[NHCOLL-L:5249] Re: Bar-codes in Digital Images

[Paul J. Morris]

In a project in the Lepidoptera collection at the MCZ we are taking
images that contain QRCode 2D barcodes, specimen labels, and
specimens.  We are using the open source ZXing library within a Java
application that we have written to read those barcodes from the image
files.  

Your museum shop barcode readers are likely to use laser scanning
(rather than imaging), and are likely to only be able to read a very
limited set of barcode formats.  If you are using 2D barcodes (QRCode
or DataMatrix), then you will need an imaging barcode reader (or a cell
phone with a barcode reading applet).  If you are using 1D barcodes,
either a laser scanning or imaging barcode reader may be able to read
them, but the reader will need to support the particular barcode format
you are using.  (Experimentally, I have seen barcodes displayed on a
computer monitor read by an imaging scanner).  

-Paul

On Tue, 8 Feb 2011 14:14:06 -0600
"Del Re, Christine" <delre at mpm.edu> wrote:

> >From SPNHC conference papers that I have heard,  I have understood
> >that
> a number of you are putting your bar-codes into your digital images
> when you are photographing. I thought this was being done to link the
> image, artifact, and bar-code together so that  - if necessary - the
> bar-code for the object can actually be read by scanning it in the
> photograph.
> 
>  
> 
> We have been attempting this here with an imaging project - but so far
> our bar-code readers (in our museum shops) are not reading the
> bar-codes.
> 
>  
> 
> Have I misunderstood this - or are some of you able to read your
> bar-codes that are in your images?? If so, I will work on our system
> until we can get it to work.  I just want to confirm that I have not
> misunderstood information from presentations that I have heard.
> 
>  
> 
> With my sincere thanks, Chris Del Re
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> Christine del  Re | Senior Conservator &  Conservation Section Head 
> Milwaukee Public Museum
> 800 W Wells Street
> Milwaukee, WI 53233
> (414) 278-2780
> delre at mpm.edu <mailto:gruber at mpm.edu> 
> www.mpm.edu <http://www.mpm.edu/> 
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 


-- 
Paul J. Morris
Biodiversity Informatics Manager
Harvard University Herbaria/Museum of Comparative Zoölogy
mole at morris.net  AA3SD  PGP public key available