1. Bar codes: The little symbol that could Nikki Candelore Discrete Math: Summer ’08 Professor Langston

2. What is a bar code?

3. What we take for granted Store’s Centralized Computer Electronic Cash Register and Scanner Manufacturer Centralized Computer EID

4. U.P.C: Younger than you’d think 1930s – Harvard punch cards 1950s – Drexel blanks and bars 1970s catalysts  1974, Wrigley’s gum in Troy Ohio  Rising inflation and impact of labor grocery profitability  Deux ex machina – 1973 FDA regulation change on labeling provides real impetus for change  Consumer outrage at prices being removed 1990s – take off

5. Source: (Brown 4) U.P.C: Younger than you’d think

6. Universal Product Code: Main Features Source: (http://www.barcodeart.com/science/science.html)http://www.barcodeart.com/science/science.html

7. Universal Product Code: Main Features Source: (Brown 282, 287) and (http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/upc1.htm) Module InterpretationNumber Systems Chars U.P.C. Digits

8. Universal Product Code: Built in Checks Inverted bars after middle guard bar Splotches Check Digit Calculation  Sum odd digits (1, 3, 5..)  Multiply this by 3  Sum even digits (2, 4, 6..)  Add this to value in Step 2  Determine then number that added to the above value would generate a multiple of 10

9. Universal Product Code: Built in Checks Check Digit Calculation: Example  Sum odd digits (1, 3, 5..) 6+9+8+0+0+9 = 32  Multiply this by 3 32*3 = 96  Sum even digits (2, 4, 6..) 3+3+2+0+3 = 11  Add this to value in Step 2 96+11 = 107  Determine then number that added to the above value would generate a multiple of 10 107 + 3 = 110 Therefore 3 is our Check Digit

10. Other types of Bar Codes U.P.C. symbol Code 39 Interleaved Two of Five Source: (Gieco 30)

11. Code 2 of 5 and Interleaved 2 of 5 Source: (Baker 21)

12. Code 39 Source: (Baker 21)

13. The Future: 2D bar codes 2D bar codes build on existing technology  Stacks  Matrices  Check words  Fun applications p8t.ch website – 2D patches that when scanned links to URL p8t.ch Source: (http://www.barcodeman.com/faq/2d.php)http://www.barcodeman.com/faq/2d.php PDF417 Stacked Matrix

14. The Future: Radio Frequency Identification Electronic device uses radio frequencies to communicate No need for line of sight Holds more information than a bar code Can be read from or written to Security issues remain a concern, particularly for consumers Source: (http://www.howstuffworks.com/rfid.htm)

15. The Future?