Barcode Glossary of Terms

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

A

Alphanumeric

The character set which contains letters, numbers and other characters like punctuation marks or control characters.

ANSI

American National Standards Institute. A non-governmental organization responsible for the development of voluntary industry standards.

Aperture

The opening in an optical system (scanner) implemented by a physical baffle 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.

ASCII or Serial Wedge

An ASCII or serial wedge is an RS-232 scanner that is connected between the ASCII terminal and a host controller. This connection is used when keyboard wedge transmission is too slow, or when the interface is not supported by the product.

ASN

Advance Ship Notice. An EDI transaction sent ahead of the shipment listing its contents and shipping information.

Aspect Ratio

the ratio of bar height to symbol length in a bar code symbol.

AS/RS

Automatic Storage and Retrieval System. Automated, robotic system for storing and retrieving items in a warehouse.

Autodiscrimination

The ability of bar code reading equipment to recognize and correctly decode more than one kind of symbol.

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B

Bar code

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

Bar Code Character

A single group of bars and spaces that 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. bar code density is often expressed in CPI or characters per inch.

Bar Code Pen

(bar code scanner) Stainless steel pens available 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. Lowest cost and most durable.

Bar Code Slot

(bar code scanner) Also known as a badge reader, this input device is used to scan ID badges.

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

A bar code symbol capable of being read successfully independent of scanning direction.

BOL

Bill of Lading transport or Document used to acknowledge receipt of goods; may also be used to serve as a contract for the cargo.

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C

Carrier

The external commercial entity responsible for transporting a shipment. Carriers may specialize in small packages, LTL (less-than-truckload), full truckloads (TL), rail, air, or sea.

CCD Scanner

Charged Coupled Device (CCD) scans up to 200 times per second and reads from as far as 4 inches from the bar code. Very durable and a compromise in price and performance between a pen and a laser.

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.

Check Character

A character included within a message whose value is used for the purpose of performing a mathematical check to ensure the accuracy of that message.

Codabar

(2 of 7 Code, Code 27) A numbers only bar code 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 bar code consisting of nine modules, three of which are wide. See ANSI/AIM X5-2 USS-39 for specifications.

Code 93

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

Code 128

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

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 intercharacter gap in a continuous code.

Cross Docking

An efficient distribution approach in which merchandise is pre-packed by the store and moved directly from the receiving dock to the shipping dock. Eliminates the need to place inventory in storage.

CRP

Continuous Replenishment Programs. Placing suppliers in charge of replenishing retailer's inventories of supplier's goods, usually yielding lower inventory investments and higher turns.

Cycle Counts

A way of physically counting/verifying inventory levels in sections of a store or DC, usually more efficiently than other methods.

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D

DC

Distribution Center.

Depth of Field

The distance between the maximum and minimum plane in which a code reader is capable of reading symbols.

Direct Connect

This term has two meanings: a) decoded output, or the ability of the scanner to read a bar code and output data directly to the host without an external decoder; or b) a decoded output scanner connecting to a PC or host without a keyboard.

Discrete Code

A bar code symbology where the spaces between characters (intercharacter gap) are not part of the code, e.g. USS-39.

Distribution Requirements Planning

Determining the inventory level needed in warehouses to meet anticipated customer demand over time. It is used for inventory management and as a feed for MRP.

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.

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.

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E

EAN

European Article Numbering System, the international standard bar code for retail food packages.

EAS

Electronic Article Surveillance.

Electrostatic

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

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F

Film Master

A photographic film representation of a specific bar code or OCR symbol from which a printing plate is produced.

First Read Rate

See "Read Rate".

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. Flash memory is used by Welch Allyn 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.

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G

Guard Bars

The bars which are at both ends and center of a UPC and EAN symbol. They provide reference points for scanning.

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H

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.

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I

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.

Intercharacter Gap

The space between two adjacent bar code characters in a discrete code. For example, the space between two characters in USS-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.

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L

Laser Scanner

An optical bar code reading device using a low energy laser light beam as its source of illumination. Often hand held.

Logmars

Logistics of marking and reading symbols. Department of Defense program to place a Code 39 symbol on all federal items. For specifications see MilStd 1189.

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M

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.

MICR

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition. The stylized printing on the lower left of personal and bank checks.

Mil-Std

Military Standard.

Misread

A condition that occurs when the data output of a reader does not agree with the data encoded in the bar code symbol.

Moving Beam Scanner

A scanning device where scanning motion is achieved by mechanically moving the light beam through the bars.

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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.

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O

OCR-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

An abbreviation commonly applied to the character set contained in ANSI Std. X3.49-1975. (ISO 1073 Part ll).

OLTP

On-Line Transaction Processing. A class of systems that efficiently handle immediately acquired active data, such as production data, orders being processed, etc.

Order Lead Time

Time from a receipt of an order for a product through picking and delivery to a customer.

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P

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.

Pen Scanner

Used to read bar codes. Requires direct contact with the symbol.

Put-Away

A distribution term for the movement of received goods to a storage area. It can involve intermediate staging.

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Q

Quiet Zone

Also called the "Clear Area". A clear space, containing no machine readable marks, which precedes the start character of a bar code symbol and follows the stop characters.

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R

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 responding to) RF energy.

Random-Location Storage

A warehouse storage technique where 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.

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.

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S

Self-checking

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

ASCII or Serial Wedge

An ASCII or serial wedge is an RS-232 scanner that is connected between the ASCII terminal and a host controller. This connection is used when keyboard wedge transmission is too slow, or when the interface is not supported by the product.

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.

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.

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.

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T

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. Eliminates the problems of fading or changing color inherent in thermal.

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U

UPC

Universal Product Code. The standard bar code symbol for retail food packages in the United States.

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V

Vertical Bar Code

A code pattern where the individual bars are in an array appearing as rungs of a ladder (the axis of the symbol from start to stop is perpendicular to the horizon).

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W

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.

Wave Picking

A method of picking goods in a distribution center in a series of waves, generally to minimize the waiting time or reduce distribution center traffic.

Wedge

Any device inserted between the keyboard and the terminal that translates digital signals into keyboard codes. Includes a pen scanner allowing data to be entered either by keyboard or pen scanner. In a keyboard wedge application, the data resulting from the scanning of a bar code symbol is treated by the PC or terminal as if it originated from the keyboard, while the keyboard itself remains fully functional. Because the terminal or PC cannot differentiate between bar coded data and actual keyboard data, a keyboard wedge interface allows bar code reading capability to be rapidly added to an existing computer without changing the application software.

WINS

Warehouse Information Network Standard. (Uniforms EDI standard used in the warehouse industry and compatible with UCS Communications Standard).

WMS

Warehouse Management System (also called DC/WMS automated). Management information system that manages and controls equipment and links to host computer.

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X

"X" Dimension

The nominal dimension of the narrow bars and spaces in a bar code symbol.

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