I have done some extensive barcode testing the last few days using a device with an 8 megapixel camera. I would like to share my obervations and hope many of you can debate, corroborate or add to them:
1. Dark black or blue bars on white paper (high contrast) is preferable.
2. Barcode must be on a perfectly flat surface without any undulations or even the slightest wrinkle.
3. For a one inch long barcode (I used code 128), placing the camera 4 to 5 inches away was the most I could get it to scan.
4. Barcode can be laminated with a transparent layer of tape.
5. Must have perfect overhead and surrounding lighting and no shadows.
6. Positioning and holding the camera must be very steady.
7. Always check the barcode scanned as a wrong barcode can be displayed and may surprise you.
8. Create barcodes with the highest quality print possible.
9. Commercially produced barcodes seem to work better than those from a printer.
10. Avoid barcodes generated from a copy. Originals work better.
11. Barcode scanning via a phone camera is no match for a laser scanner.
1. Dark black or blue bars on white paper (high contrast) is preferable.
2. Barcode must be on a perfectly flat surface without any undulations or even the slightest wrinkle.
3. For a one inch long barcode (I used code 128), placing the camera 4 to 5 inches away was the most I could get it to scan.
4. Barcode can be laminated with a transparent layer of tape.
5. Must have perfect overhead and surrounding lighting and no shadows.
6. Positioning and holding the camera must be very steady.
7. Always check the barcode scanned as a wrong barcode can be displayed and may surprise you.
8. Create barcodes with the highest quality print possible.
9. Commercially produced barcodes seem to work better than those from a printer.
10. Avoid barcodes generated from a copy. Originals work better.
11. Barcode scanning via a phone camera is no match for a laser scanner.