Is it possible to read a upc barcode from the screen of a device like the kindle? Cell Phone?
Is it possible to read a upc barcode from the screen of a device like the kindle? Cell Phone?
With the popularity of coupons, and the pervasiveness of hand-held devices being carried about now-a-days, it would be nice to be able to carry around coupons that could be used without being printed out. I know most places keep coupons, but with expiration dates, and managements knowledge of their own coupons it could work. Will it read though?
Best answer:
I think
Tags: Barcode, cell, device, from, kindle, like, phone, possible, read, screen.
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1 Comment for Is it possible to read a upc barcode from the screen of a device like the kindle? Cell Phone?
1. Bill F | February 24th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
It depends on the barcode scanner and in some respect the display characteristics of the device displaying the coupon barcode.
What you’re describing is happening today. However, it requires the sponsor of the coupons to ensure they have the correct equipment to read coupon barcodes from a cell phone or other portable device display. Since all displays have a somewhat glossy finish the illumination from the barcode scanner causes specular reflection (shiny spots) that make it difficult for the scanner to see the barcode. Think of taking a picture of yourself in a mirror with a camera using a flash. You’ll see a big spot of light that blocks part of your picture. That’s the same thing that happens when trying to read a barcode from display.
Laser type barcode scanners won’t work. They simply cannot handle reading from a display or screen. It requires a barcode scanner based on an area imager – otherwise known as a 2D barcode scanner. They have the same type of digital imager as your camera. On top of that the scanner illumination usually needs to be tweaked to get optimal reading performance. And the backlight typically has to be turned on to create the correct contrast between the barcode and the background.
Along with coupons, a second very big application driver for this technology is mobile ticketing. It’s happening a lot in Europe right now and being rolled out more and more in the US. You could order a ticket for a baseball game or a movie online. You enter in your cell phone number and just before the game or show starts you get an SMS that contains an image of a barcode. When you get to the game or show you place your cell phone display over a custom built reader and it reads the barcode and validates your ticket. I’ve seen this system being used for baseball games, movies, train tickets, airline tickets and concerts.
Finally, the barcodes are almost always 2D barcodes. Like DataMatrix or Aztec code. 2D barcodes have built in error correction. So if part of the code is wiped out by specular reflection it is still readable by the barcode scanner.
This technology will be rolled out in more markets across the world soon.
For more information on barcodes and barcode scanners please visit my website.
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