Aztec Code Reader

What is an Aztec code?

The Aztec code is a two-dimensional (2D) barcode named for its unique central pattern, which resembles an Aztec pyramid viewed from above. They were invented by Andrew Longacre Jr. and Robert Hussey in 1995, and are standardized in ISO/IEC 24778.

Aztec barcodes support any ASCII character and can have up to 32 data layers. They come in three different types:

Aztec codes do not require a quiet zone, making them more space-efficient than some other two-dimensional barcodes. Additionally, they can be read in any direction and even when mirrored, because of the orientation marks on the central target design.

Structure and components

A full Aztec code consists of the following components:

• Finder pattern: A central bulls-eye pattern (9×9 or 13×13 modules) that helps locate the symbol
• Orientation pattern: Corner markers that determine the code’s orientation (even if rotated or mirrored).
• Mode message: This encodes information about the number of layers and data codewords. It is located in the same layer as the orientation pattern.
• Reference grid: This grid helps barcode readers maintain alignment over large symbols. It consists of alternating black and white pixels in every 16th row and column.
• Data layers: Up to 32 layers storing encoded information and check characters. They are read clockwise, starting next to the first orientation pattern.

Special symbols

Aztec barcodes support special symbols like FNC1 and ECI to enhance their functionality:

• FNC1 indicates an application identifier, like that used by GS1 barcode standards and commonly seen in product barcodes. It is encoded as “\f” in the data.
• ECI (Extended Channel Interpretation) specifies the character set to be used, such as UTF-8 or ISO 8859-1, and is encoded as “\e[number]”.

Error detection and correction

Aztec codes use Reed-Solomon error correction to generate check codewords. The number of check codewords depends on the symbol size and capacity as well as on the desired error correction level. This is highly customizable, ranging from 5% to 95%. Aztec barcode generators usually default to 23% error correction plus three additional check codewords.

The size of the Reed-Solomon codewords themselves varies from 6 to 12 bits, depending on the number of layers in the Aztec barcode.

Applications of Aztec codes

Transportation

Aztec barcodes are widely used in electronic ticketing in air and rail travel because of their accuracy and compactness. They are the International Union of Railways (UIC) standard for railway ticketing, and are used by companies such as Lufthansa and Deutsche Bahn.

Healthcare

In the healthcare sector, Aztec codes ensure accurate identification on patient wristbands and medical devices.

Supply chain and logistics

Switching from linear barcodes to Aztec codes streamlines inventory tracking and supply chain operations. Their scalability and reliability make them attractive to government agencies and private companies alike.

Digital identity

Aztec barcodes are increasingly used for secure digital identity verification due to their high capacity, advanced error correction, and small footprint on printed materials.

Advantages of Aztec codes

• Compact size: Store large amounts of information in little space. No quiet zone is required.
• High fault tolerance: Built-in error correction ensures readability even if the code is damaged or distorted.
• High density: Aztec code barcodes are approximately 30 times smaller than Code 39 symbols encoding the same information.
• Versatility: Encodes numeric, alphanumeric, and binary data, making it adaptable to diverse use cases.
• Ease of scanning: Scannable in any orientation – even mirrored – on various surfaces and materials.

Why choose the Scanbot SDK for Aztec code scanning?

The Scanbot Barcode Reader SDK is designed to handle the unique challenges of scanning Aztec barcodes in real-world conditions.

What sets us apart:

• Exceptional performance: Reliably decodes even damaged or dense Aztec codes and other matrix barcodes.
• High-speed scanning: Reads Aztec code barcodes in as little as 0.04 seconds.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Easily integrate with Android, iOS, cross-platform, web, Windows, and Linux platforms.
• Customizable UI: Customize the ready-to-use components to match your app or website design.
• Privacy-first: Operates offline for complete data security.

Whether your use case involves Aztec barcodes, QR codes, or any other barcode, the Scanbot SDK delivers the accuracy, speed, and reliability you need to succeed.

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