AIDC

AIDC, abbreviated from automatic identification and data capture (자동인식데이터수집/自動識別数据蒐集) or Automatic Data Capture, refers to the methods of automatically identifying objects, collecting data about them, and entering that data directly into computer systems without human involvement.

Technologies typically considered as part of AIDC include bar codes, magnetic stripes, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), quick response (QR) codes, RFID, NFC (near field communication), biometrics like finger print, iris and facial recognition system, smart cards, voice recognition, and so forth. With the technological advancement, brand-new AIDC will appear sooner or later.

In short, AIDC is the process or means of obtaining and recording external data, particularly through analysis of images, sounds or videos. To capture data, a transducer is employed which converts the actual image or a sound into a digital file. The file is then stored and at a later time it can be analyzed by a computer, or compared with other files in a database to verify identity or to provide authorization to enter a secured system. Capturing data can be done in various ways; the best method depends on application.

Key words
AIDC, machine-readable information, bar code, QR code, RFID, biometrics

Capturing data from printed documents
One of the most useful application tasks of data capture is collecting information from paper documents and saving it into databases. There are several types of basic technologies used for data capture according to the data type: For further details about the above technologies, see the Wikipedia article.
 * OCR for printed text recognition
 * ICR for hand-printed text recognition
 * OMR for marks recognition
 * OBR for barcodes recognition
 * BCR for business cards recognition.

QR codes
QR code, abbreviated from Quick Response Code, is the trademark for a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional bar code) first designed for the automotive industry in Japan.

Bar codes are optical machine-readable labels attached to items that record information related to the item. The QR code was invented in Japan by the Toyota subsidiary Denso Wave in 1994 to track vehicles during manufacture. It was designed to allow high-speed component scanning.

It has since become one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. Recently, the QR Code system has become popular outside the automotive industry due to its fast readability and greater storage capacity compared to standard UPC barcodes. The code consists of black modules (square dots) arranged in a square grid on a white background. The information encoded may be made up of four standardized types ("modes") of data (numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, Kanji) or, through supported extensions, virtually any type of data.

A QR code is read by an imaging device, such as a camera, and formatted algorithmically by underlying software using Reed-Solomon error correction until the image can be appropriately interpreted. Data is then extracted from patterns present in both horizontal and vertical components of the image. As a variety of industries utilize the QR code today, the applications for use can vary from product tracking, item identification, time tracking, document management and general marketing purposes.

RFID tags
RFID is relatively a new AIDC technology which was first developed in 1980’s. The technology acts as a base in automated data collection, identification and analysis systems worldwide.

RFID has found its importance in a wide range of markets including livestock identification, movable collateral management and Automated Vehicle Identification (AVI) systems because of its capability to track moving objects. These automated wireless AIDC systems are highly effective in manufacturing environments where barcode labels could not survive.

As illustrated right, the RFID system could be effectively incorporated into the enterprise resource planning (ERP) and supply chain management (SCM) system.

Technological Advancement and Prospects
The idea about AIDC is as simple as its application is difficult. If all cans, books, shoes or parts of cars are equipped with minuscule identifying devices, daily life on our planet will undergo a transformation. Things like running out of stock or wasted products will no longer exist as we will know exactly what is being consumed on the other side of the globe.

Theft will be a thing of the past as we will know where a product is at all times. Counterfeiting of critical or costly items such as drugs, repair parts, or electronic components will be reduced or eliminated because manufacturers or other supply chain entities will know where their products are at all times.

Product wastage or spoilage will be reduced because environmental sensors will alert suppliers or consumers when sensitive products are exposed to excessive heat, cold, vibration, or other risks. Supply chains will operate far more efficiently because suppliers will ship only the products needed when and where they are needed. Consumer and supplier prices should also drop accordingly.