Basics of 1D Barcodes

1D barcodes are a type of machine-readable label that consists of a series of vertical lines of varying widths, often accompanied by a numerical code. They were originally designed to be read by a barcode scanner. A barcode scanner uses a laser or camera to read the pattern of lines and convert it into a digital code that can be processed by a computer.

With the help of computer vision algorithms, barcodes can also be read using cameras like webcams or the cameras on mobile phones. The latter is what this course will focus on.

Short history of 1D barcodes

One-dimensional (1D) barcodes have an interesting history that dates back to the mid-20th century. The first barcodes were invented by Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver.

The original inspiration was from Morse code. Woodland and Silver used this inspiration to create a system using a series of wide and narrow lines. Their first US patent was issued on October 7, 1952.

These optical codes were first used in the railway system for identifying railroad cars, but the results were mixed. Barcodes first became commercially successful when they were used to automate supermarket checkout systems in the 1970s.

This was due in part to the development of laser scanning technology, which made it possible to read barcodes quickly and accurately. The first product to feature a barcode was a pack of Wrigley’s gum, which was scanned at a supermarket in Ohio in 1974.

As the use of 1D barcodes became more common, several different barcode standards emerged. The Universal Product Code (UPC), developed by George J. Laurer, became the dominant standard in North America, while the European Article Number (EAN) became the standard in Europe. These standards defined the format and structure of barcodes, including the number of digits and the way the information was encoded.

The 1980s saw further development of the 1D barcode technology with the invention of higher-density codes that could store more information in a smaller space. This led to the creation of new barcode standards, such as the Code 128 and Code 39 formats, which were widely used in logistics and manufacturing.

Today, 1D barcodes remain a critical technology for retailers, logistics companies, and manufacturers despite the emergence of newer technologies, such as RFID and 2D barcodes. They continue to provide a cost-effective, reliable, and efficient way to track and manage products and assets, from inventory management to supply chain optimization.

Common types of 1D barcodes

There are several types of one-dimensional barcodes, each of which uses a unique pattern of lines and spaces to encode information. Here are some of the most common types:

UPC (Universal Product Code)

UPC codes are the most widely used type of barcode in North America and are typically used to identify products in retail stores. They consist of a series of bars and spaces that encode a fixed-length 12-digit code.