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Ticket Distribution
Barcode FAQ
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Barcode FAQ for the
Patron® Ticket Reservation Module
End-to-End
solutions for distributing value-bearing documents over the web.
Selling tickets over the Internet
is probably the most significant
'added-value' service which
organizations can offer their
ticket purchasing customers,
actual and potential, since the
introduction of credit card
payments.
What's a Bar Code?
 BarCode is
an automatic identification technology. It allows data to be collected
accurately and rapidly.
A BarCode symbol consists of a series of parallel, adjacent bars and
spaces. Predetermined width patterns are used to code actual data into the
symbol. To read information contained in a BarCode symbol, a scanning
device, such as a light pen (or wand), is moved across the symbol from one
side to the other. As a scanning device is moved across the symbol, the
BarCode width pattern of bars and spaces is analyzed by the BarCode
decoder, and the original data is recovered.
The most visible application of this technology is the supermarket
industry, where it has been in use since 1970. BarCode is now the de facto
automatic identification technology, for virtually any application.
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What's a Bar Code Wand Scanner?
 BarCode
Wands are the most popular BarCode readers or scanners, due to their low
cost. Wands are manually moved across BarCodes to perform the reading
function, hence their classification as "contact" scanners.
BarCode Wand are extremely simple to use, but require users to keep a
reasonably constant scanning motion across the BarCode, and a flat surface
behind the BarCode to support the pressure applied by the operator during
the scanning motion.
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What's a Bar Code CCD Scanner?
 BarCode
CCD Scanners are faster and easier to use than Wand Scanners. User simply
holds the CCD Scanner slightly above the BarCode, and pulls the trigger
button.
CCD
scanners typically read BarCodes from contact to about one-half inch
distance, hence their classification as "near-contact" scanners.
BarCode physical length must be considered when using CCD BarCode
Scanners, as the complete BarCode must be covered by the CCD scanner
optical head.
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What's a Bar Code Laser Scanner?
 BarCode
Laser Scanners are faster and easier to use than Wand or CCD Scanners.
User simply holds the Laser Scanner above the BarCode, and pulls the
trigger button.
Laser
scanners typically read BarCodes from near contact to 12 inch distance
(some models up to four feet), hence their classification as "non-contact"
scanners.
BarCode Laser Scanners are best suited for reading BarCodes from a
distance, reading poorly printed labels, reading a wide range of label
sizes, and reading labels on irregular surfaces.
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What's a Bar Code Keyboard Wedge?
A BarCode Keyboard Wedge Decoder is a microcomputer which decodes the
signals generated by a BarCode Scanner (while reading a label), and
converts the analized bar and space patterns into the original data. The
BarCode Decoder then converts the recovered data into the same codes that
the Keyboard generates (aka: keyboard codes), in order to "fool" the PC
into believing that the scanned data was typed on the keyboard. The
BarCode Keyboard Wedge also includes the required electronics to combine
both the Keyboard and Decoder codes (and cables), for sending data to the
PC Keyboard buffer (via the Keyboard connector on the PC - No Special
Software Required).
In order to install the Keyboard Wedge, user disconnects the Keyboard from
the PC, and simply connects the Keyboard Wedge between the Keyboard and
the PC (hence the term "wedge"). Thereafter, any data, scanned or typed,
appears to the PC as if it had been typed on the Keyboard.
BarCode Keyboard Wedges are operating system independent, which means that
the work with MS-DOS, Windows 3.1, OS/2, Windows 95, Windows NT, or any
other PC operating system. BarCode Keyboard Wedges are available as
stand-alone boxes or built-in (integrated) into the Scanner body.
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What's a Bar Code Software Keyboard Wedge?
A BarCode Software Wedge is a software program that is installed in a PC,
to perform the functions typically performed by a hardware BarCode
Keyboard Wedge or RS-232 Decoder (basically, decoding signals generated by
BarCode Scanners, and converting them to alpha-numeric codes). These
programs allow connection of an 'un-decoded' Scanner into a PC RS-232
port, with the PC software performing the BarCode decoding functions (Not
to be confused with DECODED RS-232 Scanners, which include hardware
BarCode decoders and provide decoded data via RS-232 interfaces, USB,
etc).
Costs for Software Wedges are, as expected, lower than traditional
hardware BarCode Keyboard Wedges, however, hardware versions are far
superior. BarCode Software Wedges have various limitations. For example,
when compared with traditional hardware BarCode Keyboard Wedge or RS-232
Decoders, Software Wedges are: slower, less accurate, sensitive to noise
(usually picked-up by the Scanner cable - cables must be short!), and
worst of all, they are operating system specific.
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What's a Bar Code Portable Reader?
 A
Bar Code Portable Reader is an integrated microcomputer system, which
includes a display, key-pad, BarCode decoding capability, RS-232/USB
communications port, batteries, and memory for data and program storage.
For BarCode data collection, the system can be equiped with BarCode Wand,
CCD, or Laser Scanners.
The system provides operators with prompts, in response to which,
operators enter data via key-pad or BarCode Scanners. Collected data is
saved, until Portable Reader uploads data (via RS-232/USB port) to the PC,
where data is typically saved in delimited ASCII files, for easy import
into Patron, Access, FoxPro, Excel, and other applications.
Programming for custom operator prompt sequences can be cumbersome, if you
choose to program using proprietary language/software provided by the
equipment manufacturer, or extremely fast and simple if you use an
Easy-to-Use Application Program Generator. Application Program Generators
provide non-technical personnel the ability to program for specific prompt
sequences in only a few minutes.
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What's an Integrated Bar Code Portable Reader?
 An
Integrated BarCode Portable Reader is a traditional Portable BarCode
Reader that has a permanently attached BarCode Scanner (typically a Laser
Scanner). The advantage of using this type of Portable is that operator
can perform the data collection operation using only one hand (vs. two
hands when using a detached BarCode Scanner).
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What's a Portable Application Program Generator?
A Portable Application Program Generator is a tool for designing custom
prompt sequences for use in data collection activities. Application
Program Generators typically require no programming experience, and allow
developing custom applications in minutes.
When using an Easy-to-Use Program Generator to design a custom prompt
sequence, the user completes a simple form on the PC screen and enters:
the various prompts, the order of the prompts, data validation criteria
(for example: how many characters in response to each prompt, do you want
numbers only, letters only, or alphanumeric data), and specifies if the
records should be date/time stamped. After completing the form, the system
generates the actual Portable Program, for user to download to the
Portables when required.
An Application Program Generator is typically a part of a Data Collection
System, which should also include the ability to download/upload
programs/data to/from Portables, ability to print BarCodes, and ability to
display/edit/delete/move/re-name collected data files on the PC.
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What's the best way to start printing Bar Codes?
The best way to start printing BarCodes is to use your existing laser, ink
jet or dot matrix printer.
In order to do this, you require a BarCode TrueType Font, which is very
inexpensive. A BarCode TrueType Font provides the ability to print
BarCodes directly from Patron, Word, WordPerfect, Access, FoxPro, Excel,
or any other Windows program. BarCodes can be printed on labels or
directly on documents.
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What's a Bar Code TrueType Font?
A BarCode TrueType Font, is a font just like the ones you already have on
your PC (Arial, Courier, Times New Roman). You install, select and use the
BarCode fonts just like you would any other. The only difference is that
when you display or print using the BarCode Fonts, instead of regular
letters or numbers, you get bar and space patterns corresponding to the
characters being typed (or displayed, or printed).
Like other TrueType fonts, the BarCode Fonts are fully scalable (you can
make them as big or small as you want).
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What's a Bar Code Direct Thermal Printer?
A Bar Code Direct Thermal Printer is a label printer that prints images
using heat to "burn" "dots" onto heat sensitive paper labels (just like
the small calculator printers). Images printed using this technology are
sensitive to heat, sun light, industrial ultra violet light, and applied
pressure. These labels are only suited for short-life applications, as
they will deteriorate over time. Do not consider Direct Thermal Printing
for Fixed Asset Tracking or other long-life applications.
Direct Thermal Printers are typically less expensive that Thermal Transfer
Printers, because they do not have the mechanisms and electronics required
to control and manage an ink ribbon.
Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer Printer usually require "optional"
BarCode Label Design and Print Software.
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What's a Bar Code Thermal Transfer Printer?
A Bar Code Thermal Transfer Printer is a label printer that prints images
using heat to "melt" ink (from an ink-ribbon) onto a variety of paper and
synthetic material labels. A wide variety of media and ribbon formulations
are available, providing the ability to print BarCode labels for virtually
any application, including very long-life and extreme environment
applications.
Direct Thermal Printers are typically less expensive that Thermal Transfer
Printers, because they do not have the mechanisms and electronics required
to control and manage an ink ribbon.
Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer Printer usually require "optional"
BarCode Label Design and Print Software.
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What's the most popular Bar Code Printer?
The most popular BarCode Printer is the typical HP Compatible Laser
Printer. Laser Printer resolution is usually better than Industrial
BarCode Printers, and the cost per label is typically insignificant (since
you probably already have a laser printer). A wide variety of label sizes
is available from the Avery Laser Label mailing label series, and the cost
is usually a fraction of a cent per label. BarCode Avery Laser Labels are
suitable for most applications, but may deteriorate if used in extreme
environments (remember, they are only paper).
The only additional requirement is a BarCode TrueType Font, which will
provide the capability to print labels directly from Word, WordPerfect,
Access, Excel, or any other Windows program. BarCodes can be printed on
labels, tickets or directly on documents.
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What's the most popular Bar Code Format?
The most popular BarCode format is the UPC (Universal Product Code)
Format, which we find in all supermarket products. Available since the
early 1970's this format is known worldwide, and is universally
recognized.
For Automatic Identification Applications, however, BarCode CODE 39 Format
is the de facto standard for Government, Manufacturing, BarCode Industry,
Education, and Business applications. The popularity of the CODE 39 Format
is based on several factors, which include: ease of use, ability to code
numbers and letters, flexible word length capability (can generate
BarCodes with any number of characters), and universal reading capability
(BarCode equipment from any manufacturer can read this code).
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What's CODE 39 Bar Code Format?
The CODE 39 BarCode Format (aka: 3 of 9) is the most commonly used BarCode
Format because it enables numbers, upper case letters, and some
punctuation marks (Capital Letters A-Z, Numbers 0-9, the "space"
character, and the symbols:-,+,/,$,.,%) to be BarCoded. CODE 39 is a
variable length format, allowing for encoding any number of digits. This
format has become the standard for Government, Manufacturing, BarCode
Industry, Education, and Business applications.
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What's UPC Bar Code Format?
The UPC BarCode Format is the standard BarCode Format for items that are
for sale to the public. Probably the largest user of the UPC code is your
local supermarket. The UPC BarCode Format is used to encode a 12 digit
number. The first number is the number system character, the next five are
the manufacturer number, the next five are the product number, and the
last digit is the checksum character. This BarCode Format only encodes
numeric information and must have 12 characters in length (exactly).
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What's Interleaved 2 of 5 Bar Code Format?
The Interleaved 2 of 5 BarCode Format (aka: CODE 25) is a numeric only
code that prints out a little larger than the UPC BarCode when ten digits
are encoded. The Interleaved 2 of 5 is an excellent choice for numeric
only applications, because it has the flexibility of having from 2 to 30
digits. The Interleaved 2 of 5 code requires an even numbers of digits to
be encoded. A leading 0 must be added if the digit count is not even.
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What's CODE 128 Bar Code Format?
The CODE 128 BarCode Format is a very compact BarCode for codes with all
numeric information. Alphanumeric information can also be encoded, but at
the expense of loosing the "very compact" benefit. The compact size of the
BarCode printed with the CODE 128 when using only numeric digits is
achived by using "double density" (two numbers are included in one
character width). When alphanumeric data is encoded, however, CODE 128
uses "single density", and the BarCodes are twice as long. This is not a
simple BarCode Format to use, as there are several CODE 128 subsets, each
with specific specifications and limitations.
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What's the benefit of using Bar Codes?
The benefits of using BarCodes for ticket solutions and automated data
collection are very simple: speed and accuracy. Time after time, it has
been proven that entering BarCode data is at least 100 times faster and
more accurate than traditional manual keyboard entry, which translates
into a dramatic increase in efficiency and productivity for any operation.
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How do you start a Bar Code Project?
 After
reviewing the information on this page, you'll have to agree that Ticket
BarCode is an extremely simple technology.
The starting investment is very minimal, and the potential benefits
enormous.
To start, all you need is
IMS
Voyager Tour Reservation Software and our IMS Patron
Ticketing system plus your
printer, scanner, etc of your choice and then you can add
secure
Print@MyPC®
capabilities to any type value-bearing
document with the ability to
print and read your ticket BarCodes.
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