Barcode Cards

A barcode consists of a group of printed and variously patterned bars and spaces, numeric and sometimes alpha numeric data, that are designed to be scanned and read into computer memory as identification for the object it labels.

The one-dimensional barcode (1-D, linear) consists of a single row of bars. 1-D barcodes store a smaller amount of data than two-dimensional barcodes and are therefore more suited for applications in which only a few characters are stored. 1-D barcodes store their data in the horizontal width and the information stored is highly redundant. They are therefore more resistant to data degradation. There are various 1D Barcode systems in use, with Code "3 of 9" being the simplest and probably the most reliable, and Code "I 2 of 5" being the most space efficient.

One dimensional (1D) Barcodes are usually printed along the long axis of the card, and are read using swipe readers which use either visible or infrared sensors.

1D Barcodes are usually used to store a single unique character string, used as a pass code, in access control or other holder identification systems.

Two dimensional (2D) Barcodes store more information than 1-D barcodes. 2D barcodes appear as a matrix of variable sized square dots and are usually read with a raster-scanning beam sensor housed in a hand held "gun" or in a fixed (supermarket style) reader. Swiping is not required.

Problems to consider include possible security breaches due to the ease of copying the code, and the potential for physical damage to the Barcode after repeated swipes.

The major advantage of a 2D Barcode is its data encoding capacity, with up to 500 bytes per square inch being feasible. Some of this data will normally be used for error correction encoding which also makes the 2D Barcode remarkably tolerant of holes, cuts, and dirt marks.

With around 500 bytes of data available, a 2D Barcode can be used to store biometric data such as a fingerprint, or even a compressed version of the holder's portrait.

Barcodes should always be printed using the K panel (Black Resin) because this is opaque to both visible and infrared sensors. As a security measure it is possible to print the black resin Barcode on top of a dark YMC color panel in such a way that it cannot be photocopied, but it can still be read with an infrared swipe reader.

All Magicard printers are capable of barcode printing: