Digimarc Barcode
Digimarc offers a proprietary digital watermark technology that is called "Digimarc Barcode." Digimarc Barcode is a method of encoding data (typically, GS1 data) as a watermark in the form of a pattern of tiny dots or squares. This pattern is printed invisibly onto the background of thermal-printed product packaging or labels, so that the data is unobtrusively repeated over the entire surface of the printed item. The pattern is then read by Digimarc-enabled handheld barcode scanners, in-counter scanners, industrial vision systems and mobile devices.
This technology can help improve operational efficiencies, such as by making the scanning process easier, quicker, and less prone to error. A compatible scanner can read the data from anywhere on the item, which results in more reliable scanning and greater resilience to damage.
For more information, visit the following Digimarc website:
https://www.digimarc.com
Digimarc Barcode carries user-encoded data, called the payload, that varies in structure depending on how it is used. For example, the payload can contain the same kind of data that is carried by a traditional one-dimensional (1-D) or two-dimensional (2-D) barcode that conforms to GS1 standards, such as GS1 DataBar, GS1 QR Code and GS1 DataMatrix.
You can encode a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) or a Restricted Circulation Number (RCN) and a variety of GS1 Application Identifiers (AIs), such as serial number, price, weight, or sell-by date.
Digimarc Barcode supports the following alphanumeric characters:
The basic unit of Digimarc Barcode is called a "tile." Each tile contains a 128 x 128 array of watermark elements (dots or squares) that carry data and is scaled to a specified print resolution, which is expressed in watermark elements per inch (WPI). The printer that you use to print the barcode must be able to print at least 203 dots per inch (dpi).
The two common Digimarc Barcode resolutions for labels and packaging are 75 WPI and 150 WPI. These resolutions correspond to the element size and tile size as described in the following table.
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WPI
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Element size
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Tile size
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75
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0.0133 inch (0.3387 mm)
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1.7 x 1.7 inches (43.4 x 43.4 mm)
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150
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0.0066 inch (0.1693 mm)
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0.85 x 0.85 inches (21.7 x 21.7 mm)
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After Digimarc Barcode is applied to media, it should not be scaled. Scaling alters the resolution of Digimarc Barcode, which might make it unreadable by otherwise capable scanners.
The easiest way to read Digimarc Barcode is by using a mobile device that has the Digimarc Discover app installed. This is a free mobile app (for both iOS and Android) that scans Digimarc Barcode, QR Code and a variety of traditional retail barcodes.
You can use a traditional 1-D barcode together with Digimarc Barcode on your printed item. When you do this, you can use the Digimarc Verify - Mobile app (for both iOS and Android) to confirm that the data in the Digimarc Barcode matches the data in the 1-D barcode.
Digimarc Barcode can also be read by a variety of retail and industrial barcode scanners. For an up-to-date list of enabled hardware, visit the following Digimarc web page:
https://www.digimarc.com/enabled-hardware
Symbol Structure