

The -m 1 option instructs the utility to create a 1 pixel margin within the output file square.png. The barcode can be output in pretty much any image format such as JPG, GIF or TIFF, but here we are using the default PNG format.Įcho -n 10274 | dmtxwrite -m 1 -s s -o square.png To create an image representing the unique letter number 10274 you would echo the number and pipe it into the dmtxwrite command as shown below.
DATA MATRIX BARCODE GENERATOR INSTALL
However, it should be easy enough to install on all the supported platforms.Ĭreating a barcode image file using the dmtxwrite utility is very straight forward.
DATA MATRIX BARCODE GENERATOR SOFTWARE
The libdmtx library can generate square or rectangular barcodes depending on your preference.Īs we use Ubuntu Linux servers, the software is easily installed from the package manager. The utility will run on Linux, Unix, OS X, Windows, and mobile devices. Libdmtx is open source software for reading and writing data matrix barcodes. Choosing a tool to generate the data matrix barcodes The process below outlines how I generate and store the barcode images to support a clinic letters system with over a million letters, with room to expand to 99 million. These are just a couple of examples of how barcodes within the hospital workflow can save a great deal of time. This triggers an event in the system giving us an audit point for when the letter was posted. If the letter is altered and returned to the secretary for editing, the secretary can scan the barcode to instantly load the letter, saving her having to type in the patients ID number and locate the letter.Īs paper copies of the letter are sent to the patient, the barcode is again scanned as the letter is put into the envelope. When a letter has been dictated and checked by the consultant the barcode is scanned to digitally sign the letter. To help with the management of this paper trail barcodes can be employed to help record key stages within the documents workflow.įor example, we use data matrix barcodes on all our clinical correspondence, the barcode represents the unique letter number within the hospital system. However, letters to patients will remain in paper form for the foreseeable future. Inter departmental communications are slowly being computerised. While many hospitals have made great advances in digitising their medical records, the fact is there will always be some elements of paper for years to come. In an ideal world hospitals would be paperless. Creating Data Matrix barcode images on Linux Creating Data Matrix Barcodes Generating 99 million barcodes for a clinic letters system used by a large hospital.
