Need help writing a barcode for CONTROL+X

[jwhensley]

Hello,

I am trying to write a code128 barcode that is the same as pressing CONTROL+X on your keyboard. Is this possible? If it is what is the character string for it?


Thanks,

Jonathan Hensley

 

[jwhensley]

I should also say that the barcode doesn't have to be code 128. It can be any code.

 

[jlasman]

I believe Code 128A produces a Ctl-X when given a lowercase "x" as input.


Jim Asman

http://www.spectracolorservices.com

 

[jwhensley]

I tried encoding that but it wouldn't read for me. In fact, my scanner will not read anything in 128A that is in lower case. Any ideas?

 

[jlasman]

Checksum calculated properly?


Jim Asman

http://www.spectracolorservices.com

 

[jwhensley]

I believe so. I used a commercial program to check it.

 

[DansDadUK]

Lowercase 'x' (the character with decimal code 120, or hexadecimal 78) will generate a Code128 barcode symbol which will be interpreted as one of three different characters, depending on the current selected 'subset':

Subset A --> control code 'CAN' (this is the character usually associated with decimal code 24, hexadecimal 18).

Subset B --> lowercase 'x'.

Subset C --> numeric pair '88'.

So you will need a Start character which specifies Subset A, or, if switching from a different initial subset, the appropriate switching character).

As Jim has pointed out, you will also need to calculate the correct checksum character to go before the Stop character in the encoded string.

 

[jwhensley]

This is the string I have tried:

ËxxÎ

It is code 128A, and was generated by IDAutomation.com

Is this correct? It will not scan no matter what I try.

 

[jlasman]

I don't know about the font you are using, but...

If I create a 4 byte print string (in hex)

0xa9 0x78 0x78 0xac
  |    |    |    |
start data chk  stop 
  A        sum

It DOES scan properly to ^X as expected.


Jim Asman

http://www.spectracolorservices.com

 

[jlasman]

It appears that the Start A and Stop codes in the ID_Automation 128 fonts are mapped to 0xCB and 0xCE respectively.

So try as a print string...

0xCB 0x78 0x78 0xCE

Jim Asman

http://www.spectracolorservices.com