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Barcode Readers
  

Barcode Structure

Barcode structure chart
Quiet zones
Non-printed zones immediately before and after the barcode. It is recommended that the quiet zone be at least 10 times the narrow bar width. A quiet zone smaller than this can make the barcode unreadable.
Note: Insufficient quiet zones will cause inaccurate readings. Please make sure to secure enough quiet zones for all bar codes.
Start/Stop character
A pattern of bars and spaces that provides the scanner with start and stop reading instructions. For example, Code 39 uses "*" as a start and stop character.
Data (Message)
The bar patterns which are represented as data by numbers or letters
are placed from the left. For example, in the above figure, the bar patterns representing "0", "1", and "2"
in sequence from the left represent the data "012".
Check digit
A digit included within a barcode whose value is used to perform a mathematical check that ensures the accuracy of the read. It is placed immediately after the barcode data.
Label length
Length of label including left and right quiet zones. A read cannot be made if the quiet zones are not large enough.
Barcode height
The height must be at least 2 mm (0.08") for a single line option and at least 5 mm (0.20") for a raster option.

Narrow bar width

Barcodes consist of bars and spaces of different width.
The bars and spaces are called out as follows:
Narrow bar width chart
The wide bar width is determined according to
the narrow bar width. The standard ratio is:
NB:WB = NS:WS = 1:2.5)
The width of the narrow bar is called narrow bar width.
The narrow bar width is used as the Specification Standard of Bar Code Readers.
When narrow bar width is small
More information can be places in the barcode in limited spacing due to smaller bar widths.
Scan width becomes narrow (read range becomes small).
High quality barcode printing is required (laser and thermal transfer printers).
When narrow bar width is wide
The barcode will be wider.
Scan width becomes wide (read range becomes large).
High quality barcode printing is slightly less important.


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