Bar code for mail processing systems

A method for processing mail, comprising:

• marking at least one piece of mail with a bar code symbol, the bar code symbol including a start character, at least one data character, and a single stop character, the start character including a predetermined number of module elements arranged in a predetermined pattern of bars and spaces, the at least one data character being configured to encode a single numerical value, the at least one data character including one termination data character and zero (0) to N continuation characters, N being an integer value, the at least one data character including a predetermined number of module elements arranged in a predetermined pattern of bars and spaces, whereby each bar is one module wide;
• capturing the bar code symbol with an optical reader, whereby the bar code symbol is converted into electrical signals;
• decoding the electrical signals to thereby recover the single numerical value;
• and
• making a mail processing decision based on the single numerical value.

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-readable instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:

• capturing a bar code symbol with an optical indicia reader, whereby the bar code symbol is converted into electrical signals, the bar code symbol including a start character, at least one data character, and a one module stop character, the start character containing a predetermined number of module elements arranged in a predetermined pattern of bars and spaces, the at least one data character being configured to encode a single numerical value, the at least one data character including one termination data character and zero (0) to N continuation characters, N being an integer value, the at least one data character also being arranged in a predetermined pattern of bars and spaces, whereby each bar is one module wide;
• decoding the electrical signals to thereby recover the single numerical value;
• and
• making a mail processing decision based on the single numerical value.

A mail sorting system comprising:

• a labeling device configured to affix a bar code symbol on a mail item, the bar code symbol having stored thereon a data structure, the data structure including a plurality of module elements, each module element being configured as a bar symbol or a space symbol, the bar code symbol including a start character, at least one data character, and a stop character, the start character containing predetermined number of module elements arranged in a predetermined pattern of bars and spaces, the at least one data character encoding a single numerical value, the at least one data character including one termination data character and zero (0) to N continuation characters, N being an integer value, the at least one data character being arranged in a pattern of bars and spaces representing the single numerical value, whereby a bar is one module wide the at least one data character being arranged in a pattern of bars and spaces representing the single numerical value, whereby a bar is one module wide;
• an optical reader configured to read the bar code symbol, the bar code symbol being converted into a signal corresponding to the bar code symbol;
• a processor coupled to the optical reader, the processor being configured to decode the signal to thereby determine the single numerical value, the processor also configured to transmit a command corresponding to the single numerical value;
• and
• a mail sorter coupled to the processor, the mail sorter being configured to route the mail item in accordance with the command transmitted by the processor.