IMB

Simple encoder and decoder for the USPS' IMB service based on:

• Bob Codes: IMB

In that spirit, I've included their comment below:

USPS "Intelligent Mail Barcode" Decoder

You may use this code for any purpose, with no restrictions. However, there is NO WARRANTY for this code; use it at your own risk. This work is released under the Creative Commons Zero License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

This is a simple and small module (6kb) designed to easily transform an IMB ready object to an IMB String and back again. It supports both synchronous and asynchronous (callback) implementations.

Encoding

Synchronous

const imb = require('imb');

const imb_string = imb.encode({
  delivery_pt:    "",
  zip:            "",
  plus4:          "",
  barcode_id:     "12",
  service_type:   "234",
  mailer_id:      "567094",
  serial_num:     "987654321"
});

// Result
// ATTFAATTFTADFDATDDADAATTTTTTTTADFFFFFDFAFATTDAADATDDDTADAFFDFDTFT

Asynchronous

const imb = require('imb');

imb.encode({
  delivery_pt:    "",
  zip:            "",
  plus4:          "",
  barcode_id:     "12",
  service_type:   "234",
  mailer_id:      "567094",
  serial_num:     "987654321"
}, (err, imb_string) => {
    if (err)
        throw new Error(err);
    
    // imb_string
    // ATTFAATTFTADFDATDDADAATTTTTTTTADFFFFFDFAFATTDAADATDDDTADAFFDFDTFT
});

Decoding

Synchronous

const imb = require('imb');

const imb_object = imb.decode("ATTFAATTFTADFDATDDADAATTTTTTTTADFFFFFDFAFATTDAADATDDDTADAFFDFDTFT");

// imb_object
// { 
//      barcode_id: '12',
//      service_type: '234',
//      mailer_id: '567094',
//      serial_num: '987654321' 
//  }

Asynchronous

const imb = require('imb');

imb.decode("ATTFAATTFTADFDATDDADAATTTTTTTTADFFFFFDFAFATTDAADATDDDTADAFFDFDTFT", (err, imb_object) => {
    if (err)
        throw new Error(err);
    
    // imb_object
    // { 
    //      barcode_id: '12',
    //      service_type: '234',
    //      mailer_id: '567094',
    //      serial_num: '987654321' 
    //  }
});

CLI

I have included a basic CLI that should help easily encode or decode single records.

| Option | Descriptive | Abbreviated | Meaning | |---------------|---------------|:-------------:| ------------------------------------------------------| | Type | --type | -t | "encode" or "decode" | | Barcode | --barcode | -b | Automatically set type to 'decode' and decode value |

You should be able to encode an object using:

$ imb
? Would you like to encode or decode an IMB? (Use arrow keys)
    encode
  ❯ decode
? Delivery Point 2-Characters (Optional):
? Zip (Optional):
? Zip Plus 4 (Optional):
? Barcode ID: 12
? Service Type: 234
? USPS Mailer ID: 567094
? USPS Serial Number: 987654321

Encoded output
     ATTFAATTFTADFDATDDADAATTTTTTTTADFFFFFDFAFATTDAADATDDDTADAFFDFDTFT

And decoding an object is even easier:

$ imb
? Would you like to encode or decode an IMB? (Use arrow keys)
    encode
  ❯ decode
? Barcode String: ATTFAATTFTADFDATDDADAATTTTTTTTADFFFFFDFAFATTDAADATDDDTADAFFDFDTFT

Decoded output
     barcode_id:     12
     service_type:   234
     mailer_id:      567094
     serial_num:     987654321

Alternatively, Decoding is the default behavior so you can simply run:

$ imb ATTFAATTFTADFDATDDADAATTTTTTTTADFFFFFDFAFATTDAADATDDDTADAFFDFDTFT

Decoded output
	barcode_id:	12
	service_type:	234
	mailer_id:	567094
	serial_num:	987654321

Support

Hey,

I hope that you were able to find this module helpful. If so, let me know! Who doesn't love hearing that they made a difference, even if it's a little one. Don't worry, it's totally free - but if it really made a difference, you can send a little love using the link below :beers:!

Cheers!