re: orange bar code
PFluff
read by machine. A 'picture' is electronically taken of the piece which
shows up on a computer screen at the remote encoding center. They key in
the information which is then relayed back and is matched with the piece by
the identifier bar code.
Hope that helps!
Adam H. Kerman
You sure the serial number isn't based on the time? It would seem to make
sense to avoid duplicating codes.
Don't the Canadians spray an orange tag on in their barcoding scheme?
Long Gone
news:10dhn9g...@corp.supernews.com...
I am not sure of the entire process. I am told there is supposed to be
information contained within the barcode that will can indicate if multiple
(unnecessary) passes are made on the machines which inflate the piece count.
my2cents
Machine ID - 4 digit # that relates to the image lift equipment and plant
Mailpiece # - 1 to 24999
Time stamp - in 1/2 hour increments
Date
and lastly, mail class
Unfortunately, there is no simple decode process as with postnet barcodes.
"Long Gone" <not...@nospamforadam.com> wrote in message news:<896Cc.23974$a61....@nwrddc01.gnilink.net>...
dbriggs
"my2cents" <mstr...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:d1592841.04062...@posting.google.com...
> The ID tag (image record descriptor) is made of the following information.
> Machine ID - 4 digit # that relates to the image lift equipment and plant
> Mailpiece # - 1 to 24999
> Time stamp - in 1/2 hour increments
> Date
> and lastly, mail class
>
> Unfortunately, there is no simple decode process as with postnet barcodes.
>
Interesting. What happens after machine x runs 25,000 pieces? Does the
timestamp differentiate piece #512 @ 5:00 vs piece # 512 @ 8:00?
cya
Long Gone
news:NLhCc.246277$hY.1...@twister.nyroc.rr.com...
(clip)
> Interesting. What happens after machine x runs 25,000 pieces? Does the
> timestamp differentiate piece #512 @ 5:00 vs piece # 512 @ 8:00?
> cya
The two pieces of information in combination identify the single piece. In
other words, piece @512 at 5:00 is blue and piece #512 at 8:00 is pink.
Time stamp or piece count independent of the other identifies nothing.
Zhang
Since the ID tag has no long/short bars or wide/thin bars, the only parsing
I can think of is to represent a bar with 1 and a space (i.e. missing a bar
at interval position) with 0. Applying to my 3 letters, each (different) ID
tag becomes a 62 bit long string of 0 and 1. Accounting for the start and
end bars, that would be 60 bits. In POSTNET or PLANET encoding, it represents
exactly 12 digits.
However, in all strings there are 6 or more consecutive bars (111111), such
pattern is impossible in POSTNET/PLANET. Moreover, 12 digits seem to be not
enough to hold all the info below.
Any idea?
mstr...@yahoo.com (my2cents) wrote in message news:<d1592841.04062...@posting.google.com>...
frogs
news:%74Cc.3500$BV....@newssvr32.news.prodigy.com...
(clipped) That bar code is just an identifier that is sprayed
on when a piece can't be read by machine (end clipped).
That doesn't seem to make sense. Must be more to it than
that? because a lot, I'd say almost all? of the DPS'd letters
have an orange bar code on the back of them. All those
couldn't be machine read? I remember reading something
quite awhile back (maybe read here) about what they
were for but can't remember what the thread said.
Adam H. Kerman
>"PFluff" <jus...@anything.com> wrote:
>>That bar code is just an identifier that is sprayed on when a piece
>>can't be read by machine. A 'picture' is electronically taken of the
>>piece which shows up on a computer screen at the remote encoding center.
>>They key in the information which is then relayed back and is matched
>>with the piece by the identifier bar code.
>(clipped) That bar code is just an identifier that is sprayed
>on when a piece can't be read by machine (end clipped).
>That doesn't seem to make sense. Must be more to it than
>that? because a lot, I'd say almost all? of the DPS'd letters
>have an orange bar code on the back of them. All those
>couldn't be machine read? I remember reading something
>quite awhile back (maybe read here) about what they
>were for but can't remember what the thread said.
One machine reads the cover, attempting to parse the address elements; another
sprays the DPS barcode on.
my2cents
25000. the piece processed at 0800 would have the # 16 for the time
and piece 25000.
Basically no one machine can process more than 25000 per half hour
increment. So each half hour, the counter resets to 0. Most automation
platforms process 25 -30K per hour. Max throughput I've ever seen is
45K per hour. That was using a test deck, not live mail.
"dbriggs" <dbri...@rochester.rr.com> wrote in message news:<NLhCc.246277$hY.1...@twister.nyroc.rr.com>...
dbriggs
"frogs" <frogs_REMOV...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:10dkn64...@corp.supernews.com...
> "PFluff" <jus...@anything.com> wrote in message
> news:%74Cc.3500$BV....@newssvr32.news.prodigy.com...
>> (clipped) That bar code is just an identifier that is sprayed
>> on when a piece can't be read by machine (end clipped).
> That doesn't seem to make sense. Must be more to it than
> that? because a lot, I'd say almost all? of the DPS'd letters
> have an orange bar code on the back of them. All those
> couldn't be machine read? I remember reading something
> quite awhile back (maybe read here) about what they
> were for but can't remember what the thread said.
As much as I've run an AFC, I've never noticed if "readable" addresses got
an ID tag (before a change I'll speak of later). There are (or, effectively,
used to be) 3 categories of mail that the AFC sorted to; FIM (already BCed),
Typed & Readable (to the OCR for a BC), and Non-readable (to a BCS to wait
for info from a REC site).
For the last 6 months or so (at least here), all the mail, except for FIM,
has had an image lifted (thus the ID tag); I think in anticipation of the
obsolescence of the OCRs. Now there are only two categories - FIM and
everything else.
I've been out of the Automation loop for a year or more, just do AFCs for
lunches once a week, so I'm not up on all the little details and changes.
cya
Adam H. Kerman
>For the last 6 months or so (at least here), all the mail, except for FIM,
>has had an image lifted (thus the ID tag); I think in anticipation of the
>obsolescence of the OCRs. Now there are only two categories - FIM and
>everything else.
This is what I don't understand: How can OCR be obsolete? Or will the OCR
step be performed by AFC? Is a lens being added to those machines?
It makes sense if a machine is being eliminated from the process but not if
the step in the process itself is being eliminated.
Long Gone
(clip)
> For the last 6 months or so (at least here), all the mail, except for FIM,
> has had an image lifted (thus the ID tag); I think in anticipation of the
> obsolescence of the OCRs. Now there are only two categories - FIM and
> everything else.
Don't know but perhaps the change is in preparation of PARS. Once (when?)
PARS goes on-line (had a rumor of late this month but doubt it happens)
carriers will not process COAs and all mail will be forwarded automatically.
Wanna buy a bridge? ~g~
my2cents
mstr...@yahoo.com (my2cents) wrote in message news:<d1592841.04062...@posting.google.com>...
dbriggs
Yes, the AFCs are being upgraded (someday, heh). So are the (D)BCSs. Don't
know what processes from the OCRs are going to be done by which, though.
As usual, when it comes to all things automation, we (Snail) await input
from Mary, who always has the real skinny.
cya
frogs
Flipped through my DPS today and I guess not as many
as I'd thought has the orange bar code on the back side.
When it comes to missorts in the DPS a lot of those do
have the orange bar code.
Adam H. Kerman
>Flipped through my DPS today and I guess not as many
>as I'd thought has the orange bar code on the back side.
What mail didn't have it: with FIM or pre-barcoded by the mailer, upgradeable
mail, or single-piece mail?
my2cents
You cant decode it like a postnet code. It uses a type of UPC coding
where both the bars and spaces make up the data. That's why you can't
decipher it without a program. It's not 1s and 0s as we are used to.
About the ID tag, all mail processed by an image lift capable machine,
in image lift mode, have one applied. That is normally all originating
mail. Prebar usually will not have one applied unless the plant has
problems reading the barcodes.
The ID tag, after finalization from IPSS, will have the mailpiece ID
as well as the postnet data (image result) which is transferred to the
EPO (electronic post office).The EPO will send this data to the
appropriate PICS/SICS system (data PC at the destinating
plant/station). This data is stored for 6 days. All DBCS/BCS/CSBCS
machines have the capability to read ID tags. If they can not read the
postnet, they will read the ID tag and obtain the image result and
sort the mail accordingly. We actually don't even need postnet
barcodes any more. (Another story)
The OCRs are at the end of their life cycle. The technology has
changed so much, it is more costly to keep them, than replace them.
They (multi-line OCRs) are being phased out and replaced with DIOSS
systems. (DBCS with image lift (OCR) and ID tag read, thus
DBCS+ISS+OSS=DIOSS).
The AFCS will be upgraded with PARS which will assist in mailflow
management. Basically, it will separate overnight from 2 day and 3 day
on the AFCS.
Sorry if this is too technical or if I haven't explained thoroughly. I
am involved in all upgrades at my facility. I was an Electronics Tech
for 12 years
and now work for In-Plant Support.
zxg...@yahoo.com (Zhang) wrote in message news:<627349c8.04062...@posting.google.com>...
frogs
I don't know, didn't look at what type of mail it was.
I'll try to notice tomorrow or sometime soon if not pressed for time.
Also, actually, the only term you used that I think I understand to
identify a mail piece as such is, pre-barcoded. :-| Maybe I know
but don't know that I know?! :)
Adam H. Kerman
>>>Flipped through my DPS today and I guess not as many
>>>as I'd thought has the orange bar code on the back side.
>>What mail didn't have it: with FIM or pre-barcoded by the mailer, upgradeable
>>mail, or single-piece mail?
>I don't know, didn't look at what type of mail it was.
>I'll try to notice tomorrow or sometime soon if not pressed for time.
>Also, actually, the only term you used that I think I understand to
>identify a mail piece as such is, pre-barcoded. :-| Maybe I know
>but don't know that I know?! :)
Mail with FIM C is single-piece mail (usually reply mail) with a barcode.
Pre-barcoded is just automation mail with barcodes. Upgradeable is automation
mail that meets specific OCR standards to get barcoded either while processed
by the post office or by the mailer's vendor who owns his own MLOCR machine.
I think "upgradeable" has been renamed to something else, but I forget. If
the barcode isn't in the address block, the mailer probably didn't apply it.
dbriggs
"Adam H. Kerman" <a...@chinet.chinet.com> wrote in message
news:10dq3di...@corp.supernews.com...
Upgrade(able) is now labeled MACH; means that there is no, or less than full
(5D only, e.g.) BC.
cya
Zhang
I know it's certainly not POSTNET, but I don't think it's UPC either.
For other codes like UPC/EAN/Code39/Code128, they all have wide/thin
bars. That is, the width of bar (usually ranges from one unit to three
units) represents data. However, the orange bars on my letters all
have the same one unit width. Only the spaces between them vary. That's
why I can only interpret it to be 0's and 1's.
Maybe there is some type of UPC encoding that I'm not aware of? I don't
know why the specs of ID tag are not published - POSTNET and FIM are
very well documented.
mstr...@yahoo.com (my2cents) wrote in message news:<d1592841.04062...@posting.google.com>...
Adam H. Kerman
>Thanks for your technical info, I liked it. :)
>I know it's certainly not POSTNET, but I don't think it's UPC either.
>For other codes like UPC/EAN/Code39/Code128, they all have wide/thin
>bars. That is, the width of bar (usually ranges from one unit to three
>units) represents data. However, the orange bars on my letters all
>have the same one unit width. Only the spaces between them vary. That's
>why I can only interpret it to be 0's and 1's.
>Maybe there is some type of UPC encoding that I'm not aware of? I don't
>know why the specs of ID tag are not published - POSTNET and FIM are
>very well documented.
I'm sure it is published. Why not write to post office engineering?
ENGINEERING
US POSTAL SERVICE
8403 LEE HWY
MERRIFIELD VA 22082-8101
Obviously, the difference is that the other two barcodes are applied by mailers
and the orange ID tags never are. So the orange ID tags won't be documented in
the DMM or other publications mailers are expected to read.
my2cents
Did a little more detective work. I was wrong about the type of
barcode. It does use 1s and spaces to represent numerals. It is sort
of a reverse barcode. The space is the numeric marker. It's hex except
for #7. (don't ask me) Here is a breakdown of the #s:
0 - 1111
1 - 111
2 - 11 1
3 - 11
4 - 1 11
5 - 1 1
6 - 1 1
7 - 1
8 - 111
9 - 11
zxg...@yahoo.com (Zhang) wrote in message news:<627349c8.04062...@posting.google.com>...
Mary Creasey
[snip--what he said.]
> The AFCS will be upgraded with PARS which will assist in mailflow
> management. Basically, it will separate overnight from 2 day and 3 day
> on the AFCS.
This also requires some plant reshuffling as the addition of PARS lengthens
the machine rather a bit!
> Sorry if this is too technical or if I haven't explained thoroughly. I
> am involved in all upgrades at my facility. I was an Electronics Tech
> for 12 years
> and now work for In-Plant Support.
Yay--another ET!
--
Mary the Filker
ET-11
Zhang
to identify that the delay problem in on sender-side.
The format of ID tag is not straightforward at all. The field length
varies and there are separators between them. ID tag is used for mail
piece that needs human to read its address, so I am a little impressed
about the system's efficiency. The gap between ID tag timestamp and
the date I received the mail is only one or two days. That's not bad
considering it takes a human to read address and another human (at
local post office) to deliver it!
Thanks all for your help, especially my2cents.
mstr...@yahoo.com (my2cents) wrote in message news:<d1592841.0406...@posting.google.com>...
Zhang
two values, 0 or 1. The letter is supposed to be international air mail.
mstr...@yahoo.com (my2cents) wrote in message news:<d1592841.0406...@posting.google.com>...