Mobile Scanning Technology
It is not about chips and stripes anymore
Although RFID continues to promise advanced tracking and tracing, barcoding is still expanding beyond the borders of what is believed to be possible with a set of black and white stripes. There are a number of areas where barcoding is developing wider applications, such as mobile ticketing. So how did the technology get to this point and where will it head next?
2D image scanning
The first scanners were introduced to the market about 30 years ago. These scanners read barcodes by emitting a laser beam. The first handheld image scanners followed 10 years later. Unlike laser or CCD scanners that read black and white stripes, this device takes a digital picture of the barcode, which is analysed by graphical software. The technology uses image scanning, which allows users to capture signatures, take photos, read virtually all barcodes (1D and 2D) – even damaged ones – and more. Using imaging is like solving a Sudoku puzzle. The scanner reads the characters from the barcode and fills in the blanks that are left to solve the puzzle, detailing what data is stored on the barcode.
The first industry segments that adopted 2D image scanning applications on a large scale were postal and parcel delivery. In addition, various other markets – such as distribution, logistics, retail, government and utilities – are increasingly using image scanning.
Future applications
Nowadays, 2D barcode scanning is widely used but there are still new ways of deploying the technology. Future developments are expected to include expanding the number of pixels used in the camera of the scanner. Increasing this number will improve the clarity of the pictures. However, it may place a bigger strain on the ability to read barcodes because the software needs to process more pixels, which will of the picture will not increase for regular use as it will only ensure that more data capacity is needed to store files, even though the chipset needs to remain small in order to comply with ergonomic standards.
Thinking beyond the boundaries of applications like parcel delivery and transportation, we are looking at the possibility to read barcodes wirelessly in different environments.
Barcoding could be used to speed up a lot of tedious waiting around for events, or to speed up sending or picking up a parcel.
An example of new applications -mobile ticketing
Instead of receiving a paper ticket, customers receive a barcode on their mobile phone. The barcode can be read by a mobile device, or by standalone scanners with a glass plate on top. On the train platform, or on arrival at the gate at an event, customers take out their mobile phones, track the barcode for that particular journey or event and hold it up to the glass plate or mobile scanner. The barcode is scanned and they can board the train or enter the event.
As an example, a mobile ticketing project for major league baseball is taking place in the USA. The project began with three teams offering the service, but demand has increased and now the system will be implemented across the country. Europe has also seen successful implementation of the new application. Concert goers at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh can already benefit from easy access with a mobile ticket as can people visiting Bacardi B-live in one of the 25 countries that stage the event.
But these are not the only ways to expand on mobile ticketing. First tests with parcel delivery provide new means to deliver a parcel securely to the right person using barcodes. In Germany, people who have missed a delivery receive a coupon bearing a barcode which can be scanned at a ‘Pack Statione’. At these unattended pick up points, the customer scans the barcode on the coupon. The machine presents the right parcel.
This application could also be expanded to mobile phones, so that the recipient would receive a text message with the 2D barcode, instead of a paper coupon.
In general, 2D barcodes can also be used to prevent document fraud, by placing a 2D code for example at the back of the document.
The first challenge is creating a scanner that can scan from all mobile phone displays. Each mobile phone manufacturer uses a different display. This can cause problems with reading the barcodes. If all manufacturers were to use a standard type screen in their telephones it would be easier to devise a plate that can easily read all barcodes from every type of mobile phone.
The second challenge is that not everyone has a mobile phone, although that number is falling year-on-year. Mobile ticketing for now will therefore have to share space with paper tickets in order to serve the crowd as best as possible. In summary, we believe that the market is growing and will become mainstream once more companies in this market implement the technology.Then attending an event using your mobile phone or picking up a package with just a 2D code will be second nature.
Industry challenges and opportunities
