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The POSTNet
barcode is a barcode symbology used by the United States Postal
Service (USPS) to assist in the sorting and delivery of mail.
Its historical
origins can be traced back to 1978, when the USPS began
researching how to use computer technology to improve mail
processing efficiency.
The advantage of the
POSTNet barcode is that it can encode postal codes, postal codes
+ 4-digit codes, and delivery points, providing more detailed
address information. It can also be combined with other barcode
symbologies such as Planet or Intelligent Mail barcodes (IMb) to
enable more service functions and tracking data.
The inventor of the
POSTNet barcode is George Laurer, an engineer at IBM who
designed the barcode in 1979 and patented it in 1982.
POSTNet barcodes
are primarily used in the mail industry, specifically the United
States Postal Service (USPS). It can help with the fast and
accurate sorting and delivery of mail and improve mail
processing efficiency.
POSTNet barcodes
feature the use of half-height and full-height bars to encode a
zip code or postal code + 4-digit code, and usually the last two
digits of an address or box number. This type of barcode begins
and ends with a full-height bar to make it easier for scanners
to read.
The POSTNET barcode
was retired on January 28, 2013 and was replaced by the
Intelligent Mail barcode. |