Glossary

Definition

Add-On Symbol

A bar code symbol used to encode information supplementary to that in the main bar code symbol.

AIDC Data Validation

Verification of scanned/read data from bar codes or RFID tags to determine whether it meets the application rules for system logic and consistency and/or a particular user's requirements, prior to processing in applications.

alphanumeric (an)

Describes a character set that contains alphabetic characters (letters), numeric digits (numbers), and other characters, such as punctuation marks.

aperture

A physical opening that is part of the optical path in a device such as a scanner, photometer, or camera. Most apertures are circular, but they may be rectangular or elliptical.

Application Identifier

The field of two or more characters at the beginning of an Element String that uniquely defines its format and meaning.

ASC X12

Accredited Standards Committee X12. ASC X12 is responsible for developing American National Standards for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

Asset Type

A number assigned by the owner of an asset to uniquely identify a type of asset.

attribute

A piece of information reflecting a characteristic related to an identification number (e.g., Global Trade Item Number™ (GTIN™), SSCC).

autodiscrimination

The capability of a reader to automatically recognise and decode multiple bar code symbologies.

auxiliary guard patterns

Components of the EAN/UPC Symbology. The centre guard bar pattern, the left guard bar pattern, and the right bar patterns that are represented in some of the symbols are specific types of auxiliary guard pattern.

bar gain/loss

The increase/decrease in bar width due to effects of the reproduction and printing processes.

Bearer Bars

Bars surrounding a bar code symbol to prevent misreads or to improve print quality of the bar code symbol.

billing unit

An item that is priced and invoiced in trade between two parties at any point in the supply chain.

brand owner

The party that is responsible for allocating GS1 System numbering and bar code symbols on a given trade item. The administrator of a GS1 Company Prefix.

carrier

The party that provides freight transportation services or a physical or electronic mechanism that carries data.

Asset Type

A number assigned by the owner of an asset to uniquely identify a type of asset.

attribute

A piece of information reflecting a characteristic related to an identification number (e.g., Global Trade Item Number™ (GTIN™), SSCC).

autodiscrimination

The capability of a reader to automatically recognise and decode multiple bar code symbologies.

auxiliary guard patterns

Components of the EAN/UPC Symbology. The centre guard bar pattern, the left guard bar pattern, and the right bar patterns that are represented in some of the symbols are specific types of auxiliary guard pattern.

bar gain/loss

The increase/decrease in bar width due to effects of the reproduction and printing processes.

Bearer Bars

Bars surrounding a bar code symbol to prevent misreads or to improve print quality of the bar code symbol.

billing unit

An item that is priced and invoiced in trade between two parties at any point in the supply chain.

brand owner

The party that is responsible for allocating GS1 System numbering and bar code symbols on a given trade item. The administrator of a GS1 Company Prefix.

carrier

The party that provides freight transportation services or a physical or electronic mechanism that carries data.

Check Digit

A digit calculated from the other digits of an Element String, used to check that the data has been correctly composed. (See GS1 Check Digit Calculation.)

Company Number

A component of the GS1 Company Prefix. GS1 Member Organisations assign GS1 Company Prefixes to entities that administer the allocation of GS1 System identification numbers. These entities may be, for example, commercial companies, not for profit organisations, governmental agencies, and business units within organisations. Criteria to qualify for the assignment of a GS1 Company Prefix are set by the GS1 Member Organisations.

Composite Component^®

This term is used to refer to either a linear or 2D symbol component within a composite symbol.

Composite Symbology^®

A GS1 System composite symbol consists of a linear component (encoding the item's primary identification) associated with an adjacent 2D Composite Component™ (encoding supplementary data, such as a batch number or expiration date). The composite symbol always includes a linear component so that the primary identification is readable by all scanning technologies, and so that 2D imager scanners can use the linear component as a finder pattern for the adjacent 2D Composite Component™. The composite symbol always includes one of three multi-row 2D Composite Component™ versions (e.g., CC-A, CC-B, CC-C) for compatibility with linear- and area-CCD scanners and with linear and rastering laser scanners.

concatenation

The representation of several Element Strings in one bar code symbol.

coupon

A voucher that can be redeemed at the Point-of-Sale for a cash value or free item.

Coupon Extended Bar Code

A supplemental bar code, used only in North America, that can be printed on a coupon to provide additional information, such as Offer Codes, expiration dates, and household identification numbers.

Coupon-12

A twelve-digit Restricted Circulation Number for coupons structured according to the rules defined in the target market.

Coupon-13

The 13-digit GS1 System Restricted Circulation Number defined according to rules in a target market used for coupons.

customer

The party that receives, buys, or consumes an item or service.

data carrier

A means to represent data in a machine readable form; used to enable automatic reading of the Element Strings.

data character

A letter, digit, or other symbol represented in the data field(s) of an element string.

data field

The smallest part of the data part of an Element String that needs to be distinguished.

Data Matrix

A standalone, two-dimensional matrix symbology that is made up of square modules arranged within a perimeter finder pattern. Data Matrix ISO version ECC 200 is the only version that supports GS1 System identification numbers, including Function Code 1. Data Matrix Symbols are read by two-dimensional imaging scanners or vision systems.

data titles

A standard abbreviated description of a data field; used to denote the Human Readable Interpretation of encoded data.

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