Barcodes and RFID

Start with barcodes

Begin with a barcode mind map to see the information a code can hold and the equipment used to read it. One map describes product codes and manufacturer details, along with practical limits: a barcode can be damaged and needs to be scanned manually.

Other maps discuss barcode uses in shops, warehouses and manufacturing. They present some details differently, including whether price is stored in the code. Compare the maps carefully and note the differences as you study.

Move on to RFID and QR codes

The mind map RFID Tags describes remote scanning, parcel tracking and the information tags can hold. It also mentions the cost of running an RFID system. Use it alongside a barcode map to compare how the resources describe the benefits and limitations of each technology.

RFID and its uses introduces the tag as part of a system used to identify objects, animals or people. The map QR codes and QR code scanners looks at QR codes and the kinds of information they can store, such as URLs, images and text.

Connect the resources

After reading the maps, use the quiz on the page to practice what you have studied. Return to a map when you want to check a detail, then use its branches to organize your notes on how a code or tag is read and what it can be used for.

Barcodes and RFID is a section of the Input and Output Devices unit in Computing and ICT. The maps and the slide set on barcode readers and sensors give you different ways to explore the resources listed in this section. Choose a resource and follow a path that works for you.