Barcode Label A label that carries a barcode and can be affixed to an article. Baud Rate A unit used to measure communications speed or data transfer rate. CDRH (Center for Devices and Radiological Health) This organization (a service of the Food and Drug Administration) is responsible for the safety regulations governing acceptable limitations on electronic radiation from laser devices. Datalogic devices are in compliance with the CDRH regulations. Code Positioning Variation in code placement that affects the ability of a scanner to read a code. The terms Pitch, Skew, and Tilt deal with the angular variations of code positioning in the X, Y and Z axes. See pars. 2.2 and 2.5. Variations in code placement affect the pulse width and therefore the decoding of the code. Pulse width is defined as a change from the leading edge of a bar or space to the trailing edge of a bar or space over time. Pulse width is also referred to as a transition. Tilt, pitch, and skew impact the pulse width of the code. Decode The process of translating a barcode into data characters using a specific set of rules for each symbology. Decoder As part of a barcode reading system, the electronic package which receives the signals from the scanner, performs the algorithm to interpret the signals into meaningful data and provides the interface to other devices. The decoder is normally integrated into the scanner. EAN European Article Number System. The international standard barcode for retail food packages. EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory. An on-board non-volatile memory chip. Full Duplex Simultaneous, two-way, independent transmission in both directions. Half Duplex Transmission in either direction, but not simultaneously. Host A computer that serves other terminals in a network, providing services such as network control, database access, special programs, supervisory programs, or programming languages. Interface A shared boundary defined by common physical interconnection characteristics, signal characteristics and meanings of interchanged signals. LED (Light Emitting Diode) A low power electronic device that can serve as a visible or near infrared light source when voltage is applied continuously or in pulses. It is commonly used as an indicator light and uses less power than an incandescent light bulb but more than a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). LEDs have extremely long lifetimes when properly operated. Multidrop Line A single communications circuit that interconnects many stations, each of which contains terminal devices. See RS485. Parameter A value that you specify to a program. Typically parameters are set to configure a device to have particular operating characteristics. Picket-Fence Orientation When the barcode’s bars are positioned vertically on the product, causing them to appear as a picket fence. The first bar will enter the scan window first. See par. 3.2.2. Pitch Rotation of a code pattern about the X-axis. The normal distance between center line or adjacent characters. See pars. 2.2 and 2.5. Position The position of a scanner or light source in relation to the target of a receiving element. Protocol A formal set of conventions governing the formatting and relative timing of message exchange between two communicating systems. Raster The process of projecting the laser beam at varied angles spaced evenly from each other. Typically, the mirrored rotor surfaces are angled to create multiple scan lines instead of a single beam. Resolution The narrowest element dimension which can be distinguished by a particular reading device or printed with a particular device or method. RS232 Interface between data terminal equipment and data communication equipment employing serial binary data interchange. RS485 Interface that specifies the electrical characteristics of generators and receivers for use in balanced digital multipoint systems such as on a Multidrop line. Scanner A device that examines a printed pattern (barcode) and either passes the uninterpreted data to a decoder or decodes the data and passes it onto the Host system. Serial Port An I/O port used to connect a scanner to your computer, identifiable by a 9-pin or 25- pin connector. Signal An impulse or fluctuating electrical quantity (i.e.: a voltage or current) the variations of which represent changes in information. Skew Rotation about the Y-axis. Rotational deviation from correct horizontal and vertical orientation; may apply to single character, line or entire encoded item. See pars. 2.2 and 2.5. Step-Ladder orientation When the barcode’s bars are positioned horizontally on the product, causing them to appear as a ladder. The ends of all bars will enter the scan window first. See par. 3.2.1. Symbol A combination of characters including start/stop and checksum characters, as required, that form a complete scannable barcode. Tilt Rotation around the Z axis. Used to describe the position of the barcode with respect to the laser scan line. See ...