Abstract: A method and system of determining the character value of an n,k structured bar code. A first table is established to include entries wherein each entry has a number of bar width values representing a unique high order value. A second table is established to include entries wherein each entry has a number of space width values representing a unique low order value. The entries of each table are searched to determine a high order value and a low order value.

Abstract: A combined linear and two-dimensional bar code structure containing encoding information therein. There is a linear bar code structure portion including a series of bars and spaces each bar and space made up of at least one module. There is also a two-dimensional bar code structure portion located adjacent to the top or bottom of the linear bar code portion. The two-dimensional bar code structure portion has a plurality of elements wherein each element has a predefined relationship with the modules of the linear bar code structure portion for determining the placement of the two-dimensional bar code structure elements. The predefined relationship may include making each element's width equal to the width of the modules of the linear bar code structure portion and aligning each element of the two-dimensional bar code structure with a module.