Tech Question: Does anyone know about barcodes and information processing?

Tech Question: Does anyone know about barcodes and information processing?
I need a program to convert text AND pictures into a barcode. If you know of a program tell me
If you don’t think such capabilities exist please tell me as well

Best answer:

A barcode basically displays binary data (like an item’s model number, written in binary). Each bar represents one bit of information (8 bits per byte). A picture is usually several kilobytes in size, at least. Sure, it’s technically possible to write a bitmap in binary format, but think about how long the barcode would have to be (8 bits per byte times several thousand bytes for a picture…)

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Under Forum

3 Comments for Tech Question: Does anyone know about barcodes and information processing?

  • 1. pen411  |  May 23rd, 2007 at 12:50 am

    I think you could convert the data to make a picture into a barcode. The problem is the barcode would probably be a hundred feet long in order to hold the data. Current barcodes work because they only hold a small amount of data.

  • 2. raina_vissora  |  May 23rd, 2007 at 1:45 am

    That would be one heck of a long bar code if you tried to convert an image.

    Bar codes actually hold a very, VERY small amount of binary data. Scanners read that data and sync it up to a matching number in a database. The bar code itself doesn’t store anything more than an ID number.

  • 3. doug a  |  May 23rd, 2007 at 1:49 am

    Ok there’s actually no reason to trun a picture into a barcode. As the barcode would represent the binary of the picture not the picture itself and thus render the data useless as like other have said would make it very long.

    Text and numeric only should be used. mean EPOS (Electronic Point Of Sale) sale systems (in the uk) use a format called EAN or CODABAR.

    Simply by enetering the number under the bar code will produce a code that will be accepted by the till.

    Thus for instance a 6 pack of baked beans have a bar code that is represented in the database as does one can.

    By copying the barcode number of the onecan you can produce a stick lable to place on the 6 can and it will go through as a 1 can.

    Although I do not condone the use of this technology to do such a fiddle it is possible as many cashiers only look at what’s gone through the till if it (doesn’t bleep).

    Many of the libraries use another type of Barcode system called interleave2of5 this will not register on a supermarket and vice versa

    barcode technology is moving on a bit now so the old black stripe is being phased out for the newer 3D barcodes.

    These look a bit like a TV screen when there is just static.

Leave a Comment for Tech Question: Does anyone know about barcodes and information processing?

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Trackback this post  |  Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed

Categories