The barcodes that we frequently encounter in our daily lives are used in a wide area from shopping to logistics. These black and white lines, which appear everywhere from a simple book shopping to the market shelves to the fast safe, have become an integral part of modern life.
The widespread of barcodes makes us wonder what kind of evolution they have undergone and what awaits us in the future.
Contents
The origins and first uses of barcodes
Barcodes, as a technology that provides ease of data storage and access, was introduced by two innovative inventors Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver in the late 1940s. However, this technology could not achieve a commercial success until the 1970s.
According to a news in WSJ , the commercial use of barcodes was first realized in 1974 with the Wrigley gum pack sold in a supermarket, which showed the potential of barcodes to the world.
Technological Developments and Evolution of Barcodes
Barcode technology has continuously evolved with significant innovations in the last decade, and in this process, it has expanded its usage areas by adapting to the dynamic needs of the market.
QR Codes:
It draws attention with its two -dimensional structures that exceed the limits of traditional one -dimensional barks. These codes have more information storage capacity and are usually square -shaped and can be easily scanned with smartphones and other digital devices. These features make QR codes indispensable in a wide range of fields from payment systems to authentication, marketing campaigns to social media integrations.
In 2014 the acceptance of the International Standardization Organization (ISO) as an official standard accelerated the adoption and spread of QR codes on a global scale. Especially in 2020, they played a central role in critical applications such as contact monitoring and health screening during the COVID-19 epidemic.
As of 2022, QR code-based payment systems are considered to be 9.98 billion dollars of market size and it is expected to grow by 16.9 %annually in the period between 2023-2030.
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Invisible Barkode: New Approaches for Security and Privacy
Invisible barcodes are a revolution in the field of technology and security. These barcodes are advanced identifiers that cannot be seen directly by human eyes but can be detected by special devices and software. Integrated into the surface of the product packages or into the material, it offers an additional protection layer against forgery and supports product verification and quality control processes.
digital waterfield technology developed by Digimarc , developed invisible barcodes were introduced with smartphones and cameras. This technology combines with methods such as direct parts marking (DPM) and makes it possible to monitor and define the products safely everywhere and in any circumstances.
Developing technologies and new applications
Finally, in 2022, a new generation labels were developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) scientists, which could not be seen with naked eyes but with infrared smartphones. This innovation further expand the usage areas of barcode technology and sets new standards on safety and privacy.
These technological developments have enabled the barcodes to become an effective information and security instruments in all areas of daily life.
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The future of barcodes and new application areas
Barcode technology continues to find new application areas in our increasingly digitalized world. Thanks to the integration of block chain and smart contracts, barcodes provide more transparency and traceability in supply chain management.
With the integration of technologies such as machine learning and augmented reality, barcodes optimize industrial processes and improve user experience by increasing their functionality. In the future, barcodes will not only define the products, but will also serve as a smarter and more interactive bridge between consumers and businesses.
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Last word
Barcodes have undergone an important evolution since the first day they were introduced and has become a basic part of business and daily life. While the continuous development of barcode technology continues to transform consumer behavior and industrial operations, we are proud to be a part of these innovations with the inkjet coding machines and laser marking devices
The functionality of the barcodes and the technological innovations built on it will continue to strengthen our position and provide the best service to our business partners as sector leaders in the systems where our marking and coding solutions are integrated.
As Electrojet, we aim to go beyond the industry and consumer needs by supporting developments in barcode technology with our innovative products.
Contact us to learn the most suitable devices for your business and free .
References:
- https://midcomdata.com/what-is-the-Future-of-barcode-scanning/
- https://sps.honeywell.com/us/en/support/blog/Productivity/the-barcode-revolution
