The PLANET barcode, also known as USPS PLANET Code, is a barcode symbology used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) primarily for tracking and routing of mail pieces. It stands for Postal Alpha Numeric Encoding Technique and is used in conjunction with the USPS Confirm Service. PLANET barcodes encode delivery point information and tracking data, facilitating efficient mail sorting and delivery. |
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Structure of PLANET Barcode |
The PLANET barcode is a variable-length barcode that can encode up to 11 digits of numeric data. It consists of a start character, data characters, a check digit, and a stop character. Let's break down each component: |
1.Start Character: The barcode begins with a start character to indicate the beginning of the barcode sequence. 2.Data Characters: These digits encode the tracking and routing information. The number of digits can vary from 2 to 11. 3.Check Digit: A single digit calculated based on a modulo 10 algorithm, which ensures the accuracy of the data encoded in the barcode. 4.Stop Character: Marks the end of the barcode sequence. |
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Encoding Process |
Step 1: Data Preparation |
Before encoding, the data to be encoded in the PLANET barcode must be prepared. This typically includes the delivery point information and any relevant tracking or routing data. |
Step 2: Calculation of Check Digit |
The check digit is calculated based on the modulo 10 algorithm. Here's how it's derived: |
Assign weights to each digit based on its position from right to left, starting with 1 for the rightmost digit. Multiply each digit by its weight. Sum these products. Divide the sum by 10 and take the remainder. Subtract the remainder from 10 to get the check digit. If the remainder is 0, the check digit is 0. |
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For example, let's encode the number '123456789' into a PLANET barcode: |
1.Data: 123456789 |
2.Weights and Calculation: Positions: 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Digits: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Multiply each digit by its respective weight: |
1×1=11 \times 1 = 11×1=1 2×2=42 \times 2 = 42×2=4 3×3=93 \times 3 = 93×3=9 4×4=164 \times 4 = 164×4=16 5×5=255 \times 5 = 255×5=25 6×6=366 \times 6 = 366×6=36 7×7=497 \times 7 = 497×7=49 8×8=648 \times 8 = 648×8=64 9×9=819 \times 9 = 819×9=81 |
Sum of products: 1+4+9+16+25+36+49+64+81=2851 + 4 + 9 + 16 + 25 + 36 + 49 + 64 + 81 = 2851+4+9+16+25+36+49+64+81=285 Calculate remainder when divided by 10: 285mod??10=5285 \mod 10 = 5285mod10=5 Check digit: 10?5=510 - 5 = 510?5=5 |
So, the check digit for '123456789' is 5. |
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Step 3: Encoding Data into Barcode |
Once the check digit is calculated, the data sequence is compiled into a barcode format. For '123456789' with a check digit of 5, the PLANET barcode sequence would look like this: |
Start Character: Indicates the beginning of the barcode. Data Characters: '123456789' (without spaces or delimiters). Check Digit: '5'. Stop Character: Indicates the end of the barcode. |
Therefore, the complete PLANET barcode for '123456789' would be represented as: |
Start Character: 1 Data Characters: 123456789 Check Digit: 5 Stop Character: 1 |
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Example of PLANET Barcode |
Let's take an example where a mail piece needs to be tracked using a PLANET barcode: |
Data to Encode: Delivery point information or tracking number, such as '123456789'. Check Digit Calculation: Calculate the check digit using the modulo 10 algorithm. Constructing the Barcode: Start with the start character, followed by the data characters, the check digit, and end with the stop character. |
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Conclusion |
The PLANET barcode encoding process involves preparing the data, calculating a check digit for accuracy, and then structuring the barcode format. This allows postal services like USPS to efficiently track and route mail pieces based on encoded information within the barcode. Understanding the encoding process ensures that mail delivery remains accurate and streamlined, benefiting both postal operators and recipients alike. |
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