This is the first published evidence of a 2D barcode tattoo that actually scans. My friend Livy asked me to make her a barcode of her name and she had it tattooed on the top of her foot in late September 2010. The video was taken on Oct 5, 2010 and provides definitive proof that a barcode can be transferred to human skin by a tattoo artist, using standard methods, and have it maintain sufficient integrity to remain scanable. The scanner used in the demonstration is a Honeywell IT4800 set up as a USB keyboard wedge. It is set to decode all symbologies and add a carriage return suffix. The barcode is of Aztec symbology. Failure of other barcode tattoos to maintain required integrity is likely due to the choice of linear (1D) symbologies like UPC-A, Code 128, and Code 39. All of which require highly accurate spacing and high interline contrast. The Aztec symbology is perfectly suited for tattooing as it has high data capacity, very good error correction, and requires no adjacent clear space to function. As you can see in the uncut video, Livy’s tattoo requires considerably more time for the scanner to decode it than if it was printed on paper as her skin may have been slightly distorted during the transfer process, but with a little adjustment, and the proper scanner angle and distance, it reads quite well.
Thus we have established two facts, firstly, that a tattoo barcode can be decoded accurately by a commercial scanner, and lastly, Livy is one gutsy chick.
Science in Action!
Dr Slug
email doctor.slug at att.net

Take the opportunity to connect and share this video with your friends and family if you find it useful.