broken
The modification method is described as below:
sudo vim /boot/config.txt
Find out whether the sentence core_freq=250 is enabled. If not, remove the # number in front of this sentence, or add core_freq=250 at the boot/config.txt, done.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Mini Ccd Scan Engine.