The new „JAB code“ can hold considerably more information than conventional black and white barcodes and matrix codes. It was developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology (SIT) in Darmstadt. The JAB code can consist of any number of colours, can take on any shape, ensures greater protection against forgery thanks to its high data density and offers numerous new application possibilities, including in logistics and the pharmaceutical industry.
The abbreviation JAB simply stands for „Just another barcode“. The JAB code was developed by Fraunhofer SIT on behalf of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has been developed. The new development is currently being developed into a new DIN standard.
Classic Barcodes or Matrix codes contain coded information and simplify everyday processes. Because the amount of data that can be stored by these codes is limited, additional information must be stored in databases or on websites. Because the JAB code from Fraunhofer SIT also uses colours, all information can be stored directly in the code. On medicine packaging, for example, a JAB code can indicate the Package insert with all the important information about the medication and thus facilitate the correct dosage or point out side effects.
Scan eight colours with conventional smartphones
The developers currently recommend using eight colours for the JAB code. This amount of colour can still be easily captured with conventional smartphone cameras. The Data density of the code thus increases threefold.
[infotext icon]Fraunhofer SIT is still looking for interested companiesFraunhofer SIT is currently working on transferring the high data density of the JAB code to a greyscale code. This should enable branches of industry that only work with monochrome cameras to also benefit from the high storage density. Fraunhofer SIT is still looking for interested industrial companies to collaborate on this project[/infotext].
The experts at Fraunhofer SIT have developed the code with high data density in order to optimise the Authenticity of documents offline without database synchronisation. Identity documents without a chip are therefore more forgery-proof. No expensive additional equipment is required to apply the codes. The codes can be printed with conventional colour printers and scanned with normal smartphones.
In addition, the JAB code can be used in combination with a special chip in the goods for Plagiarism protection of spare parts in the industry. Uses for Proof of authenticity of luxury items are conceivable. According to Fraunhofer SIT, even a will could be created using the Jab code in a way that can be proven in court.
[infotext icon]Try out the JAB code for yourself!The JAB code is at the beginning of the standardisation process by the German Institute for Standardisation DIN and is to be established as an international standard according to ISO in the long term. The specification was developed as a technical guideline TR-03137-2 published by the BSI. The code is available as open source under the LGPL v2.1 licence and can be downloaded here:
http://www.github.com/Jabcode/Jabcode
If you wish, you can create and read out JAB codes yourself on a test basis:
http://www.jabcode.org[/infotext]
