ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for encoding and decoding a 2D symbol is disclosed. According to one aspect of the 2D symbol, the following characteristics are realized:

1)variable symbol widths and height;
2)variable print resolution;
3)multiple damage protection levels;
4)large information storage;
5)high redundancy;
6)readable by line based scanning devices;
7)recognizable by either contact scanning or non-contact scanning devices.

In addition, a set of positioning lines are attached 2D symbol for guiding scanning devices to decode the 2D symbol with proper resolution.