Category: 2D Symbologies
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A DotCode is a two-dimensional barcode symbology. It is characterized by disconnected round dots distributed on a white background and surrounded by a quiet zone (the blank area that denotes where a barcode’s symbology begins and ends).
DotCodes can be printed in dark colors on a light-colored background or in light colors on a dark background. There must be sufficient contrast to ensure maximum readability.
The DotCode was created so it could be reliably read when printed using high-speed inkjet or laser technologies. Historically, printing quality was low when using high-speed industrial printers.
The DotCode was released by global standards organization AIM in 2009. Today, the DotCode is used in high-speed production environments that typically reach processing speeds of 1,000 products per minute – for example, bottles processed in an alcoholic beverage factory.
DotCodes enable data such as expiration dates and lot or serial numbers to be applied to high-volume, low-cost products in a machine-readable format.
Characteristics of a DotCode
- A public-domain optical data carrier that can be printed reliably by inkjet or laser printers at a very high speed.
- Enables the application of real-time data to products at production line speed – for example, expiration date, lot number, or serial number.
- Can encode all ASCII and extended ASCII characters, including numerals (0 to 9), lowercase letters (a to z), uppercase letters (A to Z), punctuation symbols, and various special characters.
- Rectangular DotCodes of virtually any size and width/height proportion can be used (although 124 dots may be a practical limit).
- Designed to tolerate missing, additional, or poorly placed dots without compromising reading integrity.
- Strong error correction using message encoding inspired by Code 128.
- Standardized in the AIM ISS symbology specification 4.0.
DotCode application areas
The DotCode is probably less well-known than other 2D barcodes. However, its flexibility, durability, and high-speed application make it suitable for use in:
- Manufacturing: For product and packaging labeling to enable efficient tracking and tracing.
- Postal and logistics: On shipping labels.
- Consumer packaged goods: On labeling to combat theft and counterfeiting.
DotCode compatibility
A wide variety of devices, including mobile devices and dedicated barcode scanners, can read DotCodes. All scanners, however, rely on DotCode scanning software integrated within an app.
Scanning software performance varies widely and can sometimes be an issue with DotCode readers, particularly when free or open-source software is used.
Scandit’s fast, robust barcode scanning software supports all major barcode types, including DotCodes with exceptional performance.
The Scandit Barcode Scanner SDK also supports all major operating systems, programming languages, frameworks, 3rd party systems and OEM devices including React Native, Native iOS, Native Android, JavaScript, Xamarin, Flutter, .NET (iOS and Android), Cordova, Capacitor, Titanium, IBM MobileFirst, SAP Fiori and Oracle Xstore.