PACKET
A packet is a well-defined block of bytes, which consists of header, data, and trailer. In a layered network architecture, packets created at one level may be inserted into another header/trailer envelope at a lower level. A bundle of data. On the Internet, data is broken up into small chunks, called packets; each packet traverses the network independently. Packet sizes can vary from roughly 40 to 32,000 bytes, depending on network hardware and media, but packets are normally less than 1500 bytes long.
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PACKET SWITCH NODE (PSN)
The modern term used for nodes in the ARPANET and MILNET.
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PACKET SWITCHING
A communications paradigm in which packets (messages) are individually routed between hosts, with no previously established communication path. See Circuit-switching, Connection- oriented, Connectionless. Packet switching is a transmission method in which packets are sent across a network from source to destination. The transmission may use any available path, or circuit, and the circuit is available as soon as the packet has been sent. The next packet in the transmission may take a different path.
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PADDING
Filling the unused portion of a field, record or block with specified 'fill' characters.
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PANTOGRAPH
A printed pattern creating a decorative background. Usually intended as an anti-alteration security feature of a check.
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PAPERLESS OFFICE
Many businesses feel that they are drowning in a sea of paper. Studies show that offices increase their paper demands by 25% per year; retention periods are becoming longer and access to the documents are becoming greater. What happened to the dream of the paperless office? How can a business cope with their increased need for documentation? The answer lies in Electronic Document Management (EMD) systems. Document management systems have been around since stone tablets. The use of filing cabinets, file folders, and index cards comprise some of the components of a document management system. The ability to efficiently store documents and easily search and retrieve their contents has been a constant struggle for records managers. While microfilm is a good solution for permanent storage its search and retrieval mechanisms are cumbersome. Enter the use of computers to manage document storage and increase search and retrieval capabilities. EDM systems offer secure archive capabilities, elimination of lost or decaying documents, and instantaneous access to all of the documents in the repository. Today, a document can be scanned into a computer and the user can search a template profile or search the entire text of the document. CD ROM's have over a 30 year shelf life and can store over 15,000 documents. A document that is stored on a computer can be easily located, and once it is found it can be printed, faxed or e-mailed. Another advantage of an EDM system is its archival abilities. Imagine storing 10 file cabinets worth of paper documents in your desk drawer, and being able to retrieve any document within 30 seconds! What is the cost to all of this paper? Consider that an average company spends $25,000 to fill one file cabinet and $2,100 a year to maintain the cabinet. While vast improvements have been made over the past few years, an EDM system may not completely abolish a company's paper requirements, but it will exponentially allow for better management of those documents. An EDM system may be the solution your company is seeking, so that you can concentrate on managing your business, not on managing your paper.
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PARALLEL
The description of transmission of bits over multiple wires at one time. A wire is devoted to each bit of a byte. Most often used in computer to printer communications. Method of sending many bits over a communication line simultaneously. Parallel transmission can be faster than serial (contrast with serial).
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PARALLEL PORT
A computer external interface to a printer or other peripheral device.
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PARCEL POST
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PARITY
Data has even or odd parity if the number of 1 bits is even or odd. A parity bit is a bit added to data to make the parity even or odd. A parity bit may be used to detect errors in RAM as well as in data transmitted through noisy communications channels. A parity error is detected when data that is supposed to be even parity is not or vice versa.
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PARITY BIT
The ninth bit of each byte, which contains a '0' or a '1', that is used to detect errors in transmission of data.
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PARITY CHECK
A method of sending an extra bit to a receiving device in order to identify any error in transmission. The ASCII code reserves the first bit of each byte for parity checking. The computer adds up all the binary digits in the byte. Then, depending on whether the total is odd or even, it puts either a 0 or a 1 in the parity bit position before the byte is transmitted. The receiving device performs the same calculation and checks the parity bit to see if the result was correct. Not all microcomputers use parity checking. It is vital if accuracy of data is very important.
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PARTITION DISK
In hard disk storage, a partition is a logical division of a physical hard disk. Partitions may be created to divide a large storage region into smaller, more manageable regions, or to store different operating systems.
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PASSWORD
A unique sequence of alphanumeric characters assigned to the user of a computer system for identification and security purposes.
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PATCH CARD
A document that contains scanner and indexing instructions in the form of a bar code. Patch Cards can be inserted at specific points in a 'scan batch' where you desire new scanner or indexing settings to begin or end. Patch cards can instruct document imaging software to store a document in a specific database, assign the document an incremental sequence number, assign a job name, or record the scan date of a document. Patch cards are also capable of adjusting scanner settings and performing image enhancement operations such as 'deskew,' 'rotate,' and 'despeckle'.
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PATTERN RECOGNITION
Used in OCR, pattern recognition uses artificial intelligence to rate and determine if the perceived character has enough correct criteria to be a particular letter.
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PAVE
Presort Accuracy Validation and Evaluation.
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PAYEE
The name of a person or business to which the check is being paid. The name of the Payee is required for the check to be a valid negotiable instrument.
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PAYER
The person or business that is paying the money to the Payee.
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PAYMENT DOCUMENT
Paper document used to transfer funds from one party to another.
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PAYMENT METHOD
How the client pays what is owed. Examples include check, wire payment, Speedpay, Western Union and ACH.
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PAYMENT OUTSOURCING
A bank service, which lets entities send a single file to the bank for all payments, whether check, ACH or wire transfer. The bank then executes each payment as instructed, e.g. prints checks, initiates ACH and wire payments. Simplifies payment processing for companies who do not wish to buy and maintain check-printing equipment nor maintain infrastructure for multiple payment procedures. Used effectively by organizations that are transitioning from check based payments to EFT.
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PC
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PCI
Protocol Control Information.
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PCMCIA (PERSONAL COMPUTER MEMORY CARD INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION)
PCMCIA is an ISO standard that supports services or devices provided on boards the size of a credit card. Originally developed for use in palmtop computers, the PCMCIA is being included in printers, laptops, and even larger computers.
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PCMCIA CARD
Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. The card is used to connect peripherals to computer systems for additional functions.
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PCS
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PDU
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PEL
(deprecated)-Abbreviation for pixel. See pixel.
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PERIODICALS
Formerly second-class mail. Magazines, newspapers, etc. that are issued at least four times a year at specified intervals.
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PERIPHERAL
Anything extra or added onto a computer, such as a modem, a mouse or fax adapter. Peripherals can be added on externally or installed inside the machine.
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PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT
Supplementary equipment external to a computer that puts data into or accepts data from the computer, such as disk drives and printers.
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PERMANENT GROUP
A group you select when you want to apply a characteristic to, or to edit all the images in the composite. A permanent group is associated with the layout and is always the same. A layout provided by Composite Editor has one permanent group associated with it.
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PERSONAL COMPUTER
An IBM or IBM clone personal computer or Macintosh (Microcomputer) that is used by one person.
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PHASE CHANGE RECORDING
Ability of media to transform between amorphous (structureless) and microcrystalline (structured) states. Such media can be transformed a finite number of times.
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PHYSICAL LAYER
The first layer of the OSI reference model. It governs hardware connections and byte-stream encoding for transmission.
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PHYSICAL MEDIA
Any means in the physical world for transferring signals between OSI systems. Considered to be outside the OSI Model and therefore sometimes referred to as "Layer 0."
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PICOSECOND
One trillionth of a second.
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PIE
Kodak Professional Imaging Engine. It's an application that works in the background assembling the high-resolution versions of your composites. It sends the composite images or JOBS to output devices. It also acts as a color management tool, and provides automated long roll scanning capability.
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PIECE RATE
A third class postage rate without a discount; the postage charged for single pieces of mail (in contrast to mail presented in bulk).
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PIT
Broadly used to refer to data carrying marks in optical media. Originally described the rimless troughs written in the photo-resist layer on optical disk masters and transferred by molding to optical disks.
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PIXEL
The smallest element of a display that can be individually assigned a color or intensity. Also an acronym for Picture Element, might be referred to as a PEL. Basically each pixel is one dot. But with color each pixels can be made up of several dots of varying colors to produce the color. Often referred to as dot, as in "dots per inch". "Pixel" is short for picture elements, which make up an image, similar to grains in a photograph or dots in a half-tone. Each pixel can represent a number of different shades or colors, depending on how much storage space is allocated for it. Pixels per inch (ppi) is sometimes the preferred term, as it more accurately describes the digital image. The smallest element of a digitized image. Also, one of the tiny points of light that make up a picture on a computer screen. Contraction of picture element. A tiny point of light on a video screen (contract with raster). Many pixels make up the picture on a video display screen designed for computer use (see resolution).
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PLATFORM
Another term used for describing the computer operating system. Hardware environment that supports the running of a computer system.
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PLUG-IN
A software add-on for browsers, which adds new facilities, such as audio and video.
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POINT
Move the mouse to place the arrow pointer on an item.
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POINT OF PRESENCE (POP)
A site with a collection of telecommunications equipment, usually digital leased lines and multi-protocol routers. A city or location where a network can be connected to, often with dial up phone lines.
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POINT OF PURCHASE (POP)
The ACH transaction format used to clear electronically a check converted to an ACH item at the point of purchase (point of sale).
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POINT OF SALE (POS)
An application that allows the seller to compile product identification information at the time of sale, frequently picking up price information by cross-referencing the product identifier to the price file. Often a point of sale system will receive barcoded product identification.
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POINT OF SALE BLOCKING AND PROMPTING
The ability to encode the magnetic strip on the back of the card to restrict and certain purchases and product type codes. The main difference between prompting and authorizations is control. POS prompting requires users of the card key to key in certain information for reporting purposes (i.e. odometer reading). However, it is not a form of authorization because users can key incorrect information without being declined. POS authorizations require that the user key correct information before authorization will be given for a purchase using the card.
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POINT TO POINT PROTOCOL (PPP)
Most well known as a protocol that allows a computer to use a regular telephone line and a modem to make TCP/IP connections and thus be really and truly on the Internet.
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POINTER
An arrow or other symbol on the screen that moves as you move the mouse. You use the pointer to choose commands, to indicate where you want to insert text, to move images, and so forth.
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POP
Point of Purchase, Point of Presence or Post Office Protocol.
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PORT
A place where information goes into or out of a computer, or both (e.g. the serial port on a personal computer where a modem would be connected). On the Internet, port often refers to a number that is part of a URL, appearing after a colon (:) right after the domain name. Every service on an Internet server listens on a particular port number on that server. Most services have standard port numbers; e.g., web servers normally listen on port 80. Services can also listen on non-standard ports, in which case the port number must be specified in a URL when accessing the server. For example, this URL - gopher://peg.cwis.uci.edu:7000/ - shows a gopher server running on a non-standard port (the standard gopher port is 70). Port also refers to translating a piece of software to bring it from one type of computer system to another, e.g. to translate a Windows program so that is will run on a Macintosh. See Domain Name, Server, URL.
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PORTABLE
In computer usage, a file or program is "portable" if it can be used by a variety of software on a variety of hardware platforms. Numeric data files written as plain character format files are fairly portable.
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PORTAL
Usually used as a marketing term to describe a web site that is or is intended to be the first place people see when using the Web. Typically a Portal site has a catalog of web sites, a search engine or both. A Portal site may also offer e-mail and other service to entice people to use that site as their main "point of entry" (hence "portal") to the Web.
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PORTRAIT MODE
Page orientation in which the page height exceeds the page width. In contrast with landscape.
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POST
The act of placing a message in an on-line conference. The noun "posting" is sometimes used to refer to a conference message.
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POST DATED CHECK
A check that is dated in the future. Such a check is not considered negotiable until that date arrives.
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POST OFFICE PROTOCOL (POP)
A protocol designed to allow single user hosts to read mail from a server. There are three versions: POP, POP2 and POP3. Later versions are NOT compatible with earlier versions.
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POSTAGE STATEMENT
The form one brings to the post office when dropping mail. It reports the volume of mail and the postage payable or affixed and certifies that the mailing meets eligibility standards for the rate claimed.
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POSTAL CARD
A card sold by the USPS having printed indicia and sent first class. Also (incorrectly) referred to as a post card, which is an unofficial card, often a picture card that can be sent through the mail when postage is affixed.
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POSTING
Applying payments to accounts receivable. A single message entered into a network communications system; e.g. a single message posted to a newsgroup or message board.
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POSTMARK
A cancellation imprint on letters and packages showing the time, date and post office or sectional center of origin.
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POSTNET
Postal Numeric Encoding Technique. The barcode system for encoding the delivery point information and zip+4 code information on letter-size and flat-size mail pieces. This barcode can be located in the lower right portion of the mail piece or the address block. Also see Delivery Point Barcode.
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POSTSCRIPT
A language defined by Adobe Systems, Inc. for describing how to create an image on a page. The description is independent of the resolution of the device that will actually create the image. It includes a technology for defining the shape of a font and creating a raster image at many different resolutions and sizes.
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POWER ENCODE
A term used for the encode pass (second pass) of a two-pass image workflow. It has also been used to describe automatically encoding matched payments with the amount read off the scan line. See Automatics.
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
A document that, when signed by a person, gives legal authority to a second person to act on behalf of the first person.
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POWERPC
A RISC CPU chip designed by IBM and Apple and manufactured by Motorola. It features a 32/64-bit implementation and full binary compatibility with the IBM RS/6000.
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POWER-UP/POWER-DOWN
Power-up is a sequence of steps used by the computer when power is turned on or restored after a power failure. It initializes the CPU and peripherals; Power-down is turning the computer off in an orderly fashion.
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PPD
Prearranged Payment or Deposit; an ACH transaction format, usually initiated in the context of a standing obligation (e.g.: club dues) that debits/credits a consumer's account on a regular basis to satisfy the obligation.
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PPP
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PRE-FETCHING
Documents are manually pre-fetched from the jukebox by an operator in anticipated need.
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PRE-MASTERING
A CD-ROM term defining the transfer of machine readable text to the CD platter creating the CD-master.
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PRESENTATION LAYER
The sixth layer of the OSI reference model. It lets an application interpret the data being transferred.
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PRESENTMENT
The actual delivery of a negotiable instrument by a holder to the drawer for payment or acceptance or to the maker for payment.
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PRESERVATION (AS IT RELATES TO SCANNING)
Refers to digitizing an original photograph, document, or three-dimensional object is only a method of preservation if the digital file becomes the access tool and the original is no longer available for use. Although high resolution scanning (i.e., scan at the highest resolution possible appropriate to the type of media you are scanning) is recommended for all materials in order to achieve the highest quality possible and to ensure that information held in the original is not lost in the scan. However, the digital file, as of yet, should not serve as a replacement of the original for preservation purposes.
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PRESORT
A process by which mail is sorted, bundled and/or sacked according to USPS specifications, prior to entering the USPS system, typically in return for a discounted postage rate.
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PRESORT ACCURACY VALIDATION AND EVALUATION (PAVE)
A voluntary program in which the USPS provides testing for certain categories of presort software and hardware products to determine their accuracy in sorting address information according to DMM standards and producing standardized supporting documentation.
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PRESORT LEVELS
Terms used for presort levels are defined as follows: Firm - All pieces for delivery at the address shown on the top piece of a package or bundle. Carrier Route - All pieces for delivery on the same city route, rural route, highway contract route, post office box section or general delivery unit. 5-digit - The delivery address on all pieces includes the same 5-digit zip code. 3-digit - The zip code in the delivery address on all pieces begins with the same three digits. Unique 3-digit - The zip code in the delivery address on all pieces begins with the same three digits as one of the 3-digit areas identified. 3-digit/scheme - The zip code on the delivery address on all pieces begins with one of the 3-digit prefixes processed by the USPS as a single scheme (See LOOS) and that, subject to standard, may be presorted together as a single group. Entry SCF 3-digit(s) - The zip code in the delivery addresses of all pieces begins with one of the 3-digit prefixes processed at the postal facility in whose service area the mailer is located. SCF - The separation includes pieces for two or more 3-digit areas served by the same SCF. ADC/AADC - All pieces are addressed for delivery in the service area of the same ADF or AADC. ASF/BMC - All pieces are addressed for delivery in the service area of the same ASF or BMC. Mixed (BMC, AADC, etc.) - The pieces are for more than one presort destination. Residual (pieces/packages/sacks) - Mail that is left over after completion of a presort sequence. Residual mail, which lacks the volume set by standard to require or permit package or bundle preparation to a particular destination, usually does not qualify for a presort rate. Also called nonqualifying or working mail.
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PRESORTED 1ST CLASS MAIL
First-Class Mail in zip code order following certain sortation requirements.
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PRESSURE-SENSITIVE LABEL
Label with a gummed adhesive that can be peeled off the backing material and applied permanently to another surface simply by pressing.
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PRE-VIEW
A user interface for previewing and selecting images; adjusting and correcting images; accepting choices of layout, images, and text; and submitting jobs.
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PREVIEW IMAGES
Composite Editor mode that lets you see the low-resolution version of the composite you're working on. When editing, for example, Preview Images lets you see color-related changes, cropping changes, and orientation changes. It also lets you see which images you invert. It won't show the background or any special effects (frames, for example).
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PRINT CONTRAST SIGNAL (PCS)
A measurement of the ratio of the reflectivity between the characters in a scan line and blank spaces surrounding the scan line, commonly expressed in percent.
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PRINT DENSITY
The relative darkness of print on the page, which affects the amount of ink or toner applied to a page.
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PRINT QUALITY
The degree to which a printed optical character complies with the requirements which are specified for it, such as dimensions, reflectance, edge roughness, spots, voids, etc., which will determine the performance of the scanner. OCR print quality is defined by an ANSI standard.
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PRINTED INFORMATION
Lines or other information printed on a payment document (such as a check) to convey the informational content of the document, not considered to be part of the background color or design.
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PRINTER
An output device that converts the coded information from the processor into a readable form on paper.
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PRINTOUT
The printed output of a computer printer.
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PRIORITY MAIL
Mail with service comparable to first class service that weighs more than first class mail (currently 11 ounces), principally flats and parcels.
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PROCESS
A systematic sequence of operations to produce a specified result; a unique, finite course of events defined by its purpose or by its effect and achieved under given conditions. As a verb, to perform operations on data in a process. Also an address space and the code executing in it.
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PROGRAM
Step-by-step set of instructions to tell a computer how to perform a particular task. It may be written in a high-level (near human) language like BASIC or COBOL or in a low-level language like assembly or machine language.
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PROGRAMMER
A person, who designs, writes and tests computer programs.
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PROGRAMMING
A notation for the precise description of computer programs or algorithms. Programming languages are artificial languages in which the syntax and semantics are strictly defined.
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PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE
A set of commands, symbols and syntax designed for writing computer programs.
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PROGRESS
PIE command that lets you see Imaging Engine's current status.
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PROMPT
A message displayed on the monitor to assist the operator; an action by the computer to tell the operator what entry to make.
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PROPRIETARY FORMAT
A data format specific to a company, industry or other limited group.
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PROTOCOL
A protocol is predefined rules that govern how two or more processes communicate and interact to exchange data. These processes can be on the same machine or on different machines. For example, a transport-layer program on one machine uses a protocol to talk to the program's counterpart on another machine. Protocols are generally associated with particular services or tasks, such as data packaging or packet routing. A protocol specifies rules for setting up, carrying out, and terminating a communications connection, and also specifies the format the information packets must have when traveling across this connection. Some protocols require acknowledgment that an action has been successfully carried out, such as when a packet has been received. Under some circumstances, as in the case of a router going over modem-speed lines, such acknowledgments can slow down a transmission enough to throw off timing requirements for some protocols. Protocols can be distinguished by several types of properties: The level ,or layer, at which the protocol operates. The network architecture for which the protocol is designed. For example, bus-oriented protocols look and behave differently (in their details) than do protocols associated with ring-based networks. Whether the protocol is synchronous or asynchronous. Whether the protocol is connection-oriented or connectionless. Whether the protocol is character-or bit-oriented. A formal description of messages to be exchanged and rules to be followed for two or more systems to exchange information. An agreement that governs the procedures used to exchange information between cooperating entities and usually includes how much information is to be sent, how often it is sent, how to recover from transmission errors and who is to receive the information.
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PROTOCOL CONTROL INFORMATION (PCI)
The protocol information added by an OSI entity to the service data unit passed down from the layer above, all together forming a Protocol Data Unit.
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PROTOCOL CONVERTER
A device/program that translates between different protocols that serve similar functions (e.g., TCP and TP4).
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PROTOCOL DATA UNIT (PDU)
This is OSI terminology for Packet. A PDU is a data object exchanged by protocol machines (entities) within a given layer. PDUs consist of both protocol control Information and user data.
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PROTOCOLS AND LAYERS
A protocol stack, which consists of the protocols for a particular network architecture, includes protocols at different layers. Details of the protocols reflect the functions and services available at each layer. In networking language, a protocol stack is a collection of related protocols used in a particular network. Together, the protocols in a protocol stack cover enough or all of the layers in the communications model being used. Widely used protocol stacks include some of the following: AppleTalk stack, used in Macintosh-based networks IPX/SPX stack, is used in Novell NetWare networks TCP/IP stack, is used in Unix environments, such as Internet Protocol stacks are sometimes, loosely, known as a protocol suites.
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PSN
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PSTN
Public Switched Telephone Network. The current telephone system.
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PUBLIC DOMAIN
Documents not protected by copyright can freely have copies made and distributed.
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PURGE
The process of eliminating duplications and/or unwanted names and addresses from one or more lists.
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PUSH TECHNOLOGY
Information delivered directly to the desktop of a PC. An alternative to surfing for information on sites already known.
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