MaxiCode: Difference between revisions
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{{More citations needed|date=April 2008}} | {{More citations needed|date=April 2008}} | ||
[[Image:MaxiCode.svg|right|thumb|200px|MaxiCode example. This encodes the string "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia".]] | [[Image:MaxiCode.svg|right|thumb|200px|MaxiCode example. This encodes the string "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia".]] | ||
'''MaxiCode''' is a [[public domain]], machine-readable symbol system | '''MaxiCode''' is a [[public domain]], machine-readable symbol system developed by [[United Parcel Service]] (UPS) in 1992.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cs.rochester.edu/u/nelson/courses/csc_cryptography/notes/lecture_20.txt |title=Bar Codes |author=Dr. Randal C. Nelson |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=University of Rochester}}</ref> Designed for tracking and managing package shipments, it resembles an [[Aztec Code]] or [[QR code]] but uses dots in a [[hexagonal grid]] instead of [[square grid]]. It is standardized under [[ISO/IEC]] 16023.<ref>{{cite web |title=ISO/IEC 16023:2000 |url=https://www.iso.org/standard/29835.html |publisher=International Standards Organization |access-date=20 December 2018}}{{closed access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Technical Specifications – MaxiCode |url=https://me-qr.com/pricing |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250604114712/https://www.barcodebakery.com/en/docs/php/barcode/maxicode/specification |archive-date=2025-06-04 |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=Qrme}}</ref> | ||
A MaxiCode | A MaxiCode symbol—also called "'''Bird's Eye'''", "'''Target'''", "'''dense code'''", or "'''UPS code'''"—is a 1-inch square with a central [[bullseye (target)|bullseye]] surrounded by hexagonal dots. It stores about 93 characters, and up to 8 symbols can be linked to carry more data. The symmetrical bullseye aids in fast, accurate scanning, even on moving packages. | ||
==Structured Carrier Message== | ==Structured Carrier Message== | ||
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# A 4-bit indication of the mode in use, currently either mode 2 or mode 3. | # A 4-bit indication of the mode in use, currently either mode 2 or mode 3. | ||
# A national or international [[postal code]]. | # A national or international [[postal code]]. MaxiCode supports both numeric postal codes (e.g. a [[ZIP Code]]), and alphanumeric postal codes. | ||
# A 3-digit [[country code]] encoded per [[ISO 3166]] | # A 3-digit [[country code]] encoded per [[ISO 3166]] | ||
# A 3-digit class of service code assigned by the carrier | # A 3-digit class of service code assigned by the carrier | ||
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Irrespective of mode, a variable amount of application-specific information can be encoded in a MaxiCode symbol. This format of this additional data is not strictly defined, and amongst other information may include: | Irrespective of mode, a variable amount of application-specific information can be encoded in a MaxiCode symbol. This format of this additional data is not strictly defined, and amongst other information may include: | ||
* Purchase order number | * [[Purchase order]] number | ||
* Customer reference | * [[Customer reference]] | ||
* Invoice number | * Invoice number | ||
* Tracking number | * [[Tracking number]] | ||
* Indicator of the originating carrier | * Indicator of the originating carrier | ||
==Modes== | ==Modes== | ||
* Mode 0 – Obsolete | |||
* Mode 1 – Obsolete | * Mode 0 – Obsolete; replaced by Modes 2 and 3. Older printers with outdated firmware may still produce it. Identifiable by two white horizontal hexagons in the upper right corner (black in all other modes).<ref>{{Cite web |title=MaxiCode Special-Function Parameters |url=https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/zos/2.5.0?topic=parameters-maxicode-special-function |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=IBM |language=en-us}}</ref> | ||
* Mode 2 – | * Mode 1 – Obsolete; replaced by Mode 4. | ||
* Mode 3 – | * Mode 2 – Structured Carrier Message with numeric postal code (mainly for U.S. domestic use). | ||
* Mode 3 – Structured Carrier Message with alphanumeric postal code (mainly for international use). | |||
* Mode 4 – Unformatted data with Standard Error Correction. | * Mode 4 – Unformatted data with Standard Error Correction. | ||
* Mode 5 – Unformatted data with Enhanced Error Correction. | * Mode 5 – Unformatted data with Enhanced Error Correction. | ||
* Mode 6 – Used for programming hardware devices. | * Mode 6 – Used for programming hardware devices. | ||
UPS labels use Mode 2 or | UPS labels use Mode 2 or 3 MaxiCodes. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 17:07, 15 June 2025
Template:Short description Template:More citations needed
MaxiCode is a public domain, machine-readable symbol system developed by United Parcel Service (UPS) in 1992.[1] Designed for tracking and managing package shipments, it resembles an Aztec Code or QR code but uses dots in a hexagonal grid instead of square grid. It is standardized under ISO/IEC 16023.[2][3]
A MaxiCode symbol—also called "Bird's Eye", "Target", "dense code", or "UPS code"—is a 1-inch square with a central bullseye surrounded by hexagonal dots. It stores about 93 characters, and up to 8 symbols can be linked to carry more data. The symmetrical bullseye aids in fast, accurate scanning, even on moving packages.
Structured Carrier Message
MaxiCode symbols using modes 2 and 3 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.
- A 3-digit country code encoded per ISO 3166
- A 3-digit class of service code assigned by the carrier
The structured portion of the message is stored in the inner area of the symbol, near the bull's-eye pattern. (In modes that do not include a structured portion, the inner area simply stores the beginning of the message.)
Application-specific information
Irrespective of mode, a variable amount of application-specific information can be encoded in a MaxiCode symbol. This format of this additional data is not strictly defined, and amongst other information may include:
- Purchase order number
- Customer reference
- Invoice number
- Tracking number
- Indicator of the originating carrier
Modes
- Mode 0 – Obsolete; replaced by Modes 2 and 3. Older printers with outdated firmware may still produce it. Identifiable by two white horizontal hexagons in the upper right corner (black in all other modes).[4]
- Mode 1 – Obsolete; replaced by Mode 4.
- Mode 2 – Structured Carrier Message with numeric postal code (mainly for U.S. domestic use).
- Mode 3 – Structured Carrier Message with alphanumeric postal code (mainly for international use).
- Mode 4 – Unformatted data with Standard Error Correction.
- Mode 5 – Unformatted data with Enhanced Error Correction.
- Mode 6 – Used for programming hardware devices.
UPS labels use Mode 2 or 3 MaxiCodes.
References
External links
- Source for official MaxiCode technical specification
- Information about MaxiCode is available in US Patents U.S. patent 4874936, U.S. patent 4896029, and U.S. patent 4998010
Template:Barcodes Template:UPS Template:ISO standards
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Closed access
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