Reed-Solomon bar codes for mail processing

This paper describes the application of Reed-Solomon (RS) error correcting codes to the new Canada Post Corporation bar codes, which are used in the mechanised processing of mail. The use of RS codes provides a capability to detect and correct errors and/or erasures which is a substantial improvement on the single parity check code previously employed. This significantly reduces the incidence of costly machine rejects due to errors in the bar codes, and contributes to improved service.