AIM publishes 2D Symbology for high-speed encoding.
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Press Release Summary:
AIM announced publication of DotCode, a rectangular matrix symbology designed to produce machine-readable coding with existing, in market high-speed industrial printing equipment. DotCode is suited for high-speed industrial ink jet and laser marking because it does not require continuous lines or touching elements. It can be printed in several different rectangular shapes including ribbon-like format, which could be used to encode production batch, lot number, and best-by date on commodities.
Original Press Release:
AIM Publishes New 2D Symbology for High-Speed Encoding
DotCode is Designed to Encode Data at Full Production Line Speeds
Warrendale, PA - October 21, 2009 - AIM, the international association and recognized authority on bar code, RFID, and enterprise mobile computing, today announced the publication of DotCode, a rectangular matrix symbology designed to produce machine-readable coding with existing, in market high-speed industrial printing equipment.
DotCode is ideally suited for high-speed industrial ink jet and laser marking because it does not require continuous lines or touching elements. It can be printed in several different rectangular shapes including a ribbon-like format which could be used, for example, to encode production batch, lot number and best-by date on the bottom of soft drink cans and other commodities where human-readable data is currently printed by these technologies.
AIM President Dan Mullen notes, "DotCode is an exciting development in the bar code world as it provides a practical method for encoding machine-readable data at
true production line speeds. AIM is thrilled to bring this new capability to manufacturers around the world."
As with all AIM symbology specifications, DotCode has undergone a rigorous review process in AIM's Technical Symbology Committee (TSC) to ensure that a new symbology offers unique or novel features that provide additional benefits to the user community and that it is robust from both a printing and reading perspective.
Like Code 128, upon which it was initially based, DotCode can encode full ASCII, extended ASCII and pure binary sequences. It also has a numeric compaction mode. Additionally, through the optional use of Extended Channel Interpretation (ECI) codes, it can encode any ISO Code Page, providing support for any alphabet. It is strongly self-checking and includes Reed-Solomon check digits.
DotCode offers structured append of up to 36 symbols, inherent reverse video reading, and a number of other special features.
The DotCode specification and encoding software can be purchased directly at www.aimglobal.org/estore/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=630. Additionally, AIM will be hosting an upcoming Webinar highlighting technical aspects and market applications for DotCode. Contact the AIM office at info@aimglobal.org if you are interested in attending the Webinar.
Photos of DotCode are available upon request to the AIM office.
About AIM
AIM is the industry association and worldwide authority on automatic identification and data collection technologies. AIM members are providers and users of technologies, systems, and services that capture, manage, and integrate accurate data into larger information systems. Serving members in 43 countries for over 35 years, the association has developed key technical specifications and guidelines that support the use of automatic identification technologies.
AIM actively supports the development of AIDC standards through its own Technical Symbology Committee (TSC), North American and Global Standards Advisory Groups, and RFID Experts Group (REG) as well as through participation at the industry, national (ANSI) and international (ISO) levels.
AIM has an active educational focus, providing accurate and unbiased information on data collection technology. As part of its educational outreach, AIM publishes "RFID
Connections" and "AIM Connections," the industry's oldest and most respected e-newsletters on RFID and automatic data collection.
For more information about AIM and its members and services, please visit www.aimglobal.org or www.rfid.org.
