Aztec Barcode

As of my last update in January 2022, the term “Aztec Bar code” refers to a type of 2D matrix barcode that was developed by Andrew Longacre, Jr. and Robert Hussey at Welch Allyn, Inc. It is named after the intricate patterns used in traditional Aztec art. The Aztec bar code is capable of encoding large amounts of data in a relatively small space and is often used in various applications. Here are some uses and applications of the Aztec barcode:

  1. Transportation and Ticketing: Aztec bar-codes are used in public transportation systems, airlines, and event ticketing. They can store a large amount of information, including passenger details, flight information, and seat assignments.
  2. Retail and Inventory Management: In retail environments, Aztec bar-codes can be used for product tracking, inventory management, and point-of-sale transactions. They can store product details, pricing information, and other relevant data.
  3. Healthcare: Aztec bar-codes are utilized in healthcare for patient identification, medication management, and record-keeping. They can store patient information, prescription details, and medical history securely.
  4. Postal Services: Postal and courier services use Aztec bar-codes for tracking packages, sorting mail, and managing deliveries. The barcodes can contain detailed information about the sender, recipient, and delivery status.
  5. Mobile Ticketing and Payments: With the proliferation of smartphones, Aztec bar-codes are increasingly used for mobile ticketing, mobile payments, and digital loyalty programs. Consumers can scan the barcode using their mobile devices to access services, make payments, or redeem offers.
  6. Government and Identification: Aztec bar-codes are employed by government agencies for various identification purposes, such as driver’s licenses, passports, and national ID cards. The barcodes can store biometric data, personal information, and other identification details securely.
  7. Supply Chain and Logistics: In supply chain and logistics operations, Aztec bar-codes are used for tracking shipments, managing inventory, and ensuring the timely delivery of goods. The barcodes can contain detailed information about products, shipping routes, and delivery schedules.
  8. Security and Access Control: Aztec barcodes can be integrated into access control systems for buildings, events, and restricted areas. They can store encrypted data, such as access permissions, security credentials, and biometric information, to control and monitor access effectively.

Overall, the Aztec barcode offers a versatile and efficient solution for encoding and decoding large volumes of data across various industries and applications. However, the specific uses and applications may vary depending on the requirements and implementations in different sectors.

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Barcode

Aztec Barcode

The Aztec Code is a matrix code invented by Andrew Longacre, Jr. and Robert Hussey in 1995. The code was published by AIM, Inc. in 1997. 

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Benefits of Aztec

Aztec was patented, that patent was officially made public domain. The Aztec Code is also published as ISO/IEC 24778:2008 standard.

Data capacity

Barcode can store more data than linear barcodes.

Size

Its compact, despite their large data capacity.

Error correction

These barcodes have built-in error correction.

Easy Scanning

Genuine barcodes can be read even if they are tilted or rotated.

Damage tolerance

Most of the these barcodes can be read even if they are damaged.

Encoding

Aztec barcodes can encode all 256 ASCII and extended ASCII characters.

Aztec Barcode Demo

The recommended number of check words is 23% of symbol capacity plus 3 codewords. Aztec Code is supposed to produce readable codes with various printer technologies. It is also well suited for displays of cell phones and other mobile devices.

Aztec Barcode

Purpose Barcode

The symbology of the Aztec barcode is the hallmark of its design. It contains dark and light square data modules as well as a finder pattern of concentric square rings centred on a single dark module located in the centre of the symbol. The symbol was designed to have a bulls-eye pattern at its centre for locating the code. It was built on a square grid.

The data represent square rings surrounding the bulls-eye pattern and adding it in layers. Each one of these layers is made up of two rings of pixels, giving total sizes of 15×15, 19×19, 23×23, and so on. Orientation marks are included at the corners of the core that allows the code to be read if rotated or reflected. The part of the symbol which is not utilized for data is used for the Reed-Solomon error correction based on the user-selectable check word percentages.

Aztec is a 2-D barcode. Like other 2-D barcodes, the major purpose of developing the Aztec code is to provide a data encoding mechanism that could encode a large amount of data in a small area due to high density and which has substantial fault tolerance and error correction mechanism. Aztec code satisfies these requirements.

Aztec Code should create readable codes with different printer technologies as well as for displays of smartphones and other mobile devices. However, A two-dimensional imaging device like a CCD camera is needed to scan the figure. Decoding starts at the corner with three black pixels and proceeds clockwise to the corners with two, one, and zero black pixels. The variable pixels in the central core encode the size, so there is no need to demarcate the boundary of the code with a blank or quiet zone.

Overview

Aztec Barcode is typically used for small item labelling applications using an extended variation of printing and marking technologies. Aztec Code implementation does not support encoding for FNC1, ECI nor Structured Appended Sequence in Barcode Professional products.

However, the only unrestricted feature in Aztec Code designation that Barcode Professional allows is known as the Aztec Runes. These are a series of 256 small machine-readable marks but only available for special applications.

Aztec Barcode Advantages

  • It can encode all the 256 ASCII and extended ASCII characters.
  • The high-density barcode can encode a large amount of data in small barcode.
  • As is the case with other 2-D barcodes. Aztec has extremely high damage tolerance capability; therefore a damage Aztec code can also be read, unlike 1-D barcodes.
  • Self-error checking and correction capability.

Aztec Barcode BarCode limitations

  • Can not be scanned with simple scanning devices. Needs complex laser scanners.
  • Requires a substantial amount of training to understand. Not easy for a layman user to encode and decode Aztec code.

Aztec code is used in the travel and transport industry. Many transport companies such as Slovakian Railways, Czech Railways, Deutsche Bahm, Eurostar, KPK Intercity, Swiss Federal Railways, Virgin Trains, VR Group and Via Rails. These companies use Aztec code for the online ticketing which user can print.
Airline companies have also adopted Aztec and this code is often inscribed on the board passes of the travellers.
In Poland, registration documents of the vehicles have Aztec code inscribed on them which contains a summary of the vehicle’s information.
Many companies in Canada use Aztec code on their invoices which contain the detail of the purchase and bill summary.