Chapter 8: Bar Codes; Types Of Bar Codes; Upc Zero Reduction Format - Microcom 412 Operator's Manual

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 and
eliminate 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 412 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 to label small packages. 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.
SYMBOL
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 1
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 2
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 3
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 4
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 5
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 6
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 7
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 8
X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 9
412 Operators Manual

CHAPTER 8: BAR CODES

UPC Zero Reduction Format

NS X1 X2 0
NS X1 X2 1
NS X1 X2 2
NS X1 X2 X3 0
NS X1 X2 X3 X4 0
NS X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0
NS X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0
NS X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0
NS X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0
NS X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 0
Table 9
DECODED NUMBER
0 0 0 0 X3 X4 X5
0 0 0 0 X3 X4 X5
0 0 0 0 X3 X4 X5
0 0 0 0
0 0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
X4 X5
0 X5
0 5
0 6
0 7
0 8
0 9
67