Interleaved 2 of 5
Interleaved 2 of 5 (ITF) is a continuous, linear barcode symbology that encodes pairs of numeric digits (0-9) using interleaved bars and spaces, where each pair is represented by five bars and five spaces, with two wide and three narrow elements per character.[1] Developed in 1972 by David Allais at Intermec as part of the Code 2 of 5 family, it requires an even number of digits for encoding, with odd-length messages padded by a leading zero, and supports bidirectional scanning through distinct start and stop patterns.[2] Standardized under the Uniform Symbology Specification (USS) by the Automatic Identification Manufacturers (AIM) and defined in ISO/IEC 16390, this high-density symbology uses a bar-to-space width ratio of approximately 3:1 and does not mandate a check digit, though a modulo 10 option is available for error detection.[1][3][4] Commonly applied in industrial settings such as shipping, warehouse labeling, and logistics, Interleaved 2 of 5 serves as the basis for the ITF-14 standard used on cartons and packaging, offering efficient space usage for purely numeric data compared to alphanumeric symbologies like Code 39.[5][4] It has been utilized commercially on products like 135 film and in automated identification systems where variable-length numeric strings up to high densities (e.g., 18 characters per inch) are needed, with minimum quiet zones of 10 times the narrow element width to ensure reliable scanning.[1][6] The encoding scheme employs a pseudo-binary representation for each digit, where bars encode the first digit of a pair and spaces the second, enabling compact representation without fixed length limits beyond practical scanning constraints.[6][4] Despite its simplicity and error-correcting interleaving, it is considered less robust against certain scanning errors compared to symbologies with mandatory checksums, making optional check digits recommended for critical applications.[4]History
Invention
Interleaved 2 of 5, a high-density numeric barcode symbology, was invented in October 1972 by Dr. David Allais, then vice president of engineering at Intermec Corporation (formerly known as ID Systems).[7] Allais developed the code during a business trip to Boston, where he met with representatives from Computer Identics, a company seeking an efficient barcode solution for scanning labels on corrugated cartons moving along conveyors using a fixed vertical laser beam.[7] He sketched the initial specifications for the symbology while flying back to Seattle, aiming to create a compact alternative to existing 2 of 5 codes that could encode pairs of digits more densely without requiring extensive modifications to printer hardware.[7] The primary motivation behind the invention was practical and commercial: to enable Intermec to sell barcode printers to Computer Identics by addressing the need for a symbology that provided greater data capacity in a smaller space, suitable for industrial applications like warehousing and logistics tracking.[8] This built directly on earlier 2 of 5 codes, which were numeric-only but less efficient, by introducing an interleaving mechanism to pair and encode digits more compactly, thus improving overall density for heavy industry uses such as inventory management on shipping containers.[8] The creation of Interleaved 2 of 5 occurred amid the accelerating evolution of barcode technology following the 1952 patent for a linear barcode system by Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver, which laid the foundational concept for automated data encoding.[9] By the early 1970s, growing demands for automation in logistics and supply chain operations—driven by advancements in computing and scanning hardware—spurred innovations like Allais's work, positioning Interleaved 2 of 5 as a key step toward more efficient numeric data handling in industrial settings.[8]Standardization
Interleaved 2 of 5 was formally adopted by the Uniform Code Council (UCC, now part of GS1) in the early 1980s for encoding shipping container labels in the grocery industry, enabling efficient logistics tracking through numeric pairing in barcode symbols.[10] This adoption built on the symbology's invention by David Allais in 1972, standardizing its use for carton identification to streamline supply chain operations.[8] Key international standards emerged to define the symbology's structure and implementation. ISO/IEC 16390, first published in 1999 and revised in 2007, specifies requirements for the general Interleaved 2 of 5 symbology, including symbol characteristics, data encoding, and decoding processes to ensure interoperability across systems. Complementing this, GS1's General Specifications outline the ITF-14 variant, which encodes 14-digit Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs) on cartons and shipping units, mandating fixed-length formatting and integration with GS1 identification keys for global commerce. The standardization evolved to address scanning reliability and density needs. Early specifications emphasized low-density printing with wider bars for easier readability in varied conditions, while later refinements supported high-density versions for compact applications, increasing data efficiency without compromising accuracy.[11] In the ITF-14 variant, bearer bars were incorporated as vertical extensions around the symbol to prevent partial scans and misreads caused by printing distortions or damage.[12] Related developments include variants adapted for specific sectors. In the 1990s, Deutsche Post introduced Identcode and Leitcode as specialized Interleaved 2 of 5 implementations for postal tracking, encoding customer and routing data to facilitate mail sorting and delivery within the German postal system.[13]Encoding Scheme
Digit Encoding
Interleaved 2 of 5 is a numeric-only barcode symbology that encodes digits 0 through 9 using a 2-of-5 variant, where each digit is represented by five consecutive elements—either bars or spaces—with exactly two wide elements and three narrow elements.[14] The positions of these elements correspond to predefined values: 1 for the first position, 2 for the second, 4 for the third, 7 for the fourth, and 0 for the fifth, where a wide element in the fifth position equates to the width of two narrow elements for a total unit width consistent with 11 modules across the encoding structure.[6] This assignment ensures that the sum of the values for the wide positions directly corresponds to the digit value (with 0 represented as a sum of 11).[6] The specific encoding patterns for each digit are defined by the binary representation indicating wide (1) and narrow (0) elements, typically applied to bars for the first digit in a pair and to spaces for the second. The following table summarizes the patterns:| Digit | Binary Pattern | Bar/Space Pattern (n = narrow, W = wide) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 00110 | nnWWn |
| 1 | 10001 | WnnnW |
| 2 | 01001 | nWnnW |
| 3 | 11000 | WWnnn |
| 4 | 00101 | nnWnW |
| 5 | 10100 | WnWnn |
| 6 | 01100 | nWWnn |
| 7 | 00011 | nnnWW |
| 8 | 10010 | WnnWn |
| 9 | 01010 | nWnWn |