Cracking the Code: The Barcode

Cracking the Code: The Barcode

Today we are going to talk about barcodes.1Computer barcodesThirty years ago marked the launch of the Universal Product Code.Requires cooperation between food manufacturers and grocery chains.

The launch of the Universal Product Code (otherwise known as the barcode) began thirty years ago. At the time, food distribution and sales systems lead the way encouraged by potential savings to set pricing labels to every product in every grocery store. It took cooperation between food manufacturers and grocery chains to support the required engineering and technology to develop an automated check-out system. 2BenefitsNo pricing errors made by clerksAutomated check-out countersEstablished a computerized database tracking buying habits, sales preference, and pricing preferences for consumers

Barcodes reaped many benefits. There are no pricing errors made by clerks. There can be automated check-out counters completely eliminating the need for humans to check out at some grocery stores, home goods, and home improvement stores. The little black and white lines have established a computerized database tracking buying habits, sales preferences, and pricing preferences for consumers everywhere.3Historical Fun FactsThe first barcodes were used at a supermarket in Troy, OH in 1974Large, loud, and clumsyThe very first item scanned was a pack of Wrigleys Juicy Fruit chewing gumCan be viewed at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C.

The first barcodes were used at a supermarket in Troy, Ohio in 1974. The scanners that read the barcode were considered large, loud, and clumsy. The very first item scanned was a pack of Wrigleys Juicy Fruit chewing gum. In fact, it can now be viewed on display at the Smithsonian Institutions National Museum of American History in Washington D.C!4Whats new?Scanners are now small, hand held, quick, and quiet.Even provides medicine instructions and blood transfusion accuracySwipe and goDry cleanersGas stationsRestaurants

Now scanners are small, hand held, quick and quiet. They are used everywhere from stores to post offices to hospitals to researchers and engineers in remote locations all over the world. Recently, advances have been made in providing medicine instructions and blood transfusion accuracy by attaching bar coding systems to these items as well. Dry cleaners are applying barcodes to make sure that clothing is returned to this right customer, and banking system codes allow customers to swipe and go in purchasing gasoline, food, and even meals at restaurants at lightning speed.5How does it work?Made up of 12 digitsFirst six (6) numbers define the vendor of the product.Every product from that vendor will have the same first six (6) numbers.The next five numbers are specific to the product.The Last number is the check digit to double check the code.The check digit includes a math formula.

Most product codes have 12 total digits. The first 6 numbers define the manufacturer or vendor of the product. Every product that the vendor sells will have the same first 6 numbers. The next 5 numbers are specific to the product itself. The last number is a special digit call the check digit that is a double check to make sure that the code is correct.6The check digitExample includes: Heinz Ketchup code is 013000001243Step 1. Add the odd positioned digits: 0+3+0+0+1+4=8Step 2. Multiply sum by 3: 8x3=24Step 3. Add even positioned digits (EXCEPT 12th digit): 1+0+0+0+2=3

The check digit has a math formula it follows. Lets try an example. Above is the barcode number for a Heinz bottle of ketchup. Step 1, add the numbers in the odd position 0+3+0+0+1+4+8=8. Step 2, multiply that sum by 3: 8x3=24. Step 3, add the numbers in the even position excluding the check digit 1+0+0+0+2=3.7The check digit (continued)Step 4. Add previous sum to product of step 3: 3+24=27Step 5. Add check digit to previous sum: 27+3=30Step 6. Answer must be a multiple of 10, and the first digit of it should be the check digit

Step 4, add that sum to the product of step 3 3+24=27. Step 5, add the check digit to that sum 27+3=30. Step 6, the answer must be a multiple of 10, and the first digit of that answer should be the check digit. 30 is a multiple of 30 and the first digit, 3, is our check digit.Every time that code is read by a barcode scanner, this calculation is automatically performed. 8How do barcode readers work?Barcode Reader kitScannerDecoderCable that connects to the computerInformation could include the price of a product, the expiration date of medicine, or the blood types for transfusion

Because computers cannot read barcodes, they require an adapter called a Barcode Reader kit to scan products. The scanner reads the barcodes by looking at the black lines, size, and spacing of the blank space between bars. The decoder checks the number through the method we learned from the last slide and transmits the corresponding information about the item to the computer in text format. The information might be the price of a product, the expiration date of medicine, or blood types for transfusion.9