Apparatus and method for 16-bit and numeric data collection using bar

Abstract

A method for converting characters represented by a 16-bit character encoding standard or a numeric string into bar code symbols computes three values for the 16-bit code or numeric string. These three values are encoded into three bar code codes. Counts associated with the bar code codes are retrieved, along with character font data. Both the bar code symbols and the human-readable characters are printed on a bar code label. The printing apparatus includes a central processing unit for performing the above method, intercoupled with a bar code printer, memory, and secondary storage. A bar code reader similarly includes a central processing unit intercoupled with memory, secondary storage, and a bar code reader. This bar code reader scans the bar code symbols and decodes them into standard bar code codes. Groups of three codes are converted into three numeric values. The hexadecimal equivalent of these three numeric values is computed. The particular character represented by this hexadecimal value is retrieved from a 16-bit character encoding standard. The character, or the hexadecimal value of the character, is output for use in other applications.