Access Point - In networking, an access point is a bridge. An access point converts RF to Ethernet. Allows RF end devices such as handheld, VMUs, and other data collection computers and PC’s, PDAs, etc. to connect to a LAN.

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

Adhesive- A substance capable of holding materials together by surface attachment.

Aggressive adhesive- a tenacious adhesive

ANSI- American National Standards Institute – a non-governmental organization responsible for the development of voluntary barcode quality standards. Bar code printing standards and the readability of bar code symbols are determined and classified into    grades from A to F, to provide an overall symbol quality test.

Anti-static A back coating that provides heat protection, lubrication and static resistance to lengthen printhead life. The backcoating comes in direct contact with the printhead.

Anti-stick- A back coating that provides heat protection, lubrication and static resistance to lengthen printhead life.  The back coating comes in direct contact with the printhead.

Application- The particular use the label, tag, or ticket will serve once the barcode, text, or graphic image is applied. 

Avalanche - A Wavelink product that provides centralized management of a large installed based of mobile end devices. It provides over the air configuration changes and security among other things.

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. 

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. 

Barcode – 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.

Barcode Reader- A device (light pen, laser gun, fixed scanner, etc.) used to read a bar code field.

Batch - Batch refers to a way that automatic data collection computers operate. Batch devices do not have a wired or wireless real-time connection to a host machine or application. They run a software application that prompts the user for data. Data is collected and stored in memory or in a data file. At the end of the day or the user’s shift, the device is placed in a dock, cradle or otherwise connected to a PC or other host machine and the stored data is then downloaded to the host.

Bluetooth - A computing and telecommunications industry specification that describes how mobile phones, computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other devices can easily interconnect with each other and with home and business phones and computers using a short-range wireless connection. Uses the 2.4GHz frequency band.

Bridge - In networking, a bridge extends the maximum distance of your network by connecting network segments which can be of dissimilar types. For example, RF to Ethernet. Access Points are bridges. Bridges determine the physical (MAC) address of the destination of a packet and will then rebroadcast the signal only if it resides on the other segment, thereby reducing overall.

Codabar- A numeric-only bar code type, in which each character is composed of seven elements: four bars and three spaces. CODABAR is currently used in a variety of applications such as libraries, medicine, and overnight package delivery. Also known as USD-4 code, NW-7, and 2 of 7 codes, it was originally developed for retail price-labeling use.

Code 128- A high density, variable length, full alphanumeric bar code type capable of encoding all 128 ASCII characters. It was designed for complex encoded product identification and is the basis of the UCC-128 marking specification. Code 128 has three subsets of characters. There are 106 printing characters in each set. Therefore, each character can have three different meanings, depending on the character subset used. Each Code 128 character consists of six elements -- three bars and three spaces.

Code 39- A full alphanumeric bar code type composed of five bars, four spaces, and an intercharacter gap for each character. Code 39 is the standard for many industries, including adoption by the U.S. Department of Defense for its LOGMARS specification. Also known as USD-3 code and 3 of 9 code, it is one of three symbologies identified in the ANSI standard MH10.8M-1983.

Code 49- An extremely compact, multi-row, continuous variable bar code type capable of encoding the full 128 ASCII character set. It is ideally suited to applications where large amounts of data are required in a small space. The code consists of 2 to 8 rows. A row consists of a leading quiet zone, 4 symbol characters encoding 8 code characters, a stop pattern, and a trailing quiet zone. Rows are separated by a one module high separator bar. Each symbol character encodes two characters.

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. 

Data Collection- A system with input devices located at points where data is created. Once captured, the data is immediately transmitted by cable, telephone line or radio signal to a central location, usually in or near a computer room for automatic recording. The data may also be transmitted to a storage medium such as tape, disk or semiconductor memory for later transfer to a host computer application program. 

Decoder- In a bar code 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.

Direct Thermal- A printing method where dots are selectively heated and cooled and dragged upon heat-sensitive paper. The paper turns dark in the heated areas.

Dot Matrix- A system of impact printing where individual dots are printed by tiny wires striking the supply through an inked ribbon.

DPI- Dots Per Inch. Used in comparing relative printing resolution of thermal printheads and laser print engines.

Face Stock- The part of the substrate (media) where printing occurs.

Fanfold- Continuous labels fanfolded in stacks. Great for long print runs and minimizing roll changes.

Fixed Beam Scanner- A visible light or laser scanner that requires a more exact positioning of a bar code than a moving beam     scanner.

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. 

Gloss- Characteristic of the surface which causes it to reflect light at a given angle. 

Hand Held Scanners-A hand-held scanning device used as a contact bar code reader or OCR (optical code) reader. 

Imager -An imager or imaging scanner typically uses a bank of LEDs for a light source and a camera to capture a scanned image or barcode. Unlike laser and CCD scanners, imagers can capture actual images as the name implies, such as signatures, the contents of trailers, and the condition of packages.

Interleaved 2 of 5- A high density, self-checking, continuous numeric bar code type in which each character is composed of five elements: five bars or five spaces. Of the five elements, two are wide and three are narrow. The bar code is formed by interleaving characters formed with all spaces into characters formed with all bars. Total number of digits must be even.

IPS- Stands for inches per second. This stands for the print speeds at which thermal transfer printer’s image.

Label Gap-The space between adjacent labels on continuous form, die cut supply.

Laser Scanner- Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A focused light source (as opposed to LEDs used in wands and CCD readers) used in fixed, moving beam, and handheld scanners.

Laser/Inkjet- A method of printing using liquid ink projected a drop at a time against a substrate.

Light Pen- Also known as a wand. A scanning device which is used as a hand held bar code reader. Requires direct contact with the printed bar code field.

Media- 1) 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.

Mobile Manager - Mobile Manager, from Wavelink, is a multi-vendor solution for providing effective network management and control over wireless LANs. Mobile Manager will rapidly configure and deploy wireless networks (access points), maintain network health and performance, perform updates to mobile devices, and manage remote sites.

Moving Beam Scanner- A device where scanning is achieved by mechanically moving a light beam through the bars of a bar code field.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) - OCR is the recognition of printed or written text characters by a computer. This involves photo scanning of the text character-by-character, analysis of the scanned-in image, and then translation of the character image into character codes, such as ASCII, commonly used in data processing.

Opaque- an ink that is not transparent and reflects only its color regardless of what colors it overprints.

Perfed- Refers to a series of small incisions made in laid-on labels and/or their release liner to facilitate tearing along a pre-determined line, or for fan folding.

Polyester- A strong film having good resistance to moisture, solvents, oils, etc.  Usually transparent, although available with opaque ester formed by polymerization or condensation.  Excellent strength, clarity and dimensional stability.

Portable data terminals- Also called mobile data terminals are the optimal choice for data management activities in warehousing, receiving, inventory management, vehicle mount, route management and a host of other applications. Most of our portable data terminals (PDTs) have wireless networking capability (802.11b). Others are batch enabled with a variety of OS including Pocket PC, Win CE, DOS and Palm. They feature integrated imager or laser barcode and RFID readers.

Premium Resin- ribbons that print well on a variety of coated and synthetic receivers. Image durability for these ribbons is excellent for application where physical contact with the printed image is likely to occur repeatedly. Some resistance to mild chemicals and cleaners is provided.

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 durability- Capable of withstanding wear and tear

Print Length- Refers to the minimum and maximum label length a printer can print with standard or added memory capacity. 

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 incubation. 

Print Speed- The speed at which the label moves through the printhead, measured in inches per second (ips).

Print Width- Denotes the printhead width and the corresponding maximum label width on which a thermal printer can optimally print. 

Printers-A thermal transfer printer is a non-impact printer that uses heat to register an impression on paper. A thermal transfer printer has a printhead containing many small resistive heating pins that on contact, depending on the type of thermal transfer printer, melt wax-based ink onto ordinary paper or burn dots onto special coated paper.

Printhead- Electronic thermal transfer printing element using individually energized matrix wires to transfer the image from the ribbon to a substrate... 

Radio Frequency (RF) - Radio frequency is a term that refers to alternating current (AC) having characteristics such that, if the current is input to an antenna, an electromagnetic (EM) field is generated suitable for wireless broadcasting and/or communications. These frequencies cover a significant portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum, extending from nine kilohertz (9KHz), the lowest allocated wireless communications frequency to thousands of gigahertz (GHz).  When an RF current is supplied to an antenna, it gives rise to an electromagnetic field that propagates through space. This field is sometimes called an RF field; in less technical jargon it is a "radio wave."  AIDC industry products use UHF (400+MHz), 900MHz and 2.4GHz RF equipment.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. An RFID tag is a small object that can be attached to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person. RFID tags contain silicon chips and antennas to enable them to receive and respond to radio-frequency queries from an RFID transceiver. Passive tags require no internal power source, whereas active tags require a power source.

Resin Ribbon- A thermal transfer ribbon that is manufactured with a pure resin coating. Resin ribbons create the most durable image and they withstand heat and most chemicals. They must image at slower speeds and higher temperatures. Resin ribbons have the highest degree of scratch, smudge and abrasion resistance. The best print results are on synthetic stocks.

RF Network- A technology that connects devices using electromagnetic waves instead of physical cabling.

Ribbon- A plastic tape with several layers of material, one of which is thermal wax, that when melted, produces the visible marks on the labels installed on a thermal transfer printer.

Roll- Pressure-sensitive labels that are produced in a continuous roll form.

Scanner- An electro/optical device that converts the bars and spaces of a bar code field into electrical signals.

Smudge Resistance - The resistance of a printed surface to smearing. 

Support Services-personal assistance vendors provide to technicians and end users concerning hardware, operating systems, and programs.

Symbology- Bar code type.

Thermal Transfer- A printing method like thermal direct except a onetime ribbon is used and common paper is used as a supply. This eliminates the problems of fading or changing color inherent in thermal direct printing.

Thermal Transfer Ribbon- Heat is applied to the ribbon using a thermal printhead that melts the ink transferring it to the paper where it is permanent after it cools. A typical thermal transfer ribbon consists of three layers: the base material, the heat melting ink, and the coating on the print side of the base material.

Tyvek- Du Pont’s trademark for spun bonded polyolefin material, which is frequently used as a face stock where very high tensile strength, is required.

Ultra Premium Resin- Designed for the most demanding environmental and print media needs. "Premium" Resin ribbons have the highest resistance to heat, chemicals and scratching of all our ribbons. The thermal transfer print process of the "Premium" Resin ribbon occurs at lower energy and printhead temperatures as compared to most resin ribbons, enabling you to carry out demanding printing processes in an energy efficient, cost effective manner.

Universal Serial Bus (USB) - USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a plug-and-play interface between a computer and add-on devices (such as audio players, joysticks, keyboards, telephones, scanners, printers, and barcode scanners). With USB, a new device can be added to your computer without having to add an adapter card or even having to turn the computer off. The USB peripheral bus standard was developed by Compaq, IBM, DEC, Intel, Microsoft, NEC, and Northern Telecom and the technology is available without charge for all computer and device vendors. USB supports a data speed of 12 megabits per second. This speed will accommodate a wide range of devices, including MPEG video devices, data gloves, and digitizers. It is anticipated that USB will easily accommodate plug-in telephones that use ISDN and digital PBX.  Some barcode scanners are available with a USB interface.

UPC- Universal Product Code. The standard bar code type for retail products in the United States.

Verifier-A device that makes measurements of the bars, spaces, quiet zones and optical characteristics of a bar code field to determine if the code meets the requirements of a specification or standard.

Wand-A scanning device which is used as a hand held bar code reader. Requires direct contact with the printed bar code field.

Wax- A thermal transfer ribbon that is coated with a wax based ink formulation. Wax ribbons can be manufactured with a hot melt process or a solvent-based process. Wax ribbons are best for coated and uncoated paper stocks. Wax ribbons will print at higher speeds and lower temperatures than midrange or resin ribbons.

Wedge - A wedge reader receives raw undecoded data from a scanner and converts it into keyboard data called Keycodes. A wedge reader is connected between a terminal or computer and its keyboard. Keyed data is simply passed through the wedge to the terminal. Scanned data is converted to keycodes and passed to the terminal as if it was typed. The terminal is not aware of the wedge. Scanners with a wedge interface are also available, eliminating the need for a wedge reader. They come with a cable set for specific terminals and interface between the keyboard and terminal.