Barcode Reading Research Articles

Traceability of peaches from integrated production in South Brazil

Traceability is becoming the most effective method to provide a safer food chain and connection producers to consumers. This paper report the application and validation of a traceability system on the production chain of peaches, according the rules for Integrated Production of Peach (IP) and a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems. The harvesting plots were discriminated using a Global Positioning System (GPS) device. The horticultural practices were registered in a field book according to the Brazilian IP rules. Boxes to transport the fruit, from the orchard on, were barcode labelled to identify the fruits in terms of origin (orchard and harvesting plot), cultivar, quality, picking date and time. Arriving in the factory, by an optical barcode reading device, the fruits in the boxes were assigned to homogeneous batches. Peach cans were labelled according to their corresponding batch number and monitored based on physical and chemical analysis as preconized by the IP rules and HACCP system. An electronic data base was set up and placed over the Internet. Using the batch number, the history of each peaches can could be traceable back to their harvesting plot. Therefore, manufacturers can monitor the product at any time and take any necessary action, such as product recall and/or product reprocessing.

Security Printing Deterrents: A Comparison of Thermal Ink Jet, Dry Electrophotographic, and Liquid Electrophotographic Printing

Security printing is the use of variable data printing (VDP) to add readable information to printed regions. This is used for brand identification, track and trace, product authentication, and, if applicable, for investigation and evidentiary purposes. Well-crafted, multiregion deterrents can be a powerful means to simultaneously provide readable information and deter would-be counterfeiters through the crafting of difficult-to-reproduce printing effects. This allows the brand owner to select the best printing technology for the deterrents (or for different aspects of a multiregion deterrent), and to gain insight into how the counterfeiter may attempt to reproduce their deterrent with a different printing approach. In this article, repeated line patterns, two-dimensional (2D) bar code reading, and authentication of a color deterrent (color tile) are considered. These features are printed using thermal ink jet (TIJ), dry electrophotography (DEP), and liquid electrophotography (LEP) digital printers. Line patterns and 2D bar code differences are representative of the printer's binary print quality. Color tiles are representative of the printer's ability to produce color-based deterrents with fidelity, and are also used to show authentication accuracy on multiple printers and on multiple substrates. Authentication of TIJ printed color tiles is better on glossy paper than on plain office paper, whereas the opposite was observed for DEP printed color tiles. Finally, meaningful metrics for comparison are discussed, including security payload density, deterrent reproducibility, color and spatial frequency fidelity, deterrent precompensation, and the sensitivity of deterrent authentication to image capture settings and devices.

Pervasive 2D Barcodes for Camera Phone Applications

In a previous study, we evaluated six 2D barcodes using eight criteria for standardization potential: omnidirectional symbol reading, support for low-resolution cameras, reading robustness under different lighting conditions, barcode reading distance, error correction capability, security, support for multiple character sets, and data capacity. We also considered the fidelity of the camera phone's captured image as a metric for gauging reading reliability. Here, we review the six 2D barcodes and then use an additional metric - a first-read rate - to quantitatively verify our earlier results and better gauge reading reliability.

1D BAR CODE READING ON CAMERA PHONES

The availability of camera phones provides people with a mobile platform for decoding bar codes, whereas conventional scanners lack mobility. However, using a normal camera phone in such applications is challenging due to the out-of-focus problem. In this paper, we present the research effort on the bar code reading algorithms using a VGA camera phone, NOKIA 7650. EAN-13, a widely used 1D bar code standard, is taken as an example to show the efficiency of the method. A wavelet-based bar code region location and knowledge-based bar code segmentation scheme is applied to extract bar code characters from poor-quality images. All the segmented bar code characters are input to the recognition engine, and based on the recognition distance, the bar code character string with the smallest total distance is output as the final recognition result of the bar code. In order to train an efficient recognition engine, the modified Generalized Learning Vector Quantization (GLVQ) method is designed for optimizing a feature extraction matrix and the class reference vectors. 19 584 samples segmented from more than 1000 bar code images captured by NOKIA 7650 are involved in the training process. Testing on 292 bar code images taken by the same phone, the correct recognition rate of the entire bar code set reaches 85.62%. We are confident that auto focus or macro modes on camera phones will bring the presented method into real world mobile use.

The Application of Silver Nanoparticles for Security Printing Applications

The unique properties of metallic nanoparticles lend themselves to various options in the field of security printing. The size of the particles makes the printing of ultra-fine features as small as 5 mm possible. Of particular interest are inks formulated from metallic nanoparticles that can be processed at low temperatures, yielding conductive metallic traces (printed wires) of various sizes. The unique process advantages offered by these nanoparticle-based printing inks make it possible for these materials to be deposited at high speeds on low temperature, inexpensive substrate such as the paper or cardboard based materials that are used in the packaging of high value electronic equipment. Further, the ease of processing offered by these materials makes it possible to covertly place anti-theft devices such as an RFID antenna, within the structure of a cardboard box, making it difficult to detect and disable without destroying the box. These metallic particles may also be incorporated as part of graphic design, or they may be incorporated as a metallic thread. The formulation of inks that can be used in print processes such as ink jet, offset lithography, and flexography will be investigated. These print processes offer a wide range of process flexibility as well as print resolution. In the area of ink jet printing, we report test prints of a variety of line widths, shapes and security features (deterrents) using thermal inkjet printing. These test prints include information-containing deterrents such as 1D and 2D bar codes, for which standardized bar code reading software and hardware is deployed. This allows assessment of the relative and absolute readability of the nanoparticle-based inks.

Security Printing Deterrents: A Comparison of TIJ, DEP and LEP Printing

Security printing is the use of variable data printing (VDP) to add readable information to printed regions. This is used for brand identification, track and trace, product authentication and if applicable for investigation and evidentiary purposes. Wellcrafted, multi-region deterrents can be powerful means to simultaneously provide readable information and deter would-be counterfeiters through the crafting of difficult-to-reproduce printing effects. This allows the brand owner to select the best printing technology for the deterrents (or for different aspects of a multi-region deterrent), and to gain insight into how the counterfeiter may attempt to reproduce their deterrent with a different printing approach. In this paper, we consider repeated line patterns (to test print quality), 2D bar code reading, and authentication of a color deterrent (color tile). We print these features using thermal inkjet (TIJ), dry electrophotography (DEP) and liquid electrophotography (LEP) digital printers. Color tiles demonstrate the printer's color fidelity and are used to show authentication accuracy on multiple printers. 2D barcodes demonstrate the printer's binary print quality, and also test different capture settings and substrates for printing. In this way, we test different printers, different inks, different substrates different reading devices and settings along with different security printing deterrent characteristics. Finally, we introduce and discuss meaningful metrics for comparison, including security payload density, deterrent reproducibility, color and spatial frequency fidelity, deterrent pre-compensation and the sensitivity of deterrent authentication to image capture settings and devices.

Plain-Radiographic Image Labeling: A Process to Improve Clinical Outcomes

To determine the rate of film-labeling errors and to describe a process for improved plain-film image labeling and the clinical outcomes from this process improvement. Image-labeling errors (absent or incorrectly assigned left or right lateral identifier marker, absent or incorrect patient-identifying number, absent or incorrect examination date, incorrect marker placement, absent technologist initial marker, or incorrect body-part order) were measured among 2,536 consecutive plain-film radiographs over a 2-week period. Following a process improvement initiative based on failure mode effectiveness analysis, left-side and right-side indicator markers, patient demographics, and date labels were identified as the most common sources of error. An improvement initiative using larger and colored left and right lateral indicator markers, an automated process to label patient demographics, and direct patient verification of identification was begun. The numbers of labeling errors were again assessed in 2,421 consecutive plain radiographs over a 2-week period. The error rates before and after the improvement initiatives were compared. Plain-radiographic labeling errors occurred in 62 of 2,536 (2.4%) images before the improvement initiative. Labeling errors were reduced to 17 of 2,421 (0.70%; 95% exact binomial confidence interval, 0.4% to 1.1%; P < .001, chi-square test) by using the improvement tools. Plain radiographic image labeling can be improved using bar-code reading of patient demographic information, linked to patient Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine modality work lists and image printing. Patient verification of demographic information is key and can be electronically managed. Lateral marker identification can be improved with larger (more easily read) and color-coded indicators.

Routine Automated Processing of Cord Blood Units Using the Sepax Cell Processing System.

We recently incorporated the use of the automated Sepax Cell Processing System (Biosafe SA, Switzerland) for red cell and volume reduction of cord blood units (CBU) before cryopreservation. Now that we have been routinely using this new technique in the laboratory for about six months, we decided to compare the results of this method with our standard manual processing method (Rubinstein, et al, PNAS 1995,; 92: 10119–22).For both methods, hespan is added to the cells at final concentration of 20% (v/v). With the Sepax system, after addition of hespan, the cell bag is connected to the Sepax tubing set with the final freeze bag pre-attached to the set. After completion of the automated procedure, buffy coat is collected in the final freeze bag. Cryoprotectant solution is then added directly to the freeze bag. In the manual method, buffy coat and white cell rich plasma layer is collected after first centrifugation step and the white cells are separated from the plasma after the second centrifugation step. Cryoprotectant solution is then added to the cells before transfer to the final freeze bag for cryopreservation.The following are summary of results for each method:Table 1Manual (n=1160)Sepax (n=311)Pre-Processing volume (ml)107±30114±28Pre-Processing TNC (×10e6)1196±5771315±519TNC Recovery (%)80±883±8TNC Viability (%) (7-AAD)97±398±3Total CD34 (×10e6)4.3±44.9±3.6Total DFU (×10e6)70±0.961.5±20Post Processing RBC Volume (ml)9±27.3±2Total Processing Time (including Setup)60 minutes30 minutesIt is important to note that there was not a significant difference in TNC Recovery over a wide range of Pre-Processing Volume (66–206ml) or Pre-Processing TNC (440 – 3559×106).Since the Sepax device is an automated procedure, issues could arise (i.e. short term loss of electrical power) that would require us to reprocess the CBU before cryopreservation. The Sepax system allows for recovery and reprocessing of the cell using the ‘Purge mode'. We used 5 CBU units to evaluate TNC recovery and viability after purging the cells once and reprocessing.Table 2TNC Recovery (%)TNC Viability (%)First Buffy Coat85±598±0.9Post Purge and reprocessing76±598±0.9Although the TNC recovery was lower after the second procedure, it was still within acceptable limits and the viability of the cells had not changed. These data demonstrates that both methods are equivalent with respect to cell recovery. However, the Sepax System substantially reduces processing time and hands-on operator intervention. Additionally system provides, closed-system processing, bar code reading capability and run data print-out suitable for GMP manufacturing settings.

Polymer magnetic scanners for bar code applications

Resonant mode polymer-based electromagnetic scanners are developed for barcode reading applications. The electromagnetic scanner consists of a mirror suspended by a polymer cantilever beam, a permalloy sheet attached to the mirror, and an external coil to generate the driving magnetic field. The simple fabrication process involves polymer molding and electroplating of magnetic material, yielding inexpensive devices suitable for high volume manufacturing. Mechanical and magnetic modeling of the device as well as analytical, numerical and experimental results are presented. A barcode reading system is demonstrated successfully using this inexpensive, easy to manufacture scanner. Fabricated cantilever scanners achieve an optical θ· D product of 123° mm at 56.5 Hz, consuming an actuation power of 168 mW. 2D actuation of the cantilever scanners is also demonstrated.

Task Reality vs. Task Fantasy… How the Concept of Real-World Use Affects Patient Safety

<i>Task Reality vs. Task Fantasy…</i> How the Concept of Real-World Use Affects Patient Safety

Automated processing of whole blood samples for the determination of immunosuppressants by liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is an efficient technology for routine determination of immunosuppressants in whole blood; however, time-consuming manual sample preparation remains a significant limitation of this technique. Using a commercially available robotic pipetting system (Tecan Freedom EVO), we developed an automated sample-preparation protocol for quantification of tacrolimus in whole blood by LC-MS/MS. Barcode reading, sample resuspension, transfer of whole blood aliquots into a deep-well plate, addition of internal standard solution, mixing, and protein precipitation by addition of an organic solvent is performed by the robotic system. After centrifugation of the plate, the deproteinized supernatants are submitted to on-line solid phase extraction, using column switching prior to LC-MS/MS analysis. The only manual actions within the entire process are decapping of the tubes, and transfer of the deep-well plate from the robotic system to a centrifuge and finally to the HPLC autosampler. Whole blood pools were used to assess the reproducibility of the entire analytical system for measuring tacrolimus concentrations. A total coefficient of variation of 1.7% was found for the entire automated analytical process (n=40; mean tacrolimus concentration, 5.3 microg/L). Close agreement between tacrolimus results obtained after manual and automated sample preparation was observed. The analytical system described here, comprising automated protein precipitation, on-line solid phase extraction and LC-MS/MS analysis, is convenient and precise, and minimizes hands-on time and the risk of mistakes in the quantification of whole blood immunosuppressant concentrations compared to conventional methods.

Using bar-code reading software and computerized databases to identify eligible healthcare workers and expedite administration of influenza vaccine

ISSUE: The hospital has had a decentralized process for administering influenza (flu) vaccine to eligible healthcare workers (HCWs), volunteers, and patients since 2000. The process included identification of eligible HCWs and patients and delivery of multidose vials of vaccine, supplies, and consent forms to each area for onsite vaccination. Additional vaccination clinics were provided for HCWs and volunteers each fall. During the 2003-2004 flu season, 1501 (34.5%) of 4352 eligible staff members and volunteers were vaccinated. Patient vaccination rates were not determined, and 1463 (21%) of 7000 vaccine doses were lost to wastage. PROJECT: In October 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a shortage of flu vaccine and issued guidelines for prioritizing available doses. The hospital received 80% (5000 doses) of its vaccine order for this flu season. To minimize vaccine wastage, the hospital developed a centralized program for administering flu vaccine to eligible HCWs, patients, and volunteers. Pharmacy provided high-risk patient clinics with 25 pre-drawn syringes and sent additional doses only when consent forms were returned for tabulation. A bar-code scanner was used with a custom Web-based application to interface with an employee database containing badge numbers, department, and position codes from the payroll system. Scanning the HCWs' bar-coded badge numbers generated an online consent form that included eligibility criteria and medical contraindications. Vaccine lot numbers and vaccine administration data were automatically stored in a database, and a consent form was printed for employee signature. Consent forms for non-salaried HCWs (e.g., private physicians), volunteers, and patients were completed manually. RESULTS: During the 2004-2005 flu season, the proportion of eligible HCWs and volunteers vaccinated (1954/2407, or 81%) was significantly higher than during the 2003-2004 season (p < 0.0001). The number of doses of vaccine wasted in 2004-2005 season to date (0/5000 doses) was significantly lower than during the 2003-2004 season (p < 0.0001). LESSONS LEARNED: A computerized, centralized vaccination program minimized vaccine wastage and improved completeness of vaccine administration records and vaccination rates. The program laid the groundwork for developing a system for handling future mass vaccinations that might be needed for natural epidemics or bioterrorism-related diseases, and identified the need for a hospital database that includes badge numbers of non-salaried HCWs and volunteers.

Development and Qualification of an Automated Workcell That Includes a Multicapillary Zone Electrophoresis Instrument

A new multicapillary zone electrophoresis instrument, the Capillarys, was recently launched by Sebia Company. We integrated the Capillarys in an automated workcell that is able to pick tubes from a sample transportation system and arrange them in the right position for bar code reading on the racks of the Capillarys. The racks are transported and loaded on the Capillarys by the robot. After analysis, racks are automatically collected and transferred to a stacker, to wait for storage, waste management, or transportation to another instrument. We built a prototype, and to validate the workcell, we performed a Qualification Plan. The various tests did not reveal important errors in the design of the prototype, but some slight defects in safety, materials, and software were identified. The final decision was to validate the Qualification. The method of Qualification was found to be very efficient for evaluation of the prototype and early detection of necessary improvements. As a result, the risk of modifications required in customer laboratories was limited.

Passive Optics No-Moving-Parts Barcode Scanners

For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, passive optics no-moving-parts barcode or one-dimensional (1-D) data scanners are reported. The proposed scanners are based on high-speed wavelength selection coupled with a planar wavelength dispersive element (such as a diffraction grating) to produce 1-D spatially scanned beams. The electronically controlled wavelength-encoded beam positioning allows for high-speed barcode or 1-D data handling operations. The demonstrated no-moving-parts barcode scanner designed to operate in the 1550-nm band exhibits high (>25 dB) dynamic range, high angular as well as linear scan resolution, eye-safe operation, and attests to the simplicity and functionality of the proposed scanners for use in barcode reading.

Cutting-edge Discussions of Management, Policy, and Program Issues in Emergency Care

Cutting-edge Discussions of Management, Policy, and Program Issues in Emergency Care

Reconstructing images of barcodes for construction site object recognition

This work investigates the potential for using LADAR to read barcodes at a range of 10–40 m. The first step is to choose appropriate materials for the barcode and collect data for both the images of bars at various distances and the characteristics of the LADAR beam. The second step is to develop a mathematical model for how intensity images are distorted by LADAR optics and to study how the images might be reconstructed. Our model is a linear convolution equation, and we solve for the original image through a regularized least squares problem. We present the results of our experiments along with evidence that the proprietary LADAR data processing introduces considerable nonlinearities, which must be understood in order to achieve good reconstructions.

An Automated System for Processing Sample Vials Stored at Ultra-Low Temperatures

The BIOPHILE Individual Vial Retriever (IVR) system has been developed to provide automated access to vials stored at ultra-low temperatures. The IVR performs storage, retrieval, sorting, cataloging, volume estimation (weighing), barcode reading, and re-racking. All racking operations are performed in an environment designed to keep samples frozen at their optimal temperature. Operating temperatures are –80°C, –40°C, –20°C, and room temperature. Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) integration, automation integration, chain of custody tracking, and FDA 21CFR Part 11 compliance are supported. This article introduces the IVR and provides information on its characteristics.

An Automated System for Processing Sample Vials Stored at Ultra-Low Temperatures

The BIOPHILE Individual Vial Retriever (IVR) system has been developed to provide automated access to vials stored at ultra-low temperatures. The IVR performs storage, retrieval, sorting, cataloging, volume estimation (weighing), barcode reading, and re-racking. All racking operations are performed in an environment designed to keep samples frozen at their optimal temperature. Operating temperatures are −80°C, −40°C, −20°C, and room temperature. Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) integration, automation integration, chain of custody tracking, and FDA 21CFR Part 11 compliance are supported. This article introduces the IVR and provides information on its characteristics.

Types and frequency of preanalytical mistakes in the first Thai ISO 9002:1994 certified clinical laboratory, a 6 – month monitoring

BackgroundReliability cannot be achieved in a clinical laboratory through the control of accuracy in the analytical phase of the testing process alone. Indeed a "mistake" can be defined as any defect occuring during the testing process. In the analysis of clinical specimens, there are many possible preanalytical sources of error. Therefore, the application of quality system to laboratory testing requires total quality management throughout the laboratory process, including the preanalytical and postanalytical phases. ISO 9002:1994 is a model for quality assurance in production, installation, and servicing, which includes a number of clauses providing guidance for implementation in clinical laboratories. Our laboratory at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the largest Thai Red Cross Society hospital, is the first clinical laboratory in Thailand with ISO 9002:1994 certified for the whole unit.MethodIn this study, we evaluated the frequency and types of preanalytical mistakes found in our laboratory, by monitoring specimens requested for laboratory analyses from both in-patient and out-patient divisions for 6 months.ResultAmong a total of 935,896 specimens for 941,902 analyses, 1,048 findings were confirmed as preanalytical mistakes; this was a relative frequency of 0.11 % (1,048/935,896). A total of 1,240 mistakes were identified during the study period. Comparing the preanalytical mistakes to other mistakes in the laboratory process monitored in the same setting and period, the distribution of mistakes was: preanalytical 84.52 % (1,048 mistakes), analytical 4.35 % (54 mistakes), and postanalytical 11.13 % (138 mistakes). Of 1,048 preanalytical mistakes, 998 (95.2%) originated in the care units. All preanalytical mistakes, except for 12 (1.15 %) relating to the laboratory barcode reading machine, were due to human error.ConclusionMost mistakes occurred before samples were analysed, either during sampling or preparation for analysis. This suggests that co-operation with clinicians and personnel outside the laboratory is still the key to improvement of laboratory quality.

Improving transfusion safety by electronic identification of patients, blood samples, and blood units

To evaluate the feasibility of using an electronic identification system to improve safety and documentation of blood transfusions, a handheld bar code scanner and data terminal, portable label printer, and related software were integrated into all phases of the blood transfusion process, including sample collection, laboratory testing, and administration of blood components. The study was conducted in two hospitals, one in Italy and the other in the United States. Each hospital used different laboratory analysers and information systems. A total of 621 blood components were transfused to 177 patients using 331 blood samples with 100 percent accuracy and electronic documentation of all pertinent patient, staff, sample, testing, and component information. Bar code reading and related electronic technology can be adapted to improve transfusion safety and reduce the risk of human errors at all steps of the blood transfusion process. Immunohematology 2000;16:82–5.