Benefits & Popular Auto ID Technologies
Benefits & Popular
Auto ID Technologies
Automatic Identification and Data Capture or Automatic
Identification (Auto ID) is the terms used to describe the direct entry of data
into a computer system. These technologies are very useful and beneficial. Some
important benefits of Automatic Identification Technologies are:
1. Accuracy: Manual entry through the
keyboard has its drawbacks. Studies have revealed that a human operator will
commit one undetected error for every three hundred character input. Adopting
the bar code technology will improve input by a factor of 10,000 times, i.e.
one error for every three million characters entered. With more recent
developments in the bar code technology and with the sophisticated error
correction techniques, the error rate has reduced still further. This results
in saving considerable time and costs of tracking down and rectifying the
errors from the manual data entry system.
2. Economics: Because of the speed and
reduction of the errors in data entry, users can save time and costs. The
ability to obtain more accurate and reliable information is an added advantage
for the management in cost cutting. Some Automatic Identification (Auto ID)
technologies use essentially disposable data carrier that can be produced at a
low cost. For example, the bar code labels can be produced in volumes, reducing
the cost for the user. Biometrics technology, relying on identification of
natural features, do not even require a special data carrier, the individual`s
fingerprint or signature fulfils this task.
3. Speed: There are two aspects of this
benefit, one being that compared with manual methods, a bar code or radio
frequency tag carrying several hundred or even thousand characters of data can
be read in a fraction of a second.
The second benefit is that data can be captured while the object
is on the move at high speeds. For example, motorway toll, or objects on a
moving conveyer belt.
4. Convenience: These technologies
offer convenience and versatility for capturing data in any working
environment. They are user friendly in operation and can be easily connected to
a wide range of computers and control equipment.
Popular Auto ID
Technologies
The most popular technologies are:
1. Bar Code: It is the most popular mainly due to
its widespread use in retail point of sale in the supermarkets. A bar code
consists of a series of bars and spaces arranged to a set of rules, which
determines how data is represented. Different symbologies (the name given to
the various types of bar codes) use different bar and space patterns.
Bar code labels can be printed by using a dot matrix printer,
inkjet printer, thermal or thermal transfer printer, laser printer or for large
volume from a regular printing house.
2. Radio Frequency Identification (RFTD): It
is being used in diverse applications, from the identification of farm or other
animals to the tracking of motor vehicles during the manufacturing process and
at motorway toll collection points. The RFTD consists of two key components,
namely the RF tag or signal, which acts as the data carrier, and the reader or
antenna, which transfers information to and from the tag. The basic principle
of a RF tag operation is that the antenna emits a radio signal. When a tag
enters the field of this signal it transmits back to the antenna its own signal
modulated with a bit pattern representing the density the tag.
3. Optical Character Recognition (OCR):
It is a term used to describe all data entry methods that involve the use of a
light source and detector to optical marks, etc. the reading equipment ranges
from relatively simple devices able to recognise specially designed, highly
stylised typefaces to those which can interpret a wide variety of fonts and
point sizes at high speed. The first commercially acceptable OCR reader was
installed in 1954 at the Readers Digest Company in New York. It was used to
convert sales and order data from type written documents to punched cards that
are then input to the subscription department`s computer.
4. Smart Card: They are credit card
sized plastic cards which contain a microprocessor that can process data. The
card also has memory chips for storage of data. There is more security in the
smart card as compared with magnetic stripe cards. Smart cards have two special
qualities, are:-
i. The amount of information that can be stored is 1000 times more,
and
ii. Smart cards contain an onboard processor to add, delete or
re-arrange data, manage a transaction and control access to the data.
5. Voice Recognition: This technology
converts human speech into electrical signals and transforms these signals into
coding patterns with assigned meanings. Voice recognition devices are useful as
automated input devices in applications where an operator`s hands and eyes are
occupied, enabling source data capture in real time.
6. Vision Systems: Vision recognition
systems are intended to capture a visual image and through a process of feature
extradition and analysis, automatically recognise application defined marks,
characters, code structure and other features in the image. These systems are
typically in process – control, quality assurance, security systems, robotics
and computer –aided manufacturing.
7. Biometric ID: It takes the key concept
of ADC, that of creating a unique pattern (e.g. bar code symbol, magnetic
stripe bit pattern) to identify an item, and makes it personal. Biometric ID
systems digitally code and store personal characteristics that can be used to
instantaneously, and nearly infallibly, identify individuals. They are
typically used to ensure the security of controlled access areas or equipment.
Biometric ID can be as simple as just identifying the person, or
as complex as allowing the system to tap into a whole range of priorities,
evolution and ‘rules’ regarding that person.
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