Composite bar codes
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of the first character of EAN-13 determines the parity with which each of the characters in the
left-hand side of the bar code will be encoded from the table.
5 UCC-128
UCC-128 was developed to provide a worldwide format and standard for exchanging
common data between companies. While other bar codes simply encode data with no
respect for what the data represents, UCC-128 encodes data and encodes what that data
represents. It has a list of Application Identifiers (AI) to include additional data such as best
before dates, batch numbers, quantities, weights and many other attributes the user needs.
Each AI tells the system what kind of data will follow and in what format.
UCC-128 has the benefit of being expanded without making existing systems obsolete. If a
new AI is needed, then it can simply be added to the standard. Existing applications using
existing AIs will not be adversely affected.
The UCC-128 symbol has the following Code 128 structure:
a A Code-128 Start character (A, B, or C)
b A Code-128 FNC1 character (character 102)
c Application Identifier (from AI table corresponding to data to be encoded)
d Data to be encoded (format depends on AI)
e A Code-128 checksum character
6 RSS-14 (including all variants: Expanded, Truncated, Limited, and Stacked)
RSS-14 encodes the full 14-digit EAN/UCC item identification in a linear symbol that can be
scanned omnidirectionally by suitably programmed point-of-sale scanners.
RSS Limited encodes 14-digit EAN/UCC item identification with indicator digits of zero or one
in a linear symbol for use on small items that will not be scanned at the point-of-sale.
RSS Expanded encodes EAN/UCC item identification plus supplementary AI element strings
such as weight and best before date in a linear symbol that can be scanned omnidirectionally
by suitably programmed point-of-sale scanners. It can also be printed in multiple rows as a
stacked symbol.
RSS-14 Stacked is a variation of the RSS-14 symbology that is stacked in two rows and is
used when the normal symbol is too wide for the application. It comes in two versions, a
truncated version used for small item marking applications and a taller omnidirectional
version which is designed to be read by omnidirectional scanners.
To add the composite component, add the pipe character (“|”), decimal 124, or hex 7C to the end of
the normal bar code data, and then place the composite data after that. Any amount of data up to the
maximum (refer to the AIM site) may be specified.
For all linear component bar codes, the two EAN/UCC 2D Composite Components (CC-A or CC-B)
are internally selected within the bar code engine to accommodate the needed data capacity and
they need not be specified by the user.
The <Esc> sequence stands for ESCape, or 1Bh.
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General
Weight and Dimensions
