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Barcode Warehouse - Barcode glossary Category: Electronics and Engineering > Barcode Date & country: 24/11/2007, UK Words: 233

Label Thickness
denotes the ideal range of media / substrate thickness designed to promote optimum print quality and printer performance

Ladder Orientation
A bar code symbol positioned vertically with horizontal bars and spaces

Laminate
Apply one layer of material over another

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 …

Laser Scanner
An optical bar code reading device using a low-energy laser light beam as its source of illumination

Light Pen
A hand-held pen-like contact reader which the user must sweep across the bar code symbol in order to read the code. Also referred to as a wand

Linear Bar Code - 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

LOGMARS
a Department of Defense (DOD) project on LOGistics applications of Marking and Reading Symbols resulted in the production of a new standard (MIL-STD-1189A) that lead to the development of Code 39 as the established, barcode symbology to be used by all DOD vendors

Low Density
This bar code type has bars and spaces that are wide and far apart with an â€Å`Xâ€? dimension greater than 20 mils. This type of bar code is used for scanning bar codes from further distances

Machine-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 â€Å`finder patternâ€? 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 bar code 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 bar codes as a way to sort their packages for a specific destination

Media
The term which refers to the label, tag and/or ticket and its respective ribbon combination. (2) The surface on which a bar code 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

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

Module
The narrowest nominal width unit of measure in a bar code 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

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-Contact Reader
Bar code readers which do not require physical contact with the printed symbol.

Non-Continuous Media
Label, tag or ticket which contains either a gap, notch or hole between each label

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

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

Omnidirectional
Bar codes 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

One-Dimensional Bar code
A complete bar code message is expressed in a single line of bars – also commonly referred to as a linear barcode

Operating Temperature
denotes the prescribed temperature range for the safe operation of a thermal printer

Orientation
The alignment of a bar code 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 bar code 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

Parallel
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 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…

Parity Character
An optional character which may be included in the bar code 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

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

PDF417
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

PDT
Portable Data Terminal. Hand-held terminal capable of storing and recording data that is captured remotely and later transmitted into a computer

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 bar code 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 bar code symbol about an axis parallel to the direction of the bars

Plessey Code
A pulse-width modulated bar code commonly used for shelf marking in grocery stores

Point of Sale
refers to bar code related retail applications occurring at the point of sale

Point of Sales
refers to bar code related retail applications occurring at the point of sale

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

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

Pre-Printed Symbol
A symbol that is printed in advance of application either on a label or on the article to be identified

Print head
The device on a direct thermal or thermal transfer printer containing the heating element that causes an image to be transferred to the facestock

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 bar code 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

Printhead
The device on a direct thermal or thermal transfer printer containing the heating element that causes an image to be transferred to the facestock

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

PS-2
This field indicates how many PS/2 ports, used by PS/2 keyboards and mice, are on the motherboard

QR Code
a two-dimensional barcode developed for use in Japan that permits the encoding of binary, Kanji, JIS, and alphanumeric information

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
Bar code message overhead which is an area to the left and to the right of the bar code symbol and is free of printing. This area provides the scanning device time to adjust to the measurements of each bar code in the message

R.A.M
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. â€Å`randomlyâ€?). RAM can be erased, written to, read from, and rewritten. It is erased when a computing device…

R.O.M
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. Generally the higher the resolution the better the resultant print quality

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

RS 232
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 …

RS-232
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 …

RS232
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 …

S.E.R
Substitution Error Rate –or the rate of occurrence of incorrect characters from an automatic identification system

Scaleable Fonts
refers to the inherent character and font sets found within a thermal printer and their respective ability to be adjusted and â€Å`shrunk to fitâ€?. 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

Scan rate
The number of times, per second, that the device tries to read a barcode. Generally the more scans per second, the more versatile the device is

Scan Spot
The size of the projection of light from a scanning device which â€Å`readsâ€? the bar code message

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

Self -Checking
A bar code 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

Serial
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 …

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 …

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 bar code 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 bar code 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