Account Number:
A unique sequence of numbers assigned to a cardholder account that identifies the issuer and type of financial transaction card.
Acquirer:
A licensed member that maintains the merchant relationship and acquires the data relating to a transaction from the merchant or card acceptor and submits that data into interchange, either directly or indirectly.
AMC:
American Magnetics Corporation.
Authorize:
A process defined in operations regulations whereby a transaction is approved by or on behalf of an issuer; commonly understood to be receiving a sales validation by the merchant, by telephone, or authorization terminal.
Automated Teller Machine (ATM):
An unattended, magnetic stripe-reading terminal that dispenses cash; accepts deposits and loan payments; enables a bank customer to order transfers among accounts and make account inquiries.
More info here.
Bank Card:
A debit or credit card issued by a bank or other financial institution, such as a MasterCard card or Visa card. Biometrics utilize "something you are" to authenticate identification. This might include fingerprints, retina pattern, iris, hand geometry, vein patterns, voice password, or signature dynamics. Biometrics can be used with a smart card to authenticate the user. The user's biometrics information is stored on a smart card, the card is placed in a reader, and a biometrics scanner reads the information to match it against that on the card. This is a fast, accurate, and highly-secure form of user authentication.
Bit (Binary Digit):
BPI:
Bits Per Inch.
Byte:
A binary clement string functioning as a unit. Eight-bit bytes are most common. Also called a "character".
Business Card:
A Business card is similar to the Corporate card, but issued to a business with a few employees and where each employee is responsible for their purchases.
Carding:
Credit card fraud. Carding texts offer advice on how to make credit cards, how to use them, and otherwise exploit the credit card system.
Cash Disbursement:
A transaction that is posted to a cardholder's credit card account in which the cardholder receives cash at an ATM, or cash or travelers checks at a branch of a member financial institution or at a qualified and approved agent of a member financial institution.
Cirrus System Incorporated:
A wholly owned subsidiary of MasterCard International Incorporated, operates the international ATM sharing association known as "Cirrus® ATM Network."
Cleaning:
The process of exchanging financial transaction details between an acquirer and an issuer to facilitate posting of a cardholder's account and reconciliation of a customer's settlement position.
Co-Branded Card:
A credit card issued by a member bank and a merchant, bearing the "brand" of both.
CardJet Cards:
Teslin®-based, CR-80 size cards with a surface that is specially formulated for thermal inkjet printing. CardJet Inks bond to cards and dry instantly, without smearing. CardJet cards stand up well to abrasion, dye-migration and UV fading.
Check Reader:
A peripheral device used to read encoded information on a check to be transmitted and processed by a computer or register for authorization and approval.
Coercivity:
The measure of how much magnetic force is needed to change the state of a magnetized element. The higher the coercivity, the more force is needed. There are two types of magnetic stripe cards, low coercivity and high coercivity. While low coercivity cards can be erased if they get too close to a common magnet, high coercivity cards are not as easily erased.
More detailed info here.
Color Matching:
Several color matching options are included with FARGO Card Printer/Encoders. These options are built directly into the printer driver so they are easily selected. Colors print with more clarity, detail, and accuracy.
Color Monitor:
A monitor that displays data and graphics in color. Color monitors vary in the number of colors, dot-pitch and intensities they can produce.
Comm Port:
Communications Port. Most IBM compatible computers have from one to four comm ports used to communicate with devices attached to the computer (COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4). You need a comm port to communicate with the 712 Encoder. Now known as
Computer Port.
Communications Protocol:
Contact Smart Card Encoder:
The contact smart card encoder connects the ISO contact pins mounted on the e-card docking station to a Gemplus GemCore 410 smart card coupler mounted inside the printer. The GemCore 410's digital I/O is converted to a RS-232 signal which is accessible to application programs through a dedicated DB-9 port on the outside of the printer labeled "Smart Card."
Contactless Smart Card Encoder:
The contactless smart card encoder connects an antenna mounted on the e-card docking station to a Gemplus GemEasyLink 680SL coupler mounted inside the printer/encoder. Application programs can access Mifare® contactless cards via a RS-232 signal through a dedicated DB-9 port on the outside of the printer labeled "Mifare/Contactless."
Control Numbers:
Measure card usage and be used as a tracking device if the card is lost. ID Services will print these on cards after the numbers have been supplied.
Credit Card Authorization:
The process in which a credit card is accepted, read and approved for a sales transaction. Credit card authorization is normally accomplished by reading a credit cared through a credit card reader that is integrated into a register or stand-alone reading device. Generally, pertinent credit information is transmitted via a modem and telephone line to a credit card "clearinghouse". The clearing house (authorization source) communicates with the credit card’s bank for approval and the appropriate debit amount of the sale.
Credit Card Reader (Magnetic Stripe Reader):
A device that reads the magnetic stripe on a credit card for account information to automatically be processed for a transaction. A credit card reader is either integrated into a register, attached onto a register as a separate component or is part of a stand-alone terminal dedicated for the sole function of processing credit card transactions.
Cursor:
A blinking symbol on the screen that shows where data may be entered next.
Customer Pole Display:
A peripheral device designed to show customers information about their transaction. This information normally consists of a description and price of the product they are purchasing. Customer pole displays are also used to display marketing information and other messages.
Commercial Card:
This is the formal name for a group of cards issued to businesses, commercial organizations and governments. Types of commercial cards include: Corporate Card, Purchase Card, and Business Card. Corporate card A Corporate card is usually issued to the employees of a corporation, where the corporation assumes all liability for the card's usage. These tend to be to larger corporations.
Currency Conversion:
The process by which the transaction currency is converted into the currency of settlement or the currency of the issuer for the purpose of facilitating transaction authorization, clearing and settlement reporting. The acquirer determines the currency of the transaction; the currency of the issuer is the preferred currency used by the issuer, and most often, the currency in which the cardholder will be billed. Also known as
Exchange Rates.
Debit Card:
A plastic card used to initiate a debit transaction. In general, these transactions are used primarily to purchase goods and services and to obtain cash, for which the cardholder's asset account is debited by the issuer.
Decode:
A term used to describe the process of interpreting scanned or "read" information and presenting it in a usable fashion to the computer.
Density:
Defined in bits per inch (BPI), recording density is the number of information bits which are recorded on one inch of a magnetic strip.
Direct Thermal:
Direct thermal is a printing technology method in which the printer utilizes a paper that reacts chemically to heat. The label rolls are coated with a thermo-sensitive layer that darkens when exposed to intense heat. Direct thermal printers require no ink or ribbon and are typically used when a bar code label needs to endure for a year or less. Also known as
Thermal Printing.
Direct-to-Card (DTC) Printing:
The Direct-to-Card printing process prints digital images directly onto any plastic card with a smooth, clean, glossy PVC surface.
Diskette/Floppy-Disk:
Disk Operating System (DOS):
Dot-Matrix Printer:
A printer that forms characters or images using a matrix of pins that strike an inked ribbon.
More detailed info here.
Downloading:
The process of sending configuration parameters, operating software or related data from a central source to remote stations.
DPI (Dots per Inch):
Measurement of a printer's resolution. Example: 600 dpi indicates that the printer can produce 600 dots of color in each inch of a card. NOTE: When judging color reproduction for a CardJet Card Printer, the inkjet resolution must be at 2400 dpi or better to achieve the color equivalent of a 300 dpi dye-sub printer.
Dual Hoppers:
Select FARGO Card Printer/Encoders provide a dual-stack, 200 card capacity Card inp<-b>ut Hopper. This unique dual hopper allows you to load up to 200 of the same type of card for maximum card production or allows you to load a different stack of cards into each hopper for added versatility and efficiency. Loading two different stacks of cards is often beneficial if, for example, you are using two types of pre-printed card backgrounds (i.e. gold cards versus silver cards) in order to more easily distinguish between two types of members, employees, students, etc.
Dual Track:
A type of credit cared reader that is capable of reading both Track 1 and 2 on a credit card.
Dye-Sublimation:
Dye-sublimation is the print process FARGO Card Printer/Encoders use to print smooth, continuous-tone, photo-quality images.
More detailed info here.
E-Card Docking Station:
FARGO provides an optional e-card docking station on select models that can be ordered with encoders for one, two or three different types of e-cards. These printer/encoders allow application software to read and/or store information in the memory of e-cards. The optional encoders provide everything needed for an application program to communicate with a specific type e-card through a standard RS-232 interface. The FARGO e-card docking station comes standard with the read/write pins (as defined by ISO) needed to communicate with contact smart cards. The e-card docking station can also be ordered with a magnetic stripe encoder for either an ISO magnetic stripe that supports dual high/low coercivity tracks 1, 2 and 3 or a JIS II magnetic stripe.
E-Card Encoder:
Select FARGO Card Printer/Encoders support reading and/or storing information in up to three different types of e-cards: ISO 7816 contact smart cards, Mifare® contactless smart cards and HID proximity cards.
Edge-to-Edge:
Refers to the maximum printable area on a card. Printer/Encoders with edge-to-edge printing capability can print just to the edge of a card resulting in printed cards with virtually no border.
Embossing:
Raised characters are produced through the use of a male and female die brought together by pressure applied above and below a marking surface. Embossing is ideal for variable information data cards, strip tags, and identification molding processes.
Electronics Benefit Transaction (EBT):
Allows governments to implement social aid programs such as food stamps through the use of a magnetic-stripe card, which can be accepted at merchant locations set up to accept this plan.
Electronic Draft Capture (EDC):
A system in which the transaction data is captured at the merchant location for processing and storage.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT):
A paperless transfer of funds initiated from a terminal, computer, telephone instrument, or magnetic tape.
Enterprise:
An "enterprise" e-commerce solution indicates technology for a large business enterprise. This usually involves a number of systems that are required to interface with each other as well as a central database management system. The design and management of an enterprise solution can be very complex.
Emulation:
The imitation of a computer system, performed by a combination of hardware and software, that allows programs to run between incompatible systems.
Encoder:
A device used to write data onto magnetic stripe cards.
EPROM:
Read-only, non-volatile, semi-conductor memory that is erasable via ultra violet light and re-programmable.
More detailed info here.
Expansion Board/Expansion Slot:
The optional device board that is usually added inside the system cabinet at an available expansion slot.
Factoring:
Also known as laundering. When a merchant submits transactions for another merchant that were not conducted at the original merchant's business establishment, this is known as factoring.
More detailed info here.
Firmware:
Fields:
A specific position on each track where data may be written or read.
Fixed Data:
Data which doesn't change. In Card Template, data remains constant from encoding session to encoding session. This means that, until it is modified, each card will encoded with this information. In Set-Up/Encode Fields, data is fixed.
Foil:
Decorative foils are applied to cards with heat. If you have a specific foil in mind, we can apply it for you, ID Services has a wide variety to choose from.
Hard Disk Drive:
Enclosed disk drive that contains one or more metallic disks for data storage. A hard disk has many times the capacity of a diskette.
More detailed info here.
High-Volume Printing:
Fast, efficient printing for producing large quantities of cards with minimal down time for supplies loading or maintenance.
High Definition Printing (HDP):
The High-Definition Printing process prints full-color images onto clear HDP transfer film. The HDP film is then fused to the card through heat and pressure via a heated roller. This revolutionary technology enhances card durability and consistently produces the best card color available - even on tough-to-print matte-finished cards, proximity cards, and smart cards.
High Speed Printing:
FARGO Card Printer/Encoders are among the fastest desktop card printer/encoders in the industry. High-speed printing allows for more efficient card production - saving time, money, and resources.
Hologram:
This security feature prevents the reproduction of ATM/Bank cards and credit cards. ID Services has a variety of holograms to choose from or will apply your own custom hologram.
Host Computer:
A central computer, such as a mainframe computer at a company’s headquarters or central office. The central computer in a star network.
ID Cards:
An important record-keeping tool for hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare providers, insurance companies and colleges/universities are ID cards. ID Services offers them in four sizes, CR50, 60, 70 and 80, to fit any standard imprinting or embossing system. ID Services offers a variety of card compositions to meet the needs of the specific application. Composite cards are recommended for College/University ID’s due to their flexibility and long life span.
In-Counter Scanner:
A bar code scanner that normally has multiple laser beams emitting from it to read bar codes in high-speed environments (i.e. grocery stores). An in-counter scanner is usually mounted into a counter top so that products can quickly and easily be passed over the scanner for bar code reading.
Imprinter:
A device supplied to the merchant to produce an image of the embossed characters of the bankcard on all copies of sales drafts and credit slips.
Issuer:
A member that enters into a contractual agreement with MasterCard or Visa to issue MasterCard or Visa cards.
JIS II:
Japanese Industrial Standard for magnetic stripe encoding, published and translated into English by Japan Standards Association.
Key Lock Cards:
Hotels and resorts all over the world are changing the traditional door locks to electronic swipe key cards. Key lock cards are becoming a necessity to keep hotel guests safe. For excellent performance, the cards must match the system and the applications. ID Services offers roll-on magnetic stripes as well as laminated magnetic stripes in both high energy and low energy coercivity with the hotel and/or its logo perfectly printed.
Key Generator:
Any tool designed to break software copy protection by extracting internally-stored keys, which can then be entered into the program to convince it that the user is an authorized purchaser.
Key Logger (Key Stroke Logger):
A program that runs in the background, recording all the keystrokes. Once keystrokes are logged, they are hidden in the machine for later retrieval, or shipped raw to the attacker. The attacker then peruses them carefully in the hopes of either finding passwords, or possibly other useful information that could be used to compromise the system or be used in a social engineering attack. For example, a key logger will reveal the contents of all e-mail composed by the user. Key log programs are commonly included in root kits and RATs (remote administration Trojans).
LCD Display:
The LCD - or Liquid Crystal Display - shows the current status of the printer, and changes according to the printer's current mode of operation. LCD communicates an error with text, which is easier to interpret than LED lights.
Laser Scanner:
A bar code scanner that utilizes laser technology. These scanners emit laser beams that read bar codes. Laser scanners have "depth of field" which enables them to read bar codes from short distances away (6" to a few feet).
LED (Light Emitting Diode):
A semiconductor light source that emits visible light or invisible infrared radiation.
Lockable Hopper:
Some FARGO Card Printer/Encoders provide a lockable Card Hopper Door. This lock is intended to help prevent theft of your blank card stock. This feature is especially helpful if using valuable card stock such as pre-printed cards, smart cards, or cards with built-in security features such as holograms.
Mag Stripe:
The magnetically encoded stripe on the bankcard plastic that contains information pertinent to the cardholder account. The physical and magnetic characteristics of the magnetic stripe are specified in ISO Standards 7810, 7811, and 7813.
Member:
An institution that participates in the programs offered by MasterCard International Incorporated.
Merchant:
A retailer, or any other person, firm, or corporation that (pursuant to a merchant agreement) agrees to accept credit cards, debit cards, or both, when properly presented.
Merchant Accounting System (MAS):
The Vital back-end system that handles settlement, interchange and billing.
Merchant Bank:
A bank that has entered into an agreement with a merchant to accept deposits generated by bankcard transactions; also called the acquirer or acquiring bank.
Merchant Category Code (MCC):
Four-digit classification codes used in the warning bulletin, authorization, clearing, and settlement systems to identify the type of merchant business in various stages of transaction processing.
Merchant Management System (MMS):
The Vital front-end system that handles point of sale functions such as terminal types, cut-off times, etc.
Mail Order/Telephone Order (MOTO):
A transaction initiated by mail or telephone to be debited or credited to a bankcard account.
Magnetic Stripe:
The black stripe found on the back of most credit cards and many other types of identification cards and drivers licenses. Used to encode and read data, usually identifying the owner of the card.
Mag Stripe refers to the black or brown magnetic stripe on a card. The stripe is made of magnetic particles of resin. The resin particle material determines the coercivity of the stripe; the higher the coercivity, the harder it is to encode -- and erase -- information from the stripe. Magnetic stripes are often used in applications for access control, time and attendance, lunch programs, library cards, and more.
Offered in five different sizes and are available in both low coercivity (300 Oersted) and high coercivity (2750 (USA), or 4000 (European) Oersted.)
· 1/8" Covers one track (HEM only)
· 5/16" Covers two tracks
· 6/16" Covers three tracks (3/8")
· 7/16" Covers three tracks
· 8/16" Covers three and one half tracks (1/2")
· 9/16" Covers four tracks (super stripe)
· We can apply roll-on magnetic stripes as well as flush laminated magnetic stripes.
For additional security ID Services offers holo-magnetic stripes. The stripes are custom made with your company name appearing in the stripe. Multiple magnetic stripes can be applied to each card.
Master Register:
A cash register that acts as the central register or "file server" in a multiple register environment. The master register normally controls "slave" registers that are networked and cable to it.
Megabyte:
A unit of measure that consists of 1,014 bytes.
Microcomputer (Personal Computer):
A small. low cost computer originally designed for individual users. Recently, microcomputers have become powerful tools for many businesses that, when networked together, have replace minicomputers and in some cases mainframes and information tools.
Micro-Printing:
Very small text printed into the plastic card and generally look like thin lines to the naked eye. The text is printed at 9600 dpi (dots per inch) and require a magnifying glass to view the micro-printed text. Desktop card printers print at 300 dpi and can not reproduce micro-printing making micro-printing a very handy feature when checking for counterfeit cards.
Microprocessor:
Integrated circuit chip that monitors, controls and executes the machine language instructions.
MICR Reader:
An acronym for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition. MICR Readers are normally used to read the encoded information within the ink on a check.
Modem (Modulator - Demodulator):
A device used to convert serial digital data for transmission over a telephone channel, or to reconvert the transmitted signal to serial digital data for acceptance by a receiving terminal.
Monochrome Monitor:
A monitor that displays characters in only one color, such as amber or green.
Multi-User:
Multi-user systems consist of two or more computers that are connected together and that share data and peripherals. A multi-user system includes a host computer (file server) and one or more stations. All stations share the same hard disk and may share other devices such as printers.
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF):
The average time between failures of a particular device based on statistical or anticipated experience.
Network:
A communications system connecting two or more computers and their peripheral devices.
Network Card:
An expansion card that is installed in an available slot in a computer so that it may connect and communicate to another computer.
Operating System:
System that consists of several programs that help the computer manage its own resources, such as manipulating files, running programs and controlling the keyboard and screen.
More detailed info here.
Output Stacker:
The Output Stacker stores printed cards in a first-in/first-out order. This feature makes it easy to keep printed cards in a specific order for faster issuance or to print serialized cards.
Oversize Cards:
Oversize cards are used for more efficient visual identification and are available in many non-standard sizes. The most popular sizes are CR-90 (3.63" x 2.37"/92 mm x 60 mm) and CR-100 (3.88" x 2.63"/98.5 mm x 67 mm).
Over Laminate:
Protective clear or holographic material designed to offer advanced card security and durability. Two types are available from FARGO: Thermal Transfer Over laminate is a .25 mil thick material that enhances card security and durability. Poly Guard Over laminate is available in a 1 mil and .6 mil thick material and provides extraordinary protection for applications that require highly durable cards.
Overlay Panel:
The clear overlay panel (O) is provided on dye-sublimation print ribbons. This panel is automatically applied to printed cards and helps prevent images from premature wear or UV fading. All dye-sublimation printed images must have either this overlay panel or an over laminate applied to protect them.
Over-the-Edge:
Refers to the maximum printable area on a card. Printer/Encoders with over-the-edge printing capability can print past the edge of a card resulting in printed cards with absolutely no border.
Parallel Transmission/Communication:
Transmission mode that sends a number of bits simultaneously over separate lines. Usually unidirectional.
More detailed info here.
Peripheral Device:
Hardware that is outside of the system unit, such as a disk drive, printer, cash drawer or scanner.
More detailed info here.
Polling:
A means of controlling devices on multi-point line. Usually utilized to send/receive information via modem from remote computers to a central computer.
Poly Guard:
A card over laminate available in 1 mil and .6 mil thicknesses that provides extraordinary card protection; ideal for harsh or more secure environments. Available as clear or with embedded holographic-type security images.
Point-of-Sale (POS):
Term normally used to describe cash register systems that record transactions or the area of "checkout" in a retail store.
PIN Numbers:
This security feature will activate usage of the card. Once the numbers have been supplied from our customers, ID Services can apply them to the customer cards.
More detailed info here.
PIN Pad:
A "pin pad" is a small keyboard that normally contains numeric keys. PIN is an acronym for personal identification number which is normally entered into the keyboard "pad" to verify account information for a transaction (i.e. similar to an automated teller machine).
Programmable Keyboard:
A keyboard that is capable of being configured and programmed in a variety of ways. Programmable keyboards allow keys to represent special departments, functions, product, etc.
Projection Scanner:
A type of bar code reader that is normally placed vertically, and that projects laser beams horizontally to scan bar codes. Often used when high performance and speed to reading bar codes is critical.
Protocols:
A set of rules for the exchange of information, such as those used for successful data transmission.
Proximity Card:
Proximity cards allow access and tracking utilizing contactless technology (usually by communicating through a built-in antenna).
Proximity Card Encoder:
The prox card encoder uses a HID ProxPoint® Plus reader mounted on the e-card docking station inside the printer/encoder. The ProxPoint is a "read only" device producing a Wiegand signal that is converted to RS-232 using a Cypress Computer Systems CVT-2232. Application programs can read information from HID prox cards via a RS-232 signal through a dedicated DB-9 port on the outside of the printer labeled "Prox."
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC):
These cards are manufactured for mechanical style embossing and to be our least expensive card option. They are available in 23 different colors and three different card finishes. Heat distortion occurs at 130°F and the cards will flex approximately 2,500 flex cycles. Estimated normal card life: 18 months.
Chemistry info here.
Portable Document Format (PDF):
Adobe's file format is the de facto standard for electronic document distribution. It is the preferred means of distributing documents online because it preserves fonts, formatting, colors and graphics regardless of the application or platform used to create it. The Adobe Acrobat Reader, required to read PDF files, is available free from the Adobe web site.
Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS):
Purchase Card:
The Purchase card is issued to corporations, businesses and governments. It provides control over daily and monthly spending limits, total credit limits, and where the card may be used. It also reduces the administrative cost associated with authorizing, tracking, paying, and reconciling those purchases. Many employees may be issued the same card number.
Random Access Memory (RAM):
Resin Thermal Transfer:
Resin Thermal Transfer is the process used to print sharp black text and crisp bar codes that can be read by both infra-red and visible-light bar code scanners. It is also the process used to print ultra-fast, economical one-color cards. Like dye-sublimation, this process uses a thermal Print head to transfer color from the ribbon roll to the card. The difference, however, is that solid dots of color are transferred in the form of a resin-based ink which fuses to the surface of the card when heated. This produces very durable, single-color images.
Scale:
A scale is a peripheral device used to record the weight of an item and transmit the amount to a computer for processing.
Scratch-Off Panels:
Applied through hot stamping or silk screening. Typically they are used to cover pin numbers on pre-paid phone cards.
Serial Transmission:
Transmission mode that sends data one bit at a time. In most cases, in personal computers, serial data is passed through as RS232 serial interface port.
Signature Capture:
A peripheral device that electronically captures an individual’s signature for customer identification and transaction applications.
Slave Register:
A cash register that is driven by a "master" register in a multiple register environment.
Smart Guard:
Smart Guard is a printer security option that uses a custom access card and a built-in reader to restrict printer access. With this feature, only those with a valid access card can print cards. This makes both your printed cards and your overall system more secure.
Smart Load:
Smart Load is an exclusive FARGO technology used in CardJet Card and Ink Cartridges to advise you on the status of your CardJet supplies. In CardJet Ink Cartridges, Smart Load technology reports the number of prints remaining in the cartridge and alerts you when ink is low or out. In CardJet Card Cartridges, Smart Load technology tells you to install a new cartridge when the card supply runs out.
Smart Load Card Cartridge:
Cartridge that is pre-loaded with CardJet Cards at the factory. They snap into the back of the printer in just seconds. Smart Load technology inside the cartridges alerts you to install a new cartridge when the card supply runs out.
Smart Load Ink Cartridge:
CardJet Ink Cartridges are available with both full-color and black (used for infrared bar codes only) inkjet inks. Cartridges snap into the printer just like the cartridges used in other familiar office or home inkjet printers. Smart Load technology inside the cartridges reports the number of prints remaining in the cartridge and alerts you when ink is low or out.
Smart Shield:
This option allows the printer/encoder to print custom, reflective security images on the card that fluoresce under a black or UV light source.
Solenoid:
Solenoids are commonly used in "dumb" cash drawers and incorporate a cable connected trigger which releases the drawer. Cash drawers with solenoids are interfaced to receipt printers that "drive" them. Solenoids have different voltages and are integrated into the cash drawer dependent on the printer they are interfaced to.
Standard Cards:
The standard card size is CR-80. CR-80 dimensions are 3.375" x 2.125" (85.6 mm x 54 mm).
Thermal Transfer:
Thermal transfer is a printing technology method in which printers use regular paper and a heat sensitive ribbon. The ribbon deposits a coating of dark material on the paper when exposed to intense heat. Thermal transfer printers produce a more durable label that won’t fade as quickly as direct thermal labels and are often used when a label needs to endure longer than a year.
Thermal Transfer Over Laminate:
A card over laminate available in a .25 mil thickness that increases card security and durability; often used for moderate durability applications or when additional security (such as holographic images) are needed.
Till:
The paper money and currency tray that holds money in a cash drawer. Tills are usually available in 4 or 5 till versions, available with lock and cover and are removable.
Track:
One of up to three portions of a magnetic stripe where data can be written.
Track 1:
Track one is a "track" of information on a credit card that has a 79 character alphanumeric field for information. Normally a credit card number, expiration date and customer name are contained on track 1.
Track 2:
Track two is a "track" of information on a credit card that has a 40 character field for information. Normally a credit cad number and expiration date are contained on track 2.
Track 3:
Track three is a "track" of information on a credit card that has 107 character field for alphanumeric information. Normally a credit card number, expiration date and room for additional information are available on track 3.
UNIX:
UNIX is a terminal based operation system in which "dumb" terminals are communicating back to a "smart" processing unit or host.
UPS:
An acronym for uninterrupted power source. A UPS is primarily used as a back up power source for computers and computer networks to insure on-going operation in the event of a power failure. Sophisticated units also have power conditioning and power monitoring features.
UV Inks:
Most commonly used to put hidden graphics and text on a plastic card. The inks are invisible until the card is subjected to a certain colored light (for instance, when placing a California drivers license under a black light the image of the California flag will become visible in green and orange.) UV inks are used as an aid in detecting counterfeit cards. They come in a variety of colors and can react to different colored lights. Desktop card printers are unable to print UV ink.
Variable Data:
Information which changes with each encoding session or on a card-by-card basis.
Wand:
A pen-shaped bar code scanner that emits a beam from the end or tip of the wand. Wands are older, bar code reading technology but inexpensive and still widely used where speed and performance are not crucial.
Wedge:
A wedge decodes "read" data (i.e. bar codes, credit cards) and communicates that information through a keyboard port on a computer. The keyboard plugs into the wedge and the wedge device plugs into the computer where the keyboard was. Sophisticated wedges can accept a few different peripheral devices. Also See Decode.
