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# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 802.11 - IEEE 801.11 Standard for Wireless LAN Interoperability ADC – Automated Data Collection (Automated Data Capture). Technologies that automate the process of Data collection without the use of a keyboard, including bar code, magnetic stripes, Optical Card Reader (OCR), voice recognition, smart card or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) are referred to as ADC. These techniques provide rapid, accurate and cost-effective ways of data collection. AIAG- Automotive Industry Action Group – a trade association responsible for creating automotive industry standards pertaining to bar code symbology and common label formats. Alignment - The relative position of a scanner or light source to the target of the receiving element. Alphanumeric - Character set which contains both letters and numbers. May contain other characters such as punctuation marks or control characters. Application Identifier (AI) - A UCC/EAN prefix that defines the meaning and purpose of the data element that follows, as defined in ANSI/UCC4, UCC/EAN-128 Application Identifier Standard. Application: The utility that the label, tag or ticket will provide once the barcode, text or graphic is applied. Application Software - A system of programs running in a computer and designed to accomplish some operational task or tasks. Application Standard - Specification defining the method by which and conditions under which automatic data capture technology may be applied to a particular purpose, prescribing, for example, data formats, optical requirements and symbology-related parameters that are subsets of the range defined by relevant technical standards. AS/RS - Automatic Storage and Retrieval System. Automated system for storing and retrieving items in a warehouse. Aspect Ratio - The ratio of bar height to symbol length in a bar code. Asset Tracking - A simple bar code system that gives a company the ability to consistently locate each asset. Autodiscrimination - Functionality of bar code readers/scanners to recognize and correctly decode more than one symbology. Automatic Identification Data Collection (AIDC) - Term used to describe direct entry of data into a computer system, programmable logic controller (PLC) or other microprocessor controlled device without using a keyboard. ADC provides a quick, accurate, and cost-effective way to collect and enter data. Average Background Reflectance - Expressed as a percentage; the simple arithmetic average of the background reflectance from at least five different points on a sheet. 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 automatic identification (Auto ID) technology which encodes information into an array of patterns with varying width parallel rectangle bars and spaces. 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 data characters which can be represented in a linear unit of measure. 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 Pen (bar code scanner) - Lowest cost and most durable, these stainless steel pens come in a variety of apertures and light sensitivities so they can be used in almost any application. Must be in contact with the bar code to read. Bar Code Reader - A device used to read a bar code symbol. Bar Code Slot (bar code scanner) - Also known as a badge reader, this input device is used to scan ID badges. 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." 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. 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. " Bar Width Reduction - Reduction of the nominal bar width dimension on film masters or printing plates to compensate for printing gain. Batch Picking - Warehousing process in which goods are selected by pickers in quantities to satisfy the demand for more than one order. Goods are first picked by SKU, and later sorted by order or delivery address. 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. 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 one alphabetic or special character, two decimal digits, or eight binary bits. It is usually encoded in the ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) format. 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 Scanner - Charged Coupled Device - scans up to 200 times per second and reads from as far as 4 inches from the bar code. 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. 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. 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 full alphanumeric bar code capable of encoding all 128 ASCII characters. See ANSI/AIM X5-4 USS128 for specifications. 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. 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. 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. Code 93 - A full alphanumeric bar code capable of encoding all 128 ASCII characters. See ANSI/AIM X5-5 USS93 for specifications. 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. Concatenation - "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. Continuous Code - A bar code symbology where all spaces within the symbol are parts of characters, e.g. USS I 2/5. There is no inter character gap in a continuous code. Continuous Media – Label, tag or ticket stock media that does not contain any notches, gaps or holes between each label. Contrast - The difference in reflectance between the black and white (or bar and space) areas of a symbol. CPI - "Characters Per Inch" 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 Connect - The term direct connect actually has two meanings. To some, direct connect refers to decoded output, or the ability of the scanner to read a bar code and output data directly to the host without an external decoder. Direct connect has also been used to describe a decoded output scanner connecting to a PC or host without a keyboard. 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. DPI - Dots Per Inch. See “Resolution” Dual Interface - The ability of the scanner to connect directly to either of two different host devices and to automatically configure itself to communicate with each host. For example, a hand-held CCD may be attached to an IBM POS (Point of Sale) terminal during the day, and a portable data terminal for maintaining inventory at night. A built-in dual interface makes it easy to move a scanner between applications. EAN - European Article Numbering System, the international standard bar code for retail food packages. EAS - Electronic Article Surveillance. EDI – Electronic Data Interchange, 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. 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. EDP - Electronic Data Processing 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. 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.) Fixed Beam Scanner - Either a visible light or laser scanner reading in a fixed plane. Requires a more exact positioning of bar code than with a moving beam scanner. Flash Memory - "A memory chip that holds its content without power. The term was coined by Toshiba for the chip's ability to be erased ""in a flash"". Flash memory is used in most products as an alternative to PROMs (Programmable Read Only Memory) because flash memory can be easily updated. Flash capability allows cloning, PC Menuing and full firmware updates. " Flash memory is also referred to as Read/ Writeable RAM (Random Access Memory) or Non-volatile RAM. Flexographic printing - The process in which a pre-printed label, ticket or tag is printed by using a raised image plate surface to transfer wet ink to a printing substrate. 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. General Trade Items - Items that are not specifically made for one customer. Gloss - Characteristic of the surface which causes it to reflect light at a given angle. Guard Bars - The bars which are at both ends and centre of a UPC and EAN symbol. They provide reference points for scanning. Helium Neon Laser - A type of laser commonly used in bar code scanners. It emits coherent red light at a wavelength of 633 nm. HHLC (Hand Held Laser Compatible) - Dumb or undecoded lasers have a unique way of communicating with an external decoder. This protocol, also known as laser emulation, is used by devices such as CCD's or decoded output lasers to communicate with external decoders. 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. 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. Inter character 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 Bar Code - "A bar code 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 (I 2/5) - A number-only bar code 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. 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 IPS – Inches Per Second (print speed) Label (Pressure Sensitive) - A pressure sensitive label is a die-cut part that has been converted through the production equipment using the type of pressure sensitive material that has a protective backing. Label Thickness - The ideal range of media/ substrate thickness designed to promote optimum print quality and printer performance. Laser Scanner - An optical bar code 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 light at a frequency determined by its chemical composition. The light source commonly used in wand readers. LIC - The Labeller Identification Code (LIC) is a number assigned by the Health Industry Business Communication Council to uniquely identify a manufacturer or labeller of a product intended to be sold through the healthcare supply chain. Light Pen - a hand-held pen-like contact reader, which the user must sweep across the bar code symbol to read the code. LOGMARS - Logistics Of Marking and Reading Symbols. A Department of Defense program to place a Code 39 symbol on all federal items. For specifications see MilStd 1189. Machine-Readable - a general term for printed material which can be directly transferred to a data processing system. Magnetic Stripe Reader (scanner) - Magnetic Stripe Readers scan credit cards and debit cards with magnetic strips. Available in combinations of one to three tracks and with or without heavy mounting bases, the Magnetic Stripe Readers are not only versatile and robust, but proven performers. 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. Matrix Symbols - A two dimensional array of regular polygon shaped cells where the centre to centre 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). Media – (1) The surface material on which bar code symbol is printed, also called ‘substrate’. (2) The term which refers to the label, tag, ticket and its respective ribbon combination. MHI - The Material Handling Institute, Inc. MICR - Magnetic Ink Character Recognition. The stylized printing on the lower left of personal and bank checks. Mil - One thousandth of an inch, the unit of measure often used to quantity bar code printing and scanning dimensions. Mil-Std - Military Standard. 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." Moving Beam Bar Code Reader - A scanning device where scanning motion is achieved by mechanically moving the optical geometry. Moving Beam Scanner - A scanning device where scanning motion is achieved by mechanically moving the light beam through the bars. 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. 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. Numeric - A character set that includes only numbers. OCR - Optical Character Recognition. ODETTE - European Equivalent of AIAG. See AIAG OLTP - On-Line Transaction Processing. A class of systems that efficiently handle immediately acquired active data, such as production data, orders being processed, etc. One-dimensional Bar code – A complete bar code message is expressed in a single lines of bars, also called Linear Bar code. Omni-directional - 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. Order Lead Time - Time from a receipt of an order for a product through picking and delivery to a customer. 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. 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. Parallel Interface A link between data processing devices on which the data moves over multiple wires and more quickly that serial interface. The 8 bits (= 1 byte) are received and then processed simultaneously. A commonly used parallel interface is Centronics® (36 pin) parallel. Parcel Manifest System - Automated shipping system. 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 reflectiveness between the bars and spaces of a symbol, commonly expressed as a percent. PCS is calculated as: PCS = R1 - Rd divided by R1, where R1 is the reflectance of the light background and Rd is the reflectiveness of the dark bars. 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. Pen Scanner - A pen like device either connected 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. 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. Product/ Catalogue Number (HIBC) - Those following the HIBC Supplier Labelling Standard assign a 1 - 13 digit number to every product. 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. Put-Away - In distribution, the movement of received goods to a storage area. It can involve intermediate staging. Quality Control - Applications that use automatic identification to make sure the right material is in stock so it can be delivered for the right cost to the right user at the right time. Quiet Zone - A clear space, containing no dark marks, which precedes the start character of a symbol and follows the stop characters. 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. RAM – Random Access Memory. The main working memory of the machine. It stores programme instructions and data. Each location has a unique address, so that the computer can access the information in any location at any time (randomly). RAM can be erased, written to, read from and rewritten. Random-Location Storage - In warehouses, a storage technique in which received material is put away in any available space rather than a specific decided logical criteria. Read Rate - The ratio of the number of successful reads on the first attempt to scan to the total number of attempts. 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 - The narrowest element dimension which can be distinguished by a particular reading device or printed with a particular device or method. RFID - "Radio Frequency Identification (see ""Radio Frequency Tag""). 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"". " ROM - Read Only Memory. Permanent memory that can only be read, not written to or erased. Typically written by manufacturer and carries the software and/ or instructions that a computer needs to get started every time its switched on. RS-232 (Recommended Standard 232) - TIA/ EIA standard for serial transmission between computers and peripheral devices such as barcode scanners, modems, and mice. RS-232 uses a 25-pin DB-25 or 9-pin DB-9 connector. RS-232 is generally used for distances of 50 feet (15.24 m) or less from the host, though this distance may be extended if high quality cable is used. 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. Serial Interface A link between data processing devices on which all data moves over one wire, one bit at a time. Common serial interface communications are RS232 C, RS422 and RS485 (9 or 25 pin). 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. Smudge Resistance - Resistance of a printed surface to smearing/ smudging. Snappiness - A term used to reference the speed of the scanner. Depending on the testing method employed, snappiness may be measured by reads per minute, trigger to beep time, or trigger to output time. Various factors can affect snappiness, including ease of use (aiming), decoding software, bar code quality, and interface speed. 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. Solvent – A dissolving, thinning or reducing agent. Usually a solvent is a liquid dissolving another substance. Source Marking - The process of labelling 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. Stacked Symbol (2D Symbols) - A 2D symbol comprised of sequences of linear (width-coded) data, which are stacked, one upon another (e.g., PDF417). 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 organisation. 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 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, 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 bar code 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; 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. 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 - 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" UCC - Uniform Code Council - The organization that administers the UPC and other retail standards. 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""). " Unit-of-Use - A packaging level containing the quantity of the item that is to be administered to a patient in a healthcare facility. UPC -- 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. UPN - Universal Product Number - 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 medical/ surgical products. 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. Wand Emulation - When a wand scans a bar code, it sends a digital picture of the bar code to an external decoder. When a decoded output scanner connects to an external decoder (such as a portable data terminal), wand emulation mode is used. The decoded output scanner decodes the bar code and outputs the information as a digital picture just as if a wand had scanned the bar code. 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. WINS - Warehouse Information Network Standard. (Uniforms EDI standard used in the warehouse industry and compatible with UCS Communications Standard). WMS - Warehouse Management System - system that manages and controls one or more warehouses, often including equipment and links to a host computer. 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. | ||||||
