Automatic identification and data capture known as AIDC is the process of identifying and collecting data, while processing information automatically without the need for manual input. This automated process reduces labor cost, increases efficiency, insures accuracy and proficiency (if done properly), and leads to greater innovation. There are three types of AIDC technologies are barcodes, cards, and radio frequency identification known as RFID. Barcode technologies are the oldest and most successful AIDC technologies. There are two main sub categories of barcodes. The first category is linear barcodes which are made up of lines and spaces of multiple widths that create specific patterns recognizable to scanners by storing information vertically. These cards are used in many applications where the use of a simple numeric code can provide the key to a database such as product inventory. The limitation to these barcodes is that it can only hold up to eighty five characters or less. Figure 1 to the left is an illustration of a linear barcode that are used in the industry. The second sub category of barcode technologies is 2D barcodes which is a graphical image that stores information both horizontally and vertically. These barcodes allow large amounts of data to be stored in small spaces. These images are commonly found on app advertisement barcodes, which allow the user to access the full capabilities of the app. The 2D barcodes can hold several hundred to thousands of characters. Figure 2 to the right is an illustration of 2d barcodes.
The next category of AIDC is card technologies. The first subgroup of this category is magnetic strips which are strips that consist of iron-based magnetic particles known as bars on plastic like tape. Information is written on the strip by magnetizing the bars through a process known as flux reversal. This change in the magnetic