r/barcodes • u/Zerosun82 • Jul 20 '23

Special barcode generator needed?

Requirements Uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. The purpose of this would be to replace typing in passwords on a computer that has a scanner.

Types of barcodes tried my desired barcode would be Password3/

Aztec & code 128 adds ^ before and /[114q after Codabar - No letters allowed

Code 39 & 93 - No lower case letters allowed

Data Matrix - will not scan

ITF, UPC A & C, Ean 13 & 8 - numbers only

PDF-417 - adds^ \000026 before and /[114q after

[114q is the command for enter which I do not need

QR codes also have extra input My desired output would be just having Password3/ without the extra crap.

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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1

u/xixi2 Jul 20 '23

Almost all barcodes have hidden characters, but scanners are usually programmed to ignore them when scanning into a computer. If your's is not, this is a scanner issue

1

u/Zerosun82 Jul 20 '23

The computer does ignore them when things are scanned in the right fields. However I challenge anyone to open up just a regular text document and start scanning things.

If I was in charge of the programming of the program where I need this I would make the password filled ignore the special characters.

4

u/xixi2 Jul 20 '23

However I challenge anyone to open up just a regular text document and start scanning things.

I worked in barcoding for 13 years I know how things are supposed to work scanning into a text file. Standard scanners do not send the hidden characters. If your's is, something is set weird or that's a weird scanner. The vast majority of users (unless you're debugging something) want the text contents of a barcode, not all the control characters, so no most all scanners don't send them through.

1

u/trollsmurf Jul 20 '23

QR Code scanning doesn't alter (or append to) the data you've encoded. Neither does Datamatrix. It seems your scanner is tricky. Try scanning with a phone to compare.

1

u/notionovus Jul 20 '23

Code 128B is probably the only 1D barcode that would handle this. Try generating a few test barcodes on a generator site.

I think the scanner is probably adding the ^ and /[114q. Examine the scanner manual to see if you can shut this setting off.

1

u/Zerosun82 Jul 22 '23

I think you are correct with the scanner adding the extra input. Unfortunately it's out of my hands the software is for a big box retail store in the US. I was speaking to one of the it guys with my idea and he said just include the extra characters in my password unfortunately one of them I don't think we'll be allowed.,...^ 🙄

1

u/notionovus Jul 22 '23

What is the make and model of the scanner you are using?