Data - Coding systems
Overview | Definitions & Features | Item Numbering System

Bar coding

[NZPN-13 sample][NZPN-8 sample]

The first patent for a bar code was issued in the United States in 1949.
The American Universal Product Code (UPC) was developed in 1970 to be succeeded by the European Article Number (EAN) in 2005.
The Australian Product Number (APN) code was developed as a subset of this scheme for use in 1978.

csbarc8b.gif (15325 bytes)

Definitions & Features
Definitions:

Did you know

The coding system will allow for the barcode to be read in either direction. (I have found this can sometimes be true for magnetic swipe cards as well).

 The UPC and the EAN codes have several features in common.
  • Numeric data only
  • Two bars and two spaces per character
  • Seven modules per character
  • Four level code (a bar or a space can be 1, 2, 3, or 4 modules wide)
  • Dark module = binary one
  • Light module = binary zero
  • Integral check character
  • Nominal module bar/space width = 0.013 in (0.33 mm)
  • Worst case module width = 0.009 in. (0.23 mm)

Item Numbering System -EAN, UPC, NZPN13 & APN13

[NZPN-13 sample]
A 12bit (+1 check bit) code.

 International forums of experts from distribution industries have agreed on a unified system of allocating item identifiers which are unique throughout the world. The standard code is 13 characters
    1. Country of origin (NZ = 94, Australia = 93, USA = 00)
    2. Manufacturer number (5 digits) Set in NZ by the NZ Product Numbering Association
    3. Item identifier (5 digits)
    4. Check digit used to verify the accuracy of the other 12 digits.

[Rev 19/02/99] 19/5/97 © 1997-99 V/2-Com (Verhaart), P O Box 8415, Havelock North, New Zealand.