User's Manual

Chapter 6 — Bar Code Symbologies
118 CK60 Series Handheld Computer User’s Manual
length indicated in the specification). Actual length variance depends on
the number of variable-length data fields. Allowing for 60 characters should
be sufficient. Within the Code 128 specification, the computer can link bar
codes together. If this is to happen, allow for more characters (computer
limit is 100 characters).
The Application Identifier Standard, that is part of the UCC/EAN Ship-
ping Label concept, complements, rather than replaces, other UCC/EAN
standards. Most UCC/EAN standards primarily identify products.
Several industries expressed the need to standardize more than product
identification. The UCC/EAN Code 128 Application Identifier Standard
supplies this tool. The standard adds versatility for inter-enterprise
exchanges of perishability dating, lot and batch identification, units of use
measure, location codes, and several other information attributes.
For more detailed information on Code 128 UCC/EAN Shipping Label
bar code and Application Identifier Standard, refer to the UCC/EAN-128
Application Identifier Standard specification.
Data Matrix
Data Matrix is a high density 2D matrix code that can store a large amount
of information. It has excellent error correction abilities and is mostly used
for marking and tracking parts.
Data Matrix can store from 1 to about 2000 characters. The symbol is
square and can range from 0.001 inch per side up to 14 inches per side. As
an example of density, 500 numeric-only characters can encode in a 1-inch
square using a 24-pin dot matrix printer.
Data Matrix encodes product and serial number information on electrical
rating plates; marks surgical instruments in Japan; identifies lenses, circuit
boards, and other items during manufacturing.
EAN (European Article Numbering)
EAN symbology is similar to UPC symbology, except that it contains 13
characters and uses the first two to identify countries.
The EAN symbology is used in the retail environment throughout most of
Europe. Though similar to UPC symbology, these are not interchangeable.
EAN/UCC (Uniform Code Council) Composite
This component is not a stand-alone symbology. It is a 2D symbol
designed to act as a component of existing and new EAN/UCC System lin-
ear symbols. This is not designed to carry EAN.UCC System keys (these
are carried by the host linear symbol), however, it can carry any of the sys-
tem’s Application Identifiers. This symbology family is identified to pro-
vide encodation of item attribute data in a confined space.