Bokode

A bokode is a tiled series of data matrix codes. These data tags hold thousands of times more information than a barcode and they can be read by a standard mobile phone camera or scanner. Bokodes were created by scientists at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and it is hoped that they will eventually replace barcodes.

These tags are generally 3mm in diameter and they consist of an LED covered with a lens and tiny mask. The reader e.g. a mobile phone camera simply scans the bokode and the information contained within the bokode is displayed on your reader. The actual information is contained in the light shining through the tiny mask. This mask can vary in brightness depending on what angle it is seen from.

It is believed that bokodes have many advantages over conventional barcodes. One such advantage of a bokode is that they can be read from a further distance than a barcode. Typically, barcodes must be read within a short range and they could take up a lot more space on a product. Bokodes can be read from a longer range and the size of the tags mean they take up less space on a product when compared to a barcode.

Bokodes are currently expensive to produce as they require a lens and the LED they use also requires power. They usually cost around £3 each to produce. Researchers do believe they can refine the technology and this could lead to a reduction in the cost to produce it. They believe they can make the technology passive so it does not require power to transfer the data. This could be done by making the tags reflective rather than having a powered LED to shine the light, making bokodes cheaper to produce.

Typical applications include industrial uses such as tracking specific products or objects, similar to a normal barcode. There is more potential for the bokode to be used in supermarket applications as they can be read on mobile phones. The consumer could scan the bokode and find out important product information such as nutritional value or price comparison of the different products on the supermarket shelf.

Bokodes do certainly have the potential to displace barcodes and the tags do have advantages over barcodes such as a longer read range and the fact they can store more information than barcodes. At the moment, bokodes are more expensive to produce than barcodes and other technology such as RFID can also be considered as a potential replacement for the barcode.

itf14 barcode

An ITF14 barcode is used by manufacturers and distributors to take shipments quickly and accurately. They can be used to mark cartons, cases or pallets which have products containing a UPC or EAN product identification number. The ITF14 barcode is based on the 2 of 5 symbology and it contains 14 digits.

ITF14 barcodes contain lines at the top and bottom of the barcode. These are known as bearer bars and they are there to prevent a short scan from your scanner. Without these bearer bars, it could be possible for the scanner to scan part of the barcode and think it has read the data. The presence of these bearer bars ensure the barcode is read fully.

Creating ITF14 Barcodes with Software

ITF14 barcodes can be generated through barcode label software which will also allow you to produce a design for your labels. Barcode software is typically available in basic, professional and networked versions; limited software is often supplied with the printer which will allow basic designs to be created. If you are creating your ITF14 barcodes from a database then you will need professional barcode software.

For more information on printing or creating ITF14 barcodes, please e-mail support@amlabels.co.uk or call us on 01536 414222.

Zebra have announced the availability of their ZXP 8 Series Retransfer Card Printer. These retransfer printers could be an ideal solution if you are looking for a printer which can print ID cards, driver licences, gift cards and many more applications.

One of the key benefits of the Zebra ZXP 8 Series is its ability to deliver you high speed printing with photo quality results. A print speed of up to 190 cards per hour means it is the ideal card printer to keep your operation performing at optimum levels. The Zebra ZXP 8 Series has been designed to integrate with a whole host of applications, saving you the time and resources setting it up. Other key benefits of the Zebra ZXP 8 Series include a patent pending, simultaneous dual sided image transfer process. This allows you to print on both sides of the card.

The Zebra ZXP 8 Series Retransfer Card Printer looks set to revolutionise the way we view retransfer card printers. Long gone are the days where print speeds restrict the amount of cards you can print. This printer responds to your needs to have a card printer capable of delivering high quality at high speeds.

AM Labels are proud to offer the Zebra ZXP 8 Series Retransfer Card Printer with prices starting at £1,938.60.

If you would like more information about the Zebra ZXP 8 Series Retransfer Card Printer, please click here.

Low Frequency (LF)

Low frequency RFID systems typically operate at a frequency of 125 kHz. The typical read range of a low frequency RFID tag is typically less than 0.5 metres or 1.5 feet. Lower frequency RFID tags are less sensitive to interference so they generally perform better in harsh environments, on metal surfaces and in the presence of liquids.

Low frequency RFID uses include tracking animals, point of sale applications and product authentication.

High Frequency (HF)

High frequency systems typically operate at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. They have a higher read speed and higher read range than low frequency RFID systems. The read range for high frequency RFID is typically 1 metre or 3 feet.
High frequency RFID tags do tend to be more sensitive to liquids and metal surfaces.

High Frequency RFID uses include smart cards, product authentication and airline baggage.

Ultra High Frequency (UHF)

Ultra high frequency RFID systems typically operate at a frequency of 860MHz. They have a higher read speed and a higher read range than high frequency RFID systems. The read range for ultra high frequency RFID is typically 3 metres or 9.5 feet.

Ultra High Frequency RFID systems do tend to be very sensitive to liquids and metal surfaces which will greatly reduce the read range.

Ultra high frequency RFID systems are most commonly used in the supply chain due to its greater read range when compared with low frequency and high frequency RFID systems. Aside from this, ultra high frequency RFID systems can be used in manufacturing.

A Code 128 barcode is a general purpose barcode, widely used across all industries including the food and non-food industries, public sector and government bodies and can contain letters and numbers.

Code 128 can be an alphanumeric or numeric only barcode and is one of the most common 1D barcodes due to its high-density barcode symbology.

Code 128 barcodes typically contain a part number, product code or patient number etc. When a barcode is read and input into a computer, it is typically cross referenced to either a local or central database, where large amounts of information can be automatically retrieved for the item scanned. A code 128 barcode can encode all 128 characters of ASCII and includes 107 symbols: 103 data symbols, 3 start codes, and 1 stop code.

Creating Code 128 barcodes with software

Code 128 barcodes can be generated through barcode label software which will also allow you to produce a design for your labels. Barcode software is typically available in basic, professional and networked versions, limited software is often supplied with the printer which will allow basic designs to be created. If you are creating your Code 128 barcodes from a database then you will need professional barcode software.

There is also an Open-Source Barcode Generator for Code 128 Barcodes (C++, VB, Excel Macros, etc) available to download online.

For more information on printing or creating Code 128 barcodes please e-mail support@amlabels.co.uk or call us on 01536 414222.

The Gryphon GM 4100 counterfeit base stand contains an ultra violet (UV) counterfeit detector, which means you can use it to detect counterfeit currencies. It can also be used for passport verification, travel ticket verification and much more. You get all of this alongside its original concept which is scanning barcodes and it detects whether your money is genuine or fake by looking out for key identifiers which are only visible under a UV light.

The Gryphon GM 4100 counterfeit base stand and scanner could very well be an ideal solution for retail as it can integrate very easily into your operation. This scanner takes up less counter space and it allows you to quickly and effortlessly check whether money or any other documents are counterfeit.

AM Labels is proud to offer the Datalogic Gryphon GM 4100 scanner and counterfeit base stand as part of its barcode scanner range with prices starting at only £206.75. Please click here for more information about this product.

One of the features that makes this low cost desktop printer unique is that it offers an optional LCD display screen, making it easier to view the status of your job. The TSC TDP 225 desktop printer has many other clever features packed into it such as the capability to continue printing, even if your computer network is down by calling up a stored printing programme within the printer, enabling you to enter the information via an external keyboard. The TSC TDP 225 and 225w can also be integrated very easily into your network, making it ideal for many applications.

TSC may have packed many clever features into its printers but it does not mean the design has been compromised. In fact the TDP 225 has been designed for easy storage with its clever clam shell design, enabling it to fit where other printers cannot.

The best thing about the TSC TDP 225 and 225w is just how cost effective they can be. The features in these printers are usually found in more expensive desktop printers and they are available for you to purchase right now.

AM Labels is proud to present the TSC TDP 225 and 225w thermal desktop printers with prices starting at only £155.25. These could very well be some of the most advanced low cost desktop printers on the market.

If you would like more information about the TSC TDP 225 direct thermal desktop printer, please click here. Alternatively, if you would like more information about the TSC TDP 225w wristband printer, please click here.

This application can prove very useful as it enables you to shop around for the cheapest price of a specific product. Once the item has been scanned, your phone will gather data about the product and show you a list of other retailers who stock the product. You can then browse these retailers to check who offers you the best price on the product. Some of the barcode scanner applications enable you to read reviews about products. This is especially useful if you are unsure if you want to purchase the product.

The way these applications work is quite intriguing as they require a camera in order to read the barcode and not an infra-red scanner. The process is simple.

• You point your phone at the barcode and scan it.
• The phone reads the barcode and collects data about the product scanned.
• The phone presents data about the product you have scanned e.g. a list of other retailers who sell the product and what price they sell the product at.

The applications on each phone differ slightly in how they work and how well they can read a barcode. The Apple IPhone has many barcode reader applications available from its App Store with varying prices. Consequently some may read a barcode and not provide as much information about a product whereas others may convey in depth detail such as product reviews and prices from different retailers.

Overall, the implications of an integrated barcode scanner could be great for businesses and consumers alike. For a business, they can integrate their online and offline activities. From a consumer point of view, an integrated bar code application is great as it enables them to get product information instantly.

You may have heard that RFID is the next big thing and how it will replace existing identification tools such as the barcode. The main aim of this post is to understand what RFID is along with its advantages and disadvantages.

What is RFID?

RFID is short for radio frequency identification and it is a small electronic device consisting of a small chip and antenna which can convey information. The main purpose of RFID is to help you identify or track a specific product, animal or even person using radio frequency signals.

How does RFID work?

The process of how RFID tracks your products is fairly simple.

• Just like a barcode, you would attach the RFID label or tag to your product.
• The tag would be scanned in order to read the information contained in it.
• A radio frequency signal is generated by the tag which is picked up by the receiver.  This is usually called the RFID reader.
• This signal is then decoded by the receiver and the data contained within your tag is revealed.

Different Types of RFID Tags

There are two types of RFID tags, passive and active tags. The main difference between these two tags is the distance you can scan the tags. Passive tags can be scanned from 5cm – 5m away whereas active tags can be scanned up to 100m or more. This is because active RFID tags have their own power source whereas passive tags become active when they receive a signal from the reader.

RFID tags are then broken up into different frequencies which are tuned to receive different frequency channels. The three main frequencies are; low frequency, high frequency and ultra high frequency.

More information about the different frequencies will be made available in a separate blog post.

Advantages of RFID

• You can read more than one tag at once.
• RFID tags can be read at greater distances.
• RFID tags can be placed on the inside of the product, reducing the wear and tear of the tag as well as increasing the security of the tag.
• You can write to an RFID tag which means it is re-usable.
• You can track the status of your product in real time to see when it has been delivered or when it has been sold.

Disadvantages of RFID

• Cost – If you are dealing with low cost products, you would have to ask if it is cheaper to use a barcode.
• Certain materials e.g. metals and liquids can cause problems when trying to read the radio frequency signals.
• The fact multiple RFID tags can be read at once could cause problems. There may be cases where you have multiple products with multiple tags and sometimes you only want to read one of the tags. With a barcode, it is simple you would only scan the label you want to read and ignore the rest. This is not the case with RFID.

The Future

Overall, the future for RFID is looking bright. There are amazing possibilities being opened up by this technology and it is only a matter of time before it revolutionises the supply chain.

If you would like more information about RFID, keep an eye on our latest blog post as we will be posting more about this topic.

An EAN barcode is made up of 13 numbers - EAN 13 (or 8 for smaller products such as jewellery - EAN 8). These numbers comprise of the country code, a company code, a product code and a check digit. In order to produce your own EAN barcodes for products that you produce, you will need to register with GS1 who control the numbering.

Creating EAN barcodes with software

EAN barcodes can be generated through barcode label software which will also allow you to produce a design for your labels. Barcode software is typically available in basic, professional and networked versions, limited software is often supplied with the printer which will allow basic designs to be created. If you are creating your EAN barcodes from a database then you will need professional barcode software.

There is also an Open-Source Barcode Generator for EAN-13 (C++, VB, Excel Macros, etc.) available to download online.

For more information on printing or creating EAN barcodes please e-mail support@amlabels.co.uk or call us on 01536 414222.

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