Barcode Generation with Human Readable Interpretation via Unified Data Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generating UCC/EAN-128 barcodes with a human readable interpretation (HRI) line is inefficient due to the need for separate input of data for the barcode symbol and HRI, complexity from special characters and check digit calculations, and the requirement to include an application identifier in both formats.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows for single data input by using special characters like parentheses to bracket the application identifier, enabling simultaneous generation of barcode encoding and HRI data sets, which are then merged to produce a barcode with an HRI line, thereby eliminating the need for separate data entry and simplifying the inclusion of check digits and non-numeric data handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If separate data input is used for barcode symbol and HRI, then data accuracy can be maintained, but data input time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data input processes for barcode symbol generation and HRI generation into a single unified input process. By using a common data structure that simultaneously provides both barcode data and HRI data, the system eliminates the need for separate data entry operations, thereby reducing data input time while maintaining accuracy through structured data validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal data input mechanism that serves multiple functions: it generates both the barcode symbol data and the HRI data from a single input. This multi-functional approach allows the same data entry operation to fulfill multiple requirements (barcode encoding and human-readable interpretation), significantly improving operational efficiency.
2Loss of information
If application identifier is included in both barcode and HRI, then information completeness is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data structure into distinct components (application identifier, data portion, check digit) while maintaining their relationships. This segmentation allows the system to process and validate each component independently while ensuring complete information flow to both barcode generation and HRI generation functions, thereby maintaining information completeness without overwhelming processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary data structure that acts as a mediator between the raw input data and the final barcode/HRI output. This intermediary layer organizes and validates the application identifier and data portion, ensuring that all required information is properly formatted and transmitted to both generation processes, thus simplifying the overall data processing architecture.
3Reliability
If special characters and check digit calculations are handled manually, then data validation can be performed, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary validation and processing of special characters and check digits during the data input stage rather than during the final barcode generation stage. By validating data structure, checking for special character requirements, and calculating check digits in advance, the system ensures data reliability while reducing the processing time required during barcode generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service validation mechanisms where the data structure itself contains validation information (such as check digits and special character markers) that automatically verify data integrity during processing. This self-validating approach eliminates the need for separate manual validation steps, maintaining reliability while improving processing speed.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is an apparatus and method for generating a barcode with a human readable interpretation (HRI). The method includes receiving a data set comprising an application identifier and a data portion. The data set further includes a first special character before the application identifier and a second special character after the application identifier and before the data portion. The application identifier and data in the data portion have a one to one correspondence with an HRI. The method further includes generating a barcode encoding data set based on the data set, including stripping the first special character and the second special character from the data set; generating an HRI data set based on the data set; and generating the barcode with the HRI based on the barcode encoding data set and the HRI data set.