https://wiki.sarg.dev/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=MaxiCodeMaxiCode - Revision history2026-06-24T20:25:08ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.44.2https://wiki.sarg.dev/index.php?title=MaxiCode&diff=390371&oldid=previmported>LucasBrown at 01:04, 30 October 20252025-10-30T01:04:49Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Machine-readable symbol system}}<br />
{{More citations needed|date=April 2008}}<br />
[[Image:MaxiCode.svg|right|thumb|200px|MaxiCode example. This encodes the string "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia".]]<br />
'''MaxiCode''' is a [[public domain|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><br />
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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.<br />
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==Structured Carrier Message==<br />
[[Image:MaxiCode Regions.svg|thumb|400px]]<br />
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:<br />
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# A 4-bit indication of the mode in use, currently either mode 2 or mode 3.<br />
# A national or international [[postal code]]. MaxiCode supports both numeric postal codes (e.g. a [[ZIP Code]]), and alphanumeric postal codes.<br />
# A 3-digit [[country code]] encoded per [[ISO 3166]]<br />
# A 3-digit class of service code assigned by the carrier<br />
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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.)<br />
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==Application-specific information==<br />
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:<br />
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* [[Purchase order]] number<br />
* [[Customer reference]]<br />
* Invoice number<br />
* [[Tracking number]]<br />
* Indicator of the originating carrier<br />
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==Modes==<br />
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* 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><br />
* Mode 1 – Obsolete; replaced by Mode 4.<br />
* Mode 2 – Structured Carrier Message with numeric postal code (mainly for U.S. domestic use).<br />
* Mode 3 – Structured Carrier Message with alphanumeric postal code (mainly for international use).<br />
* Mode 4 – Unformatted data with Standard Error Correction.<br />
* Mode 5 – Unformatted data with Enhanced Error Correction.<br />
* Mode 6 – Used for programming hardware devices.<br />
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UPS labels use Mode 2 or 3 MaxiCodes.<br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120717022248/https://www.aimglobal.org/estore/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=205 Source for official MaxiCode technical specification] <br />
* Information about MaxiCode is available in US Patents {{US patent|4874936}}, {{US patent|4896029}}, and {{US patent|4998010}}<br />
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{{Barcodes|state=uncollapsed}}<br />
{{UPS}}<br />
{{ISO standards}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxicode}}<br />
[[Category:Barcodes]]<br />
[[Category:United Parcel Service]]<br />
[[Category:Public domain]]<br />
[[Category:ISO/IEC standards]]</div>imported>LucasBrown