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For those who are curious, these are 2DID Datamatrix codes, also used in the semiconductor industry extensively to mark wafers and chips. If you pick up an Inte

For those who are curious, these are 2DID Datamatrix codes, also used in the semiconductor industry extensively to mark wafers and chips. If you pick up an Intel CPU, its going to have a couple of tiny datamatrix codes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_Matrix https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_Matrix

Someone1234 4y ago
If anyone was curious why Data Matrix instead of QR Code this article goes into detail: https://www.laserax.com/blog/data-matrix-vs-qr-codes https://www.laserax.com/blog/data-matrix-vs-qr-codes Looks like Data Matrix has higher error correction (per size) and better data density (at every size). QR Code has a higher theoretical storage capacity, larger maximum size, and multi-byte data support (rather than limited to alphanumeric), none of which applies to this use case though. It also looks like that Data Matrix may work with a lower contrast than QR Code. Both can be read from any angle. Honestly, purely from a technical standpoint, the biggest arguments for QR Codes is their popularity/adoption, and things like that you can stylize the code itself. Maybe I need to do more research, but on the face of it Data Matrix looks like it is technically superior.
- jillesvangurp 4y ago
  I think the only relevant thing about any kind of scannable code is reliability. QR Codes are widely used and seem to work fine with just about any smart phone. So, they are good enough. Maybe Data Matrix is slightly easier to scan. But it's not really a problem with QR Codes.
  - ale42 4y ago
    But AFAIK you can't do non-square QR codes. Plus, at small sizes, you lose a lot of space for the alignment marks.
    - jillesvangurp 4y ago
      If that matters to you, then yes that's a limitation. However, big qr codes are easier to scan. Making them smaller requires higher resolution scanning devices and more careful aiming of the device. So, it's not necessarily that big of a deal. The alignment marks are scaled along with the qr code. So, they don't use more space for smaller codes. The shape limitation is more of an esthetic thing. I don't think people care that much.
- voxadam 4y ago
  Data Matrix may be technically superior but if memory serves it's encumbered by multiple patents.
- neilpanchal 4y ago
  Yea we used Cognex cameras to read millions of chips, trays, heat sinks, carriers, wafers, etc. Datamatrix is industrial grade. Cognex also has proprietary decoding algorithms which would detect the faintest and half damaged codes.

Someone1234 4y ago

If anyone was curious why Data Matrix instead of QR Code this article goes into detail: https://www.laserax.com/blog/data-matrix-vs-qr-codes https://www.laserax.com/blog/data-matrix-vs-qr-codes Looks like Data Matrix has higher error correction (per size) and better data density (at every size). QR Code has a higher theoretical storage capacity, larger maximum size, and multi-byte data support (rather than limited to alphanumeric), none of which applies to this use case though. It also looks like that Data Matrix may work with a lower contrast than QR Code. Both can be read from any angle. Honestly, purely from a technical standpoint, the biggest arguments for QR Codes is their popularity/adoption, and things like that you can stylize the code itself. Maybe I need to do more research, but on the face of it Data Matrix looks like it is technically superior.

jillesvangurp 4y ago
I think the only relevant thing about any kind of scannable code is reliability. QR Codes are widely used and seem to work fine with just about any smart phone. So, they are good enough. Maybe Data Matrix is slightly easier to scan. But it's not really a problem with QR Codes.
- ale42 4y ago
  But AFAIK you can't do non-square QR codes. Plus, at small sizes, you lose a lot of space for the alignment marks.
  - jillesvangurp 4y ago
    If that matters to you, then yes that's a limitation. However, big qr codes are easier to scan. Making them smaller requires higher resolution scanning devices and more careful aiming of the device. So, it's not necessarily that big of a deal. The alignment marks are scaled along with the qr code. So, they don't use more space for smaller codes. The shape limitation is more of an esthetic thing. I don't think people care that much.
voxadam 4y ago
Data Matrix may be technically superior but if memory serves it's encumbered by multiple patents.
neilpanchal 4y ago
Yea we used Cognex cameras to read millions of chips, trays, heat sinks, carriers, wafers, etc. Datamatrix is industrial grade. Cognex also has proprietary decoding algorithms which would detect the faintest and half damaged codes.