Pitney Bowes FastPac DI900 Manuallines page 20

2 • DI900/DI950 Scan Code Concepts
Scan Codes and Integrity Theory
Compatibility
Programming
Machine Readability
Orientation of Scan
Codes
Scanning
Process
Space Used on
Page
"Counting" Function-
ality (WAS)
Integrity Options
Initial Purchase Cost Integrity level(s) less expensive than
SureTrac™ Process
Verification Option
Troubleshooting
2-10
Quick Comparison of Scan Code Symbologies
OMR Symbology
Compatible with legacy OMR applica-
tions
Must be able to generate graphics (lines)
in software
More reading errors than BCR
"Ladder" only for Pitney Bowes inserters
Scanner requires a scan "window" to be
determined so it can identify OMR marks
from extraneous marks/text/graphics in
the scan column that may be in-line with
the OMR marks. Once the OMR marks
are properly identified, the location of the
scan window is stored in memory until
the job ends or another trial piece is run.
Consequently, this means that the OMR
marks must be in the same place on
each and every page in a job.
The higher the scanning integrity, the
more marks are needed to be printed.
Usually ends up taking more space than
barcode.
Can count up to 131,072 (2 to 17th pow-
er) using all 17 OMR marks
Three levels of functionality (see chart
on page 2-15) for DI900/DI950
BCR integrity level
Not available
You can visually see what marks are on
what page, and by knowing how they are
used (e.g., the scan definition), you can
help identify problems in the scanning
process without "converting" OMR marks
into another format.
Barcode (BCR) Symbology
Not compatible with legacy OMR applica-
tions
Generally easier than OMR (no graphic
lines - just a barcode font text)
Fewer reading errors than OMR (due to
"self-clocking" within BCR symbology)
"Ladder" or "Picket fence" available for
DI900/DI950 (with appropriate hardware
and integrity option)
Reading barcodes don't require the use
of a scan "window". The scanner looks for
anything in the scan column that resem-
bles a barcode and tries to decode it. If the
scanner doesn't decode it in the forward
direction, it tries the reverse direction. No
location is stored in memory for the bar-
codes. These characteristics of barcode
scanning allow the barcode to "move"
within the scan column from one page to
another in a job (unlike OMR marks).
Generally uses less space on page than
OMR for the same functionality.
For 3 of 9 or I 2 of 5 barcode, can count
up to 9,999,999 (hard coded limit in DI900/
DI950 software)
Supports ALL of the OMR functionality as
standard
More expensive than OMR integrity
level(s)
Can be used with 3 of 9 barcode if created
with PB FIRST™ (see page 2-14)
Most customers do not display the num-
ber represented by the barcode when it is
printed for their normal job run. Therefore,
during the setup and testing phase of the
application, you should use a human read-
able barcode to find and fix any errors or
print the BCR codes somewhere on the
page. After a job has been established,
you need either a hand-held scanner or
have the DI900/DI950 read and display the
BCR so it can be made human readable
for debugging purposes.
SV61314 Rev. A