Bar code scanners facing unlucky number (USA-Canada to switch to 13 digit Euro standard barcodes)

sunherald.com ^ | Posted on Wed, Dec. 29, 2004 | STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

[Destro]

North America uses the 12-digit Universal Product Code (UPC), while much of the rest of the world adopted the 13-digit European Article Number (EAN). As a stepping-stone, the Uniform Code Council that governs the UPC system, and its European counterpart EAN International, launched an initiative in 1997 that they called Sunrise 2005. Its deadline is Jan. 1, 2005. “We have true globalization of business now,” said Al Garton, director of channel management for the UCC.

[ScottFromSpokane]

"This isn't like a Y2K thing," said Dave Hogan, chief information officer for the National Retail Federation. "The world's not going to stop on Jan. 1, 2005."

Well, then it's exactly like the Y2K thing, isn't it?

[Dust in the Wind]

It's only temporary. I read somewhere in the past few turns that the world is going to a 14 or more (can't remember) digit code.

What's luck got to do with it?

[sono]

Universal Bar Code ... The History Channel's been running a Countdown to Armageddon series ... Mark of the Beast anyone?

[ScottFromSpokane]

I think that's a 666-digit code.

[Max Combined]

"Mark of the Beast anyone?"

Yep, when they tattoo that sucker on your forehead.

[Destro]

Correct - they are working on a 14 digit one as a world standard.

[Destro]

I was afraid of the mark of the beast crowd - which will miss the obvious - America exports so little now that the EU is setting the world standard - That is how I see it.

[FreedomCalls]

[Dust in the Wind]

Sooo; it would be unfortunate (unlucky?) to invest in the 3,500 dollar scanners only to need new ones in a few years to read the new code, right.?

[Thebaddog]

We invented the barcode technology. Screw them. Let them hire teenagers to screw up their cash registers again.

[Brilliant]

Unlucky? Give me a break.

[Hodar]

Ok, I'm confused.

With the old 12 line standard; the bars repeated from the middle to the outside, such that the code would be 123456654321 for an item with the code 123456. This was done such that the bar code couldn't be read 'upside down', which would confuse 123456 with 654321.

So, with 13 lines, the middle code must now be 1234567654321. So, if this is the case, then what would be the benefit to going to 14 lines instead of 13?

[Normal4me]

When will this madness end!?! God forbid the scanner can't read a 12 digit bar code number and now the grocery clerk will have to physically key in a 13 digit code!!?? AHHHHAAAAAA!!!!!!!

[Former Fetus]

when they tattoo that sucker on your forehead

how about when it's implanted in a chip under the skin of our right hand? That system is already in use in Europe and fits the biblical description of how the mark will be applied.

[Dust in the Wind]

I work for a firm that imports some raw materials and exports approx. 10% of our finished product. The CEO has been reluctant to use the bar codes we already have on the product even though the tracking and up to date inventory control gains would be well worth the effort. I've yet to ask if he's holding off for the 14 digit or just thinks his help will be too hard on the scanners. hahaha

[Cold Heart]

$3500 Ouch! Is that for a cash register combination?
How much for a hand held reader?

[Hodar]

Sooo; it would be unfortunate (unlucky?) to invest in the 3,500 dollar scanners only to need new ones in a few years to read the new code, right.?

I wouldn't think so. It's image recognition, with each bar being either 2x, 3x or 4x the width of the single line. Thus, each bar can represent 4 possible values (as I understand it).

So, 6 lines each representing 4 bits equals 24 bits; or 16,777,216 possible values. That's a LOT of UPC registered products.

Whether the scanner is reading 12 or 'x' lines is simply a software issue. The interesting part is that the lines are read as ratios relative to each other, hence you can find bar codes that are large (as on cardboard boxes) or small (like laserprinted decals). Either way, as long as the lines all fit within the scan width; the scanner can read them.