Patch Codes
Patch codes are a set of 6 distinct barcode patterns (1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and T)
that are typically used as document separators when scanning.
Introduction
A patch code is a pattern of parallel, alternating black
bars and spaces (i.e. a barcode) that is printed on a document. When scanning
the document the patch code can be recognised and acted upon. The patch code may
be recognised by the scanner itself (usually in the top-end expensive scanners)
or by the scanning or processing software. Exactly what action is taken depends
upon the design of any given system.
The most typical use of a patch code is distinguish where one
document ends and another begins when a pile of documents are loaded into the
sheet-feeder (ADF) of a document scanner.
The patch code was originally created by Kodak to signal document processing
applications while reading large documents. The different codes will signal
certain events such as a page/section break or a change from single sided to
duplex scanning. Six distinct barcode patterns (Patch 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and T) were
defined. The most common use now is to use the Patch T code as a Page (document)
separator.
Note that no data is encoded in a patch code. Similarly
although there are typically 4 identical patch codes on a page (i.e. each
orientation) patch code readers (hardware or software) would only ever return
one.
It is also possible to add conventional barcodes (typically Code 39) to a sheet
to, for example, indicate the document type.
Download and print a Patch-Code-T
as a separator page between different documents when scanning.
Patch Code T is normally used as a document separator
Patch Codes are wide/narrow codes (as are Code 39 barcodes, for example).
Here is some further technical information about patch-codes.
Thanks to Kodak for this.
* Patch Codes * Separator Pages *
Batch Scanning * PDF Searchable Images scanning * TIF or PDF scanning
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