Know more about the common types of 1D and 2D codes and application scenarios

In daily life, we often see various 1D and 2D codes, from scanning to ordering food to express delivery, from ticketchecking to shopping label scanning and identification, etc. It can be said that 1D and 2D codes have become an indispensable part of modern life, so what are their specific types?

1D code (barcode): One-dimensional code consists of black and white stripes, usually can only store numbers or letters, has a small data capacity, and needs to rely on database to query complete information. These include: Code39, Codabar, Code25 (standard 25), ITF25, Matrix25, UPC-A, UPC-E, EAN-13, EAN-8, postal code, Code-A/B/C, MSI, Code11, Code93, ISBN, ISSN, Code128, Code39, GS1 128, etc.

The most common barcodes are as follows

Code128: CODE128 is a barcode widely used in enterprise internal management, production processes, and logistics control systems. Due to its excellent characteristics, it is widely used in the design of management information systems. CODE128 is one of the most widely used barcode systems.

Code93: It is used in the military and automotive fields, and is also used by Canada Post to encode special delivery information.

Code39: Code39 is a non-continuous coding method that uses both bars and spaces to represent information. It can represent 44 characters, including numbers 0-9, letters A-Z, and eight control characters (-, space, /, $, +, %, ·, *). It is mainly used in the automated management of industry, books, and bills.

Cross-25 code: The cross-25 code was invented by Intermec in the United States in 1972. It was widely used in warehousing and heavy industry in the early days. In 1981, the United States began to use it in the field of transportation packaging. In 1987, Japan introduced the cross-25 barcode, which was standardized for the identification and management of storage and transportation units. The EAN specification uses the interleaved 25 barcode as the standard barcode for storage and transportation units.

ISBN/ISSN: Product barcode for books and imaging products

EAN13: Product barcode, used to uniquely identify a product worldwide. We are most common in supermarkets

EAN8: EAN8 code is a shortened code of product barcode, with a total of 8 digits. When the product packaging is less than 120 square centimeters and the standard code EAN13 cannot be used, you can apply for the shortened code

UPCA: The digital code for UPC-A code to be read by people is only 12 digits. Its code structure consists of three parts: manufacturer identification code (6 digits) (including 1 system character), product item code (5 digits), and check code (1 digit).

UPCE: UPC-E code is a shortened version of UPC-A code. It is obtained by compressing the UPC-A code system character to 0 through certain rules.

ITF14: ITF barcode, also known as cross 25 barcode, is mainly used for transportation packaging. It is a barcode that should be selected when the printing conditions are poor and EAN-13 and UPC-A barcodes are not allowed to be printed.

2D bar code is a new way of encoding and storing data information developed on the basis of one-dimensional barcode. QR codes can be divided into stacked and matrix types according to different coding principles. They can store data, have large capacity, and can store text, links, pictures and other information without relying on a database. Common QR codes include QR code, PDF417, Data Matrix, Aztec Code, Han Xin Code, Micro QR Code, etc.

QR Code: QR code is a black and white square matrix QR code with ultra-high speed and all-round reading characteristics. It is currently the most widely used. It is usually used in logistics and industrial automation production management. In daily life, bus and subway boarding codes, electronic ticketing, mobile payments, etc. also use QR codes

PDF417: PDF417 is a stacked QR code, a high-density, high-information content portable data file, and the stored information cannot be rewritten. Because this QR code has a large information content and strong confidentiality and anti-counterfeiting properties, it is mostly used in boarding passes, passports and other documents.

Data Matrix: Matrix-type two-dimensional barcode, the biggest feature is high density, its minimum size is the smallest code among all barcodes, especially suitable for the identification of small parts in the electronics industry, can be directly printed on the entity, and has super anti-pollution ability, suitable for national defense security, aerospace parts, electronic components, PCB boards, medical industry drug traceability, medical device marking, etc.

Aztec Code: It is a two-dimensional code with a nested circular shape in the middle. The data capacity can encode more than 3,000 characters. All data is encoded around the circular positioning mark in the middle. It is usually used for air tickets and other travel documents and car registration documents. It can also be used for patient identification, drug identification, samples and other items related to specific patients in hospitals.

HanXin Code: A two-dimensional code independently developed by China, more suitable for the expression of Chinese character information, and efficient encoding. It is usually used for government services (health code, file management).

Micro QR Code: It is characterized by its small size and only one positioning pattern. It can be printed in a smaller space than QR code, suitable for space-constrained scenarios. Mainly used in small electronic products such as smart watches, earphone packaging, etc.

Shenzhen Handheld-Wireless Technology Co., Ltd can provide various android barcode scanner PDA devices, support the above-mentioned 1D and 2D barcode scanning, and also support customized processing, which can be widely used in manufacturing, retail, logistics, warehousing, inventory and other industries etc.