Glossary

1D Barcode	See Linear Barcode

2D Barcode	It is a square or rectangular pattern of squares, blocks, and lines that represent alphanumeric data. It can encode much more information than a linear barcode.

2D Scanner	Also called an Area Imager; it is a barcode scanner that reads linear and 2D barcodes by capturing an image.

AIAG	Acronym for Automotive Industry Action Group; it is a non-profit organization that sets global supply chain standards and business practices in the automotive industry. See www.aiag.org for more information.

AIM	Acronym for Automatic Identification and Mobility; it is an international trade association for manufacturers and suppliers of barcode and automated data collection products. It sets industry standards and promotes emerging technologies. See www.aimglobal.org for more information.

ANSI	Acronym for American National Standards Institute; it is a non-profit organization that sets standards and guidelines, such as ISO 9000 and ISO 14000, to improve American businesses. See www.ansi.org for more information.

Area Imager	See 2D Scanner.

ASCII	Acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange; it is a character set used by computers, communications equipment, and other technology that uses text.

Aspect Ratio	The ratio of a barcode�s height to its length.

Autodiscrimination	The ability of a barcode scanner to automatically distinguish between different barcode symbologies and decode their data.

Aztec	A 2D barcode symbology that can encode up to 1914 bytes of data. A distinguishing characteristic is that it does not require a quiet zone around it. It was invented by Welch Allyn

Barcode	A graphical representation of numbers and letters.

Barcode Printer	A printer that prints barcode labels on demand using thermal printing technology.

Barcode Scanner	An electronic device for decoding and capturing the information encoded in barcodes.

Bar Length	The distance measured between the top edge of a barcode and the bottom edge.

Bar Width	The distance measured between the left edge of a barcode and the right edge.

CCD	Acronym for Charged Coupled Device. Also see Linear Imager.

Check Digit	A character added within a barcode, usually at the end, that is used for error detection by the barcode scanner.

Codabar	A variable-length linear barcode symbology that encodes numbers. Some variants can encode a few symbols. Alpha characters are used as start and stop characters but do not show in the data when scanned. It was invented by Pitney Bowesd in 1972.

Code 39	A variable-length linear barcode symbology that can encode letters and numbers. It was invented by Intermec in the 1970’s.

Code 128	A variable-length linear barcode symbology that can encode all 128 characters in the ASCII set.

Coercivity	A scientific term used to define the magnetic field strength required to affect the magnetic stripe on credit cards and ID cards. It determines how difficult it is to encode data in a magnetic stripe.

CPS	Acronym for Characters per Second; it is used to measure print speed in receipt printers.

Data Matrix	A 2D barcode symbology that can encode up to 2335 characters.

Decoder	The component that interprets the information encoded in a barcode and sends the data to the host computer. It can be an external piece of hardware or an internal piece of the barcode scanner.

Density	The term used to describe how compact a barcode is. It is determined by the size in mils of the barcode�s X dimension.

Depth of Field	The distance range in which a barcode scanner can read barcodes.

Direct Thermal	A printing technology that uses special heat-sensitive labels which come in direct contact with the barcode printer�s print head. The print head�s heat creates the printed image.

DPI	Acronym for Dots per inch; it is used in reference to a barcode printer�s print resolution.

EAN	Acronym for European Article Number; it is a linear barcode that encodes a retail product�s GTIN (Global Trade Item Number).

Face Stock or Facestock	The printable part of a pressure-sensitive label.

First Read Rate	The percentage of time a barcode will be read with the first scan.

GS1 DataBar	A family of barcode symbologies that includes linear and stacked barcodes. It is used to encode a retail product�s GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) as well as GS1 Application Identifiers.

GS1 US	The American branch of GS1, an international non-profit association that creates global supply chain standards. It designates GS1 Company Prefixes to American companies.

GTIN	Acronym for Global Trade Item Number; it is a unique number assigned to each retail product by GS1.

GUI	Acronym for Graphical User Interface; it refers to the look and feel of a software program from the user�s perspective.

HIBC	Acronym for Health Industry Bar Code; it is a globally-recognized healthcare industry standard created by HIBCC (Health Industry Business Communications Council). See www.hibcc.org for more information.

HF RFID	Acronym for High Frequency Radio Frequency Identification; it is a version of RFID technology that uses a high radio frequency of 13.56MHz.

Human Readable	The data encoded in a barcode printed underneath so that a person can read it.

Infrared Laser Diode	The barcode scanning technology that uses an invisible light beam to read infrared barcodes that are invisible to the human eye. Infrared barcodes are more secure since they cannot be copied easily.

Intelligent Mail Barcode	Also called IM Barcode, it is a fixed-length linear barcode used by the US Postal Service for domestic mail. It is replacing POSTNET in 2011 because it can hold more information.

Interleaved 2 of 5	Also called I25 and I2of5, it is a variable-length linear barcode symbology that can encode an even amount of numbers only. It was invented by Intermec in 1972.

IP Rating	Classifies the amount of protection a device has against the intrusion of water and solid objects, like wires, dirt, and dust. The first number designates the sealing against solids and the second designates the sealing against water.

IPS	Acronym for Inches per Second; it is used to define a barcode printer�s print speed.

Keyboard Wedge Communication	See PS/2.

Laser Scanner	A barcode scanner that uses a laser line to read barcodes.

LCD	Acronym for Liquid Crystal Display; it is used for the display screens on mobile computers, barcode printers, computer monitors, and other devices.

LED	Acronym for Light Emitting Diode; it is used for the status lights on many different types of technology devices.

Linear Barcode	Also called a 1D barcode; it is a sequence of vertical black lines and white spaces that symbolizes alphanumeric data.

Linear Imager	Also called a CCD scanner; this is a barcode scanner that captures an image of the barcode to decode it.

LF RFID	Acronym for Low Frequency Radio Frequency Identification; it is a type of RFID technology that uses low frequencies like 125 and 134.2kHz.

MaxiCode	A 2D barcode symbology that can encode up to 93 characters. Up to 8 barcodes can be strung together when more data is needed to be encoded. It was invented by UPS in 1992.

MICR	Acronym for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition; it is a technology for automatically reading and authenticating the account information on the bottom of bank checks.

Mil	1/1000th (0.001�) of an inch or approximately 0.0254 millimeters. A barcode�s density is measured in mils (i.e. 5 mils).

Misread	The result when the data encoded in the barcode does not match the data the barcode scanner returns.

MSI Plessey	Also called Modified Plessey Code; it is a variable-length linear barcode symbology that can encode numbers only. It was invented by MSI Data Corporation.

Mobile Computer	Also called a Portable Data Terminal (PDT) and a Portable Data Collector, it is a hand-held terminal used for mobile data collection.

Multi-line Scanner	See Omnidirectional Scanner.

OCR	Acronym for Optical Character Recognition. It is a technology for the automated recognition of special fonts called OCR-A and OCR-B. The technology might also recognize other certain fonts printed in brochures, magazines, and newspapers. It is also referred to as Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR).

OD	Acronym for Outer Diameter; it is the measure of the diameter of a full roll of barcode labels.

Omnidirectional Scanner	Also called a multi-line scanner or a retail scanner, it is a barcode scanner that has many laser scan lines each orientated in different directions so it can capture a barcode regardless of its orientation.

PDF417	A 2D barcode symbology that can encode up to 1850 characters. It was invented by Symbol Technologies.

PDT	Acronym for Portable Data Terminal. See Mobile Computer.

POSTNET	Acronym for Postal Numeric Encoding Technique. It is a variable-length linear barcode that encodes numbers only. It is used by the US Postal Service to encode an addressee�s ZIP code information on letter mail. It has been used since 1982, but is being replaced with the Intelligent Mail Barcode in 2011.

Print Head, or Printhead	The part of a barcode printer that creates the printed image on the barcode label by using heat.

PS/2	Also called Keyboard Wedge Communication, it is a 6-pin Mini-DIN connector on a PC often used for keyboards and mice. Barcode scanners with this interface can either plug directly into the PS/2 port or use a Y-cable and plug one end into keyboard cable and the other end in the PC.

Quite Zone	The area on either side of a barcode that is required to be left blank for good readability.

QR Code	Acronym for Quick Response Code; it is a 2D barcode symbology used mainly for marketing. It was created by Denso Wave and released in 1994.

Retail Scanner	See Omnidirectional Scanner

Real-time	A term used to refer to wireless communication that can access and update a database immediately.

RF	Acronym for Radio Frequency; it refers to a wireless communication technology that has real-time access to a host system. Also called WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), it uses 802.11 communication standards.

RFID	Acronym for Radio Frequency Identification; it is a data collection technology that uses radio waves to send and receive data.

Ribbon	A supply item used with barcode printers when printing in thermal transfer mode. The ribbon carries ink that is transferred to a barcode label by the print head�s heat.

RS232 or RS-232	Also called Serial Communication; it is the method of sending data one bit at a time in a series.

Serial Communication	See RS232.

Start-Stop Character	The characters at the very beginning and end of the barcode number. They give the scanner start and stop reading instructions and a direction to scan.

Substrate	The surface on which a barcode is printed.

Symbology	A universally accepted barcode language with a unique encoding structure.

Thermal Transfer	A printing technology that uses the heat of the barcode printer�s print head to transfer ink from a ribbon to the label.

UCC	Acronym for Universal Code Council; it is now called GS1 US. It is the branch of GS1 that assigns GS1 Company Prefixes to American companies.

UHF RFID	Acronym for Ultra High Frequency Radio Frequency Identification; it is a type of RFID technology that uses very high radio frequencies ranging from 433MHz to 960MHz.

UID	Acronym for Unique Identifier; it is a system used by the US Department of Defense for asset tracking.

UPC	Acronym for Universal Product Code; it is a linear barcode that encodes a retail product�s GTIN (Global Trade Item Number).

USB	Acronym for Universal Serial Bus; it is a standard connection for computer peripherals to communicate and supply power.

Verifier	A device that measures the overall print quality of a barcode against a set of industry standards and gives it a grade.

Wand	A barcode scanner that is shaped like a wand or pen. It must come in contact with a barcode and be swiped across it at a consistent angle and rate of speed.

WYSIWYG	Acronym for "What You See Is What You Get", it describes design software that prints out exactly what is seen on the computer monitor.

X Dimension	The narrowest bar in a barcode. It is used to determine the barcode�s density.