Microcom 466 - Manual (Page 69)

466 Operators Manual 63
CHAPTER 8: BAR CODES
Although bar codes are accessed in the same manner as text fields, bar codes often limit or
expand the type of data that can be used. The purpose of this chapter is to explain many of
the questions that surface when dealing with bar codes for the first time.
8.1 TYPES OF BAR CODES
Universal Product Code - Version A (UPC-A), TCI=12
The UPC-A bar code is primarily used in the supermarket industry. It contains 11 numeric data
characters and a single numeric check digit. The 466 must be provided 11 digits in order to
print a scanable bar code. The first 6 digits are supplied by the UCC council and are the
Manufacture's ID number. The next 5 digits uniquely identify each of the Manufacture's
products and are assigned by the Manufacturer. The 12th digit is the checksum and should be
omitted because the printer will automatically insert the correct value if a checksum is not sent
(Caution: The printer will accept and print an invalid check digit if an incorrect check digit is
provided). UPC-A bar codes do not use inter character spacing and therefore the character
spacing element CS must be defaulted.
Universal Product Code - Version E (UPC-E, send 11 digits), TCI=13
The UPC-E bar code is primarily used in the supermarket industry. The bar code algorithm
uses a zero suppression routine to reduce certain 11 digit UPC-A bar codes to only 6 numeric
digits and a conversion type numeric digit. The following chart illustrates how 11 digits are
reduced to only 6. (Note: When using TCI 13, the printer requires the unconverted 11 digits.)
UPC-E bar codes do not use inter character spacing and therefore the character spacing
element CS must be defaulted. Note: The Manufacturer's ID number must begin with 0 in order
to use UPC-E.
UPC Zero Reduction Format
SYMBOL DECODED NUMBER
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0 NS X1 X2 0 0 0 0 0 X3 X4 X5
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 1 NS X1 X2 1 0 0 0 0 X3 X4 X5
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 2 NS X1 X2 2 0 0 0 0 X3 X4 X5
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 3 NS X1 X2 X3 0 0 0 0 0 X4 X5
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 4 NS X1 X2 X3 X4 0 0 0 0 0 X5
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 5 NS X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0 0 0 0 5
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 6 NS X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0 0 0 0 6
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 7 NS X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0 0 0 0 7
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 8 NS X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0 0 0 0 8
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 9 NS X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0 0 0 0 9
Table 9