Mobile Phone Check-in
In October 2007, IATA announced a global standard for using mobile phones during the boarding process. Mobile phone check-in allows airlines to send 2D bar codes to a passenger’s mobile phone, personal digital assistant or smart phone. The 2D bar code can be scanned directly from the screen of a mobile device, making mobile phone check-in a completely paperless transaction.
2D Codes for Mobile Ticketing
Aztec Bar Codes The Aztec symbology is a matrix bar code that was originally created in 1995. This symbology consists of a square grid with a bulls-eye pattern in the center, which allows the code to be quickly and easily located. DataMatrix Bar Codes The DataMatrix symbology is a matrix code that consists of a unique square module perimeter pattern. The information contained in the code can be text or raw data. QR Bar Codes The QR symbology is a matrix code that was created in 1994. The name “QR” is derived from “Quick Response,” since the creator intended the code to enable high speed decoding.
Bar Code Scanning In Airline Applications
While the IATA standard for paper boarding passes requires a PDF-417 bar code, the IATA standard for mobile phone check-in requires a different symbology. The 2D bar codes used in mobile phone check-in must be one of the following symbologies: Aztec, DataMatrix or QR.
Passports and OCR
Passports that are compliant with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard include a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ), consisting of two rows of 44 OCR-B characters. Metrologic imagers contain SwiftOCR™ software which features a predefined template for reading the MRZ on ICAO-compliant passports.
About Metrologic
As Metrologic Instruments, Inc. celebrates its 40th anniversary, it continues to be a global supplier of choice for data capture and collection hardware and software. Metrologic delivers innovative products that are reliable and supported by a superior level of personal service. Metrologic products are sold worldwide through sales, service and distribution offices located in North & South America, Europe, Australia and Asia. For more information, please visit www.metrologic.com.
Metrologic Instruments, Inc. Worldwide Headquarters 90 Coles Road | Blackwood, NJ 08012-4683 | info@metrologic.com Telephone 856-228-8100 | Fax 856-228-6673 | www.metrologic.com
Asian Headquarters Tel. 65.6842.7155 info@sg.metrologic.com European Headquarters Tel. 49.89.89019.0 info@eu.metrologic.com The Americas Headquarters Tel. 1.800.ID.METRO info@us.metrologic.com
Bar Coded Boarding Passes (BCBP)
Bar coded boarding passes (BCBP) contain 2D bar codes that comply with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) industry standard. 100% BCBP usage is estimated to save the industry $800 million USD annually.
In 2004, IATA launched a five-pronged project called Simplifying the Business (StB). StB was aimed at making air travel more convenient, while reducing costs by $6.5 billion. In the same year, IATA defined a global standard for paper boarding passes that would replace magnetic stripe technology with 2D bar codes. IATA later announced a standard for mobile phone check-in using 2D bar codes. IATA has issued two BCBP mandates: 1. Airlines must be BCBP-ready by the end of 2008. 2. All boarding passes must be BCBP-compliant by the end of 2010.
Metrologic Imaging Scanners
Metrologic imagers decode all standard 1D, PDF and 2D matrix codes, enabling quick and efficient reading of BCBP. Our imaging products even read electronic bar codes, supporting the new IATA standard for mobile phone check-in. Metrologic offers the tools you’ll need, in all shapes and sizes, to implement BCBP at your gates.
MS7580 Genesis: hands-free imaging scanner Metrologic’s MS7580 Genesis™, the world’s first presentation area imager engineered to decode all standard 1D, PDF and 2D codes, provides enhanced productivity and revolutionary imaging technology in an elegant, yet durable design.
Features: • Superior motion tolerance enables aggressive scanning • Intelligent multi-interface design reduces overall system costs • TotalFreedom™ expands scanner functionality by allowing formatting, parsing and decoding plug-ins to be loaded directly into the imager instead of the host system • FirstFlash® technology minimizes repetitive flashing during bar code decoding, enhancing operators’ working conditions • Extend the protection of Metrologic’s standard warranty by purchasing a Silver or Platinum service plan (available in limited geographic areas)
www.metrologic.com/MS7580
The ticket above complies with the IATA standard for BCBP.
Benefits of BCBP
Minimizes costs:
Customers can print boarding passes from remote locations, lowering paper costs & total check-in costs Eliminates up to 40% of check-in and boarding equipment
MS1690 Focus: hand-held imaging scanner
BCBP Standard, as defined in IATA Resolution 792: Bar code requirements: • Bar code symbology must be PDF-417. • Bar code format allows for one fixed-length and two variable-length sets of data. ○ The fixed-length set of data contains all required information, including passenger name, airline and flight information. ○ The first set of variable-length data is conditional: use if available. ○ The second set of variable-length data is optional. Airlines can use this set to store their own information. • Maximum length of the encoded data cannot exceed 600 characters. Ticket layout requirements: • Bar code must be printed on the same side of the page as the passenger name and flight information. • Placement of the bar code should be adjacent and parallel to an outside edge. MS1690 Focus® is a high performance hand-held area imager that provides increased throughput for virtually all 1D and 2D bar code reading applications.
Features:
www.metrologic.com/MS1690
Improves customer satisfaction:
Printing boarding passes remotely reduces the average check-in time Using a single boarding document for all travel, including multi-segment and interline trips, shortens check-in lines
• FirstFlash technology minimizes repetitive flashing during bar code decoding, enhancing operators’ working conditions • Omnidirectional scanning eliminates the need to orientate imager to bar code • Linear illumination facilitates laser-like menu scanning with an area imager
Increases standardization:
Supports the industry’s transition to 100% electronic ticketing
IS1650: versatile imaging scanner/scan engine
Metrologic’s IS1650 self-contained area imaging engine provides easy and reliable bar code scanning for self-service kiosks or other fixed-mount POS applications. It also multitasks as a hand-held or hands-free scanner in tight spaces.
Features:
www.metrologic.com/IS1650
• FirstFlash technology minimizes repetitive flashing during bar code decoding, enhancing operators’ working conditions • Scans/decodes all standard 1D and 2D bar codes • CodeSelect ™ technology scans up to seven bar codes in a single flash then outputs data in any predetermined order • IR object detection provides activation for hands-free applications
PDF-417 Bar Codes The PDF-417 symbology is a stacked bar code that was created in 1991. PDF stands for Portable Data File and 417 represents the 17 modules of 4 bars and spaces that make up each code. It is one of the most popular 2D codes because of its ability to be read with slightly modified hand-held laser or linear CCD scanners. All other 2D symbologies that meet IATA standards require an area imaging scanner to be read.
IS4920: imaging scan engine
The IS4920 is a decoded miniature area imaging scan engine designed to decode 1D and 2D bar codes. It features a mega pixel imaging sensor, a wide angle lens design, integrated illumination and aiming, and industry-leading decoding software.
Features:
www.metrologic.com/IS4920
• Supports the widest set of 1D and 2D symbologies • Aggressive scan performance on poor-quality codes • Large field of view and scanning area for easy scanning • Low power consumption is ideal for battery-powered devices
For more information on BCBP, visit the IATA website at www.IATA.org