Let's Bust the Barcode Party: Data Matrix?Codes are the Future!

Last month was all about the 50th birthday of the barcode, and fair enough: The parallel lines of 1D barcodes have revolutionized retail, inventory management and logistics. On the other hand, their data capacity is limited to typically around 25 characters. In addition, they require alignment for proper scanning, which can slow down the reading process. All this has led to the development of QR codes, data matrix codes and other camera-readable 2D markers. So as we’ve celebrated the barcode last month, let’s now take a look at QR codes and their industrial variants now!

Advantages of QR and data matrix codes over barcodes

Invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of the Toyota Group, QR codes were initially developed to track and trace components during automotive manufacturing. They can store up to 23,648 bits, which translates to 4,296 alphanumeric characters or 7,089 numeric characters. Therewith, they can encode a variety of data types. Thanks to its integrated error correction mechanism, even up to 30 % damaged codes are still readable. At the same time, QR codes are still very compact. Today, QR codes are mostly used for consumer applications, such as for URLs in marketing, for QR code payment, mobile tickets and to share or authenticate logins.

Data Matrix codes are similar to QR codes. These smaller codes, with up to 144 x 144 cells (rows and columns), are commonly used in industrial applications. In their latest version ECC 200, Data Matrix uses Reed-Solomon codes for error correction. As well as with QR codes, Data Matrix can also be read with up to 30 % damage, as long as the matrix can still be located accurately.

Both Data Matrix and QR codes have been designed for quick and easy scanning from any direction. This enhances the speed and convenience of scanning and makes them particularly useful in fast-paced and fully automated systems such as retail and logistics.

What is needed to read codes?

If you would like to develop an application for barcode, Data Matrix or QR code scanning, it’s important to choose the right camera. In general, cameras with MIPI CSI-2 interface are ideally suited, as they are compatible with most processor platforms and ultra-compact for easy integration. For industrial and professional products, long-term availability and industrial-grade quality are also important. Vision Components offers around 50 different VC MIPI? Cameras, all of which cover these features.

Other important factors include high resolution, good low-light performance and wide dynamic range. Our latest VC MIPI IMX900 Camera with global shutter is based on the advanced Sony Pregius-S technology and enables the best image quality and reliable data acquisition, even in low light conditions. It features a pixel size of only 2.25 μm, and provides an effective resolution of 3.2 megapixels, which is adequate for most code-reading applications.

Especially for high speed applications such as reverse vending machines for cans and bottles, global shutter cameras are needed, to ensure reliable identification and reading even at speeds of 2.5m per second.

Fully automated scangates for even more efficiency

To showcase fully automated identification and reading of QR codes on packages, Vision Components has developed an archway scanner, based on VC MIPI Cameras and an Embedded Vision System with our VC Power SoM FPGA accelerator. When a forklift or conveyor belt drives through the scangate, the camera reads and identifies barcodes across a large detection area. The FPGA receives and processes the raw image data to identify areas with barcodes in real-time. Only these cropped image areas are then extracted and passed on to the processor board. This setup minimizes the relevant image data to be processed by the main application and thus reduces the required processing power of the CPU, even if real-time code reading is required. The ultra-compact design of the perfectly matching components makes integration easy and fast, resulting in shorter time to market and lower development costs.

What is your application with code reading?

Are you also working on an application or project that includes barcode, Data Matrix or QR code scanning and reading? I’m happy to support you with your project. Just contact me and we’ll arrange a meeting.