An Overview of Machine-Readable Labels

Machine-readable optical labels are visual representations of data that machines can read and interpret. These labels, often comprised of simple geometric shapes or lines, are designed to encode various kinds of information, such as product details or reference numbers.

They can also serve as reference points for image recognition and tracking in applications like computer vision, augmented reality, and robotics. These optical labels are designed to be easily and quickly recognized by machines. This makes them a reliable and efficient method for automatically reading encoded information.

Nowadays, they play a crucial role in various industries and fields because they improve operational efficiency, accuracy, and precision.

Types of machine-readable optical labels

There are two types of machine-readable optical labels:

• Barcodes
• Fiduciary markers

Barcodes

Barcodes are optical labels that are capable of encoding various types of information depending on the application. Despite their similar appearance, each type of barcode utilizes different encoding schemes.

Barcodes can be broadly categorized into two types:

• 1D or linear barcodes
• 2D or matrix barcodes

The type of barcode used often depends on the amount and kind of data that needs to be encoded and the space available for barcode printing. Regardless of the industry, barcodes are seen as indispensable tools for businesses and organizations due to their efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reliability.

They have fundamentally transformed the way various industries operate, contributing significantly to operational efficiency and accuracy.

Barcode uses

Some examples of the usage of barcodes are as follows:

Retail and manufacturing

In the retail and manufacturing sectors, barcodes are extensively used to encode product codes, descriptions, and quantities.

They play a crucial role in inventory management, helping to track inventory levels and automate stock replenishment. By minimizing stock-outs and overstocks, barcodes not only improve efficiency and reduce costs but also enhance customer satisfaction. They are an integral part of modern retail operations.

Supply chain management

In supply chain management and logistics, barcodes enable real-time tracking of goods and shipments across different locations and stages of the supply chain. They help identify the location, status, and movement of goods, thereby streamlining logistics, reducing errors, and improving visibility.

Healthcare

Similarly, in healthcare, barcodes are used to track patient information, including medical records, treatment plans, and medication orders. This facilitates the prevention of medication errors, ensures accurate treatment, and overall improves patient safety.

Libraries

Libraries also benefit from the use of barcodes. They manage their collections of books and other materials. Barcodes in this setting are used to encode information such as titles, authors, and call numbers. They enable the tracking of circulation, monitoring of overdue items, and conducting inventory checks.

Fiduciary markers

Fiduciary markers serve as machine-readable reference points that aid in image recognition and tracking. Comprised of simple geometric shapes such as circles or squares, these markers are designed to be easily and rapidly detected and recognized by machine vision systems. They can be likened to a special kind of 2D barcode, typically encoding reference numbers that range from 0 to 1,000.

The choice of simple shapes and a limited range of reference numbers allows for efficient detection and decoding. Given their wide range of applications and their role in improving accuracy and performance in computer vision, fiduciary markers are essential in various technology fields.

Example uses of fiduciary markers

Some examples of the usage of fiduciary markers are as follows:

Computer vision

In computer vision, fiduciary markers are employed to identify and track objects in images or videos. They act as reference points, providing crucial information about the position and orientation of the objects in the visual data. This allows for more robust and reliable object recognition and tracking, even in complex or cluttered scenes.

Augmented reality

Fiduciary markers also have significant applications in augmented reality (AR). They are used to overlay digital content onto the real world, with the markers facilitating accurate positioning and scaling of virtual objects. This forms the basis for creating interactive and immersive AR experiences, with the physical location of the markers in the real world determining where and how the virtual content is displayed.

Robotics

In robotics, fiduciary markers help robots navigate and interact with their environment. The markers serve as reference points, enabling robots to locate and manipulate objects with precision and accuracy. This is particularly useful for tasks requiring high precision, such as robotic surgery or assembly.

Benefits of optical labels

There are several benefits to being able to read optical labels:

• Improved accuracy: Optical labels reduce errors by quickly and accurately reading labels instead of manual entry.

• Increased efficiency: They have faster information processing for various applications.

• Better inventory management: They provide real-time tracking of inventory through the supply chain, with stock levels and locations.

• Enhanced customer experience: They speed up retail checkout, reduce wait times, and provide accurate pricing information.

• Improved tracking and tracing: Optical labels can track product and shipment movement and offer greater visibility and control over logistics.

• Increased automation: They enable automated systems like robots to perform tasks such as object recognition.

A comparison between barcodes and fiduciary markers

While both barcodes and fiduciary markers are types of machine-readable labels, there are some key differences between them.

Overall, while both barcodes and fiduciary markers are machine-readable labels that can be used to improve efficiency and accuracy in various applications, they serve different functions and are often used in different contexts. Barcodes are primarily used to encode information, while fiduciary markers are used to improve image recognition and tracking.