Overview
ISO/IEC 19762:2025 - "Information technology - Automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) techniques - Vocabulary" is an international terminology standard that defines the general terms used across AIDC technologies. Its purpose is to provide a consistent, cross‑technique vocabulary so specialists and non‑specialist users can communicate clearly about automatic identification and data capture topics such as barcodes, RFID, optically readable media and locating systems.
This second edition (2025) updates and streamlines the first edition (2016), removing outdated entries and some multilingual term sets, updating sources, and relocating abbreviated terms to an annex.
Key topics and technical focus
The standard is a vocabulary / glossary rather than a prescriptive technical specification. Key content areas (see clause structure) include:
- General concepts: core IT and data terms (bit, byte, character set, code, syntax, semantics, read/write, encode/decode).
- Symbology and media: optically readable media, linear bar code symbols and two‑dimensional symbols.
- Radio and RFID: basic concepts, technical features, hardware and application terms for radio frequency identification.
- Locating systems, mobile item identification and sensors: terminology for positioning, tracking and sensor integration in AIDC systems.
- Cross‑cutting terms for data structures, error control, message/record/file handling and data compaction.
The document contains no normative references and points users to ISO and IEC terminology databases (ISO OBP and IEC Electropedia) for related definitions.
Practical applications
ISO/IEC 19762 is used to:
- Standardize terminology in technical documentation, contracts, and procurement specifications for AIDC solutions.
- Align interdisciplinary teams (engineers, procurement, operations, regulatory bodies) on consistent definitions.
- Support international interoperability and regulatory compliance by removing ambiguity in requirements and test reports.
- Serve as a reference for training materials, glossaries in product manuals, and standards harmonization efforts.
Common technology contexts: barcodes, 2D symbols (QR, Data Matrix), RFID tags and interrogators, optical scanners, locating/RTLS systems, and sensor‑enabled asset management.
Who should use it
- Standards writers and national standard bodies
- System architects, integrators and AIDC solution vendors
- Procurement and compliance teams specifying AIDC requirements
- Technical writers and trainers creating user‑facing documentation
- Non‑specialist stakeholders needing clear communication with AIDC experts
Related standards and references
- ISO/IEC 15418 (data identifiers / MH10) - cited as a semantic example in the standard
- ISO/IEC 10646 - referenced as the international character set
- ISO OBP and IEC Electropedia - recommended terminology databases
For authoritative text and purchase, consult the ISO website (www.iso.org) and your national standards body.
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