A
absolute gain
isotropic gain
of an antenna, in a given direction, the ratio, generally expressed in decibels, of the radiation intensity produced by an antenna in a given direction to the radiation intensity that would be obtained if the power accepted by the antenna were radiated equally in all directions
NOTE 1 If no direction is specified, the direction of maximum radiation intensity from the given antenna is implied.
NOTE 2 If the antenna is lossless its absolute gain is equal to its directivity in the same direction.
[IEC 50 (712):1992 712-02-43]
abstract, adj.
independent of something
EXAMPLE 1 An abstract syntax means that the structure of messages is specified independently from their encoding.
EXAMPLE 2 An abstract test suite is specified independently from the test tools on which it is executed.
abstract syntax
for the OSI Presentation Service, specification of application layer data or application protocol control information by using notation rules that are independent of the encoding technique used to represent them
Accredited Standards Committee
ASC
committee that has been accredited under the procedures of the American National Standards Institute
acknowledgment signal
signal sent in one direction to acknowledge the receipt of a signal in the opposite direction
[IEC 50 (714) 714-07-22]
active tag
RFID device having the ability of producing a radio signal
add-on symbol
symbol used to encode information supplementary to that in the main symbol
addressability (RFID)
ability to address bits, fields, pages, files or other defined areas of memory within a tag
addressability(1)
(in computer graphics) number of addressable points on a device space or in storage
addressability(2)
(in micrographics) number of addressable horizontal points by the number of addressable vertical points within a specified film frame
EXAMPLE An addressability of 4000 by 4000.
AFI tag
ISO/IEC 18000-6 Type C or 18000-3 Mode 3 tag with Protocol Control bit 17 set at “1’ indicating that what follows is an Application Family Identifier (AFI)
air interface
conductor-free medium, usually air, between a transmitter and the receiver through which communication, e.g., data and telemetry, is achieved by means of a modulated inductive or propagated electromagnetic field
[IEC 60050-702 702-06-17]
algorithm
finite ordered set of well-defined rules for the solution of a problem
alignment
orientation of the tag relative to the reader antennas, in terms of the variation of the tags x, y and z positions
alignment pattern
fixed reference pattern in defined positions in a matrix symbology, which enables the decode software to resynchronize the coordinate mapping of the image modules in the event of moderate amounts of distortion of the image
ALOHA(1) random
multiple access protocol in which tags respond to the interrogator after a random time interval
ALOHA(2) slotted
multiple access protocol in which tags respond to the interrogator after selecting a random time slot
alphanumeric
pertaining to data that consist of both letters and digits, and may contain other characters such as punctuation marks
American National Standards Institute
ANSI
non-governmental organization responsible for the coordination of voluntary national (United States) standards
Contact: ANSI, 25 West 43rd Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10036, Tel: 1.212.642.4900, Fax: 1.212.398.0023, http://www.ansi.org/
amplitude modulation
modulation in which the amplitude of a periodic carrier is a given function, generally linear, of the instantaneous values of the modulating signal
amplitude shift keying
ASK
modulation in which a modulating digital signal Varies the amplitude of the output signal among a fixed number of predetermined values
annunciator
device which can be attached to an RF tag which emits a visual or aural signal upon command for purposes of assisting in identifying a tag or tagged item
ANS
prefatory acronym to signify American National Standard
antenna
aerial (deprecated)
part of a radio transmitting or receiving system which is designed to provide the required coupling between a transmitter or a receiver and the medium in which radio wave propagates
[IEC 50 (712) 712-01-01]
NOTE 1 Antenna structures, often encountered in radio frequency identification systems, may be used to both transmit and receive electromagnetic energy, particularly data modulated electromagnetic energy
NOTE 2 See also dipole
antenna polarization
in an antenna system the focus of the tip of the vector of the electrical field strength in a plane perpendicular to the transmission vector
anti-clash
term describing a facility for avoiding contention at the reader/interrogator receiver for responses arising from transponders simultaneously present within the read or interrogation zone of a radio frequency identification system and competing for attention at the same time without producing an error report or blocking transaction
NOTE also referred to as anti-contention and anti-collision
aperture
effective opening in an optical system that establishes the field of view
application command
instruction issued from the application to the data protocol processor in order to initiate an action or operation with the RF tag(s) via the interrogator
application family identifier
AFI
mechanism used in the data protocol and the air interface protocol to select a class of RFID tags relevant to an application, or aspect of an application, and to ignore further communications with other classes of RFID tags with different identifiers
application identifier
AI
GS1 prefix that defines the meaning and purpose of the data element that follows, as defined in ISO 15418 GS1 Application Identifiers and ASC Data Identifiers and Maintenance and GS1 General Specifications
application memory
sometimes known as user memory, an area on the RF tag available for storing data written to it
application standard
specification defining the method by which and conditions under which bar code technology may be applied to a particular purpose, prescribing, for example, data formats, optical requirements and symbology related parameters as subsets of the range defined by relevant technical standards
arc
specific branch of an object identifier tree, with new arcs added as required to define a particular object
NOTE The top three arcs of all object identifiers compliant with ISO/IEC 9834-1 are defined in Annex A.
asynchronous tag
RF tag whose timing is derived from internal, independent oscillator
NOTE In such systems data rates are independent of, and not aligned with, the reader’s carrier cycles.
cf. synchronous tag
asynchronous transmission(1)
method of data transmission that does not require timing or clocking information in addition to data
NOTE Transmission is achieved by receiver reference to start and stop bits positioned at the beginning and end of each character or blocks of characters. A variable time interval can exist between characters or blocks of characters.
asynchronous transmission(2)
data transmission in which the start of each character or block of characters is arbitrary but, once started, signal elements are transmitted at a predetermined fixed rate
authentication(1)
in security, the act of verifying the claimed identity of an entity
authentication(2)
message exchange between two elements, which verifies that further communication between the two items is proper
auto discrimination
ability of a bar code reader to distinguish automatically between two or more symbologies
automatic equipment identification
(AEI) system of identification for equipment that uses the surface transportation infrastructures by means of transponders and interrogators combined with an unambiguous data structure
automatic identification system
system for achieving accurate and unambiguous identification of a data bearing label, tag, transponder or a natural/prescribed feature, the data or feature being interrogated by means of a system appropriate source
automatic repeat request
ARQ
protocol consisting of error detection and following repetition of the transmission for correcting if necessary
NOTE The frequency used to carry data by appropriate modulation of the carrier waveform, typically in a radio frequency identification system by amplitude shift keying (ASK), frequency shift keying (FSK), phase shift keying (PSK) or associated variants. A carrier signal does not convey any information until the data is added to the signal by modulation.
auxiliary character/pattern
non-Data character
Example start character, stop character, center pattern, delineator pattern, latch character mode indicator, shift character code subset change characters, and function characters
NOTE adapted from [ISO/IEC 2382-4]
awake
state at which the tag’s receiver is powered, able to receive, and respond to a transmission from a compliant interrogator
B
Background
The area surrounding a printed symbol, including the spaces and quiet zones.
Bar
Any of the dark lines in a printed machine-readable symbol.
Bar Code
An array of parallel rectangular bars and spaces arranged according to the encodation rules of a particular symbol specification in order to represent data in machine readable form. e.g., Code 39.
Bar Code Character
A single group of bars and spaces which represent an individual number, letter, punctuation mark or other symbol.
Bar Code Density
The number of characters which can be represented in a linear unit of measure. Bar code density is often expressed in characters per inch (CPI).
Bar Code Label
A label which carries a bar code and is suitable to be affixed to an article.
Bar Code Reader
A device used to read a bar code symbol.
Bar Code Symbol
The combination of symbol characters and features required by a particular symbology, including quiet zones, start and stop characters, data characters, check characters and other auxiliary patterns, that together form a complete scannable entity. (see also "Symbol").
Bar Height
The dimension of the individual bars in a bar code symbol or in a row of a multi-row two-dimensional symbol, measured perpendicular to the scanning direction. (See "Y Dimension.)
Bar Reflectance (Rb)
The reflectance of a bar measured in a locally-selected portion of a scan profile
Bar Width
The transverse dimension of an individual bar in a bar code symbol, measured parallel to the scanning direction. The number of possible width variations within a particular printed symbol depends on the symbology used. (see "X Dimension.")
Bar Width Reduction
Reduction of the nominal bar width dimension on film masters or printing plates to compensate for printing gain.
Bi-directional
In two directions - specifically, backwards and forwards. Denoting that a machine-readable symbol can be read successfully either backwards or forwards. Denoting a scanner that can operate successfully either backwards or forwards. A bar code symbol capable of being read successfully independent of scanning direction.
Bi-directional Read
(see "Bi-directional").
Binary
Denoting a numbering system to base 2 in which numbers are expressed as combinations of the digits 0 and 1, with positional weighting based on powers of 2. In computing these can be represented electrically by 'off' and 'on' respectively, or in machine-readable symbols by narrow and wide elements or by the absence or presence of a bar module.
Bit
Abbreviation for " binary digit " (1) A single element (0 or 1 ) in a binary number. (2) A unit of information capacity in a binary storage device.
Byte
A sequential series of bits comprising one character and handled as one unit. A byte is usually comprised of eight bits, and represents either one alphabetic or special character, two decimal digits, or eight binary bits. It is usually encoded in the ASCII format.
C
Carrier
The party that provides freight services (freight movement and information).
Carrier Tracking Number
A unique number used by the Carrier, Customer and/or Supplier to track freight while consigned to the Carrier. The shipping label number may be used for this process.
CCD
Charge Coupled Device; An array (linear or matrix) of transductive elements wherein packets of electrons are set in each element as a result of the quantity of light received during an exposure interval, and where these packets are recovered from the array in the form of a pulse height-modulated electric signal.
Character
1. A single group of bars and spaces which represent an individual number, letter, punctuation mark or other symbol. 2. A graphic shape representing a letter, numeral or symbol. 3. A letter, digit, or other symbol that is used as part of the organization, control or representation of data.
Character Alignment
The vertical or horizontal position of characters with respect to a given reference line.
Character Set
Those characters available for encodation in a particular bar code symbology.
Check Character
A character included within a symbol whose value is used for the purpose of performing a mathematical check to ensure the accuracy of the read.
Check Digit
(see "Check Character").
Clear Area
(see "Quiet Zone").
Codabar -- (2 of 7 Code, Code 27 )
A discrete, variable length, bar code symbology in which four bars and three spaces are used to represent a character set of 16 characters (the digits 0 through 9 and -, $, :, /, ., +. The code is characterized by four unique start/stop codes (A, B, C, D) and variable intercharacter spacing. Go to the AIM web site or the ANSI web site for more information.
Code
A set of unambiguous rules specifying the way in which data may be represented. Numbers and letters used to represent information (see "Number System").
Code 128
A continuous, variable length, bar code symbology capable of encoding the full ASCII 128 character set, the 128 extended ASCII character set, and four non-data function characters. Code 128 allows numeric data to be represented in a compact double-density mode, two data digits for every symbol character. Each Code 128 symbol uses two independent self-checking features, character self-checking via parity and a modulo 103 check character. Each Code 128 symbol consists of a leading quiet zone, a start pattern, characters representing data, a check character, a stop pattern, and a trailing quiet zone. Each Code 128 character consists of eleven 1X wide modules. Each symbol character is comprised of three bars alternating with three spaces, starting with a bar. Each element (bar or space) may consist of one to four modules. Code 128 has three unique character sets designated as Code Set A, B, and C. Code set A includes all of the standard upper case alphanumeric keyboard characters, the ASCII control characters having an ASCII value of 0 to 95, and seven special characters. Code set B includes all of the standard upper case alphanumeric keyboard characters, lower case alphabetic characters (specifically ASCII character values 32 to 127), and seven special characters. Code set C includes the set of 100 digit pairs from 00 through 99, inclusive, as well as three special characters. The FNC1 character in the first character position after the start code of Code 128 designates that the data the follows complies with the UCC/EAN-128 standards. Go to the AIM web site or the ANSI web site for more information.
Code 16K
A variable length, multi-row, two-dimensional symbology encoding the full ASCII 128 character set, having extended ASCII capability, as well. Code 16K employs existing U.P.C. and Code 128 character set patterns. Each Code 16K symbol consists of 2 to 16 rows. Each row consists of a leading quiet zone, a start pattern, a guard bar, five symbol characters, a stop pattern, and a trailing quiet zone. Up to 77 ASCII characters or 154 numeric characters can be encoded in a 16-row symbol. Code 16K has row identification by unique start/stop patterns, character self-checking, and two modulo 107 symbol check characters. Code 16K symbols include error detection, but no error correction. Go to the AIM web site or the ANSI web site for more information.
Code 39 -- (3 of 9 Code)
A discrete, variable length, bar code symbology encoding the characters 0 to 9, A to Z, and the additional characters "-" (dash), "." (period), Space, "$" (dollar sign), "/" (slash), "+" (plus sign), and "%" (per cent sign), as well as a special symbology character to denote the start and stop character, conventionally represented as an "*" (asterisk). Each Code 39 symbol consists of a leading quiet zone, a start symbol pattern, symbol characters representing data, a stop pattern, and a trailing quiet zone. Each Code 39 character has three wide elements out of a total of nine elements. Each symbol consists of a series of symbol characters, each represented by five bars and four intervening spaces. Characters are separated by an intercharacter gap. Each element (bar or space) is one of two widths. The values of the "X dimension" and "N" remain constant throughout the symbol. The particular pattern of wide and narrow elements determines the character being encoded. The intercharacter gaps are spaces with a minimum nominal width of 1X. Go to the AIM web site or the ANSI web site for more information.
Code 49
See stacked codes. This symbol is a stack of from 2 to 8 rows. Each row encodes row count information plus data characters. Go to the AIM web site or the ANSI web site for more information.
Code 93
A full alphanumeric bar code capable of encoding all 128 ASCII characters. Go to the AIM web site or the ANSI web site for more information.
Codeword
A symbol character value. An intermediate level of coding between source data and the graphical encodation in the symbol.
Compliance Indicator
A specified string of characters at the start of a message, indicating that the message that conforms to the common data syntax for high capacity data carriers.
Concatination
The construction of a string of data from two or more strings by appending each string in succession. The linking or chaining together (1 ) of separate items of data in a bar code symbol, or (2) of the data contained in two or more separate bar code symbols (also referred to as "message append" and "structured append".
Consumer Unit
In the U.P.C. standard, a specific package quantity of a specific product offered by a specific manufacturer. Go to the Uniform Code Council web site for more information.
Continuous Code
A bar code symbol where all spaces within the symbol are parts of characters, e.g., I 2/5. There is no intercharacter gap in a continuous code.
Contrast
The difference in reflectance between the black and white (or bar and space) areas of a symbol.
CPI
Characters Per Inch (see "Bar Code Density").
D
Data Collection System
A system that consists of input devices located at points where data are created. Once captured, the data may be immediately transmitted, by cable, telephone line, or radio signal, to a central location, usually in or near a computer room for automatic recording. Or the data may be transmitted to a storage medium, such as a tape, disk, or semiconductor memory for later transfer to a host computer application program.
Data Collection terminals
An integrated scanner / terminal where the scanner is built into the terminal with an input port, capable of accepting data from laser and/or CCD scanners. Data collected from scan is routinely stored and transmitted to a host.
Data Identifier
A specified character, or string of characters, that defines the intended use of the data element that follows. For the purposes of automatic data capture technologies, Data Identifier means the alphanumeric identifiers as defined in ANSI MH10.8.2, formerly known as ANSI/FACT Data Identifiers.
Data Matrix
An error correcting two-dimensional matrix symbology, developed in 1989 with finalized design in 1995 by International Data Matrix, capable of encoding various character sets including strictly numeric data, alphanumeric data, and all ISO 646 (ASCII) characters, as well as special character sets. The symbology has error detection and error correction features. Each Data Matrix symbol consists of data regions which contain nominally square modules set out in a regular array. A dark module is a binary 1 and a light module is a binary 0. There is no specified minimum or maximum for the X or Y dimension. The data region is surrounded by a finder pattern which is surrounded by a quiet zone on all four sides of the symbol. The finder pattern is a perimeter to the data region and is one module wide. Two adjacent sides are solid dark lines used primarily to define physical size, orientation, and symbol distortion. The two opposite sides are made up of alternating dark and light modules. These are used primarily to define the cell structure but can also assist in determining physical size and distortion. There are two types of Data Matrix symbologies: ECC 000 - 140 with several available levels of convolutional error correction, and ECC 200 which uses Reed-Solomon error correction. For ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 31 purposes, only ECC 200 is recommended. The intellectual property rights associated with Data Matrix have been committed to the public domain.
Data Structure
The stipulation of what information is include in a bar code, its order and format.
Decimal
The number representation system with a radix of 10.
Decode Algorithm
The set of rules used to convert the dark and light element patterns of a machine-readable symbol to data characters.
Decoder
The electronic package which receives the signals from the scanning function, performs the algorithm to interpret the signals into meaningful data and provides the interface to other devices.
Density
Describes the relative amount of memory contained in a radio frequency identification tag. (see "Bar code density").
Depth of Field
The distance between the maximum and minimum plane in which a code reader is capable of reading symbols.
Diffuse Reflection
The component of reflected light which emanates in all directions from the reflecting surface.
Direct Thermal
See Thermal.
Discrete Code
A bar code or symbol where the spaces between characters (intercharacter gap) are not part of the code, e.g., Code 39.
Dot Matrix
A system of printing where individual dots are printed in matrix (5x7, 7x9, etc.) forming bars, alphanumeric characters and simple graphics.
Dot Size
(Ink Jet) (Dot Matrix) (Thermal) - The size of the printed dot laid down on a substrate in a matrix or line to form characters.
E
EAN
Abbreviation for EAN International. Also used to refer to the bar code symbology used for marking of consumer products in accordance with this body's specifications. Go to the Uniform Code Council web site for more information.
EAN/U.P.C.
A fixed-length, numeric 13-digit bar code symbol consisting of 30 dark elements and 29 intervening light elements. Each character is represented by 2 bars and 2 spaces over 7 modules. A bar may be comprised of 1, 2, 3, or 4 modules. Each EAN/U.P.C. symbol consists of a leading quiet zone, a start pattern, seven left-hand data characters, a center bar pattern, 5 right-hand data characters, a Modulo 10 check character, a stop pattern, and a trailing quiet zone. U.P.C. is often considered a 12-digit code. The 13th digit of EAN/U.P.C. symbol is a derived character in the left most position. In the case of U.P.C. this derived left-most character is a 0. Go to the Uniform Code Council web site for more information.
EDI
Intercompany, computer-to-computer communication of data that permits the receiver to perform the function of a standard business transaction and is in a standard data format. Go to the DISA web site or the ANSI web site for more information.
EDI Message Data
The data communicated between business trading partners in a standard format and syntax, e.g., ANSI ASC X.12 or UN/EDIFACT.
EHIBCC
The European Health Industry Business Communications Council (EHIBCC) is established in The Netherlands for administration and maintenance of the Health Industry Bar Code Supplier Labeling Standard as well as the Labeler Identification Codes issued in Europe. Go to the Health Industry Business Communications web site for more information.
Electrostatic
A method of printing utilizing a special electrostatic paper or charged drum, both of which attract toner to the charged area.
Element
A single bar or space.
Error Correction
A reader/decoder use of mathematical schemes to reconstruct or replace damaged or missing symbol characters to enable the reading of the symbol data.
Error Correction Characters
Symbol characters which are used for error correction and detection. These characters are calculated automatically from the other symbol characters.
Error Correction Level
An indicator of the number of characters used in a symbology for error correction Higher levels of error correction allow for correcting greater potential symbol damage.
Error Detection
The use of error correction characters to detect that the presence of errors in the symbol exceeds the error correction capacity. Error detection will keep the symbol from being decoded as erroneous data.
Error Detection Characters
Symbol characters which are reserved for error detection. These characters are calculated automatically from the other symbol characters.
F
Film Master
A photographic film representation of a specific symbol from which a printing plate is produced.
First Read Rate
The percentage representing the number of successful reads per 100 scans to read a particular symbol.
Fixed Beam Bar Code Reader
A scanning device where scanning motion is achieved by moving the object relative to the reader; (as opposed to Moving Beam Reader.)
Foil
(see "Ribbon ").
Font
A specific size and style of printer's type.
Formed Font Impact
A printing method for labels consisting of a rotating drum etched with raised bars and characters. A one-time ribbon and the label move between the drum and a micro controlled hammer.
G
General Trade Items
Items that are not specifically made for one customer.
Guard Bars
The bars which are at both ends and center of a UPC and EAN symbol. They provide reference points for scanning.
H
Hand Held Laser Scanner
(see "Laser Scanner ").
Hand Held Wand Scanner
(see "Wand Scanner").
He-Ne
Common name for helium neon laser.
Helium Neon Laser
A type of laser commonly used in bar code scanners. It emits coherent red light at a wavelength of 633 nm.
HIBC
Health Industry Bar Code. HIBCC web site for more information.
HIBCC
The Health Industry Business Communications Council (HIBCC) develops and maintains standards for use in the healthcare industry. Address: 5110 N 40th Street, Suite 120, Phoenix AZ 85018. Go to the HIBCC web site for more information.
Horizontal Bar Code
A bar code or symbol presented in such a manner that its overall length dimension is parallel to the horizon. The bars are presented in an array which look like a picket fence.
Human Readable Interpretation
The interpretation of bar code data, often printed immediately below the bar code, which is readable to humans.
I
ILD - Infrared Laser Diode
A solid state laser producing light in the infrared region.
Impact Printing
Any printing system where a micro processor controlled hammer impacts against a ribbon and a substrate.
Ink Jet
A method of printing using liquid ink projected a drop at a time against a substrate.
Inspection
Applications that use bar codes or other forms of AIDC to identify and validate items. It is primarily used for the receiving or shipping functions of inventory control.
Intercharacter Gap
The space between two adjacent bar code characters in a discrete code (i.e., the clear space between two characters in Code 39).
Interleaved Two of Five Code -- (I 2/5)
A numeric bar code symbology consisting of five bars, two of which are wide. Go to the AIM web site or the ANSI web site for more information.
Inventory Control
Applications where bar coding and other forms of AIDC are used to add items or delete items from inventory with 100% item accuracy
Ion Deposition
(see "Electrostatic").
J
JAN
Japanese Article Numbering, same as EAN.
K
L
Ladder Code
(see "Vertical Bar Code").
Laser Scanner
An optical bar code reading device using a coherent laser light beam as its source of illumination.
LED
Light emitting diode. A semiconductor that produces light at a frequency determined by its chemical composition. The light source commonly used in wand readers.
LIC
The Labeler Identification Code (LIC) is a number assigned by the Health Industry Business Communication Council to uniquely identify a manufacturer or labeler of a product intended to be sold through the healthcare supply chain. Go to the HIBCC web site for more information.
Light Pen
a hand-held pen-like contact reader, which the user must sweep across the bar code symbol to read the code.
M
Machine-Readable
a general term for printed material which can be directly transferred to a data processing system.
Manufacturer
The organization that actually produces or fabricates an item; not necessarily the supplier in a transaction.
Manufacturer's ID
In the U.P.C. code, the 6 digit number applied by the UCC to uniquely identify a manufacturer or company selling products under its own name; the first 6 digits of the 12-digit U.P.C. number. Go to the Uniform Code Council web site for more information.
Matrix Symbols
A two dimensional array of regular polygon shaped cells where the center to center distance of adjacent elements is uniform. The arrangement of the cells represents data and/or symbology functions. Matrix symbols may include recognition patterns which do not follow the same rule as the other elements within the symbol (e.g. Data Matrix and MaxiCode).
MHI
The Material Handling Institute, Inc.
Mil
One thousandth of an inch, the unit of measure often used to quantity bar code printing and scanning dimensions.
MIS - Management Information Systems
Usually, the department in charge of computing systems in a company; also called "data processing" or "information systems."
Misread
A condition which occurs when the data output of a reader does not agree with the data encoded in the bar code symbol.
Module
The narrowest nominal width unit of measure in a symbol. In certain symbologies, element widths may be specified as multiples of one module. Equivalent to "X dimension." (2) A single cell in a matrix symbology used to encode one bit of data. In MaxiCode the module shape is a regular hexagon. In Data Matrix the module shape is nominally square. In PDF417 the module shape is a regular rectangle. In bar code symbologies the module shape is a regular rectangle.
Module Check Digit or Character
A character within the symbol data field calculated using modular arithmetic, which is used for error detection. The calculated character is determined by applying a code algorithm to the data field contents. (see "Check Character").
Moving Beam Bar Code Reader
A scanning device where scanning motion is achieved by mechanically moving the optical geometry.
MRD -- Minimum Reflectance Difference
One formula that is used to determine if there is an adequate difference between absorbed and reflected light.
MRP
Material Requirements Planning.
N
Nanometer
Unit of measure used to define the wavelength of light. Equal to 10-9 meter.
Nominal
The exact (or ideal) intended value for a specified parameter. Tolerances are specified as positive and negative deviations from this value.
Non-Contact Reader/Scanner
Bar code readers which do not require physical contact with the printed symbol.
Non-read
The absence of data at the scanner output after an attempted scan due to no code, defective code, scanner failure or operator error.
Number System
Re UPC - A method of identifying individual or groups of objects. Number systems are of two types - 1. Significant digit where each item is uniquely identified. 2. Non-significant digit where sequential numbers are assigned regardless of product or item description. Go to the Uniform Code Council web site for more information.
Numeric
A character set that includes only numbers.
O
OCR
Optical Character Recognition.
Omnidirectional
Bar codes which can be read in any orientation relative to the scanner.
Opacity
The property of a substrate material that minimizes show-through from the back side or the next sheet. The ratio of the reflectance with a black backing to the reflectance with a white backing. Ink opacity is the property of an ink that prevents the substrate from showing through.
Optical Throw
The distance from the scanner face to the closest point at which symbol can be read; also, optical throw is the difference between range and depth of field.
Orientation
The alignment of the symbol's scan path. Two possible orientations are horizontal with vertical bars and spaces (picket fence) and vertical with horizontal bars and spaces (ladder).
Overhead
The fixed number of characters required for start, stop and checking in a given symbol. For example, a symbol requiring a start/stop and two check characters contains four characters of overhead. Thus, to encode three characters, seven characters are required.
P
Package Level Indicators
Individual items marked with U.P.C. are frequently packaged in standard quantities of intermediate packs and shipping containers. Each different standard package quantity for each standard product is assigned a "package level" and assigned a unique number. Go to the Uniform Code Council web site for more information.
PCS - Print Contrast Signal
A measurement of the ratio of the reflectance between the bars and spaces of a symbol. PCS is calculated as: PCS = (R1 - Rd)/ R1 where: R1 is the reflectance of the light background and Rd is the reflectance of the dark bars.
PDF417
An error correcting two-dimensional multi-row symbol developed in 1992 by Symbol Technologies, PDF417 symbols are constructed from 4 bars and 4 spaces over 17 modules. The symbol size is from 3 to 90 rows. There is no specified minimum or maximum for X or Y dimension. With at least the recommended minimum level of error correction, the recommended Y dimension is 3X. With less than the minimum recommended level of error correction, the recommended Y dimension is 4X. A quiet zone of 2X is specified on each side of a symbol. Because of delta decode techniques the symbology is immune from uniform bar width growth. PDF417 supports cross-row scanning. The intellectual property rights associated with PDF417 have been committed to the public domain. For more information go to the AIM,USA web site.
Pen Scanner
A pen-like device, connected either by wire to a device, or self-contained, used to read bar codes. Requires direct contact with the symbol.
Picket Fence Code
(see "Horizontal Bar Code").
Pitch
Rotation of a bar code symbol about an axis parallel to the direction of the bars.
Plessey Code
A pulse-width modulated bar code commonly used for shelf marking in grocery stores.For more information go to the AIM,USA web site.
PLU - Price Lookup
The process by which a price is looked up in a data base, based on information decoded from a bar code.
Postnet Code
The code developed by the U.S. Postal Service to assist in automatic sortation of mail.
Preprinted Symbol
A symbol which is printed in advance of application either on a label or on the article to be identified.
Print Contrast
(see "PCS").
Print Quality
The measure of compliance of a bar code symbol to the requirements of dimensional tolerance, edge roughness, spots, voids, reflectance, PCS, quiet zone, and encodation.
Product ID
In the U.P.C. code, the 5 digit number assigned by a manufacturer to every consumer unit in its product catalog. The Product ID is different for every standard package (consumer unit) of the same product.For more information go to the UCC web site.
Product/Catalog Number (HIBC)
Those following the HIBC Supplier Labeling Standard assign a 1 - 13 digit number to every product. For more information go to the HIBCC web site.
Production Control
Applications where bar codes and other forms of AIDC are used to reduce data entry errors and slow response time.
Proprietary Numbering System
A system for identifying objects, people, etc. that is not released to the public or generally accepted by the public. Many companies have a private or proprietary numbering system to identify products manufactured by others. These internal numbers are not recognized by anyone other than the company that developed them for their own use.
Q
Quiet Zone
A clear space, containing no dark marks, which precedes the start character of a symbol and follows the stop characters.
R
Radio Frequency
Non-optical automatic identification devices that use radio waves to transmit data.
Radio Frequency Data Communication (RFDC)
Hand-held or vehicle mounted units that send and receive messages by radio frequency. Information from the units is displayed on a screen for workers. It allows real-time, two-exchange of data between terminals, one often mobile and the other a host computer at a distant location.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
The use of small radio transponders which are activated by a reading transmitter. The transponder can carry a unique ID code or other information in its memory, and can be read at a distance without line of sight.
Radio Frequency Tag
An electronic tag capable of receiving/storing and/or transmitting digital information.
Radio Frequency Terminals (RF Terminals)
A wireless portable device used to interact with a remote host computer.
Reflectance
The ratio of the amount of light of a specified wavelength or series of wavelengths reflected from a test surface to the amount of light reflected from a barium oxide or magnesium oxide standard.
Resolution
The narrowest element dimension which can be distinguished by a particular reading device or printed with a particular device or method.
Ribbon
A cloth or plastic tape coated with several layers of material, one of which is ink-like, that produces the visible marks on a substrate. Used on formed font impact, dot matrix, thermal transfer and hot stamp printers. Also called "Foil".
S
Scanner
An electronic device that optically converts optical information into electrical signals.
Self-checking
A bar code using a checking algorithm which can be independently applied to each character to guard against undetected errors.
Shipping and Receiving
Applications that keep track of all goods that enter or leave your facility. (See Inventory Control)
Shipping Container Symbol
The 14-digit number applied to intermediate packs and shipping containers containing U.P.C. marked items. It is always encoded in the Interleaved 2 of 5 symbology.
Show-through
The generally undesirable property of a substrate that permits underlying markings to be seen.
Skew
Rotation of a bar code symbol about an axis parallel to the symbol's length.
SKU
Stock Keeping Unit, referring to a particular item included in a data base.
Solid State Laser Scanner
A relatively leading edge type of laser that has become quite successful. It emits light at a wavelength of 670 nm and also at 780 nm.
Source Marking
The process of labeling an item with a bar code at the point of its initial production.
Space
The lighter element of a bar code usually formed by the background between bars.
Space Width
The thickness of a space measured from the edge closest to the symbol start character to the trailing edge of the same space.
Spectral Response
The variation in sensitivity of a reading device to light of different wavelengths.
Specular Reflection
The mirror-like reflection of light from a surface.
Spot
The undesirable presence of ink or dirt in a space.
STAC
Symbol Technical Advisory Committee to the Uniform Code Council, Inc. For more information go to the UCC web site.
Stacked Symbol (2D Symbols)
A 2D symbol comprised of sequences of linear (width-coded) data, which are stacked, one upon another (e.g., PDF417). Go to the AIM web site or the ANSI web site for more information.
Standard
A set of rules, specifications, instructions and directions to use a bar code or other automatic identification system to your profit. Usually issued by an organization. Go to the AIM web site the HIBCC web site the Uniform Code Council web site or the ANSI web site for more information.
Standard Numbering Systems
Numbering systems identifying objects, people, etc. that have been released to the public and are generally accepted by the public.
Start-Stop Character or Pattern
A special bar code character that provides the scanner with start and stop reading instructions as well as scanning direction. The start character is normally at the left-hand end of a horizontally oriented symbol. The stop character is normally at the right-hand end of a horizontally oriented symbol.
Substitution Error
A mis-encodation, misread or human key entry error where a character that was to be entered is substituted with erroneous information. Example: Correct information -- 1234; substitution --1235.
Substrate
The surface on which a bar code symbol is printed.
Supplier
In a transaction, the party that produces, provides, or furnishes an item or service
Symbol
A combination of characters including start/stop characters, , quiet zones, data characters, and check characters required by a particular symbology, which form a complete, scanable entity.
Symbol Density
The number of data characters per unit length; usually expressed as Characters Per Inch (CPI)
Symbol Length
The distance between the outside edges of the quiet zone.
Symbology
Similar to Morse Code that encodes characters in DOTS & DASHES, numbers, letters, and computer-recognized characters can be represented in a combination of bars and spaces. The rules for encoding the characters in wide and narrow bars and spaces are called a symbology.
T
TCS
Transport Case Symbol.
Telepen
a continuous bar code which encodes the full ASCII character set.
Terminal Emulation
A software package that enables a PC or an RF terminal to simulate any one of several types of terminals.
Thermal
A printing system where dots are selectively heated and cooled on heat sensitive paper. The paper turns dark in the heated areas.
Thermal Transfer
A printing system like thermal except a one-time ribbon is used and common paper is used as a substrate. Eliminates the problems of fading or changing color inherent in thermal.
Tilt
Rotation of a bar code symbol about an axis perpendicular to the substrate.
Two-dimensional symbology
A machine-readable symbol which must be examined both vertically and horizontally to read the entire message. A 2D symbol may be one of two types of machine-readable symbols: a "Matrix Symbol" or a "stacked symbol." 2D symbols differ from linear bar codes in that they have the ability for high data content, small size, data efficiency and error correction capability.
Two-Dimensional Symbols
see "stacked codes".
U
UCC -- Uniform Code Council
The organization that administers the UPC and other retail standards. Address: 8163 Old Yankee Road, Suite J, Dayton, OH 45458. For more information go to theUCC web site.
UCC/EAN-128
Code 128 with a Function 1 character in the first position. It is the symbology used with the UCC/EAN format for a Universal Product Number (UPN).(see "Code 128").
U.P.C. -- Universal Product Code
The standard bar code symbol for retail food packages in the United States. It encodes a 12-digit number assigned to specific consumer units of general trade items. The first 6 digits are assigned by the Uniform Code Council (UCC). The next 5 digits are assigned by the manufacturer. The final digit is a check digit. For more information go to the UCC web site.
Unit-of-Use
A packaging level containing the quantity of the item that is to be administered to a patient in a healthcare facility.
Universal Product Number (UPN)
A number that uniquely and unambiguously identifies a healthcare product at each packaging level. It is actually a Department of Defense (DOD) term for the HIBCC and UCC/EAN bar code on med/surg products. For more information go to the HIBCC web site.
V
Variable Length Code
A code whose number of encoded characters can be within a range, as opposed to a code with a fixed number of encoded characters.
Verifier
A device that makes measurements of the bars, spaces, quiet zones and optical characteristics of a symbol to determine if the symbol meets the requirements of a specification or standard.
Vertical Bar Code
A bar code pattern presented in such orientation that the symbol from start to stop is perpendicular to the horizon. The individual bars are in an array appearing as rungs of a ladder.
VLD
Visible laser diode.
Voice Recognition
The use of speaking to collect data or to input commands. This requires no special printed or encoded symbols, just a devise similar to a headset. It provides a hands-free option to enter data into a computer system.
Void
The undesirable absence of ink in a bar.
W
Wand
(see "Wand Scanner").
Wand Scanner
A hand-held scanning device used as a contact bar code or OCR reader.
Warehouse Management
An application that uses bar codes or other forms of AIDC, within the warehouse to keep track of receiving, inspecting, storing, controlling inventory, picking, and shipping of items and locations within the warehouse facility.
Wedge
A device that plugs in between a keyboard and a terminal. It allows data to be entered either by keyboard or by various types of scanners.
Work-in-Process
An application or process that monitors product flow during the manufacturing process through to the finished goods stage. It also monitors processes within the warehouse.
X
X Dimension
The dimension of the narrowest bar and narrowest space in a bar code.
Y
Y Dimension
The height of the modules in a row of a 2-dimensional symbol.
Z
