Epic 3000
Programmer’s Guide
Programming Codes
100-14362
Rev A
Page 119
Maxicode
Maxicode is 2D barcode originally created and used by United Parcel Service. Suitable
for tracking and managing the shipment of packages, it resembles a barcode, but uses
dots arranged in a hexagonal grid instead of bars. Maxicode has been standardized
under
“ISO/IEC 16023” or “AIM BC10 ISS – Maxicode”
A Maxicode is sometimes referred to as a "Bird's Eye", "Target", or "ups code". It
generally appears as a 1 inch square
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, with a
bull’s-eye in the middle, surrounded by a
pattern of hexagonal dots. It can store about 93 characters of information, and up to 8
Maxicode symbols can be chained together to convey more data. The centered
symmetrical bull’s-eye is useful in automatic symbol location regardless of orientation,
and it allows Maxicode symbols to be scanned even on a package traveling rapidly.
Maxicode symbols optionally include a structured carrier message containing key
information about a package. This information is protected with a strong Reed-Solomon
error correction code, allowing it to be read even if a portion of the symbol is damaged.
These fields include:
A 4-bit indication of the mode in use, currently either mode 2 or mode 3.
A national or international postal code. MaxiCode supports both numeric postal
codes (e.g. a ZIP Code), and alphanumeric postal codes. (148501200 Transact)
A 3-digit country code encoded per ISO 3166 (231 for the US)
A 3-digit class of service code assigned by the carrier (3 ground)
Mode 0 - Obsolete mode superseded by modes 2 and 3. However, the EPIC
3000 will use a mode setting of zero to indicate the mode should automatically be
determined from the data supplied. In Auto Mode Modes 2,3 or 4 are used.
Mode 1
– is obsolete and not supported by the EPIC 3000
Mode 2 - Formatted data containing a structured carrier message with a 10 digit
numeric postal code and 3 digit country and service code. (US domestic)
Mode 3 - Formatted data containing a structured Carrier Message with a 6
character alphanumeric postal code and 3 digit country and service code.
(international destinations)
Mode 4 - Unformatted data with Standard Error Correction.
Mode 5 - Unformatted data with Enhanced Error Correction.
Mode 6 - Used for programming hardware devices.
Figure 39
Maxicode Symbol
The above Mode 2 symbol is encoding the TransAct Address as follows:
148501200231003TransAct Technologies Inc. 20 Bomax Drive, Ithaca New York.
Where 14850-1200 is the zip code, 231 is the country code and 003 is ground service.
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The
T480 prints the Maxicode slightly larger 1 inch square to improve readability.
