Progressive barcode applications

© Copyright 2013 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.

Progressive Barcode ApplicationsMarie Vans, Steven Simske, & Brad LoucksHP LabsSeptember 30, 2013

© Copyright 2013 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.2narratiiveja.blogspot.com

Outline:• Overview of Progressive Barcodes• Recap of Dual-Purpose Barcodes• Applications of Progressive Barcodes

o Workflowso Inferenceo Point-of-Sale

• Wrap-up

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Previously…..

© Copyright 2013 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.4

At NIP’28Color Tiles

•1D barcodes don’t hold enough information, so…

•We used 2D barcodes, which include QR (Quick Response) and Data Matrix barcodes…

•Which have a much higher payload (data embedded), but…

•Color adds more bits, more flavor, and more possibilities for aesthetics and branding…so

•We extended the science of 3D barcoding with:•Time varying color barcodes with•Increased Security Payload Density


More about color tilesA 2D barcode with 6 payload colors, > 2.5 bits/tile

The example shown here comprises:1. 64 data tiles, max 165 bits total2. 8 non-payload tiles:

a. Two black for orientation and corner detection

b. 6 color {RGBCMY} for color calibrationc. The colors are 180 rotated from their

color opponency pair, providing the greatest contrast in hue space and thus the most reliable opposite-corner orientation detection possible

3. Whitespace in the middle—for carrying a 2D barcode?

Non-payload indicia

Non-payload indicia


Moving from Color Tiles to Progressive Barcodes Use this idea to create a barcode that looks

familiar. No limit on size (in number of tiles down and across).We can encode information that changes over time.Because….

1. We need a barcode that can hold much more information than its black & white counterpart.

2. We are interested in a set of barcodes that together enable secure & other variable workflows – we are interested in the relationship between barcodes

3. We want to track a package or a document as it goes through its normal workflow.

3. We wish to use branded colors along with information carrying tiles.

4. We want to tie in other functionality, such as incentivization for loyal customers, gaming, and location-based rewards.


Progressive Barcodes & How they WorkBarcodes are a familiar data-carrying markAdding progressive information to a barcode allows it to relate through time—supporting many different information lifecycles. Creating a Progressive Barcode entails the following: 1. Use of non-data elements for calibration, skew and warp detection

and segmentation as with existing 2D (black and white) and 3D (color) barcodes

2. All data elements start out white (or other background color)3. Initiate the workflow/lifecycle with the secure addition of the

appropriate colors directly coded from the secure binary stream4. Increment colors – not size or barcode format – over time, and

multiple stages are thereby represented5. Progressive barcodes can be engineered to be readable as an

existing barcode standard with the additional security of the colors added to the otherwise “white” modules.


Progression


Color Progression

* This was developed to allow overprinting existing barcodes, but does not require it.


Security - Statistical Probability Progressive barcodes allow us to assign statistical probability at each step of the progression.• Associated with any transition between two steps in a

workflow • Based on how many bits are written and how many remain

i

iRB

IU PNN

!!

Pi = Step iNRB = the number of residual (0 bits) at end of the workflow NIU = number of initial unwritten bits


Dual-Purpose Progressive Barcodes


Using Data-Matrices with Progressive Barcodes• Allows use of “static” data encoded in

black & white modules for standard purposes:• point of sale• serial numbers (serialization)• product information

• Allows “separate channel” for encoding changing workflow-related information

• Static data: off-the-shelf reader reads the “black-as-black” modules and the “rest-as-white”, so long as white modules are unchanged or overimaged with appropriately saturated colors.

It’s obvious that the color information must be special


Dual-Purpose Progressive BarcodesMaking progressive barcodes work harder


And now for the practical stuff….


Work-Flows• GS1 world-wide track and trace applications • Progressive barcodes for GS1 product workflows using multiple

barcodes • Original GS1-compliant barcode contains a product ID and remains

static as its second channel of content progresses• Concurrently, information encoded in the colors changes at each step. • The data within the white-as-N-ary modules used for data normally

encoded in separate barcodes


Work-Flows – Inference Applications• Inference is the relationship between an item and its container and/or

contained items• Items contained by it (smaller) and containing it (larger) • Links “forward” (to a container item) and “backward” (to a contained item(s)). • Serialized numbers for items packaged in larger container inferred from

enclosing container • No track and trace need to physically open the container to check each

individual item.• Reading white-as-white gives GS1 product code for:

• Each individual unit packed in cartons -> placed into cases -> placed onto a pallet -> placed in a shipping container, etc.

• Information in the white-as-N-ary modules used for custom track and trace and other supply chain purposes, such as inference relationships

• Each level could be digitally signed (DS) for added security.


Work-Flows – Inference Applications

Note that the outermost layer – which is visible to everyone – has the least content. Each progressive “unwrapping” has more secure content for a more privileged audience.


Work-Flows – Example Inference Applications• Color-overlaid inference where branching occurs

• Initial GS1 code identifies a particular product – this may be single dose of a highly regulated prescription drug

• Auto-create a package with single month’s supply (30).• Allow the workflow to diverge

• Cartons with 12 packages of medication (a total of 360 doses) in a single carton

• 6 packages of medication (a total of 180 doses) packed into a carton.

• Different numbers of cartons are packed onto single pallets

• Inference is possible as each step identifies the previous step & all steps prior

• Main component (single dose medication) statically identified by GS1 identifier

• Inference enabled & quantities encoded using color in the white-as-N-ary modules.


GS1 Compliant Barcode with Inference


Point-of-Sale• Standard barcodes contain static data read by scanners at checkout • Data may contain product numbers, sale price, and can be connected

to applications for inventory & other purposes • Usually for retail outlets, not interesting to customer• Some products now carry secondary barcodes for customer

applications• Usually take up more space on the product packaging

• Using color content in the white-as-n-ary modules, more customer applications can be added to the same retail barcode:• Rewards for buying the product• Gaming & incentivization for loyal customers• URLs for product website• Other customer interactions.

• In general, interrogable by reading the white-as-N-ary, modules can be added to barcode without using more real estate on package

Manufacturer Distributer ResellerGoods Goods


Point-of-Sale


Thank you

Technology

Progressive barcode applications