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Page 1
Notes
- Portable Data File 417 is much more than a high capacity bar code. PDF417 provides a
means for the very low cost communication of data in a wide variety of applications
- PDF417 opens a highly flexible new dimension to information management. It enables
machine readable data to be available where the information is needed without requiring
connection to a host database
- PDF417 has been adopted by a number of major industries and standards bodies. It is now
the acknowledged standard in Portable Data File technology
PDF417 Technology
Overview
PDF417 - The 2D Portable Data File Standard
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Page 2
Notes -
A one dimensional bar code (Code 128, Code 39, etc.) is generally used as a license plate. The
code provides access to data contained within a separate database
- The data required by the user for the Application Transaction is retrieved fromthe host
system
One Dimensional Symbology
Application Scheme
Bar Code Symbol
Scan Operation
Code 012345
012345
Database Look-up
Operation
Application
Transaction
012345
Data
Code is License Plate key to Database
Requires real time access to Database
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Notes -
Through the use of PDF417, the information needed by the user is stored in the symbol itself.
Direct access to the host systemis no longer required
Consider for example the Retail Supply Chain (frommanufacturer-to-carrier-to-retailer) and
all the nodes where a person handles the carton, package or pallet. Parallel electronic/telecom
systems are not necessarily synchronized with the movement of these goods. In contrast
PDF417 ensures the data is also with the goods being shipped and can be accessible at all
points in the supply chain
Two Dimensional Symbology
Application Scheme
PDF417
Scan Operation
Database Look-up
Operation
Application
Transaction
012345
Data
Required data is contained within 2D symbol
Real time access to database not required
Data, Data, Data, Data,
Data, Data, Data, Data,
Data, Data, Data, Data,
Data, Data, Data, Data...
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Notes -
PDF417 was developed specifically to address real customer requirements
Customer Requirements for 2D
Symbology
Must have capacity to communicate
a whole file of data
Must work with the same
printers
I use today
Must survive damage and read reliably
in real-world environments
Must be readable using
right technology for my
application
Must be Public Domain,
Open System Standard
Must be printed on the
same materials I use today
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Notes -
Think of PDF417 as paper based digital communications
- The key to PDF417 is that it permits you to communicate information for virtually no
additional cost. This is because the PDF417 is normally printed on a document, label or card
that is already being produced. If you already print a label or a document, it costs nothing to
add PDF, in fact it could be less costly if your customer could reduce the size of the label
using the higher density PDF417 symbology (replace multiple 1D bar codes).
-The other key attribute of PDF417 is that it is a digital communications channel
synchronized with the itemto which it is attached (package, ID card, etc.). This means that
the data is always available.
Low Cost Communications Medium
Travels with Document, Person, Package, Object, etc.
PDF adds no cost to the label, document or card
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Notes -
The United Nations Charter contains 1162 characters. Printed at 6.6 mils (0.17 mm)
(compatible with any 300 dpi printer) and using Error Correction level 4, this symbol occupies
a space measuring 2.2 inches x 1.0 inches
PDF417 Portable Data File
WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED to save succeeding generations fromthe
scourge of war, which twice in our life-time has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirmfaith in
fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women
and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations
arising fromtreaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and
better standards of life in larger freedom,
AND FOR THESE ENDS to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours
and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and to ensure, by the acceptance of
principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and to
employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples,
HAVE RESOLVED TO COMBINE OUR EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE AIMS Accordingly, our respective
Governments, through representatives assembled in the city of San Francisco, who have exhibited their full
powers found to be in good and due form, have agreed to the present Charter of the United Nations and do
hereby establish an international organisation to be known as the United Nations
United Nations
Charter
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Notes -
This chart illustrates the basic structure of the PDF417 symbology
- The symbol may contain up to 34 columns in width or up to 90 rows in height. No more than
928 Data and Error Correction codewords may, however, be contained in one symbol
- Each individual 17 module Codeword is self clocking in the horizontal direction. Row
Indicators plus a unique row clustering scheme provide vertical synchronization. Together,
these features permit PDF417 to be read by linear lasers, rastering lasers, linear CCDs or
image scanning devices. Matrix codes, in contrast, can only be read with imaging devices.
PDF417 - The Structure
Stop Pattern
Row Indicators
Data and Error Correction
Codewords (up to 928)
Start Pattern
Up to 90
rows
Up to 34 Columns

Codeword Elements
(4 bars/4 spaces)
17 Modules Wide
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Notes
- The capacities detailed above are achieved using standard PDF417 compaction modes
- These are the maximumsymbol capacities assuming Error Correction level 0. In practical
terms, the total capacity will be reduced (by around 15% typically) as error correction is
added. The amount of error correction is user selectable depending upon the application.
- Other compression techniques may be applied to the data before it is encoded. Compression
efficiency depends on the type of information being encoded and the compression technique
employed.
- When a Symbol scanner reads a Macro PDF symbol, it will normally concatenate the
contents of each symbol within the decoder and then output the complete data set to the host as
one contiguous file. Other user-selectable Macro PDF processing options are however
available
PDF417 Information Capacity
vMaximum capacity depends on
data type:
w 1108 Bytes
w 1850 ASCII Characters
w 2710 Numeric Digits
vEven higher capacity with other
compression techniques
vMacro PDF for concatenation of
multiple PDF417 symbols
w Up to 899,999 symbols
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Notes -
PDF417 can encode all types of data as shown in this graphic (just as a floppy disk can store
any type of information)
- The different data types may be mixed within a symbol
- Various compression methods are available for all data types
- Photos may be compressed down to 700 bytes using standard J PEG compression. Other
compression techniques achieve even higher levels of comparison. Symbols wavelet
compression can encode a color photo in around 400 bytes
- Fingerprint templates can be encoded in less than 300 bytes
- Hand geometry requires 10 to 20 bytes
Encodes all Information Types
John Smith
Fingerprint
Hand Geometry
Photograph
(or any graphic)
Signature
TEXT
Name: John Smith
Order No. 374656
Ship Date: 1/15/95
BINARY
0110110101111011
1101011010010101
Voice
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Notes
- Number of codewords required for Error Correction are as follows:
- Level 0: 0
- Level 1: 2
- Level 2: 6
- Level 3: 14
- Level 4: 30
- Level 5: 62
- Level 6: 126
- Level 7: 254
- Level 8: 510
- As Error Correction is increased, data capacity is reduced
Error Correction
vPowerful Error Correction permits 100% data
recovery despite physical damage
vSelect from 8 different levels depending on
application
vSymbol size increases in proportion to Error
Correction (e.g. 10% damage protection
requires 10% larger symbol)
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Notes
- These symbols illustrate the amount of damage a PDF417 symbol can sustain while still
recovering 100% of the information.
- Symbol size increases as Error Correction is added
Error Correction Levels and
Relative Symbol Sizes
Security Level 3
Security Level 4
Security Level 5
Security Level 6
Security Level 7 Security Level 8
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Notes -
PDF417 may be printed with a wide range of symbol aspect ratios (width to height)
- This permits the symbol to be sized to suit different applications such as:
- ID Cards
- Documents or forms
- Parts Labels
etc.
- Generally wider symbols are more efficient because there is less area dedicated to
overhead (Start/Stop Patterns and Row Indicators))
Aspect Ratio (Symbol Width:Height)
vVariable Aspect Ratio enables symbol to
be optimized within available space
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Notes -
- PDF417 has been independently tested for reliability and performance
- No misdecodes were detected. (Data was always correctly decoded)
- PDF417, when subject to printing errors or damage, will either correctly decode the data or
not decode at all
- These test reports are available fromSymbol upon request
PDF417 Proven Technology
vOhio University, Center for Automatic
Identification
w Total of 32 million characters read without error
w Theoretical reliability even higher
vUniversity of Pittsburgh
w Demonstrated high speed overhead scanning
capability
w In tests, remained readable despite damage
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Notes -
PDF417 was specifically designed to be printed using the technology that is employed today
for printing 1D codes.
Printing Flexibility
vNo special printer required - Compatible
with broad range of printing technologies
including laser, ink jet, thermal direct,
thermal transfer, etc..
vPDF417 can be Faxed
vMay be printed at various densities and
module aspect ratios depending on:
w Printing Technology
w Reading Technology
w Scanning Environment
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Notes
- Almost any label printer on the market today has PDF417 capability built in
- The label printers listed is only a partial list
- If using standard desktop laser or inkjet printers, there are several DOS/Windows based
labeling software packages available
- There are also printing solutions available for high speed printing environments
Printing PDF417
vWide range of printing options from multiple sources
vLabel printers including:
- Monarch - Cognitive - Zebra - Datamax
- Intermec - DH - Kyocera - Eltron
- Printronix - RJ S - Sato - TEC
vSoftware packages for DOS/Windows based
applications
vHigh Speed printing/mainframe based solutions
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Notes
- A important feature of PDF417 is that it is based on bar code technology, thus it can be read
by any scanning technology.
- Matrix codes, in contrast, can only be read by Imaging technology
Reading PDF417 - The Universal
Technology
vLow speed linear CCD
w Economical contact/near contact reading
w Suitable for less demanding applications
vHigh speed 2-D laser raster
w Rapid non-contact scanning
w Simple Aim and Shoot ergonomics
w Flexible high performance solution
vHigh speed CCD/Imaging
w Omnidirectional scanning
w Supports demanding fixed automated
applications
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Notes
- In most applications, PDF417 must coexist with pre-existing 1D barcodes. Symbols
scanning technology maximizes backward compatibility with 1D bar code. Thus the customer
doesnt give up any performance when going to PDF417.
PDF417 - Backward Compatible with
Installed Bar Code Applications
vPDF Raster Scanners (and linear CCD
readers) also support reading of existing
linear symbols such as Code 128, Code 39,
EAN, UPC, etc
a b c d e f g h i j k l mn o p 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
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Notes
PDF417 in the Public Domain
vPDF417 is a public domain open systems
standard
vPDF417 fully conforms to industry and
international standards requirements
vPDF417 is identical in all respects to
existing industry standard bar codes
(UPC/EAN, Code 39, etc..)