SuperCode was invented by Ynjiun Wang in 1994 and is in the public domain. The symbology uses a packet structure, a variant of a multi-row symbology. There are precise rules for the horizontal placement of symbol characters in a packet, but greater freedom in placing packets vertically and horizontally than offered by a matrix of columns and rows in a multi-row symbology.

The packet structure of SuperCode ensures that each symbol character encoding a data or error correction codeword is adjacent to a symbol character encoding the packet address. Thus the sequence of codewords is known regardless of how the packets are arranged. Not only does this allow for non-rectangular symbol shapes, but the packets do not have to abut one another physically.

¤ Packet Structure: (Inherent) The packet structure of SuperCode ensures that each symbol character encoding a data or error correction codeword is adjacent to a symbol character encoding the packet address. Thus the sequence of codewords is known no matter how spatially arranged are the packets. Not only does this allow for non-rectangular symbol shapes, but the packets do not have to abut one another physically.

¤ Error Correction: (Inherent) SuperCode symbols have error correction codewords, based on Reed-Solomon error correction algorithms, which can be used not only to detect errors but to correct erroneously decoded or missing codewords (see ). A user may select one of 32 error correction levels.

¤ Extended Channel Interpretations (ECI): (Optional) This mechanism enables characters from other character sets (eg Arabic, Cyrillic, Greek, Hebrew) and other data interpretations or industry-specific requirements to be represented.

¤ Logical Layer Designator (LLD): (Inherent) This mechanism allows various structures of the symbol. Five Logical Layer Designators are specified (see ). One LLD is allocated to the ECI scheme, common to a number of symbologies.

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