|
| 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. |
| ABMA |
Auto ID Bar Code-Enabled Medication Administration System. |
| 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, smart card 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 bar code 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. AIM International (AIMI) is a global affiliation of trade associations whose member companies are involved with application of automatic identification technology. For more information access http://www.aimi.org. |
| 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 bar code, quality standards. Bar code printing standards and the readability of bar code symbols are determined and classified into grades from A to F, in order to provide an overall symbol quality test. http://www.ansi.org/. |
| 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. |
| ApplicationTemperature |
The temperature at the time the label is applied. |
| Aspect Ratio |
The numeric ratio of the bar's height to the symbol's length |
|
| Backcoating |
Used on a thermal transfer ribbon to prevent the ribbon from sticking to the print head 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 bar code symbol. |
| Bar Code |
A bar code 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 bar code 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 bar code symbol that contains data. |
| Bar Code 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. |
Technology |
Print Quality |
Scanner Readability |
Initial Installation Cost |
Long Term Maintenance |
Material Waste |
| Dot Matrix |
Fair |
Low |
Low/Moderate |
Moderate/High |
High |
| Ink Jet |
Moderate |
Low/Moderate |
High |
Moderate/High |
High |
| Laser |
Moderate |
Moderate |
Moderate/High |
Moderate/High |
High |
| Direct Thermal |
Moderate/Excellent |
Moderate/Excellent |
Moderate/High |
Low |
Low |
| Thermal Transfer |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Moderate/High |
Low |
Low |
|
|
| Bar Height /Length |
The bar dimension perpendicular to the bar width is 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. |
| Bearer Bars |
A minimum of two parallel bars running the length of the top and bottom edge of a bar code. 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 |
Bar code 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 Font |
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 |
| BPOCT |
Bar Code Enabled Point-of-Care Testing |
|
| 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 intercharacter 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. |
| Code 11 |
is a barcode symbology developed by Intermec. It uses 11 characters: 0 through 9. |
| 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 16K |
This symbol is a stack of from 2 to 16 rows. |
| Code 39 |
is the most commonly used bar code. 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 ). |
| Color Scheme |
Scanners read bar codes 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 bar codes are vital; they enable the scanner to identify the beginning and the end of the bar code. |
| Concatenation |
The ability of a reading system to join together that data from multiple symbologies and interpret the information in a single message. |
| CPOE |
Computerized Physician Order Entry |
|
| 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 computer (see Serial Decoder). |
| Demand Printer |
A printer capable of creating individual documents one at a time, as needed |
| 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 bar code by creating overlapping adjacent dots to produce approximations of a straight edge line. Prints low to medium density bar codes that may not meet certain end user guidelines. The dot size on the matrix printer limits the narrow element size and density of the bar code. Continuous ribbon re-use on dot matrix printers requires continuous monitoring of ribbon condition to ensure adequate bar code 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. |
| 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 bar code symbol. The scanner dot size should be no larger than the X dimension of the bar code symbol. |
| DPI |
Dots Per Inch (refer to Resolution) |
| 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 bar coding. The thermal print head is typically a long linear array of tiny resistive heating elements (100-300/inch) arranged perpendicular to the paper flow. Each thermal print head 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 print head. Direct thermal printing is an excellent choice for many bar code 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. |
|
| Edge Roughness |
Irregularities in the printing of bar code 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. |
| EHR |
Electronic Health Record |
| eMAR |
Electronic Medication Administration Record |
|
| Facestock |
The part of the substrate (media) where printing occurs. |
| 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. |
| Fixed Ratio |
The ratio between the width of the bars in the code is a fixed standard and cannot be changed. |
|
| Hand-Held Scanner |
A hand-held scanning device used as a contact bar code 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 healthcare industry. |
| HIMSS |
HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society) is the healthcare industry's membership organization exclusively focused on providing leadership for the optimal use of healthcare information technology and management systems for the betterment of human health. Founded in 1961 with offices in Chicago, Washington D.C., and other locations across the country, HIMSS represents more than 14,000 individual members and some 220 member corporations that employ more than 1 million people. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare public policy and industry practices through its advocacy, educational and professional development initiatives designed to promote information and management systems' contributions to ensuring quality patient care. |
High Density |
This bar code type has narrow spaces and bars with an "X" dimension that is less than 7.5 mils. |
| 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 that looks like a picket fence. |
| Human-Readable |
The interpretation of bar code data, often printed immediately below the bar code in a readable format to humans. |
|
| 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 bar codes. Bar codes 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. |
| IPS |
Inches Per Second (refer to Print Speed) |
| 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/. |
|
| Label , Pressure Sensitive |
A pressure sensitive label product is a die-cut part that has been convertedthrough the production equipment using the type of pressure sensitive material that hasa 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. |
| Ladder Code |
A bar code printed in a vertical position such that the bars can be thought of as rungs on a ladder. Contrast with Picket Fence. |
| Ladder Orientation |
A bar code symbol positioned vertically with horizontal bars and spaces. |
| Laminate |
Apply one layer of material over another. |
| Laser Scanner |
An optical bar code 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 print head 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 water resistant 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 bar code print versus 5% black for word processing print - 6 x the cost for barcoding using laser when compared to direct thermal or thermal transfer! |
|
| 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 "finder pattern" which distinguishes them from other symbols. The finder pattern provides a decoding reference for scanners. |
| Misread |
A condition that occurs when the data output of a reader does not agree with the data encoded in the bar code 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. |
|
| 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 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. |
| 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. |
| Picket Fence Orientation |
A bar code symbol positioned horizontally with vertical bars and spaces. |
| PIS |
Pharmacy Information System |
| Pitch |
refers to the rotation of a bar code symbol about an axis parallel to the direction of the bars. |
| Polyethylene |
A tough, sturdy plastic film having very good, low temperature Characteristics. |
| Polypropylene |
Similar to polyethylene but stronger and having a higher temperature Resistance. |
| 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 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) |
|
| 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. |
|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
|
| 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 roughedges. |
| Scanner |
A device used to read a bar code symbol. It optically converts optical information into electrical signals. |
| 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). |
| Shelf Life |
The period of time during which a product can be stored under specified conditions and still remain suitable for use. |
| Skew |
Rotation of a bar code symbol about an axis parallel to the symbol's length. |
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. |
| Start Character |
A unique character to the left of the bar code which allows for bi-directionality.
(In a vertical bar code, the start character is at the top). |
| Stop Character |
A unique character to the right of the bar code which allows for bidirectionality.
(In a vertical label, the stop character is at the bottom). |
| Substrate |
The surface on which a bar code symbol is printed. Also, interchangeably referred to as media. |
| Symbology |
The language used in bar code technology (e.g. UPC, Code 39, etc). STAC (Symbol Technical Advisory Committee) to the Uniform Code Council Inc., (see UCC). |
|
| Tamperproof Label |
A pressure-sensitive material that cannot be removed intact, thus making reuse of the label impossible. |
| 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 print head 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 scanability. 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. |
| Tilt |
Rotation of a bar code symbol about an axis perpendicular to the substrate. |
| Two-Dimensional Bar Code |
Two Dimensional Bar codes 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' Bar Codes or 'Matrix' Bar Codes. A standard bar code is limited to 20 to 25 characters. |
| Two-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 bar code strips, "stacked" to form the two-dimensional block pattern or arranged as a checkerboard "matrix" of typically square elements. |
|
| UCC |
Uniform Code Council - formerly the Uniform Product Code Council. The organization that administers the UPC and other retail standards. |
| 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. |
|
| Verification |
The technical process by which a Bar Code symbol is evaluated to determine whether it meets the specification for the specified symbol. |
| Verifier |
A device that makes measurements of the bars, spaces, quiet zones and optical characteristics of a symbol to determine if the symbol meets the requirements of a specification or standard. Vertical Bar Code - A 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. |
|
| "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 bar code is, the bar code 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 bar code printers. ZPL is an ASCII based format that enables label generation to occur by way of an instructional blueprint g label length, field origin, field data and other related information. ZPL enables labels with any combination of text, barcode or graphics to be created. |
