DotCode

DotCode is <a href="/facts/Barcode/Mkh4cCTp">two-dimensional (2D) matrix barcode</a> invented in 2008 by <a href="/facts/Hand_Held_Products/KIdbNqwX">Hand Held Products</a> company to replace outdated <a href="/facts/Code_128/QDhJRRAo">Code 128</a>. At this time, it is issued by <a href="/facts/Association_for_Automatic_Identification_and_Mobility/gsChkoeU">Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility (AIM)</a> as “ISS DotCode Symbology Specification 4.0”. DotCode consists of sparse black round dots and white spaces on white background. In case of a black background the dots can be white. DotCode was developed to use with high-speed industrial printers where printing accuracy can be low. Because DotCode by the standard does not require complicated elements like continuous lines or special shapes it can be applied with <a href="/facts/Laser_engraving/uC4GTMgr">laser engraving</a> or industrial drills.
DotCode can be represented as rectangular array with minimal size of each side 5X dots. Maximal size of DotCode is not limited by the standard (as Code 128 is not limited) but practical limit is recommended as 100x99: 5.2.1.4  which can encode around 730 digits, 366 alphanumeric characters or 304 bytes.
As an extension of Code 128 barcode, DotCode allows more compact encoding of 8-bit data array and <a href="/facts/Unicode/DDu3MfPV">Unicode</a> support with <a href="/facts/Extended_Channel_Interpretation/sdDz7MxD">Extended Channel Interpretation</a> feature. Additionally, DotCode provides much more data density and <a href="/facts/Reed%25E2%2580%2593Solomon_error_correction/HPc3Qj6N">Reed–Solomon error correction</a> which allows to restore partially damaged barcode. However, the main DotCode implementation, the same as Code 128, is effective encoding of <a href="/facts/GS1/MNX4N5ut">GS1</a> data which is used in worldwide shipping and packaging industry.

DotCode open-in-new

DotCode