What tells the bar code?

One or the other store merchandise, we seldom pay attention to the labels. And it is in vain - a knowledgeable person can extract from them useful information. Get at least become familiar bar code ...

And who needs it? ..

Now virtually any product you can see a set of dashes and numbers written underneath - what is commonly called a bar code.  In the old Soviet times, the bar code was not in sight.  In the period of total goods deficit was slightly, to orient them was not difficult, therefore, a need for additional encoding absent.

With today's abundance to remember all the names are not in a position to either the seller or manufacturer.  That replaced the certificate with a long description of the product short and compact barcodes.  The seller is now sufficient to carry the product bar code down over the cash register, and you receive all the necessary information.  This greatly simplifies and speeds up the process of storing and selling products.

Now coded almost all goods, rotating in the world market.  However, this does not necessarily.  If desired, the manufacturer can not put on their product bar code, the more so because it is cheap.  But the producers prefer to fork out: sell the goods without a bar code virtually impossible (most stores refuse to accept them).

Barcoding was invented and patented in the U.S. in 1949, Joe Woodland and Bernie Silver. This invention greatly facilitate the registration and control of material resources, is widespread in many countries.  The most popular today is the 13-bit European code EAN-13, issued in 1977.  In Russia, the EAN system was introduced in 1986.

And this means that the inscription?

Appearance barcode little about what to say.  Contrary to what we used to see, he can be narrow and short, and even without figures.  Admitted and reduced encoding.  But it is rather the exception.  Most manufacturers adhere to the established coding system.  And do not be a rocket scientist to unravel this mystery, because each digit indicates the specific data.

Thus, in the bar code, consisting of the European standard of 13 digits, the first two digits represent the country, five - the code of the company.  The last digit of the barcode - the control is used to determine the authenticity of the code.

Calculate, with

If you do simple arithmetic calculations with numbers of bar code, there is a chance for sure to know about this product to you or trivial forgery.  Here's the formula:

1.  Add up the figures, standing on even ground.

2.  The resulting amount, multiply by three.

3.  Add up the figures, standing at odd places, except the last.

4.  Fold the two previous results.

5.  And now, of that amount drop the first digit.

6.  Of the ten, subtract the latter get the result.  And rejoice - the calculations can be completed.

If you have a figure equal to the latter, the control means to you the original product.  If the numbers do not match, in front of you, most likely a fake.

In the U.S. and Canada has a different coding system - there is a bar code consists of 12 characters.  Although the rules of the graphic images are very close to the European system and read the same scanner model.

Myths and Truth about barcodes

Myth. The presence of bar code quality certificate.

In fact.  The quality of goods bar code is not relevant.  He created something was not so much for consumers as manufacturers and, most importantly, implementers.  The only thing that can bar coding to identify the user , so it's country of origin.  However, there are some difficulties.  If indicated on the label producing country does not coincide with the data bar code, it does not always mean that you are attacked by a fake.  Some firms, producing goods in one country are registered in another place or in third countries, their affiliates.  And perhaps this is a joint production.

Myth. Barcode on the package can be applied only manufacturer of the goods.

In fact. If the manufacturer of the goods has not put a bar code, then it may make the supplier (importer).  On the label indicates "Provider: name of the supplier and its bar code.

Myth. The bar code is hidden information about consumer characteristics of goods - manufacturer, style, color models, expiration date and so on.

In reality. Barcode - it's just a unique number that the electronic catalog organization-manufacturer can find information about these products.  Without access to that directory can not learn anything.  However, the bar code can find the manufacturer of the goods.  In 1999 there was formed a unified information system of global register GEPIR, which allows the Internet to get information about the affiliation of barcodes.  To do this you only need to go to Russia or the home page GEPIR the Internet and enter the code you are interested.

Myth. If the product is no longer of interest code in register GEPIR, the goods are fake.

In fact. Have not entered a bar code in the database is not evidence of his fraudulent.  For example, this may be the result adopted in many countries, legislation on disclosure of information in accordance with which the company in some cases to make a choice, to provide data or not.