2006/05/31
CHAPTER 8 BAR CODE CONTROL - 8
3.12. Bar Code Data Start
n = “b” or “B”
• Data that follows “b” or “B” is read in as bar code data. Bar code data must end with the “ \ ” code (5CH),
which also terminates this command. The acceptable bar code data is subject to the bar code mode selected
by “t” or “T” as listed below.
• When the CODE 39 is selected with the parameter “t0” or “T0”:
Forty three characters “0” to “9”, “A” to “Z”, “–”, “ . ”, “ (space)”, “$”, “ / ”, “+”, and “%” can be accepted
as bar code data. Other characters cause data error. The number of characters for bar codes is not limited.
The bar code data automatically starts and ends with an asterisk “ * ” (start character and stop character). If
the received data has an asterisk “ * ” at its beginning or end, the asterisk is regarded as a start character or
stop character. When you put "?" on the end of the data, a check digit is automatically added.
• When the Interleaved 2 of 5 is selected with the parameter “t1” or “T1”:
Ten numerical characters “0” to “9” can be accepted as bar code data. Other characters cause data error.
The number of characters for bar codes is not limited. Since this mode of bar codes require even
characters, if the bar code data has odd characters, the zero character “0” is automatically added to the end of
the bar code data. When you put "?" on the end of the data, a check digit is automatically added.
• When the FIM (US-Post Net) is selected with the parameter “t3” or “T3”:
Characters “A” to “D” are valid and 1 digit of data can be printed. Uppercase and lowercase alphabet
characters can be accepted.
• When the Post Net (US-Post Net) is selected with the parameter “t4” or “T4”:
Characters “0” to “9” can be accepted as bar code data and it must be terminated by a check digit. “?” can
be used in place of a check digit.
• When the EAN 8, EAN 13, or UPC A is selected with the parameter “t5” or “T5”:
Ten numerical characters “0” to “9” can be accepted as bar code data. The number of characters for bar
codes is limited as follows.
EAN 8: Total 8 digits (7 digits + 1 check digit)
EAN 13: Total 13 digits (12 digits + 1 check digit)
UPC A: Total 12 digits (11 digits + 1 check digit)
Any number of characters other than as above causes a data error and the bar code data is printed as normal
print data. If the check digit is incorrect, the printer calculates it and replaces it with the correct check digit
so that the correct bar code data will be printed. When EAN13 is selected, adding “+” and a 2-or 5-digit
number after the data will create the add-on code.
When UPC-E is selected with the parameter “t6” or “T6”:
The numerical characters “0” to “9” can be accepted as bar code data.
8 digits Standard format. The first character must be “0” and the data must be terminated by a
check digit.
Total 8 digits = "0" + 6 digits + 1 check digit
6 digits The first character "0" and the last check digit are removed from the 8 digit data.
*1: For 8 digits, “?” can be used in place of a check digit.
*2: Adding “+” and 2- or 5-digit number after the data creates an add-on code
for all 6 and 8 digit formats.
• When Codabar is selected with the parameter “t9” or “T9”:
Characters “0” to “9”, “–”, “ . ”, “$”, “/”, “+”, “ : ” can be printed. Characters “A” to “D” can be printed as
a start-stop code, which can be uppercase or lowercase. If there is no start-stop code, an error will occur.
The check digit cannot be added and “?” causes an error.