AIM Publishes New 2D Symbology for High-Speed Encoding

AIM, the international association and recognized authority on bar code, RFID, and enterprise mobile computing, today announced the publication of DotCode, a rectangular matrix symbology designed to produce machine-readable coding with existing, in market high-speed industrial printing equipment.

DotCode is ideally suited for high-speed industrial ink jet and laser marking because it does not require continuous lines or touching elements. It can be printed in several different rectangular shapes including a ribbon-like format which could be used, for example, to encode production batch, lot number and best-by date on the bottom of soft drink cans and other commodities where human-readable data is currently printed by these technologies.

AIM President Dan Mullen notes, "DotCode is an exciting development in the bar code world as it provides a practical method for encoding machine-readable data at true production line speeds. AIM is thrilled to bring this new capability to manufacturers around the world."

As with all AIM symbology specifications, DotCode has undergone a rigorous review process in AIM's Technical Symbology Committee (TSC) to ensure that a new symbology offers unique or novel features that provide additional benefits to the user community and that it is robust from both a printing and reading perspective.

Like Code 128, upon which it was initially based, DotCode can encode full ASCII, extended ASCII and pure binary sequences. It also has a numeric compaction mode. Additionally, through the optional use of Extended Channel Interpretation (ECI) codes, it can encode any ISO Code Page, providing support for any alphabet. It is strongly self-checking and includes Reed-Solomon check digits.
DotCode offers structured append of up to 36 symbols, inherent reverse video reading, and a number of other special features.

The DotCode specification and encoding software can be purchased directly at https://www.aimglobal.org/estore/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=630. Additionally, AIM will be hosting an upcoming Webinar highlighting technical aspects and market applications for DotCode. Contact the AIM office at info@aimglobal.org if you are interested in attending the Webinar.