GLOSSARY
AIM
(Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility): AIM Global is the international trade
association representing automatic identification and mobility technology solution providers.
AIM DPM Quality Guideline
Standard applicable to the symbol quality assessment of direct part marking (DPM)
performed in using two-dimensional bar code symbols. It defines modifications to the
measurement and grading of several symbol quality parameters.
AS9132
Standard defining uniform quality and technical requirements for direct part marking (DPM)
using Data Matrix symbologies.
Barcodes (1D Codes)
A pattern of variable-width bars and spaces which represents numeric or alphanumeric data
in machine-readable form. The general format of a barcode symbol consists of a leading
margin, start character, data or message character, check character (if any), stop character,
and trailing margin. Within this framework, each recognizable symbology uses its own unique
format.
BIOS
Basic Input Output System. A collection of ROM-based code with a standard API used to
interface with standard PC hardware.
Bit
Binary digit. One bit is the basic unit of binary information. Generally, eight consecutive bits
compose one byte of data. The pattern of 0 and 1 values within the byte determines its
meaning.
Bits per Second (bps)
Number of bits transmitted or received per second.
Byte
On an addressable boundary, eight adjacent binary digits (0 and 1) combined in a pattern to
represent a specific character or numeric value. Bits are numbered from the right, 0 through
7, with bit 0 the low-order bit. One byte in memory can be used to store one ASCII character.
Composite Symbologies
Consist of a linear component, which encodes the item's primary data, and an adjacent 2D
composite component, which encodes supplementary data to the linear component.
Dark Field Illumination
Lighting of surfaces at low angles used to avoid direct reflection of the light in the reader’s
lens.
Decode
To recognize a barcode symbology
(e.g.,
Codabar, Code 128, Code 3 of 9, UPC/EAN, etc.)
and analyze the content of the barcode scanned.
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