A

Active Tag - Radio frequency identification devices which require batteries for their operation

Alignment - In an automatic identification system, the relative position and orientation of a scanner to the symbol

A/N - Alphanumeric

Alphanumeric - The character set which contains letters, numbers and may contain other characters such as punctuation marks or control characters

ANSI - The American National Standards Institute is a non-governmental organisation responsible for the development of voluntary industry standards

Antenna - In a radio frequency identification system, the antenna is the device which radiates and/or receives the RF energy

Aperture - The opening in an optical system (scanner) that establishes the field of view

ASCII - The character set and code described in American National Standard Code for Information Interchange, ANSI X3.4-1977. Each ASCII character is encoded with 7-bits (8 bits including parity check). The ASCII character set is used for information interchange between data processing systems, communication systems and associated equipment. The ASCII set consists of both control and printing characters.

Aspect Ratio - In a barcode symbol, the ratio of bar height to symbol length.

Auto-discrimination - The ability of barcode reading equipment to automatically recognise and correctly decode more than one symbology (code).

Average Background Reflectance - Expressed as a percent; the simple arithmetic average of the background reflectance from at least five different points on a sheet

 B

Background - The spaces, quiet zones, and area surrounding a printed symbol.

Bar - The darker element of a printed barcode symbol.

Barcode - An automatic identification technology which encodes information into an array of varying width parallel bars and spaces.

Barcode Character - A single group of bars and spaces that represent an individual number, Setter, punctuation mark, or other symbol.

Barcode Density - The number of data characters which can be represented in a linear unit of measure, barcode density is often expressed in characters per inch (CPI) or low Medium or high density. (Ultra high density codes - Codes with a narrow element 0.1mm. (.004") or less. High density code Codes with a narrow element 0.2mm. (.008") or less. Medium density code - Codes with a narrow element 0,5 - 0.25 mm (.020" - .010") Low-density code - Narrowest element is above 0.5mm. (.020")

Barcode Label - A label which carries a barcode symbol and is suitable to be affixed to an article.

Barcode Reader - A device used to read a barcode symbol.

Barcode Symbol - A complete barcode beginning with the quiet zone before the code, a start character, one or more characters, a stop character and trailing quiet zone. Below there may be an eye-readable translation of all or part of the data.

Bar Height - The bar dimension perpendicular to the bar width

Bar Width - The thickness of a bar measured from the closest to the symbol start character to the trailing edge of the same bar.

Bar Width Reduction - Reduction of the nominal bar width dimension on film masters or printing plates to compensate for ink spread in some printing processes

BCD - Binary Coded Decimal (see "Decimal, Binary")

Bi-Directional - A barcode symbol capable of being read successfully independent of scanning direction

Binary - The number system that uses only 1's and 0's

Bit - An abbreviation for "binary digit". A single element 1) in a binary number

 C

Capture Window - In an automatic identification system employing RF, that volume which defines the active portion of the radio frequency antenna pattern

CCD Scanner - An optical, remote barcode reading de using a low energy LED fight source as its source of illumination. Usually hand held.

Character Set - Those characters available for encode a particular automatic identification technology.

Check Digit - A character included within a message v value is used for the purpose of performing a mathematic check to ensure the accuracy of that message.

Clear area - Area before and after a barcode with no printing

Codabar - (2 of 7 Code, Code 27) A numerical barcode consisting of seven modules, two of which are wide. See ANSI/AIM X5-3 USS-Codabar for specifications.

Code 39 - (3 of 9 Code). A full alphanumeric barcode consisting of nine modules, three of which are wide. See ANSI/AIM X5-2 USS-39 for specifications.

Code 93 - A full alphanumeric barcode capable of encoding all 128 ASCII characters. See ANSI/AIM X5-5 USS93 for specifications.

Code 128 - A full alphanumeric barcode capable of encoding all 128 ASCII characters. See ANSI/AIM X5-4 USS128 for specifications.

Code 16K - See stacked codes. See ANSI/AIM X5-6 Code 16K for specifications.

Code 49 - See stacked codes. See ANSI/AIM X5-7 Code for specifications.

Continuous Code - A barcode symbology where all spaces within the symbol are parts of characters, e.g. USS I 2/5. is no inter-character gap in a continuous code.

CPI - Characters per inch (see "Barcode Density")

 D

Data Capacity - The amount of memory available in an RF tag or in a buffer.

Datamatrix - A two dimensional code with ability to carry a large amount of information.

Data Rate - In an automatic identification system employing RF, the rate at which data is communicated between the identification tag and interrogator. Typical units are bits per second or bytes per second.

Decimal, Binary Coded (BCD) - A numbering system using base 2 that represents each decimal digit by four binary bits, with the place values equal to 8, 4, 2, and 1, reading from left to right.

Decoder - As part of a barcode or RFID reading system, the electronic package that receives the signals from the scanner, performs the algorithm to interpret the signals into meaningful data, and provides the interface to other devices.

Density - See "Barcode density".

Depth of Field - The distance between the maximum and minimum plane in which a barcode reader is capable of reading symbols. (Dependent on print quality and narrow bar width)

Diffuse Reflection - The component of reflected light, which emanates in all directions from the reflecting surface.

Direct Thermal - A printing system where dots are selectively heated and cooled and drag upon a heat sensitive paper. The paper turns dark in the heated areas. See AIM document T-20. "Direct Thermal Printing".

Discrete Code - A barcode symbology where the spaces between characters (inter-character 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. See AIM document T11, "Matrix Impact Printing", for specifications.

Dot Size - (Ink Jet, Dot Matrix, and Thermal) The size of the printed dot laid down on a substrate in a matrix or line to form characters.

Dot Size - (Scanner) The diameter of the beam of light used to scan a barcode symbol - ideally the beam width should be approx. 70% of the width of the narrowest bar.

 E

EAN - European Article Numbering System, the international standard barcode for retail food packages.

EAS - Electronic Article Surveillance. (Security tagging system)

EC - Electronic Commerce.

ECN - Engineering Change Notice.

EDI - Electronic Data Interchange.

EDIFACT - EDI for Administration, Commerce, and Trade.

EDP - Electronic Data Processing

Electrostatic - A method of printing that utilises a special electrostatic paper or a charged drum, both of which attract toner to the charged area. See AIM document T-12, "Electrostatic Printing".

Element - In a barcode symbol, a single bar or space.

EM - Electro Magnetic (Security tagging system)

ERP - Enterprise Resource Planning

 G

Guard Bars - The bars, which are at both ends and centre of a U.P.C. and EAN symbol. They provide reference points for scanning.

 H

Hand Laser Gun - See "Laser Scanner".

Helium Neon Laser - A type of laser commonly used in barcode scanners. It emits coherent red light at a wavelength of 633 nanometers..

He-Ne - Common name for helium neon laser.

High-density code - Codes with a narrow element of 0.15 to 0.25mm. (0.006" to .010")

Horizontal barcode - A barcode 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

   I

I-CODE - Popular RFID chip from Philips operating at 13.56MHz. to IS015693

ID - Identification.

Impact Printing - Any printing system where a microprocessor 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.

Ino-tag - RFID label available in a range of sizes / formats from inotec.

Inter-character Gap - The space between two adjacent barcode characters in a discrete code. For example, the space between two characters in USS-39.

Interleaved barcode - A barcode in which characters are paired together using bars to represent the first character and spaces to represent the second, e.g., USSI 2/5 (see also "Continuous Code").

Interleaved Two of Five Code - (12/5) A number-only barcode symbology consisting of five bars. two of which are wide. In this code both the bars and spaces carry information. See ANSI/AIM X51 USS I 2/5 for specifications.

Interrogator - In an automatic identification system employing RF, the device, which triggers the identifying, tags to respond with a modulated RF message.

Ion Deposition - See "Electrostatic".

ISO - International Organisation for Standardisation.

IT - Information Technology.

IVR - Interactive Voice Response

 J

JTC - Joint Technical Committee

 L

Ladder Code - See "Vertical barcode".

LAN - Local Area Network.

Laser Scanner - An optical barcode reading device using a low energy laser light beam as its source of illumination.  Often hand held,

LED - Light emitting diode. A semiconductor that produces llight at a wavelength determined by its chemicall composition. The light source often used in barcode readers.

LF - Low frequency. 30-300 kHz.

Light Pen - In a barcode system, a hand held scanning wand, which is used as a contact barcode reader held in the hand (see "Wand Scanner").

LOGMARS - Logistics of Marking and Reading Symbols. A US Department of Defence program to place a Code 39 symbol on all federal items. For specifications see MilStd 1189.M

Low density code - A barcode in which the narrowest element is above 0.5mm. (.020")

 M

Medium density code - A barcode with a narrow element 0.25--0.5mm (0.010" to 0.20")

MF - Medium Frequency. 300 KHz to 3 MHz.

MH10.8.3 - ANSI Standard for Unit Loads and Transport Packages - Two Dimensional Symbols.

MICR - Magnetic Ink Character Recognition. The stylised printing on the lower left of personal and bank checks which can be read electronically.

Microwave - A radio wave between 0.1 and 100 centimetres in wavelength or 1-100 GHz. Several automatic RF identification systems use this frequency band.

MIS - Management Information Systems.

Misread - A condition, which occurs when the data output of a reader does not agree with the data encoded in the barcode symbol. (Usually due to poorly printed barcodes or scanner/symbol mismatch.)

Module - The narrowest nominal width unit of measure in a barcode.

Modulo Check Digit or Character - See "Check Digit",

Moving Beam Scanner - A scanning device where scanning motion is achieved by mechanically moving the light beam through the bars. (Appears as a solid red line when aimed at the barcode)

 N

Nanometer - A unit of measure used to define the wavelength of light. Many standards require scanning in the B633-B900 range.

Nominal - The exact (or ideal) intended value for a specified parameter. Tolerances are specified as positive and negative deviations from this value.

Noise - Print show through, which makes a label unreadable or misread usually due to thin or translucent materials being used for the labels. Also can refer to false signals from extraneous sources in RFID interfering with the readability of a tag.

Non-read - In a barcode system, 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 - A method of identifying individual or groups of objects. Number systems are of two types: 1)Significant digit where each item is uniquely identified and 2) Non-significant digit where sequential numbers are assigned regardless of product or item description.

Numeric - A character set that includes only numbers

 O

OCR-A - (Optical Code Readable A) An abbreviation commonly applied to the character set contained in ANSI Std. X3.17-1981 (ISO 1073 Part 1). The code is both human and machine-readable.

OCR-B - (Optical Code Readable B) An abbreviation commonly applied to the character set contained in ANSI Std. X3.49-1975. (ISO 1073 Part II). The code is both human and machine-readable.

Opacity - The optical property of a substrate material that minimises show-through from the background 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.

Orientation - The alignment of a barcode symbol with respect to the horizontal axis. Two possible orientations are horizontal with vertical bars and spaces (picket fence) and vertical with horizontal bars and spaces (ladder).

Overhead - In a barcode system, 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 to be printed

 P

Passive Tag - Passive tags are radio frequency identification devices that do not have any internal power source. Their energy source is the power emitted from adjacent antennas.

PCS - Print Contrast Signal. A measurement of the ratio of the reflectivity between the bars and spaces of a symbol, commonly expressed as a percent. PCS is calculated as:

PCS = In a barcode. where R1 is the reflectance of the light background and Rd is the reflectivity of the dark bars, PCS = R1 -Rd divided by R1,

PDF417 - A 2D Stacked barcode symbology for encoding larger amounts of data.

Pen Scanner - A pen like device either connected by wire to a device or self-contained, used to read barcodes. Requires direct contact with the symbol.

Photo-composed Codes - Photo composition. A system to produce very high quality labels by computer/photography.

Photo-composed Labels - Labels with a high degree of repeatability and readability "A' class scan results at most bar-code densities. Print contrast ratio over 90% 100% first time readability rate. High resistance to UV. (Sunlight) Very robust & durable Ideal for high and ultra high density codes and where 100% barcode readability is important.

Picket Fence Code - See "Horizontal barcode".

PIN - Personal Identification Number.

Pitch - Rotation of a barcode symbol about an axis parallel to the direction of the bars.

POS - Point-of-Sale.

Polymaster - Tough polyester based substrate under surface printed for total protection. Only available from inotec PPBM - Positive Passenger Bag Matching. (Airline terminology)

Pre-printed Symbol - A symbol that 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 barcode symbol to the requirements of dimensional tolerance, edge roughness, spots, voids, reflectance, PCS, quiet zone, and encodation.

 Q

QR Code - A 2D Matrix barcode symbology.

Quiet Zone - A clear space, containing no machine-readable marks, graphics or characters (‘noise'.) which precedes the start character and follows the stop characters of a barcode symbol. Sometimes called the "Clear Area". Typically this measures at least 10 X the narrow bar width or 2.5mm (Which ever is larger) Dependent upon the scanner used additional space may be needed.

 R

RF - Radio Frequency. An electro-magnetic wave.

RFID - Radio Frequency Identification (see "Radio Frequency Tag"). See AIM document T-1, "RFID Systems".

Radio Frequency Tag - An electronic tag capable of receiving/storing and/or transmitting digital information by means of, and in response to, RF energy.

Range - In a radio frequency system, range is defined as the maximum allowable distance between the antenna and the tag.

Ratio (R) - The ratio of the widest to narrowest element ie.R=2.5:1

Read Only - Read Only identification systems employ radio frequency tags. which contain pre-programmed data.

Read Only Tag - An RF tag that is capable of being read only.

Read/Write - In a RF automatic identification system, the capability of the RF tags to have their stored data changed by an external RF signal.

Read/Write Tag - In an automatic identification system employing RF, an electronic tag capable of receiving, storing, and transmitting digital information.

Read Rate - The ratio of the number of correct readings on the first attempt divided by the number of attempts. (A high first time read rate increases the security of a code) Readability is typically 100% using photo-composed labels with a matched scanner.

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 under similar illumination conditions.

Resolution - In a barcode system, 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 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

SAW - Surface Acoustic Wave. A technology by which radio frequency signals are converted to acoustic signals and confined within a small substrate made from Lithium Niobate or other crystalline materials. SAW waves propagate at relatively low speed with reference to radio waves and, as such, a small substrate may produce relatively long time delays.

Scanner - An electronic device to read barcodes that electro-optically converts bars and spaces into electrical signals. For RF systems see "Interrogator".

SCC-14 - Shipping Container Code.

Self-checking - A barcode or symbol using a checking algorithm which can be independently applied to each character to guard against undetected errors.

Show-through - The generally undesirable property of a substrate that permits underlying markings to be seen and may adversely affect read rate.

Skew - Rotation of a barcode symbol about an axis parallel to the symbol's length.

Sniff Mode - Occurs when some radio frequency based systems are searching for a radio frequency tag. The interrogator continually emits trace amounts of radio waves until a tag is detected. Upon detection, interrogation is made at the maximum power.

Space - The lighter element of a barcode 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.

Stacked Codes - 16K and Code 49 are examples where a long symbol is broken into sections and "stacked" one upon another similar to sentences in a paragraph. Extremely compact codes.

Standard - A set of rules, specifications, instructions and directions to use a barcode or other automatic identification system to your profit Usually issued by an organisation, e.g. LOGMARS, HIBCC, U.C.C, etc.

Start Stop Character or Pattern - A special barcode character that provides the scanner with start and stop reading instructions as well as a scanning direction indicator. The start character is normally at the left-end of a horizontally oriented symbol. The stop character is normally at the right-end of a horizontally oriented symbol.

Substitution Error - A mis-encodation, mis-read, or human key entry error where a character that was to be entered, is substituted with erroneous information. Example: Correct information 1,2,3,3,4. substitution 1,2,3,4,4

Substrate - The surface on which a barcode symbol is printed.

Symbol - A combination of barcode characters including start/stop characters, quiet zones/data characters, and check characters required by a particular symbology, which form a complete, scannable entity.

Symbol Density - The number of data characters per unit length.

Symbol Length - The distance between the outside edges of the quiet zones.

 T

TAG-IT - Popular RFID chip from Texas Industries operating at 13.56MHz. to IS015693

Telepen - A European code capable of encoding the full ASCII set.

Thermal - A printing system where dots are selectively heated and cooled and drag upon a heat sensitive paper. The paper turns dark in the heated areas. See AIM document T-20, "Direct Thermal Printing".

Thermal Transfer - A printing system like thermal except a one-time ribbon is used and common paper is used as a substrate. Reduces the problems of fading or changing colour inherent in thermal.

Tilt - Rotation of a barcode symbol about an axis perpendicular to the substrate.

TTR - Thermal transfer ribbon

 U

UCC - Uniform Code Council, (see Uniform Product Code Council); the organisation which administers the U.P.C. and other retail standards.

UCS - Uniform Container Symbol,

UHF - Ultra-High Frequency. 300 to 3000 MHz.

U.P.C. - Universal Product Code - The standard barcode symbol for retail food packages in the United States.

USS - Uniform Symbol Specification. The current series of symbology specifications published by AIM.

UV - Ultra Violet. - Light source found in sunlight, which fades images printed by certain technologies.

 V

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 barcode - A code pattern presented in such orientation that the axis of the symbol from start to stop is perpendicular to the horizon. The individual bars are in an array appearing as rungs of a ladder.

Void - The undesirable absence of ink in a bar

 W

Wand Scanner - A hand held scanning device used as a contact barcode or OCR reader. (Also called pen scanner)

Wedge - A device that plugs in between a keyboard and a PC. includes a pen scanner allowing data to be entered either by keyboard or pen scanner.

WIP - Work in Progress/Process

 X

"X" Dimension - The nominal dimension of the narrow bars and spaces in a barcode symbol.

 Y

Yaw - Angle of a barcode symbol relative to the scanner