C-1
Appendix C
Code 128 Specifications
Code 128 is a very powerful bar code, combining an extensive character set and variable length with
compact-ness and error checking. The character set contains all 128 ASCII characters with each character
made up of three bars and three spaces. Each element (bar or space) varies from one to four units in width,
totaling 11 units of width per character. Code 128 contains two levels of error checking:
Each character is checked for internal parity, and
The last character is a checksum.
Code 128 has three subsets, A, B and C. Subset A contains alphanumeric characters and unprintable control characters,
subset B contains alphanumeric characters plus printable control characters and subset C contains only numeric characters
and uses a 2-character encoding scheme to create a more compact bar code. Code 128 uses an internal Mod 103 check
character that is not displayed by the bar code reader. Code 128 bar codes can be made up of only one subset or may be a
combination of several.
The Code 39 features of
Accumulate Mode
,
Caps Lock ON
and
Caps lock OFF
also apply to Code 128.
UCC-128/ EAN-128
UCC-128/EAN-128 Code is a subset of Code 128 adopted by the UCC and EAN council's for use as a shipping label
symbology. UCC/EAN-128 bar codes always start with a Function Code 1 character. In addition, all variable length fields are
terminated by a Function Code 1 character unless they are the last field in the bar code.
The USB Laser Scanner outputs the following for the special function codes and start sequences:
]C1
Start C/Function Code 1
^]
(GS) Function Code 1 as a variable string terminator
If UCC/EAN 128 is enabled, the Scanner looks for the Start C/Function Code 1 characters to indicate a UCC/EAN 128 bar code.
The UCC Serial Shipping Container Code
specification calls for a 19 digit UCC/EAN 128 code with an additional Mod 10 Check
Digit (20 digits in all for the code). The Mod 10 Check digit is calculated the same as the Interleaved 2 of 5 example in Appendix D.
It is the data length as well as the MOD 10 check digit that distinguishes the
Serial Shipping Container Code
from other UCC
/EAN 128 bar codes.
GS1-128 UCC/EAN 128
is enabled by scanning the appropriate bar codes on the
USB Laser Setup Menu
. If
UCC/EAN 128
is
enabled
, you will be able to read both standard Code 128 as well as the UCC/EAN 128 bar codes with the Function 1 character
and the Mod 10 check digit.
The GS1-128 UCC 128 specification is used extensively by the retail industry. If you have a requirement for a UCC 128 Serial
Shipping Container bar code, be sure to follow the specification as closely as possible as many vendors will impose fines for non-
conformance. For more information on GS1-128 UCC 128, contact the GS1 (formerly the Uniform Code Council) at:
GS1 US
7887 Washington Village Drive, Suite 300
Dayton, OH 45459
ph 937-435-3870
fax 937-435-7317
email: [email protected]
8:00 am to 6:00pm EST Mon-Fri
Many of the specifications are available online at:
http://www.gs1us.org
•
AB123456
•
GS1-128 UCC/EAN Code 128 Serial Shipping Container Code
