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Cross-Check Systems
Auto-ID Terminology
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
Accuracy
The determination of whether any element width or inter-character gap width (if applicable) differs from its nominal width by more than the printing tolerance.
ADC
Automated Data Collection or Automated Data Capture – refers to all technologies that automate the process of data collection without the use of a keyboard, including bar code, magnetic stripe, (OCR) optical card reader, voice recognition, smartcard or (RFID) radio frequency identification. ADC provides a quick, accurate and cost effective way to collect and enter data.
Adhesive
1) A substance (cement, glue, gum) capable of holding materials together by surface contact. 2) The portion of a pressure sensitive label which allows the label to cling to its intended surface.
AIAG
Automotive Industry Action Group – a trade association responsible for creating automotive industry standards pertaining to barcode symbology and common label formats.
AIM
Automatic Identification Manufacturers, Inc. – a U.S. trade association headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA who represent the manufacturers of automatic identification systems.
Alignment
In an automatic identification system (Auto ID), the relative position and orientation of a scanner to the symbol.
Alphanumeric
A character set consisting of letters, numbers and usually other character such as special symbols.
ANSI
American National Standards Institute – a non-governmental organization responsible for the development of voluntary barcode, quality standards. Barcode printing standards and the readability of barcode symbols are determined and classified into grades from A to F, in order to provide an overall symbol quality test.
Aperture
The opening on an optical system (scanner) that establishes the field of view.
Application
The particular use the label, tag or ticket will serve once the barcode, text, or graphic image is applied.
ABC Symbol — The American Blood Commission (ABC) developed this symbol as a bar code standard for automated systems in the blood service community. The particular symbology used for the ABC symbol is Codabar.
ANSI — American National Standards Institute has served in its capacity as administrator and coordinator of the United States private sector voluntary standardization system for 78 years. Founded in 1918 by five engineering societies and three government agencies, the Institute remains a private, non-profit membership organization supported by a diverse constituency of private and public sector organizations. For more information access http://www.ansi.org/.
Aperture Size — The dimension of the opening through which the scanning beam passes. Normally used in conjunction with a wand (pen) type barcode-scanning device. The aperture size will determine the barcode density, which may be read with the scanning device.
ASCII — The character set and code described in American National Standard Code for Information Interchange between data processing systems, communication systems and associated equipment. The ASCII set consists of both control and printing characters.
Aspect Ratio — The numeric ratio of the bar's height to the symbol's length.
B
Back coating
Used on a thermal transfer ribbon to prevent the ribbon from sticking to the printhead and to the substrate (media/label material). It also protects the printhead from excessive heat, static, and abrasion.
Background
The spaces, quiet zones, and areas surrounding a printed symbol.
Bar
The darker element of a printed barcode symbol.
Barcode
A barcode is a piece of Automatic Identification Technology (Auto ID) that stores real time data. It is a series of vertical bars or a graphical bar pattern which can, (depending on the width and pattern) encode numbers and letters in a format which can easily be retrieved and interpreted by a barcode reader.
Bar code Character
A single group of bars and stripes that represents a specific quantity (often one) of numbers, letters, punctuation marks, or other symbols. This is the smallest subset of a barcode symbol that contains data.
Barcode Density
The number of characters that can be represented in a linear unit of measure. This number is often expressed in characters per inch or cpi.
Bar Height/Length
The bar dimension perpendicular to the bar width. Also called bar height. Scanning is performed in an axis perpendicular to the bar length.
Bar Width
The thickness of a bar measured from the edge closest to the symbol start character to the trailing edge of the same bar.
Bi-Directional
Barcode symbology capable of being read successfully independent of scanning direction.
Binary
A numbering system that uses only 1’s and 0’s.
Bit
An abbreviation for binary digit. A single element (0 or 1) in a binary number.
Bitmapped FFont
Refers to the inherent character and font sets found within a thermal printer and their respective ability to be adjusted and “shrunk to fit”. Bitmapped fonts are commonly available in limited point sizes – ex – 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 18 point – whose edges can become distorted or rough with manipulation outside the prescribed point size ranges.
Background — The area surrounding a printed symbol, including the spaces and quiet zones. Also referred to as the Substrate.
Barcode Character — A group of bars and spaces that represent an individual character (alpha, numeric or other ASCII character).
Barcode Density — A measure of the number of characters which may be printed per lineal inch. This measure normally does not include the space required for the "Quiet Zone".
Bearer Bars — A minimum of two parallel bars running the length of the top and bottom edge of a barcode. Bearer bars, if used, reduce the probability of a misread when a skewed scanning beam enters and/or leaves the symbol through the top or bottom.
Bi-Directional — Characteristic of most barcode symbologies which permits scanning of the barcode symbol in either the left-to-right or right-to-left direction.
Barcodes are fast. - Speeding both data entry and data collection, they allow instantaneous, real-time data capture and exchange. Barcodes are also accurate. Studies show that the entry and read error rates when using barcode technology is approximately one error in one million characters, vs. one error per every 300 characters using manual key entry.
C
Character
(1) A single group of bars and spaces that represents a specific number (usually one) of numbers, letters, punctuation marks, or other symbols. (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 set of reference lines.
Character Density
Within a linear bar code symbol, the number of data characters per unit length (typically per inch). For a discrete symbology, the character width must include the inter character gap.
Character Font
Refers to the range and variety of data characters available within a given thermal printer model – Ex – 7 Bitmapped fonts type A,B,C,D,E,F and 1 Scaleable font.
Character Set
A range of data characters (alpha, numeric, and/or punctuation) that can be encoded into any given symbology. (2) Refers to the international characters and graphic symbols available within a given thermal printer model – Ex – IBM® Code Page 850.
Check Character/Digit
A mechanically calculated number included within a string of data whose value is used for the purpose of performing a mathematical check to insure that the barcode message is scanned and read correctly. (CISC) Processor Complex Instruction Set Computer Processor - the x86 and Pentium families use CISC processors that process complex instructions requiring less instructions per operation resulting in faster performance. The performance efficiency of a RISC processor can sometimes, however, be effected by the software installed in the machine as newer, more complex software versions contain more instructions that the processor needs to process.
Code 11
is a barcode symbology developed by Intermec. It uses 11 characters: 0 through 9 and -.
Code 128
Code 128 is an alphanumeric bar code specifically designed to reduce the amount of space the barcode occupies. Each printed character can have one of three different meanings, depending on which of three different character sets are employed. Code 128 can be recognized as the labeling standard for UCC/EAN 128, used as product identification for container and pallet levels of retail markets.
Example of a Code 128 Bar code
Code 16K
This symbol is a stack of from 2 to 16 rows.
Code 39
is the most commonly used barcode. It can encode both numbers and letters which is ideal for most industrial and non retail applications. The Automotive industry uses Code 39 as its standard for shipping container labels. If you are just starting out a bar code application of your own, we recommend using Code 39.
Example of a Code 39 Barcode
Code 49
was introduced in 1987 by the Intermec Corporation as a multi row, continuous, variable length symbology and was the first stacked (two dimensional) barcode to receive widespread interest.
Code 93
Code 93 is the complimentary version of Code 39 and allows labels to be approximately 30 percent shorter than Code 39.
Example of a Code 93 Bar code
Codabar
a barcode symbology that uses four bars and three spaces to represent the numbers 0 through 9 and a set of special characters
Concatenation
The ability of a reading system to join together that data from multiple symbologies and interpret the information in a single message.
Continuous Barcode
The end of each character in the barcode message marks the beginning of the next character; there are no intercharacter gaps to separate the characters in the barcode message. Ex – Interleaved 2 of 5 code.
Continuous Media
Label, ticket or tag stock media that does not contain any notches, gaps or holes between each label. The label length must be specified in the label program.
Contrast
The difference in reflectance between the black and white (or bar and space) areas of a symbol.
Character Set — The set of characters permitted within a particular barcode symbology type.
Check Character — A character used to check the integrity of the preceding barcode symbol. A check character is normally found at the end of the data encoded within the barcode.
Clear Area — The area which precedes the first printed bar of the start character, and follows the last printed bar of the stop character. This area should be free from any printing, and should be of the same color and reflectance as the background of barcode symbol. The clear area should be ten times the width of the narrowest element in the bar code, or 0.25 inch minimum. Clear Area is also known as Quiet Zone.
Code 39 — An alphanumeric bar code that can encode decimal numbers, the upper case alphabet, and the following special symbols: _ . * $ / % + Also see Extended Code 39.
Codabar — A01234B.
Codabar is a discrete, numeric code with special characters and four different start/stop characters. Allowable data characters are (0 - 9), special characters (- $ : / . + ), and start-stop characters ( A, B, C, D ).
Code 128 is a continuous, multilevel, full ASCII code. There are three types of code 128 encoding. Type A provides the character set of all upper case alphanumeric characters plus all of the ASCII control characters. Type B provides the character set of all upper and lower case alphanumeric characters. Type C provides increased density for numeric encoding with double density numeric characters for all number pairs from 00 to 99.
Code 11 — A numeric, high-density code.
Code 93 — A continuous, multilevel, full ASCII bar code.
Color Scheme — Scanners read barcodes by using red light to recognize the contrast between the bars and spaces of the symbol. Colors that will scan effectively need to be chosen. Black bars against a white background are the safest choice, but other combinations will also work. Quiet Zone: The margins around the barcodes are vital, they enable the scanner to identify the beginning and the end of the barcode.
D
DDRAM
Dynamic Random Access Memory – is one type of chip used in Random Access Memory. It stores information as an electrical charge. Because this charge dissipates over time, the computing device must periodically run a “refresh cycle” on the chips to recharge them – hence “dynamic”. As it is a type of RAM, it will lose its information when the device into which it is installed is turned off. Typically, the time required to access information with a DRAM scheme is greater than with SRAM. SRAM chips can also not be substituted for DRAM chips; the machine (e.g. printer) must have been designed to use SRAM.
DPI
Dots Per Inch (refer to Resolution)
Data Communications Equipment
(DCE) Devices designed to manipulate transmitted data, such as modem.
Data Terminal Equipment
(DTE) A digital device such as a display terminal, data entry terminal, or printer which may be used to view or enter data. This device has a different communication connector pinout than DCE (see DCE).
Decoder
In a barcode reading system, the electronic package that receives signals from the scanner, performs the algorithm to interpret the signals into meaningful data, and provides the interface to other devices.
Density
See Character Density for details.
Depth of Field (DOF)
The distance between the maximum and minimum plane in which a code reader is capable of reading symbols of a specified “X” dimension.
Diffuse Reflection
The component of reflected light that emanates in all directions from the reflecting surface.
Direct Thermal Print
(DT) Direct thermal printing is an old technology originally designed for low cost copiers and fax machines. It has since been transformed into a highly successful technology for barcoding. The thermal printhead is typically a long linear array of tiny resistive heating elements (100-300/inch) arranged perpendicular to the paper flow. Each thermal printhead element locally heats an area on the chemically coated paper directly under the print element. This induces a chemical reaction which causes a dot to form in that area. The image is formed by building it from dot rows as the media passes underneath the active edge of the printhead. Direct thermal printing is an excellent choice for many barcode labeling applications. DT printers provide simplicity and environmental economy (recyclable materials are also available). Direct thermal printers are simple to operate compared to most other print technologies - with no ribbons or toners to replenish - label loading is a very simple procedure. Enables batch or single label print capability with virtually no waste.
Example - DT Print Quality
Discrete Barcode
Each character of the barcode message stands alone, separated by intercharacter gaps, and can be read independently from the others.
Dot Matrix Printing
A print technology that employs several needles, which are evenly spaced across a moveable horizontal shuttle which oscillates back and forth as the paper advances. Dot matrix printers print a barcode by creating overlapping adjacent dots to produce approximations of a straight edge line. Prints low to medium density barcodes that may not meet certain end-user guidelines. The dot size on the matrix printer limits the narrow element size and density of the barcode. Continuous ribbon re-use on dot matrix printers requires continuous monitoring of ribbon condition to ensure adequate barcode contrast - Ribbon ink that has become exhausted can produce an image that is inadequate for scanning. Ink saturated ribbon can result in paper “bleed” which can cause image distortion. Dot matrix printers are modified line printers that are most frequently used for printing batches of large labels with low density bar codes. Printing of single, individualized labels results in significant waste - The design of the matrix printer’s print carriage, sitting far below the media, also does not enable one to adequately maximize one’s label space.
Example - Dot Matrix Print Quality
Data Identifier — A character (or set of characters) that uniquely defines the specific use of the data encoded in the bar code symbol following the data identifier. Also known as a Flag Character.
Decoder — An electronic device which translates the electrical signals from a scanner into computer compatible data. The decoder performs checks on the electronic signal to validate it, and processes the signal through a decode algorithm designed to detect errors in the signal. The output of the decoder may drive a keyboard input to a terminal (see Keyboard Wedge Decoder) or may interface with a communications port on a computer (see Serial Decoder).
Demand Printer — A printer capable of creating individual documents one at a time, as needed.
Dot Size (Printer) — The size of the printed dot on a substrate in a matrix or line to form characters. Minimum dot size is determined by the size of the thermal element of the print head being used by the thermal printer. Dot size determines the X dimension. The X dimension is always a simple multiple of the dot size.
Dot Size (Scanner) — The diameter of the beam of light projected by the scanner used to read a barcode symbol. The scanner dot size should be no larger than the X dimension of the bar code symbol.
Dot Matrix - Dot matrix print technology is one of the oldest techniques used for on-site label printing. The typical dot matrix barcode printer is a modified line printer requiring pin-feed paper stock. Solenoid-driven needles strike an ink-coated nylon ribbon, transferring ink onto the paper or label. The image is built up dot-by-dot in a matrix as the needle and paper are moved relative to one another.
Direct Thermal Printing - Direct thermal printing is an old technology, originally designed for copiers and fax machines, that utilizes chemically coated paper. It has since been transformed into a highly successful technology for barcoding. The direct thermal printhead consists of a long, linear array of tiny resistive heating elements (about 100 to 300 per inch) that are arranged perpendicular to the paper flow. Each print head element locally heats an area directly below it on the chemically coated paper. This produces a chemical reaction that causes a black dot to form in that area. The image is built by rows of dots that are formed as the media passes beneath the active edge of the print head.
E
EE3 - Element Energy Equalizer –
Zebra’s sophisticated method of ensuring that the correct amount of heat is delivered to each part of a printhead at all print speeds in order to optimize the quality of the barcodes that are produced.
EAN
or the European Article Number is the European version of the UPC (Uniform Product Code) bar code of retail food packaging that enables this linear bar code to be used internationally. Like the U.S. equivalent UPC code, there are two different types of EAN codes, EAN 8 and EAN 13.
EAN-13
has 13 characters or symbols. It is very much like the UPC code and has the 13th character as a means of identifying in what country the product will be used.
Example of a EAN-13 Bar code
EAN-8
has a left-hand guard pattern, four odd parity digits, a center guard pattern, four even parity digits, and a right hand guard pattern with a total of eight symbols.
Example of a EAN - 8 Bar code
EBCDIC
Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code which was developed by IBM and is used extensively in systems featuring IBM processors. Each character is represented by a six bit structure with the capability of generating 64 combinations.
Edge Roughness
Irregularities in the printing of barcode elements, resulting in a non-uniform edge and edge errors.
EDP
Electronic Data Processing the act of processing information electronically.
EDI - Electronic Data Interchange
A method by which data is/are electronically transmitted from one point to another.
EIA
Electronic Industries Association – a trade association.
Electrostatic
A method of printing that utilizes a special electrostatic paper or charged drum, both of which attract toner to the charged area.
Element
A single bar or space in a barcode symbol.
EPROM
The abbreviation for erasable programmable Read Only Memory – (See ROM).
ERP
Enterprise Resource Planning – is a term used to describe a new wave of integration system software capabilities designed to link a company’s respective operations - including human resources, financials, manufacturing, and distribution – with their customers and suppliers.
EAN is an association which manages a world-wide system that allows the identification and communication of products, services, utilities, transport units and locations. It develops and maintains coding standards for all users, and has the aim of developing a global standard with the objective of providing a common language for international trade.
EAN International is a voluntary, not for profit International standards association, established to meet the communication needs of its users. EAN International was founded in 1977, as a result of the initiative of European manufacturers and distributors and has expanded to cover the world. The organization has a membership of 79 Numbering Organizations covering 86 countries. The EAN/UCC system is used by more than 600, 000 companies world-wide. For more information access http://www.ean.be/.
EAN Bar Code (European Article Number) — The international standard or system for applying unique article numbers and bar codes to products. The EAN bar code is a numeric only code, generally encoding 13 digits (known as EAN-13), though in specific circumstances shorter codes (EAN-8) and supplementary codes are used. The North American equivalent (now technically a subset of the EAN system) is the Universal Product Code (UPC).
Extended Code 39 — The full 128 character ASCII character set can be encoded by pairing Code 39 characters. Enabling Extended Code 39 causes the following characters to be output for each character pair.
F
Facestock
The part of the substrate (media) where printing occurs.
Face Material
See Facestock.
FACT
Federation of Automated Coding Technology A bureau of AIM consisting of organizations that use and promote automatic identification among their members.
First Read Rate (FRR)
The ratio of the number of successful reads on the first scanning attempt to the number of attempts. Commonly expressed as a percentage and abbreviated as FRR.
Fixed Ratio
The ratio between the width of the bars in the code is a fixed standard and cannot be changed.
Flood Coat
A thin coating of ink applied to the top of printing screen by the flood bard or, in manual operations, by the squeegee prior to printing the stroke.
Foil
A cloth or plastic tape coated with several layers of material, on 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 a ribbon.
Flash Memory
Read/Writeable RAM (a.k.a. Non - Volatile RAM) This is a type of Random Access Memory chip that does not lose its contents when its power is turned off; however, it can be intentionally written to, read from, and intentionally erased. It is a type of RAM and, hence, interacts with the computer or processor as described under “RAM” except that it does not lose its contents when power is removed. The advantage of flash is best understood by example: A program or set of data could be stored into a computer or other machine at the place where the product is built. Of course, since flash won’t lose its contents even when it’s receiving no power, the product could be kept on the shelf with its memory loaded for a period of time before it’s put into service. While the product is in use, its flash chips cannot be accidentally reprogrammed, so the data or program that was stored in the product remains safely intact. At some point in the future, however, if the manufacturer of the product decided that there was a need to alter the data or the program, this could be done. The manufacturer would send to its customers a computer file containing the updated information. Along with the revised data or program would be a program for the product to use to erase the old data or program and read in the new.
Flexographic Printing
The process whereby a pre printed label, tag or ticket is printed by using a raised image plate surface to transfer wet ink to a printing substrate.
FACT (Federation of Automated Coding Technology) — A bureau of AIM consisting of organizations that use and promote automatic identification among their members.
Flat Bed Scanner — A fixed scanner (used at supermarket checkouts) which can read bar code symbols at any angle in a plane parallel to or near parallel to the scanner window. Flat bed scanners are typically capable of reading barcode symbols from many different orientations. The term "Omni-Directional" scanning is referred to with this type of scanner.
G
Gloss
Characteristic of the surface which causes it to reflect light at a given angle.
Guard Bars
Bars that are at both ends and center of a UPC and EAN symbol which provide reference points for scanning. Guard bars are similar in function to start and stop characters.
Guard Bars — The auxiliary characters at both ends and center of EAN and UPC barcode symbols which provide reference points for scanning. In most cases the bars of these auxiliary characters are elongated. The guard bar function as start/stop characters; for omni-directional scanning the center guard bar (where present) acts as a stop character and the outer guard bars act as two separate start characters. There are no center guard bars on UPC-E symbols (and other less common architectures).
H
Hand Held Scanner
A hand held scanning device used as a contact barcode reader or OCR (optical code) reader.
Heat Resistance
The property of a material, which inhibits the occurrence of physical or chemical changes caused by exposure to high temperatures.
HIBCC
Abbreviation for the Health Industry Business Communications Council – a trade association responsible for the symbology and label format used by the health care industry.
High Density
This barcode type has narrow spaces and bars with an “X” dimension that is less than 7.5 mils.
Holding Power
The ability to withstand stress, as in holding rigid label materials on smaller diameter cylindrical objects or in holding weight.
Horizontal Barcode
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 that looks like a picket fence.
Human - Readable
The interpretation of barcode data, often printed immediately below the bar code in a readable format to humans.
High Density
This barcode type has narrow spaces and bars with an “X” dimension that is less than 7.5 mils.
Holding Power
The ability to withstand stress, as in holding rigid label materials on smaller diameter cylindrical objects or in holding weight.
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 that looks like a picket fence.
Human - Readable
The interpretation of barcode data, often printed immediately below the bar code in a readable format to humans.
Human Readable — The text equivalent of the encoded information within the barcode symbol, normally printed below or above the barcode symbol, for convenience or confirmation of encoded data by humans.
I
IEEE
Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers – a trade association. Impact Printing - or dot matrix
Any printing system where a micro - processorcontrolled hammer impacts against a ribbon and a substrate (label media). Industry Standards - were created to encourage consistency across specific industries. Some of the more common standards are from the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), Electronic Industry Association (EIA), the Health Care Industry Barcode (HCIB) and the UCC Retail Pallet Format.
Ink Jet Printing
Common direct marking process and a favorite on high-speed production lines. Ink droplets are selectively deflected between a moving product and an ink return channel. Ink jet printing is frequently used for coding products and cartons with human readable data and lot codes at very high speed and for case coding of cartons with barcodes on corrugated boxes are intentionally made large so that dot placement accuracy becomes less critical. Thus, using more ink and creating questionable print quality and usefulness for bar coding.
Ink Layer
The bottom layer of a thermal transfer ribbon of a thermal ribbon, which is composed of waxes, resins or a combination of both.
Interlabel Gap
The space, notch or hole between labels used by the media sensor on the printer to determine the label length and top of form.
Interleaved 2 of 5
Interleaved 2 of 5 is a linear symbology that is most often used for encoding large amounts of information in a small area. Characters are paired together using bars to represent the first character and spaces to represent the second. Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode applications are mainly seen in the electronics and manufacturing areas.
Example of a Interleaved 2 of 5 Bar code IrDa
Infrared Data Association –
a trade association; (2) A scanning technology that utilizes electromagnetic radiation wavelengths longer than those of visible light and shorter than those of microwaves.
Inventory Control
Applications where barcoding and other forms of AIDC are used to add or delete items from inventory with 100% accuracy. IPS Inches Per Second (refer to Print Speed)
Interleaved 2 of 5 code is a numeric only bar code. Due to the interleaving of the characters, the number of characters in an Interleaved 2 of 5 message must be even. The check character, if used, must be included in the character count Especially adapted to the poor quality of packaging materials frequently used for trade items (corrugated cardboard), it is designed to be read by a fixed or portable bi-directional scanner.
Inter-Character Space — The space between two adjacent barcode characters in a discrete code. Also called the Inter-Character Gap.
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) — is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies from some 100 countries, one from each country. ISO is a non-governmental organization established in 1947. The mission of ISO is to promote the development of standardization and related activities in the world with a view to facilitating the international exchange of goods and services, and to developing cooperation in the spheres of intellectual, scientific, technological and economic activity. For more information access http://www.iso.ch/.
L
Label , Pressure Sensitive
A pressure sensitive label product 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. The end product is produced in the form of rolls, sheets, fanfold or by other techniques that produce like products which have been slit or cut from the converted roll.
Label, Transparent
A pressure sensitive label whose face material, adhesive and protective coatings transmit light so that objects can be seen through it. Label Thickness - denotes the ideal range of media / substrate thickness designed to promote optimum print quality and printer performance. Ladder Orientation - A barcode symbol positioned vertically with horizontal bars and spaces.
Laminate
Apply one layer of material over another.
Laser Scanner
An optical barcode reading device using a low - energy laser light beam as its source of illumination.
Laser Printing
The laser printer works much like a photocopier projecting controlled streams of ions onto the surface of a print drum resulting in a charged image. The charged image then selectively attracts toner particles - transferring the image onto the paper substrate (media) by means of pressure. The pressure from the printhead and drum then fuse the image to the paper - creating the image. A laser printed label is only as durable as a photocopy of paper. They commonly cannot produce chemical or waterresistant labels. Laser printer labeling adhesives must be carefully selected to ensure stability under the heat and pressure of the fuser. Laser printers are not well suited for industrial labeling applications or individual product labeling applications. Compatible toners for thermal printing applications are, often times, lacking. Cost of toner is significant for barcode printing - 15 - 30% black for barcode print versus 5% black for word processing print - 6 x the cost for barcoding using laser when compared to direct thermal or thermal transfer!
Example - Laser Print Quality
Light Pen
A hand held pen like contact reader, which the user must sweep across the barcode symbol in order to read the code. Also referred to as a wand.
Linear Barcode/Symbology
A complete bar code message is expressed in a single line of bars – also commonly referred to as a 1-Dimensional barcode.
Liner
The component of a label used to protect the adhesive and to keep it from sticking to objects before the label is used. It readily separates from the label immediately before the label is applied to the substrate. Also referred to as release liner, backing paper or release paper.
Low Density
This bar code type has bars and spaces that are wide and far apart with an “X” dimension greater than 20 mils. This type of bar code is used for scanning bar codes from further distances.
Ladder Code — A barcode printed in a vertical position such that the bars can be thought of as rungs on a ladder. Contrast with Picket Fence.
LOGMARS (Logistic applications for Marking And Reading Symbols) — A Department of Defense program intended manage inventory by placing Code 39 barcode symbols on all items sold to the Federal Government.
M
Machin e- Readable
A general term used for printed material that can be directly transferred to a data processing system.
Manufacturer’s ID
In the UPC code, the 6 digit number applied by the UCC to uniquely identify a manufacturer or company selling products under its own name. Also, the first 6 digits of the 12 digit UPC.
Matrix Symbols
Appear as a checker board. They are most likely square in shape, and contain some form of “finder pattern” which distinguishes them from other symbols. The finder pattern provides a decoding reference for scanners.
Maxicode
An example of a company which uses the Maxicode barcode is United Parcel Service (UPS). The next time you receive a package from UPS, look for a very small square with a pattern of dots and a small bulls eye in the center. UPS uses these barcodes as a way to sort their packages for a specific destination.
Example of a Maxicode
Media
The term which refers to the label, tag and/or ticket and its respective ribbon combination. (2) The surface on which a barcode symbol is printed. Also, interchangeably, referred to as substrate.
Media Roll Capacity
Refers to the maximum/minimum media roll diameter that a thermal printer can accommodate – Ex – 5.0” O.D. (Outer Diameter) and 1.0” I.D. (Inner Diameter).
Memory
Zebra thermal printers contain a variety of memory options including, RAM, ROM, DRAM, SRAM, and Flash. For detailed descriptions of each memory option – Refer to each herein by abbreviated name.
Mil
The narrowest nominal width unit of measure in a barcode.
Misread
A condition that occurs when the data output of a reader does not agree with the data encoded in the barcode symbol.
Module
The narrowest nominal width unit of measure in a barcode symbol.
Moving Beam Bar code Reader
A scanning device where scanning motion is achieved by mechanically or electronically moving the optical geometry.
MSI – barcode symbology made up of 4 bars & 4 spaces representing the characters 0 through 9.
Manufacturer Identification Number — The Manufacturer Identification Number is a six digit number assigned to a manufacturer by the UCC (Uniform Code Council). This number is found on the left side of the U.P.C. number. The number is composed of a number system character and a five digit manufacturer's code.
Matrix Symbols — A symbol which appears as a checker board; they are most likely square in shape, and contain some form of unique "finder pattern," which distinguishes them from others and provides a decoding reference for scanners.
Mil — One thousandth of an inch (0.001 inch), or approximately 0.0254 millimeter. Commonly used to refer to the width of barcode elements, for example, 0.013 inch would be expressed as 13 mils.
Minimum Reflectivity Difference — A white space will reflect more light than a black bar. The minimum reflectivity difference is the variance between the least amount of light reflected by the narrowest white space, and the most amount of light reflected by the widest black bar. Minimum reflectivity difference is one measure of the read-ability of the bar code symbol.
Mis-Read — The situation which occurs when a barcode reading device detects a barcode symbol incorrectly (different than intended). A mis-read may be due to a defective symbol, to a mis-match between the reading device and the printed symbol, or to a defective reader or decoder. A mis-read may occur as as substitution error (the reader substitutes an incorrect character) or as a transposition error, or as a missing character in a character string.
Module — The narrowest of bars, sometimes referred to as the X dimension. Wider bars and spaces are stated as multiples of this narrow bar.
Modulo Check Character(s) — The modulo check character is based on the remainder in a mathematical formula where characters within the data string are assigned weighted values, summed and then divided by the modulus. This value is then appended to the data string. Modulo check characters are used to ensure the accuracy of a data scan.
N
NIST
The National Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers – a trade association.
Nominal
The exact or ideal intended value for a specified parameter. Tolerances are specified as positive or negative values from this specified value.
Non - Continuous Media
Label, tag or ticket which contains either a gap, notch or hole between each label.
Non - Contact Reader
Barcode 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. Null Modem Connector A device which connects to the serial output of a print cable and switches pins 2 and 3, transmitted data signal and received data signal.
Numeric
A character set that includes only numbers.
Number System Character — The first digit or left hand digit in a U.P.C., number. This digit identifies the type of manufacturer or how the barcode will be used. For example "0, 6 and 7" are generally used in the retail industry, while "3" is assigned to the health and drug manufacturing industries.
O
OCR-A
An abbreviation commonly applied to the character set contained in ANSI
Standard X3.17
1981. A stylized font choice used for traditional OCR printing.
ODETTE
the European equivalent of AIAG. See AIAG for further details.
One-Dimensional Bar code
A complete barcode message is expressed in a single line of bars – also commonly referred to as a linear barcode.
Omnidirectional
Barcodes which can be read in any orientation in relation to the scanner.
On-Demand
A term used to describe when labels are printed immediately when the customer needs them and are ready for use versus being sent off-site for printing.
Operating Temperature
denotes the prescribed temperature range for the safe operation of a thermal printer.
Orientation
The alignment of a barcode symbol with respect to horizontal. Two possible orientations are horizontal and vertical bars and spaces (picket fence formation) and vertical with horizontal bars and stripes (ladder formation).
Overhead
The fixed number of characters required for start, stop, and checking in a given barcode symbol, e.g. a symbol requiring a start and stop character and two check characters contains four characters of overhead. To encode three characters with the overhead listed, seven characters are required to print.
OCR — Optical Character Recognition.
OCR-A; OCR — Abbreviations commonly applied to the character set contained in ANSI Std. X3.17-1974 (A) and ANSI Std. X3.49-1975 (B).
ODETTE (Organization for Data Exchange by Tele-Transmission in Europe) — a group that represents the interests of the automotive industry in Europe; equivalent of AIAG in America.
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.
P
Parallel Interface
a link between data processing devices on which the data moves over multiple wires and more quickly than serial interface. Imagine transmitting all 8 letters in a word at the same time over each wire. In parallel interface, the 8 bits (a byte) are received and then processed simultaneously. A common parallel interface option is Centronics® (36 pin) parallel.
Parity Character
An optional character which may be included in the barcode message to minimize the misreading of the message.
PDF-417
A popular two dimensional bar code that allows thousands of characters to be stored in its data format of multi
stacks. Some states use this type of bar code for driver’s license information. Healthcare facilities may also use the PDF417 for patient records because of the amount of data it can store.
Example of a PDF417 Barcode
Pen-Scanner
A pen-like device used to read bar codes. It can be connected either by wire to a device or be self-contained. Required direct contact with the symbol.
Permanency
A measure of an adhesive’s ultimate holding power or bond strength. A permanent adhesive will develop a bond that makes label removal difficult or impossible without distorting the facestock.
Permanent Adhesive
An adhesive charactersized by relatively high ultimate adhesion, but which can be removed. The degree of force used overcomes it bonding ability.
Picket Fence Orientation
A barcode symbol positioned horizontally with vertical bars and spaces.
Piggyback Label
A pressure sensitive label which allows for dual usage. The construction consists of facestock, adhesive, and liner.
Pitch
refers to the rotation of a barcode symbol about an axis parallel to the direction of the bars.
Plessey Code
A pulse width modulated barcode commonly used for shelf marking in grocery stores.
Polyester
A strong film having good resistance to moisture, solvents, oils and many other chemicals. Usually transparent, although available with metalized finish. Often used in the creation of Zebra media.
Polyethylene
A tough, sturdy plastic film having very good, low temperature characteristics. Often used in the creation of Zebra media.
Polypropylene
Similar to polyethlene but stronger and having a higher temperature resistance. Often used in the creation of Zebra media.
Point of Sales (POS)
refers to barcode related retail applications occurring at the point of sale .
Postnet Code
A height modulated, numeric symbology developed by the U.S Postal Service. This linear symbology that uses 5 bars and 4 spaces to encode each digit. It is unique in that the bars are of different heights to accommodate the fast printing process required by the post office as well as its resistance to smearing.
Example of a Postnet Barcode
Pre-Printed Symbol
A symbol that is printed in advance of application either on a label or on the article to be identified.
Pressure Sensitive Label
A pressure sensitive label product 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. The end product is produced in the form of rolls, sheets, fanfold or by other techniques that produce like products which have been slit or cut from the converted roll.
Print Length
refers to the minimum and maximum label length a printer can print with standard or added memory capacity.
Print Method
denotes the print technology used to print a label – commonly direct thermal or thermal transfer variety.
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.
Print Speed
the speed at which the label moves through the print head measured in inches per second (ips)
Print Width
denotes the printhead width and the corresponding maximum label width that a thermal printer can optimally print on.
Product ID
In the UPC 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.
Picket Fence Code — A barcode printed in a horizontal position such that the individual bars appear like the slats in a picket fence. See Ladder Code.
Print Contrast Signal (PCS) — Compares the amount of light reflected by the bars, in contrast to the amount of light reflected by the spaces in a barcode symbol. The Print Contrast Signal value is the bar reflectance expressed as a percentage of the space reflectance.
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 correct encoding.
Production Volume Requirements - Based on your compliance and tracking requirements, you must then assess your projected daily, monthly and peak label volume usage. Does it justify the cost of off-site label printing or on-site, on-demand printing?
Print Volume - What is your daily label output? Zebra 's High Performance Xi Series printers are designed to operate continuously, during peak print cycles or non-stop for 24 hour cycles. Other models are better suited for lower volume, intermittent printing. Print speed is also a factor in meeting print volume requirements.
Print Speed - Print speed is an important consideration if you require a high volume of labels to be printed daily or during peak cycles. That is because print speed is an element of "throughput": the time lapsed between receipt of the print command and completion of the printing process. Throughput depends not only on printing time, but also on label formatting time: the time required to convert the program and data to an image on the label. Depending on the complexity of the label format and the printer's ability to process this information in an efficient manner, label-formatting time can sometimes cause significant print delays, affecting a printer's overall print speed capability. Such delays can be costly in productivity if they occur in a production environment where time and on-demand print capability are of the essence.
Q
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
Barcode message overhead which is an area to the left and to the right of the barcode symbol and is free of printing. This area provides the scanning device time to adjust to the measurements of each barcode in the message.
QR Code – a two
dimensional barcode developed for use in Japan that permits the encoding of binary, Kanji, JIS, and alphanumeric information
Quiet Zone — See Clear Area.
R
RAM - Random Access Memory
A machine's main working memory. Program instructions and data are stored here. Each location in memory has a unique address, so the computer can access the information in any location at any time it's required (i.e. “randomly”). RAM can be erased, written to, read from, and rewritten. It is erased when a computing device is turned off.
Resolution
The narrowest element dimension that can be distinguished by a particular reading device or printed with a particular device or method. Generally the higher the resolution the better the resultant print quality.
ROM - Read Only Memory
Permanent memory, can only be read, not written to nor erased. Typically programmed by the manufacturer carrying the software/ instructions that a computer or similar device needs in order to get started every time it's turned on. ROM does not lose its contents when the device it’s installed in is turned off.
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.
Registration
variation from label to label of the position of what is printed onto the label as measured from the edges of the label.
Release Liner (Backing)
The portion of the pressure sensitive label which supports and holds the facestock and adhesive until application to the intended surface is needed.
Removable Adhesive
An adhesive characterized by relatively high cohesion strength and low ultimate adhesion. It can removed easily from most substrate surfaces. Some adhesive transfer could take place depending on the affinity of the adhesive to the surface.
Residue
Adhesive left on a substrate when a decal is removed.
Resolution
The narrowest element dimension that can be distinguished by a particular reading device or printed with a particular device or method. Measured in Dots Per Inch (dpi).
Ribbon
A cloth or plastic tape coated with several layers of material, one of which is ink-like, that produces the visible marks on the substrate. Used on formed font impact, dot matrix, thermal transfer and hot stamp printers. Also called foil. (RISC) Processor-Reduced Instruction Set Computer Processor - by reducing the # of instructions that a CPU supports will reduce the complexity of the chip, thus enhancing performance. However, the time it takes to fetch, decode and execute the instruction may take longer than executing more code on a CISC processor. Examples of the RISC processors are the Hitachi SH1 and SH2. Also the PowerPC uses RISC architecture.
Resolution — A measure of the smallest "X dimension" printable by a particular device or method. Also the measure of ability of a scanner to distinguish a barcode symbol.
S
SRAM
or Static Random Access Memory - is a type of memory chip used in Random Access Memory that can take advantage of a particular method of working with certain main processors. In brief, a certain spot in RAM is first accessed. Then each address after that first address is accessed in order, up to a specific point. Because the computer doesn’t have to “figure out” each sequential address to access, a large block of memory can be accessed in less time than is required with DRAM. Again, you can’t just substitute SRAM chips for DRAM chips; a machine must have been designed to use SRAM. As it is a type of RAM, it will lose its information when the device into which it is installed is turned off.
Scaleable Fonts
refers to the inherent character and font sets found within a thermal printer and their respective ability to be adjusted and “shrunk to fit”. Scaleable fonts are also commonly referred to as smooth fonts as their point sizes can be adjusted to any desired custom size evenly and proportionally, without the advent of visible rough edges.
Scanner
A device used to read a barcode symbol. It optically converts optical information into electrical signals.
Scan Spot
The size of the projection of light from a scanning device which “reads” the barcode message.
Self
Checking - A barcode is considered self-checking if a single printing defect will not cause a character to be transposed into another valid character in the same symbology.
SER
Substitution Error Rate –or the rate of occurrence of incorrect characters from an automatic identification system.
Serial Interface
a link between data processing devices on which all the data moves over one wire, one bit at a time. Think of it as transmitting words one letter at a time until a total of 8 letters or bytes (8 bits) are received. The byte is then processed, but in a slower fashion than parallel. Common serial interface communications are RS232 C, RS422 and RS485 (9 or 25 Pin).
Service Temperature
The temperature range that a pressure sensitive label will withstand after a 72 hour residence time on the substrate. The range is expressed in degrees Fahrenheit and /or degrees Celcius.
Shelf Life
The period of time during which a product can be stored under specified conditions and still remain suitable for use.
Show-Through
The generally undesirable property of a substrate that permits underlying markings to be seen.
Skew
Rotation of a barcode symbol about an axis parallel to the symbol’s length.
Smudge Resistance
The resistance of a printed surface to smearing.
Solvent
A dissolving, thinning or reducing agent. Specifically, a solvent is a liquid that dissolves another substance.
Source Marking
The process of labeling an item with a barcode at the point of its initial production.
Space
The lighter element of a bar code usually formed by the background between the bars.
Space Width
The thickness of a space measured from the edge closest to the symbol’s start character to the trailing edge of the same space.
Spectral Response
The variation in sensitivity of a reading device to the light of difference wavelengths.
Specular Reflection
The mirror like reflection of light from a surface.
Speed / Throughput
used interchangeably to refer to a rate of motion or printer performance calculated in ips or inches per second. The higher the ips the greater the printers performance rating.
Spot
The undesirable presence of ink or dirt in a space.
Stacked Code Symbols
See 2-Dimensional Barcode
Standard
A set of rules, specifications, instructions and directions on how to use a barcode or other automatic identification system to your advantage and profit. Usually issued by an organization -e.g. LOGMARS, HIBCC, UPC etc.
Start Character
A unique character to the left of the barcode, which allows for bi directionality. (In a vertical barcode, the start character is at the top).
Stop Character
A unique character to the right of the barcode which allows for bi directionality. (In a vertical label, the stop character is at the bottom).
Storage Temperature
denotes the prescribe temperature range for the safe storage of a thermal printer.
Substrate
The surface on which a barcode symbol is printed. Also, inter changeably, referred to as media.
Substitution Error
A misencodation, misread or human key entry error where incorrect information is substituted for a character that was to be entered.
Symbology
The language used in barcode technology (e.g. UPC, Code 39, etc).
Synthetic Substrate
Man made materials that have been created for specific applications.
SSCC (Serial Shipping Container Code) — with a secure barcode symbology, UCC/EAN-128. This combination allows all participants in the supply chain to use a common, standard solution for their individual tracking and tracing needs.
Self-Checking — A barcode or symbol using a checking algorithm which can be independently applied to each character to guard against undetected errors.
Serial Decoder — See Decoder.
Space — Any of the light elements between the dark bars of a barcode, which may or may not carry encoded information. The space may be formed by the substrate, or by a colored ink which is lighter in color than the bars.
Slot Reader — A barcode reading device requiring the substrate be drawn through a narrow slot to fix the position of the bar code symbol relative to the face of the bar code scanner. Typically used for scanning badges or membership cards.
Spectral Band — A specific range of wavelengths or light, from a minimum to a maximum, often named after a central value. The value of 633 nanometers is visible light, while 900 nanometers represents infrared light. Spectral band B633 includes those wavelengths (plus or minus 5 percent) of the 633 nanometer peak. Spectral band B900 includes those wavelengths (plus or minus 10 percent) of the 900 nanometer peak. The spectral band or scanning device is generally listed in bar code specifications.
STAC (Symbol Technical Advisory Committee) to the Uniform Code Council Inc., (see UCC).
Stacked Codes — 16K, Code 49 and PDF417 are examples where a barcode symbol is broken into sections and "stacked" one upon another in order to increase the information density in the barcode symbol.
Start/Stop Characters — A distinct character or pattern of bars used at the beginning and end of each barcode symbol, which provides initial timing references and direction of read information to the decoding logic.
T
Tag Stock
Substrate which contains only the facestock and has a hole from which to be hung.
Tamperproof Label
A pressure sensitive material that cannot be removed intact, thus making reuse of the label impossible.
Telepen - A continuous barcode which encodes the full ASCII character set.
Thermal Transfer Print
Thermal transfer printers use the same basic technology as direct thermal printers, but with the elimination of chemically-coated media in favor of a non-sensitized face stock and a special inked ribbon. A durable polyester ribbon film coated with a dry thermal transfer ink is placed between the thermal printhead and label. The thermal printhead is used to melt the ink onto the label surface, where it cools and anchors to the media surface. The polyester ribbon is then peeled away, leaving behind a stable, passive image. Consistent / sharp edge bar code print capability -with durable long-life and archival image stability. Clean, quiet, compact operation Batch or individual label print capability. Low cost / low maintenance compared to comparable technologies. Maximum readability and IR scannability. High contrast text, graphic and barcode print capability. Durable for operation joint office / industrial applications.
Throughput
refers to the average length of label stock that a printer can process and print in a given amount of time. Throughput differs from print speed in that throughput includes the label transmission, formatting and printing times. Due to these factors, a 12 ips machine may have lower throughput than a 10 ips printer.
Ticket
Substrate which contains only the facestock and contains no hole punches. Tilt Rotation of a bar code symbol about an axis perpendicular to the substrate.
Two-Dimensional Barcode
Two Dimensional Barcodes are special rectangular codes which ‘stack’ information in a manner allowing for more information storage in a smaller amount of space. These are also referred to as ‘Stacked’ Barcodes or ‘Matrix’ Barcodes. A standard barcode is limited to 20 to 25 characters. Example of a Two Dimensional Barcode
Transparent Label
A pressure sensitive label whose face material, adhesive and protective coatings transmit light so that objects can be seen through it.
TSR — An executable program which is loaded into computer memory, is initialized and remains in memory awaiting a specific instruction in order to accomplish its execution. TSR stands for "Terminate and Stay Resident". The TSR is normally a device driver intended to perform specialized functions such as driving a serial port or directing data from the serial port to the keyboard buffer.
Thermal Transfer - Thermal transfer printers use the same basic technology as direct thermal printers, but replace the chemically coated material with a non-sensitized face stock and a special, inked ribbon. A durable, polyester ribbon film coated with dry thermal transfer ink is placed between the thermal print head and label. The thermal print head transfers the ink onto the label surface, where it cools and anchors to the media surface. The polyester ribbon is then peeled away, leaving behind a stable, passive image.
U
UCC - Uniform Code Council
formerly the Uniform Product Code Council. The organization that administers the UPC and other retail standards.
UPC Code
or Universal Product Code is the standard barcode symbol for retail food packages in the United States. This code was modified and adapted by Europe for international identification of food packages in the form of EAN.
UPC-A
is the most common barcode used in retail today. It is a numeric, fixed ratio barcode with 12 characters.
Example of a UPC-A Bar code
UPC-E
A UPC symbol encoding six digits of data in an arrangement that occupies less area than a UPC-A symbol. Also called “zero suppressed” symbol because a 10-digit UPC-A code can be compressed to a six digit UPC-E format by suppressing redundant zeros.
Example of a UPC-E Barcode
UCC (Uniform Code Council, Inc.) — is the central management and information center for manufacturers, distributors and retailers participating in the U.P.C. system. This organization is not a government agency and is an administrative council which exists specifically to develop standard product and shipping container codes, control the issuing of company identification codes, provide detailed information and to coordinate the efforts of all participants. Although membership in the UCC is voluntary it is required to obtain a U.P.C. identification number. For more information access http://www.uc-council.org/.
UCC/EAN-128 — UCC/EAN-128 is not intended to be used for data to be scanned at the point of sales in retail outlets. UCC 128 facilitates the encoding of the full 128 ASCII character set. The use of three different character sets (A, B and C), one of the most compact linear bar code symbologies. Character set C enables numeric data to be represented in a double density mode. Here, two digits are represented by only one symbol character saving valuable space. This symbology uses two independent self-checking features which improves printing and scanning reliability..
U.P.C. (Universal Product Code) — is a 12-digit all-numeric code that identifies the company/product combination. The code uses a six-digit number to uniquely identify each company coupled with a five-digit number to identify each of the company's products. The combination of these eleven digits plus a check character form the 12-digit U.P.C. number which uniquely identifies one and only one item.
According to a new independent capacity study commissioned by the Uniform Code Council, Inc. (UCC), the organization will deplete its supply of new company prefixes for the 12-digit Universal Product Code (U.P.C.) numbers by the year 2005. To provide for continued expansion of the code system and the inclusion of new companies in the future, the UCC has established a sunset date for its membership to accept the 13-digit EAN-13 code as well as the U.P.C. at the point of sale no later than January 1, 2005. EAN-13 is the global counterpart of the U.P.C. For more information access http://www.uc-council.org/aboutupc.htm.
USS (Uniform Symbol Specification) — The current series of symbology specifications published by AIM; currently includes USS-I 2/5, USS-39, USS-93, USS-Codabar and USS-128.
V/W
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 Barcode
A code pattern presented in such an orientation that the axis of the symbol from start to stop is perpendicular to the horizon. The individual bars are in an array that appears as rungs of a ladder.
Void
The undesirable absence of ink in a printed bar.
Wand / Wand Scanner
A handheld scanning device used as a contact barcode or OCR reader.
Verification — The technical process by which a Barcode symbol is evaluated to determine whether it meets the specification for the specified symbol.
Verifier — A device that measures a symbol's bars, spaces, quiet zones, and optical characteristics to determine whether it meets the requirements of a specific symbol. A verifier should not be confused with a barcode reader.
Void — An area within a bar (of a barcode symbol) which is of high reflectance relative to the dark reflectance criteria, i.e. the bar or character is poorly inked, or where the intended printed area is missing. A void may cause a mis-read or cause the reader for fail to read the symbol. See Mis-Read.
Wand — A handleld reading device in the form of a pen or wand, which requires the user to make contact with the printed symbol and stroke the barcode several times in a uniform and complete fashion. If the stroke is non-uniform, or is too rapid, or too slow the wand reader will not read the barcode symbol. Many wands are being replaced with more effective and "user-friendly" reading device, such as CCD readers or Laser readers.
Wide to Narrow Ratio — The relationship of the wide to the narrow element widths, in a barcode having two element widths. Generally between 2.0 to 1 through 3.2 to 1.
XYZ
“X” Dimension
The “X”-dimension is the narrowest bar or space in the bar code. This bar or space is measured in millimeters. (mil=1/1000 of an inch). The “X”-dimension defines the density of a linear symbology. Depending on what the “X”-dimension of a barcode is, the barcode will be called either high density or low density.
“Z” Dimension
The achieved width of the narrow elements, calculated as the average of the narrow bar width and the average narrow space width.
ZPL / ZPL II
Zebra Programming Language - is the universal language / code of all Zebra barcode printers. ZPL is an ASCII based format that enables label generation to occur by way of an instructional blueprint defining label length, field origin, field data and other related information. ZPL enables labels with any combination of text, barcode or graphics to be created.
X Dimension — The dimension of the narrowest element (bar or space) in a barcode symbol.
Zero Suppression — A technique used to shorten U.P.C. codes by removing zeros from the barcode in a predetermined manner.
2-Dimensional Symbology — A machine-readable symbol composed of rows of encrypted data arranged in a rectangular or square pattern. The rows of data may be composed of barcode strips, "stacked" to form the two-dimensional block pattern or arranged as a checkerboard "matrix" of typically square elements.
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