Aztec Barcode is a high density, high capacity barcode. It is a type of 2-D barcodes. Aztec code is able to encode ASCII as well as Extended ASCII characters. Aztec barcode consist of black and white square modules like other 2-D barcodes. Aztec code can encode modules in the range from 15 x 15 to an upper limit of 151 to 151 modules. If Aztec code utilizes its maximum storage capacity of 151 x 151 modules it can encode 3000 characters and around 3750 numerical digits.
History
AIM, Inc, in 1997 published Aztec code for the first time. Andrew Longrace Jr and Robert Hussey are credited for having designed the initial barcode standard in 1995. The center of the Aztec code is similar in resemblance to the Aztec Pyramid. It is for this reason that this code has been named Aztec barcode.
Purpose
Aztec is a 2-D barcode. Like other 2-D barcodes, major purpose of developing Aztec code is to provide data encoding mechanism which could encode large amount of data in small area due to high density and which has substantial fault tolerance and error correction mechanism. Aztec code satisfies these requirements.
Bytescout123 is encoded in this Aztec code
Advantages
· Can encode all the 256 ASCII and extended ASCII characters.
· High density barcode can encode large amount of data in small barcode.
· As is the case with other 2-D barcodes. Aztec has extremely high damage tolerance capability; therefore a damage Aztec code can also be read unlike 1-D barcodes.
· Self-error checking and correction capability.
Limitations
· Cannot be scanned with simple scanning devices. Needs complex laser scanners.
· Requires substantial amount of training to understand. Not easy for a layman user to encode and decode Aztec code.
Usage
· Aztec code is used in travel and transport industry. Many transport companies such as Slovakian Railways, Czech Railways, Deutsche Bahm, Eurostar, KPK Intercity, Swiss Federal Railways, Virgin Trains, VR Group and Via Rails. These companies use Aztec code for the online ticketing which user can print.
· Airline companies have also adopted Aztec and this code is often inscribed on the board passes of the travellers.
· In Poland, registration documents of the vehicles have Aztec code inscribed on them which contains summary of the vehicle’s information.
· Many company’s in Canada use Aztec code on their invoices which contain the detail of the purchase and bill summary.
Conclusion
Best utilization of Aztec code is when one wants to encode extended ASCII characters because this is the code which allows the encoding of ASCII and all extended ASCII characters.