| The EAN-13 barcode has one more country/region code than the UPC-A barcode. In fact, the UPC-A barcode can be regarded as a special case of the EAN-13 barcode, which is the EAN-13 barcode with the first digit set to 0. The EAN-13 barcode is developed by the International Article Numbering Center and is universally accepted. The code length is 13 digits, and the first two digits represent the country or region code. UPC-A barcode is produced by the United States Uniform Code Committee and is mainly used in the United States and Canada. The code length is 12 digits, and the first digit indicates the numeric system code. EAN-13 barcode and UPC-A barcode have the same structure and verification method, and similar appearance. EAN-13 barcode is a superset of UPC-A barcode and can be compatible with UPC-A barcode. If I have a UPC code, do I still need to apply for an EAN? No need. Both UPC and EAN can identify goods. Although the former originated in the United States, it is part of the global GS1 system, so if you register UPC under the GS1 organization, it can be used globally. If you need to print a 13-digit EAN barcode, you can add the number 0 in front of the UPC code. UPC-A barcodes can be converted to EAN-13 barcodes by prepending 0. For example, the UPC-A barcode [012345678905] corresponds to the EAN-13 barcode [0012345678905]. Doing this ensures Compatibility with UPC-A barcodes. |
| There are many alternatives to barcodes, such as Bokodes, QR-Code, RFID, etc. But they cannot completely replace barcodes. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs and scenarios. Bokodes are data tags that can store more information than barcodes in the same area. They were developed by a team led by Ramesh Raskar at the MIT Media Lab. Bokodes can be captured by any standard digital camera To read, simply focus the camera at infinity. Bokodes are only 3 mm in diameter, but can be magnified to a sufficient degree of clarity in the camera. The name Bokodes is a combination of bokeh [a photography term for defocus] and barcode [barcode] A combination of two words. Some Bokodes tags can be rewritten, and the Bokodes that can be rewritten are called bocodes. Bokodes have some advantages and disadvantages compared to barcodes. The advantages of Bokodes are that they can store more data, can be read from different angles and distances, and can be used for augmented reality, machine vision and Near field communications and other fields. The disadvantage of Bokodes is that the equipment to read Bokodes requires an LED light and a lens, so the cost is higher and it consumes more power. The production cost of Bokodes labels is also higher than that of barcode labels. QR-Code is actually a kind of barcode. It is also called a two-dimensional barcode. They are both a way of storing data, but they have some differences, advantages and disadvantages. QR-Code can store more Data, including text, pictures, videos, etc., while barcodes can only store numbers or letters. QR-Code can be scanned from any angle, while barcodes can only be scanned from a certain direction. QR-Code has an error correction function, even if it is partially damaged It can also be identified, while barcodes are more susceptible to damage. QR-Code is more suitable for contactless payment, sharing, identification and other scenarios, while barcodes are more suitable for the management and tracking of goods. Theoretically, QR-Code can replace all functions of one-dimensional barcodes. However, many applications do not require barcode labels to store large amounts of data. For example, EAN barcode labels for retail goods only need to store 8 to 13 Just a number, so there is no need to use QR-Code. The printing cost of QR-Code is also slightly higher than that of one-dimensional barcodes, so QR-Code will not completely replace one-dimensional barcodes. |